Understanding & Conquering Depression

This episode, I explain what major depression is at the biological and psychological level and the various treatments that peer-reviewed studies have revealed can help prevent and treat depression. I explain the three major chemical systems that are altered in depression: norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine. I discuss genetic predispositions to depression and how stress, thyroid hormone and cortisol play a role in many forms of depression. I also discuss inflammation as a common feature of many depression symptoms. I review 8 specific science-supported protocols for treating and avoiding depression, including EPA fatty acids (which have been shown to rival certain prescription treatments), how exercise protects against depression, studies of creatine, adjusting dopamine balance and more. I also discuss the results of ongoing clinical trials for ketamine and psilocybin for depression, how these compounds work and finally, I review how ketogenic diets can help in certain cases of depression, especially treatment-resistant major depression. Read the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab Waking Up: https://wakingup.com/huberman Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Mood Disorders & Maintaining Mental Health (Protocol 1)   00:07:25 Sponsors: AG1, LMNT & Waking Up 00:11:15 Major Depression   00:18:40 “Anti-Self” Confabulation   00:21:42 Autonomic (Vegetative) Symptoms of Depression   00:26:58 Norepinephrine, Dopamine & Serotonin   00:31:50 SSRIs (Prozac, Zoloft, etc.): Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors   00:37:00 Epinephrine/Motor Functions, Dopamine/Motivation & Craving, Serotonin/Emotions   00:39:33 Physical & Emotional Pain are Linked: Substance P   00:41:50 Hormones & Depression: Thyroid & Cortisol   00:46:50 Genetic Susceptibility to Depression: Impact of Stress   00:50:50 Understanding Biological Mechanism Is Key: Recipes versus Skills   00:52:50 Tools for Dealing with Depression: Logic & Implementation (Protocol 2)   00:56:25 Brain Inflammation & Mental State: Cytokines, Prostaglandins, etc.   00:59:20 Protocol 3: Essential Fatty Acids (Omega-3, EPAs: Eicosapentaenoic Acid)*   01:02:50 How EPAs Help Offset Depression: Serotonin Synthesis, Kynurenine, Quinolinic Acid   01:05:25 Protocol 4: How Exercise Offsets Depression   01:11:44 Protocol 5: Creatine Monohydrate, Forebrain Function & NMDA Receptors*   01:20:30 Protocol 6*: Ketamine, PCP (*Prescription-Only), & NMDA-Receptor Function   01:33:08 Protocol 7*: Psychedelics (*In Clinical Trials) for Major Depression: Psilocybin*   01:47:00 Protocol 8: Ketogenic Diet, GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid)   01:54:50 Summary of Protocols Covered   02:00:10 Support & Additional Resources   Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices