The Fascinating Human Brain- Part 4: Depression

Is there a physical reason for depression?

YES!

How about a spiritual component? an emotional component? a relational component?

Yes, yes and yes.

As WHOLE people who cannot be divided into parts, the mind, the body, the will, the emotions, the spirit, etc... all come into play when something in us is not right. And this is equally true with depression.

But in the BRAIN, what happens in depression?

Neurologically speaking, depression happens where there is impoverished neurochemical communication in the brain.

Neurochemically, depression is caused by a lack of seratonin (the most common), dopamine, or norepinephrine. (Again this is a super simple explanation!)

Did you know that there are some natural sources of seratonin out there? This is not a "cure", but God put natural seratonin replenishment resources in our world! You can find seratonin naturally in TURKEY, MILK, and OATS. (But Rye, FYI, decreases seratonin.)

What else happens in depression?

The hippocampus shrinks. The hippocampus is the part of your brain responsible for MEMORY, as well as executive function (i.e. planning, reflection) and the place where a lot of neurogenesis happens.

Did you know that in clinical studies with rats (this is so new that human studies have yet to be completed), that giving anti-depressant medication causes the hippocampus to GROW? In other words, taking anti-depressant medication isn't just to make the person "feel better." It actually STOPS the death of neurons and improves memory functioning.

I would never suggest that medication ALONE, (or eating oats!) is the answer for a depressed person. As I stated at the beginning, ALL the parts of a person need to be addressed.

But why would you ignore the physical and not do what you could to help a person's brain do its job to help them heal?