All Hyped Up About Serotonin
Reference Article Linked Here.
Depression and anxiety exists on a continuum from worry, fear, dread, shame, unworthiness to stress to superstress to depressiveness with or without anxiousness to diagnoseable mood disorders. And we fluctuate at any given time along this trajectory.
Some folks, because of genetic resilience or behavioral skills that address stress resilience or social or faith-based support systems or positive attitudinal world views, may find themselves tending to live at one or the other ends of this continuum.
About 40 years ago, brain research was beginning to isolate neurotransmitters and their receptors. Early data implied that low serotonin “caused” depression. Later data indicated that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIS and later molecules called SNRIs) improved depression and anxiety.
Unfortunately, this presumption was based on published research studies which were skewed to positive findings. If the trials that showed no effect were included, even the totality of that older data would not have indicated an effect of the SSRIs/SNRIs. Yet we know that some folks are profoundly helped by these medications.
Given our reductionist thinking, it is not surprising that our research framework would try to lead us to the conclusion that a molecular one-size-fits-all theory of depression would win out. This study again indicates that such a conclusion likely has very little bias to be applied to an entire population.
As an aside, did you know that the largest concentration of serotonin produced in the body is made in our guts, not our brains?
Did you know that one of the primary effects of increasing serotonin in our brains is to increase brain plasticity? In my mind, serotonin can help the brain be either more plastic or more fixed. A fixed brain cannot adapt as easily or adopt new practices. SSRIs were never the sole treatment for depression! Never! Though they were used that way.
Neurotransmitter balance is important and includes optimizing nutrient levels, hormones, and gut function; resolving inflammation; optimizing nutrition; and optimizing stress resilience. AND, very importantly, engaging in some type of talk therapy that helps you to adopt stress resilience practices, shift though constructs, be more present in this moment rather than the past (shame, guilt) or the future (fear, worry, dread), and be more communicative with others. In my opinion, the best such therapies are Acceptance and Commitment Therapy or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy combined with EMDR or HeartMath wherever possible.
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