Depression Isn’t Just in Your Head, It’s in Your Gut, Too

⚠️ This one’s important.

Antidepressants are often prescribed with good intentions, but long-term use carries serious risks...  like a higher chance of sudden cardiac death after 6+ years, especially in younger adults. 😳

📽️ Medicating Normal is a must-watch documentary that explores how psych meds affect the brain and body.

📊 The article above breaks down the science - only about 15% of users benefit beyond placebo, and most people may do better by addressing root causes.

🌿 Small shifts in nutrition, gut health, plastic exposure, and sunlight can make a huge difference in mood and mental resilience.

🧠 Myth-Busting the Serotonin Theory

Many people still believe depression is caused by low serotonin, but this has never been scientifically proven. A 2015 review in Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews of serotonin research revealed the opposite - high serotonin, not low, has been linked to depressive disorders. SSRIs artificially raise serotonin levels, which can disrupt the brain’s natural energy balance and make symptoms worse over time.

There’s also no test to measure a “chemical imbalance” in the brain. And population-wide studies show that antidepressant users actually experience longer, more frequent episodes of depression. More prescriptions haven’t led to better outcomes - in many cases, they’ve led to deeper suffering.

🧬 So what’s really going on? Depression is often a systemic inflammatory issue, not just a brain problem. Inflammation from gut imbalances (over 90% of the body's serotonin is found in the gut), toxin overload, nutrient deficiencies, or chronic stress can disrupt neurotransmitters and drive mood symptoms.

That’s why holistic support like targeted nutrition, nervous system regulation, detox, and light exposure can be so effective.

🌱 Bonus insight: Did you know parasites can also play a hidden role in mood disorders? They create chronic inflammation, disrupt neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, and can even hijack your nervous system making it hard to feel calm, focused, or happy. Detox can be a powerful piece of the puzzle.

If you're looking for hope and next steps, check out:

🔹 Dr. Joseph Yi – specializes in med tapering + root-cause support (available remotely) 🔹 Dr. Kelly Brogan – holistic psychiatrist with an inspiring story + free ebook 7 Facts About Depression.  She shares that for most of her clients, depression stems from the gut. Her first step is a strict anti-inflammatory elimination diet for at least 30 days, and for many, that alone is enough to eliminate symptoms without the need for further intervention. Her Joe Rogan episode is worth a listen too.

This isn’t about shame - it’s about options. Healing is possible when you support the body and brain together.

DM me if you want to talk through any of this.

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