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Researchers treat depression by reversing brain signals traveling the wrong way

med.stanford.edu

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Re: Researchers treat depression by reversing brain signals traveling the wrong way

#71

Post by marcellus23 »

kyleyeats wrote: post #34
marcellus23 wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

just because they're not chemically addictive doesn't mean they're not addictive. Weed isn't chemically addictive but plenty of people struggle with it nonetheless.

Weed is chemically addictive. Your endocannabinoid system is downregulated for weeks after heavy use. You get withdrawal symptoms which are alleviated by use. I've never seen the phrase "chemically addictive" used by someone who knew what they were talking about. It's only used by people who don't understand that neurotransmitters are chemicals too. Stop spreading this BS distinction.

I agree with you. I should have put "chemically addictive" in scare-quotes to make it clear that I think the distinction is silly.

Re: Researchers treat depression by reversing brain signals traveling the wrong way

#72

Post by asdfman123 »

kayodelycaon wrote: post #51
asdfman123 wrote: post #5

> “It’s almost as if you’d already decided how you were going to feel, and then everything you were sensing was filtered through that,” he said. “The mood has become primary.” This is 1000% what depression feels like, once you've properly come to terms with it. Your brain seems absolutely compelled to apply the most horrific, negative interpretation to everything that happens to you. Even when you understand it's wro…

For me psychotic paranoia was very much like this. No amount of reason could overcome the irrational thinking.

I imagine it's frustrating to describe to people who don't understand the degree to which your own brain works against you.

Too many assume it's a lack of willpower, but willpower can only do so much to fight the tide (depending on the severity of the illness).

Re: Researchers treat depression by reversing brain signals traveling the wrong way

#73

Post by marcellus23 »

blastro wrote: post #52
marcellus23 wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

just because they're not chemically addictive doesn't mean they're not addictive. Weed isn't chemically addictive but plenty of people struggle with it nonetheless.

same with food?

Well, yes. That's what "food addiction" is.

Re: Researchers treat depression by reversing brain signals traveling the wrong way

#74

Post by tokyolights2 »

jordan_curve wrote: post #50
endisneigh wrote: post #21

disclaimer: I acknowledge depression as an illness and state of being. that being said, if you take someone who is objectively "not depressed" and apply these same depression treatments, what would happen? some state of euphoria? heightened mood? happiness? suppose that new state is now the normal state in which people are judged against. now, the before-mentioned person who was not depressed, may be considered depre…

one common effect of SSRIs is that they can dull emotions. This is helpful and can be a positive effect if you are very depressed or get stuck in anxious spiraling. If you're very stable and happy emotionally, then that dulling might be unpleasant. Beyond that, while SSRIs tend to have fewer side effects and be more safe than many other classes of anti-depressants, even SSRIs have very noticeable side effects. They a…

Exactly this. I take a low level of SSRIs because I am an otherwise highly functioning person who has a tendency to get into severe anxious spirals that can last days on end and induce vomiting. I do all the things that a person should do to mitigate, including meditating, exercising, lots of friends, etc etc.

I know that my medication dulls my most intense emotions, but that is the point. It is slightly sad knowing that I don't experience the highest highs that I used to, but it is completely worth it to stop experiencing the lowest lows that were completely debilitating. I would stop taking them immediately if I could be assured that I wouldn't fall back into physically debilitating anxiety.

Re: Researchers treat depression by reversing brain signals traveling the wrong way

#75

Post by throitallaway »

walleeee wrote: post #67
robotburrito wrote: post #53

We are always trying to solve this problem while avoiding the elephant in the room, the current state of society is not very healthy for most people.

There are two truths here which are often taken to preclude one another, but I think they can coexist 1. Depression can be treated and even overcome in some circumstances 2. There are very justifiable reasons many people might be depressed

What I find most troubling is how resources and power get concentrated in hands of the few, and the rest of us (99%+ of the population) are left to deal with the consequences. The few laws that do exist to prevent benefiting parties from raping and pillaging the earth and society at large are slaps on the wrist at best. The default is to toe the line and/or overstep legality and morality. That's what's so depressing about it all.

Re: Researchers treat depression by reversing brain signals traveling the wrong way

#76

Post by MadcapJake »

kypro wrote: post #35

I hate this idea that signals can move the "wrong" way. There have been few days in my adult life that I wouldn't have preferred to not be here. Depression sucks. Yet, I don't think people are right when they tell me I'm wrong to be depressed. I hear that some people feel their depression shouldn't be there and that they should feel happy, and in those cases I think this sounds like it could be an excellent solution,…

You are entering Buddhism and philosophy territory with this take. At one point after the depression, you should arrive at "why should I feel bad that there's no purpose when I am a master of—and one with—the universe and can create and/or observe any meaning that I want?"

Don't stop at nihilism, take the next step towards absurdism!

Re: Researchers treat depression by reversing brain signals traveling the wrong way

#77

Post by [deleted] »

leksak wrote: post #15
asdfman123 wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As someone who has more or less successfully learned to deal with depression, ADHD, anxiety, etc., the trick is basically doing everything considered "healthy." We don't understand all of the mechanisms of long-term illnesses like depression, diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer's, etc. but we do know how to fight them: exercise and good diet. * Some processes in the human body obviously get disrupted under modern cond…

> But I also believe that if you don't exercise, eat nutritious food, get sunlight, get enough sleep, consume positive material, surround yourself with support, then you aren't giving yourself a fighting chance.” - Jim Carrey Sometimes though, any one of those or all of them can end up seeming impossible because of the depression one is fighting.

[deleted]

Re: Researchers treat depression by reversing brain signals traveling the wrong way

#78

Post by NeuNeurosis »

aszantu wrote: post #60

Don't know who needs to hear this. I started a food diary after an elimination diet which restored my energy levels. I don't know the reasons, but you're looking in a time window of four-seven days. When I stray from my diet (meat and water) one day. I become mentally unstable after 4 days. It says for 3 day, then gets good again. Crying for no reason, ruminating, poor sleep, strong sour smell that can't seem to be r…

Definitely have experience with the same thing with food. I did end up finding out it was my Pancreas and take enzymes with every meal. Really really helps and has given me way more energy and my guts feel 90% better. Still have to watch certain foods and drink plenty of water but it is way better. Good luck.

Re: Researchers treat depression by reversing brain signals traveling the wrong way

#79

Post by fpgaminer »

endisneigh wrote: post #21

disclaimer: I acknowledge depression as an illness and state of being. that being said, if you take someone who is objectively "not depressed" and apply these same depression treatments, what would happen? some state of euphoria? heightened mood? happiness? suppose that new state is now the normal state in which people are judged against. now, the before-mentioned person who was not depressed, may be considered depre…

This line of reasoning reminds me of a common misunderstanding of depression I've seen from people who've never been clinically depressed (1). It's an understandable mistake, albeit potentially dangerous (2).

Depression isn't on the happiness-sadness scale. It's quite tangential to that. In fact, perhaps quizzically, you can be happy and depressed. It's fairly common for people who learn about the loss of a loved one to recall how happy them seemed the day before.

Depression treatment, therefore, doesn't make one "less sad". And consequently it wouldn't make a healthy patient "more happy".

(1) I don't mean this in a negative way towards the comment I'm replying to. Nor am I implying that the commenter believes this. I just noticed a pattern and I'm responding in the spirit of education.

(2) It's okay to not understand depression; not everyone has to be an expert on everything. It only becomes dangerous when providing ill formed advice. Which is unfortunately common when it comes to depression.

Re: Researchers treat depression by reversing brain signals traveling the wrong way

#80

Post by agnosticmantis »

NeuNeurosis wrote: post #78
aszantu wrote: post #60

Don't know who needs to hear this. I started a food diary after an elimination diet which restored my energy levels. I don't know the reasons, but you're looking in a time window of four-seven days. When I stray from my diet (meat and water) one day. I become mentally unstable after 4 days. It says for 3 day, then gets good again. Crying for no reason, ruminating, poor sleep, strong sour smell that can't seem to be r…

Definitely have experience with the same thing with food. I did end up finding out it was my Pancreas and take enzymes with every meal. Really really helps and has given me way more energy and my guts feel 90% better. Still have to watch certain foods and drink plenty of water but it is way better. Good luck.

Curious to try this but I’m unfamiliar. What kind of enzymes did you find helpful? (What’s the name of the product if you don’t mind sharing?) Are they over the counter or prescription?
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