Depression

Depression is a complex condition with multiple potential causes, and its understanding has evolved over time.

The classical biochemical hypothesis of depression posits a functional deficit in central neurotransmitter systems, particularly serotonin (5-HT) and noradrenaline 1. This led to the development of serotoninergic agents, which have been shown to be effective in treating depression 1. However, this theory has been challenged by more recent research suggesting that stress is a major contributor to depression, with up to 90% of cases being caused by stressful events 2.

Georgi Dinkov notes that a study found that 10% of people fall into depression without a stressful event, implying that 90% of depression cases are caused by stress 4. This is supported by the fact that many chemicals and drugs, such as aspirin and vitamin K, have similar beneficial effects on depression despite being structurally unrelated 3.

Ray Peat suggests that depression is caused by low energy production, which can be due to low adrenal and thyroid hormones 8. He also notes that serotonin is a universal indicator of stress and that keeping the thyroid up is essential for preventing depression 8. Additionally, Peat mentions that methylene blue can repair the energy system and help depression 8.

In contrast to the classical biochemical hypothesis, Georgi Dinkov suggests that mitochondrial deterioration and dysfunction are a major contributor to depression 3. He also notes that glycine and taurine can be viewed as functional antagonists to stress/cortisol, and that stress can directly cause cancer, depression, and other mental disorders 6.

Overall, the understanding of depression is complex and multifaceted, and its causes are likely to be diverse and interconnected.