Understanding & Conquering Depression

This episode, I explain what major depression is at the biological and psychological level and the various treatments that peer-reviewed studies have revealed can help prevent and treat depression. I explain the three major chemical systems that are altered in depression: norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine. I discuss genetic predispositions to depression and how stress, thyroid hormone and cortisol play a role in many forms of depression. I also discuss inflammation as a common feature of many depression symptoms. I review 8 specific science-supported protocols for treating and avoiding depression, including EPA fatty acids (which have been shown to rival certain prescription treatments), how exercise protects against depression, studies of creatine, adjusting dopamine balance and more. I also discuss the results of ongoing clinical trials for ketamine and psilocybin for depression, how these compounds work and finally, I review how ketogenic diets can help in certain cases of depression, especially treatment-resistant major depression.

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Links
Review of EPAs for the Treatment of Depression – https://bit.ly/2Wl15ti
Review of Creatine for the Treatment of Depression – https://www.mdpi.com/520864
Recent Study on the Clinical Use of Psilocybin for Treatment of Depression – https://bit.ly/3sFSGMM

Timestamps
00:00:00 Mood Disorders & Maintaining Mental Health (Protocol 1)
00:07:10 Sponsors
00:11:15 Major Depression
00:18:40 “Anti-Self” Confabulation
00:21:42 Autonomic (Vegetative) Symptoms of Depression
00:26:58 Norepinephrine, Dopamine & Serotonin
00:31:50 SSRIs (Prozac, Zoloft, etc.): Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
00:37:00 Epinephrine/Motor Functions, Dopamine/Motivation & Craving, Serotonin/Emotions
00:39:33 Physical & Emotional Pain are Linked: Substance P
00:41:50 Hormones & Depression: Thyroid & Cortisol
00:46:50 Genetic Susceptibility to Depression: Impact of Stress
00:50:50 Understanding Biological Mechanism Is Key: Recipes versus Skills
00:52:50 Tools for Dealing with Depression: Logic & Implementation (Protocol 2)
00:56:25 Brain Inflammation & Mental State: Cytokines, Prostaglandins, etc.
00:59:20 Protocol 3: Essential Fatty Acids (Omega-3, EPAs: Eicosapentaenoic Acid)*
01:02:50 How EPAs Help Offset Depression: Serotonin Synthesis, Kynurenine, Quinolinic Acid
01:05:25 Protocol 4: How Exercise Offsets Depression
01:11:44 Protocol 5: Creatine Monohydrate, Forebrain Function & NMDA receptors*
01:20:30 Protocol 6*: Ketamine, PCP (*Prescription-Only), & NMDA-Receptor Function
01:33:08 Protocol 7*: Psychedelics (*In Clinical Trials) for Major Depression: Psilocybin*
01:47:00 Protocol 8: Ketogenic Diet, GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid)
01:54:50 Summary of Protocols Covered
02:00:10 Support & Additional Resources

#Depression #HubermanLab #Dopamine

Title Card Photo Credit: Mike Blabac – https://www.blabacphoto.com

Disclaimer: https://www.hubermanlab.com/disclaimer

28 Comments

  1. 1 Do not over indulge in Dopamine
    2 Sleep on time 9 pm
    3 Take Omega 3
    4 Workout Aerobic and Resistance
    5 Wakeup in morning at time 4-6 am
    6 Start writing and change perspective from negative to positive side(My take)
    7 Take Creatine 2-5 gms
    8 Take fermented food
    9 Take Carbs in Night
    10 Take microdosing of weed 😅
    11 Have a Dog or Pet for serotonin
    12 Take Cold Shower
    14 Check for Thyroid
    15 Create a good playlist( Electronic waves_ My take)

  2. I'm right now in a big depression, I write this before I listen to this video. I will try to get better by listening to it. If some of you have gone throughts depressions. Please write me your advice that haved help you maybe this can help me too.

    Good luck to all the others people who are struggling like me and try to get better. Love you all.

    Thanks

  3. "Understanding and conquering depression is a critical endeavor, and Dr. Tonmoy Sharma, a distinguished mental health specialist, author, and advocate, has made significant strides in this field. His expertise and commitment to mental health, often evidenced through his advocacy, have played a pivotal role in transforming the lives of patients. Testimonies from patients underscore the transformative impact of his methods and compassionate care, offering hope to those struggling with depression. By combining evidence-based therapies, medication management, and holistic approaches, Dr. Tonmoy Sharma has provided individuals with the tools they need to navigate the complex challenges of depression and find lasting healing."

  4. @Andrew Huberman:

    Do you know the work of our best German researcher?

    PD Dr. Michael N E H L S

    He has many vids for free on social medua, sone in English too. His books are WOW.

    He has foubd a therapy in early states of Alzheimer and many more!

  5. What about regarding the vegetative state, not being able to sleep until 4-6am in the morning? Or sleeping from morning until 1-2pm in the afternoon, still exhausted, no sleep apnea, bright light doesn’t fix it, stimulants, blood tests are fine, hormones are fine? I’m like this and diagnosed with major depressive disorder but have been basically resistant to over 12 medications, ketamine, exercise, dietary changes and even moving to a new state didn’t help it. It’s hell on earth.!

  6. I feel like I’ve been here before, I question reality, nothing feels real. I’ve been sick for a long time which doesn’t help but all I can think about is the death of myself and people around me. It’s scary. I see no point in doing anything if I’m going to pass anyway. I feel so alone like life is a dream. I just wish we knew what we are here for and what happens after life. I’m so confused and stuck in a dark deep place. I’ve felt like this since a kid

  7. What I've found annoying in my time dealing with depression, is that my depression stems from my physical health, I suffer from a connective tissue disorder called EDS, this causes a lot of problem, loose joints, gastric issues, as well as wide spread pain and chronic fatigue, so I'm unable to do what I used to love, which was martial arts, this led to me developing depression, with a bad case of things such as anhedonia, and anger issues.

    The issue is, my countries mental health services aren't very good, the UK is in a pretty dire situation in regards to our mental health treatment, and I've shown resistance to most forms of both medication and therapy, I've even received TMS and shown no improvement, and as my physical health is untreatable and mostly unmanageable, I don't know if my issues can be resolved.

    I'm considering ECT, as that's the only option left, my country hates prescribing lithium, and hasn't approved any ketamine treatments, so I have no options outside of ECT.

  8. I had clinical ketamine treatments and the difference for me was somewhat life changing on so many level for me. I still adhere to a healthy diet and exercise etc. all of which I did for decades, but still had severe issues going on. I was actually treated for migraines, but the shift in my own internal battles (never diagnosed) made such a huge difference. Although it was combined with therapy.
    As Andrew shares it will be different approaches for different people.i don’t know why it opened up my brain pathways in such a profound way, but the treatments did besides bringing down ongoing chronic migraines.
    I do appreciate all the information shared, Andrew. I love these informative podcasts. I’ll revisit this one for sure. 💫

  9. Excuse me Dr. Huberman, I'm watching the Video Right now and I'm interested in (after having a talk with my psychiatrist of course), diving into EPA and Omega 3 supplementation, the issue is that the threshold investigations suggest 1000 mg EPA per day, seems a little too high for most supplements in the market, even when looking for USA manufectured ones (which most times dont get to 500mg EPA, some dont even list their EPA value). And since you are knowledgeable about supplements I wanted to ask, could you suggest a brand or an online store that might help?

  10. I feel like Reuptake Inhibitors keep the chemicals around so that the activation of the receiving neuron becomes more likely when the sending neuron doesn't release enough or gets reuptaken too fast

  11. As someone who suffers with extreme severe anxiety I can totally relate to her. I would stop eating for days at a time as a punishment. I worry a lot about my life, everyone around me and pleasing everyone. It's absolutely crippling, so glad she got the help she needed, lovely young lady it's so sad that society has 1 in 3 people suffering mental health issues. I hope everyone seeks help

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