Today, over 27 million Americans take some kind of antidepressant medication – a concerning figure when you consider their side effects. But this comes as no surprise, considering conventional depression treatment is extremely symptom-focused, using prescription drugs to fix what’s largely perceived as a “chemical imbalance.” However, the idea that chemical imbalances cause depression is untrue and unsupported by scientific evidence.
While depression certainly has driving forces, what really cause imbalances in the brain, and chemical dependency, are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. Here’s why: SSRIs cause your brain to compensate for an overflow of serotonin by ridding itself of some of its serotonin receptors. Once this change has taken place (which takes about three weeks) it becomes very difficult to quit taking antidepressants, as your endorphin system no longer functions normally on its own.
Addressing Depression’s Underlying Causes
While your depression may not be the result of an innate neurological dysfunction, it can have a wide variety of underlying causes. These can include anxiety, trauma, codependency, anger or feelings of deep dissatisfaction with your life. Sometimes, depression can also be your subconscious’ way of avoiding an issue that you don’t feel comfortable working through.
Through transformative inner work guided by a depression-specialized therapist, you can uncover your specific causes of depression and create a plan to heal them. Once you do this, you’ll be recovered from depression; free from the dependence and side effects of prescription antidepressants.
Treating the Physical Causes and Effects of Depression
It’s now common knowledge that our gut and brain health are linked – but researchers continually discover that this occurs to a greater extent than previously thought. Says Dr. Eva Selhub of Harvard Health, “Since about 95 percent of your serotonin is produced in your gastrointestinal tract, and your gastrointestinal tract is lined with a hundred million nerve cells… the inner workings of your digestive system don’t just help you digest food, but also guide your emotions. What’s more… the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin is highly influenced by the billions of “good” bacteria that make up your intestinal microbiome.”
Studies in nutritional psychiatry show that healthy eating significantly lowers the risk of developing depressive symptoms, and recommend a mainly plant-based diet rich in nutrients and whole foods. Because what you eat has such a direct impact on your mood, says Massachusetts General Hospital physician Monique Tello, “quality really, really matters.”
Holistic Depression Recovery Brings Your Life Back Into Balance
Here at The Sanctuary, we take holistic recovery from depression seriously. We understand that depression causes cellular damage throughout your brain and body – and we also understand the power of nutrition in correcting this. Our personalized superfood nutrition program targets depression-related issues and brings your systems back into balance using high-vibration, organically grown foods. When your brain and body are functioning well, there is no chemical imbalance.
Find out more about alternative depression treatment methods in our article, Change the Brain: An Alternative Approach to Overcoming Your Depression.
To learn how we can guide you on your journey away depression and towards a life of true happiness, call us at (877) 710-3385 or email us at [email protected] today.