16/07/2025
Depression is not a chemical imbalance. The idea that depression stems from a simple chemical imbalance, particularly involving serotonin, has been widely circulated for decades. But comprehensive reviews now challenge that narrative.
🔍 What the science says:
• A major umbrella review led by researchers at University College London found no convincing evidence that depression is caused by low serotonin levels or reduced serotonin activity.
• The “chemical imbalance” theory gained traction in the late 1980s with the rise of SSRIs like Prozac, but it was more of a marketing simplification than a scientific certainty.
• Studies that artificially lowered serotonin in healthy individuals didn’t consistently induce depression, further weakening the serotonin-depression link.
đź§ A more nuanced view:
• Depression appears to be a complex interplay of genetic vulnerability, brain circuitry, environmental stressors, and personal history—not just neurotransmitter levels.
• Researchers are now exploring how neuroplasticity, trauma, and social context shape depressive experiences. For example, adverse life events show a strong correlation with depression onset.
đź’ˇ Why this matters:
• Many people have been led to believe their depression is purely biochemical, which can feel disempowering. But if depression is more about how we respond to life, it opens doors to healing through therapy, mindfulness, and meaning-making.
The shift doesn’t invalidate medication—it just reframes it as one tool among many.
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