What happens in the brain for depression to appear?

The limbic system is the part of the brain that controls emotions, as well as motivation and, therefore, our behavior. It is there that chemicals are produced that allow us to recognize what is good or bad for us, including joy, but also pain.

Here you will see the latest proposal that science proposes regarding how depression originates in the brain, the most common types that overwhelm human beings and how you can detect it and act proactively to reduce the symptoms.

It has been discovered that when neurons receive electrical signals, they tend to amplify or dampen them before transmitting them to adjacent neurons. This function, called gating, allows the brain to select which stimuli to pay attention to. If successive neurons dampen or attenuate a signal, it fades away. If they amplify it, the brain pays more attention. One popular theory about depression holds that the illness has something to do with gating. In depressed patients, neurons may fail to dampen certain signals, leading the brain to unnecessarily ruminate on negative thoughts. A depressed brain, according to this theory, is a noisy brain. It fails to adequately distinguish between salient and irrelevant stimuli. But what if scientists could locate and analyze a specific group of neurons (i.e., a circuit) that was causing the problem?

Currently, Etay Hay, an Israeli neuroscientist, is building a model of a “canonical” circuit—a circuit that appears thousands of times, with some variations, in the outer layer of the brain. He believes that a malfunction of this circuit may underlie some types of treatment-resistant depression. The circuit contains pyramidal neurons that communicate with smaller cells, called interneurons. The interneurons dampen the signals sent to them by the pyramidal neurons. It is as if the interneurons turn down the volume on unwanted thoughts. In a depressed brain, however, the interneurons may not adequately reduce the signals, causing the patient to become stuck in loops of negative thoughts.

Drugs that flood the brain with serotonin are constantly appearing, and others are currently being tested that aim more specifically to stimulate a specific circuit. The latest to be announced is a brain pacemaker that works as soon as symptoms appear. So far it has been tested on only one person and although he has responded well, the surgeon who installed it speaks with caution and reminds us that there must be more experimentation. ( source )

To this day, there is no way to prevent or cure depression, an illness that continues to spread, and depression is much more than an occasional feeling of sadness.

Most common types of depression in humans

Image: Khusen Rustamov

Seven types of depression have been defined, however, depression is not one-size-fits-all and it manifests and intensifies differently in each person.

Acute depressive disorder or clinical depression

It is a mood disorder that manifests itself in fatigue, depressed mood, lack of interest in activities; changes in body weight or changes in sleep cycles; difficulties concentrating; feelings of worthlessness and guilt; as well as suicidal thoughts.

Symptoms of acute depressive disorder may last more than two weeks and sometimes even months or years.

Atypical depression

Typically, people with this type of depression experience symptoms similar to those of acute depressive disorder, but with one clear difference: the symptoms temporarily improve if something positive happens. Other common symptoms include overeating, fatigue, sleepiness, and low mood, as well as hypersensitivity to rejection.

Persistent depressive disorder

It is a type of chronic depression that lasts over time, with short periods of good mood. The symptoms are usually similar to those of clinical depression, but are less intense and can last for more than 2 years.

Bipolar disorder

This situation manifests itself in two marked states: one of great exaltation contrasted with another of deep depression. These moments of exaltation are called extreme manic episodes, which can put the person's physical integrity at risk and affect their sense of reality, which in some cases would require hospitalization. Manic episodes can be less extreme, which is known as hypomania.

When a bipolar person leans toward depression, he or she displays reduced interest in activities, physical and emotional fatigue, unexplained aches and pains, and anxiety.

Postpartum depression

It sometimes occurs during pregnancy or after giving birth. Postpartum depression is considered more serious than normal hormonal changes and the so-called “baby blues.” Abrupt mood swings, anxiety and irritability are not uncommon after giving birth, but they can also include sadness, lethargy and even what is called postpartum psychosis, a rare disorder accompanied by confusion and hallucinations. If postpartum depression is not treated, its symptoms can last up to a year.

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder is a severe, sometimes debilitating extension of premenstrual syndrome. Although PMS and PMDD both have physical and emotional symptoms, PMDD causes extreme mood swings that can disrupt daily life and damage relationships.

The most common symptoms are excessive fatigue, feelings of sadness, self-criticism, and/or hopelessness. Strong feelings of stress and anxiety. Mood swings that may lead to crying. Irritability directed at people around you. Food cravings.

Seasonal depression

A person with seasonal depression or seasonal affective disorder experiences depression, drowsiness and weight gain during the winter months, while in the spring they should feel stable in accordance with sunlight and circadian rhythms. Thus, when less light enters through the retina, it causes a disturbance that often leads to depression.

With depression everything becomes difficult, whether at work, in the social environment or even the smallest activity.

According to WHO, in 2020, about 264 million people of all ages around the world suffer from depression. Therefore, the increase in cases of mental health disorders is expected to increase the market for antidepressant drugs. ( source )

So far, there is no evidence that antidepressant drugs are more effective than sugar pills or placebos, and what each of us can do to avoid it can be very valuable.

You can stimulate the production of certain chemicals in the body that make you feel good.

According to Sandra Donati’s article “How to trick your brain into releasing chemicals that make you happy,” you just need to learn to tap into these key body chemicals: dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin and endorphins (DOSE).

“While everyday events and certain situations cause these neurotransmitters to be expressed (produced) naturally, there are ways to make our brain stimulate their production, allowing us to create and repeat feelings of happiness.

…When these chemicals are released, we feel motivated, productive and experience greater well-being.”

To help you feel better and happy, Donati suggests connecting neurotransmitters to your emotions to induce the feeling of joy.

1. Dopamine

It is responsible for motivating us to take action, make decisions and feel pleasure when we achieve a goal. On the contrary, experiencing doubt, postponing plans or activities and feeling lethargic are possible consequences of low dopamine levels.

Ways to increase dopamine levels:

• Set shorter goals instead of a distant target. When a goal is achieved, it allows us to feel better for a longer period of time.
• Performing acts of kindness towards other people gives the brain a dopamine rush.
• Quit smoking. A recent study found that smokers had 15-20% less ability to produce dopamine than non-smokers. Of course, this is reversible if you stop smoking.

2. Oxytocin

Donati explains that this hormone is called the “affection hormone” because it is released during social interactions such as giving or receiving gifts, making eye contact, giving or receiving affection (such as a handshake, hug or pat on the shoulder), giving birth or having sex.

Ways to increase oxytocin production:

• Make eye contact during your conversations.
• Get a massage
• Hug a friend, pamper your pet(s), or share a more intimate moment with a loved one.
• Meditating or praying causes your body to produce oxytocin.

3. Serotonin

If you're in a good mood, you can thank serotonin. Serotonin is the brain's antidepressant par excellence and is produced when you feel that your life and your efforts matter.

Are you one of those people who gets cranky when you're hungry? Because 80% of serotonin exists in the stomach, skipping meals or starving yourself can reduce serotonin, which causes bad moods in some people.

Ways to increase serotonin production:

• Express gratitude.
• Increase your exposure to sunlight. This produces vitamin D, which in turn produces serotonin.
• Think nice. Serotonin does not distinguish between reality and imagination, so when imagination or memory is activated, this produces serotonin as if the event were real.
• Exercise. Even low-intensity exercise stimulates serotonin production. Activities like gardening, walking your dog, or playing with the kids count!

4. Endorphins

If you've ever hit your thumb with a hammer, stubbed your toe on a bedpost, or experienced what they call "runner's high," then you know the feeling provided by endorphins. These work like morphine to relieve pain and stress.

Ways to increase your endorphin levels:

• Eat chocolate (no sugar, please). Chocolate contains phenylethylamine, which activates endorphins.
• Physical exercise releases endorphins. Just 30 minutes of exercise can help you produce them.
• Look for opportunities to laugh. Laughter has been shown to release endorphins.
• Use aromatherapy. Use vanilla, lavender, bergamot and mint essential oils in a diffuser, or add a few drops to your bath or even your tea or coffee.

The activities mentioned above allow you to naturally activate these hormones in your daily life, which provide you with balance, a good attitude in your daily life and joy.

Nutrients and supplements that support emotional balance

Below are some nutrients and supplements that can proactively help you maintain your emotional stability.

Omega-3 fatty acids. These are found in algae, supplements, or fish or krill oil. People who consume adequate amounts of these fatty acids have much lower levels of depression.

Vitamin B-3. This vitamin has been found to have the ability to reduce anxiety and depression.

Vitamin B-12. Low levels of vitamin B-12 may be a risk factor for depression, and vegans and alcoholics are most at risk. The problem is that very few vegan foods contain this vitamin, so supplementation may be necessary.

If you have symptoms of fatigue, lethargy, itching and numbness of the extremities, headaches, disorientation, loss of concentration and memory; or dementia, include a supplement or good sources such as seaweed, seaweed and miso. For people who consume animal protein, you can find it in shrimp and snapper, especially.

Lemon balm water. Three to four times a day, one tablespoon of dried lemon balm dissolved in warm water. According to studies conducted in 2004, lemon balm was found to reduce stress, promote calmness and improve alertness.

Vitamin D3 . This is achieved by exposure to the sun, but it is difficult for people who live close to the hemispheres as well as those who must spend long hours working in offices or in closed places without the opportunity to be exposed to the sun's rays.

Green leafy vegetables such as watercress, spinach, escarole, green and romaine lettuce; chard, kale, as well as herbs such as cilantro, basil, parsley.

Cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower, broccoli and Brussels sprouts

When you become aware that there are alterations in your mental-emotional fluidity, start by telling your doctor so that he can understand if some type of depression is affecting you and from there provide the appropriate treatment.

Each person and their circumstances are different, so treatment must be individualized and can vary from talks with a psychologist, to medications, outdoor activities, light therapies, certain foods and supplements of those mentioned here.