Chemical imbalance in the brain

The chemical imbalance in the brain is often put forward as a primary cause of depression.

And it’s true. Too little serotonin is not good for mood levels.

The trouble is, maybe we’re not told the full story.

We’re given a script for some antidepressants and we go away and try it, and if that doesn’t work the dosage is increased, and if that doesn’t work we’ll try a different medication.

And it’s true that all these medications are designed to alter the chemical imbalance in the brain.

But you know what else changes brain chemistry?

Almost everything.

Reading a book. Going for a walk. Opening Twitter. Lying down. Standing up. Eating anything. Or taking a long breath deep into the bottom of your lungs.

All change the chemistry.

The narrative that has been allowed to take hold says we have a chemical imbalance, and that we need drugs to correct it.

But maybe we’re not getting the full story.