Science Behind: Depression

Depression is a mental health and mood disorder in which people feel intense feelings of sadness, loneliness, and, oftentimes, limitations to everyday functionality and is a common disorder affecting people everywhere. But did you know that there’s a science to depression?

Chronic stress could be a cause, studies find, as it had been found to cause low serotonin levels within the brain. However, sunlight can keep those serotonin levels up through decreasing the transportation of serotonin. 

Typically, prescribed medications called SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) which block the uptake of serotonin, making it more widely available to nearby neurons. 

Reduced dopamine levels also could be a contributor to depression, as it motivates people to take action toward goals and build routines, providing a sense of pleasure and accomplishment when the task or routine is completed. Those who have clinical depression typically have a high level of enzymes that break down these brain chemicals, causing lower levels of both serotonin and dopamine. 

https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/what-causes-depression