The Relationship Between Inflammation and Depression

Over the last few decades, it was commonly-believed that depression and anxiety was the result of disturbances in brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. For example, neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine and GABA were believed to be low in people with depression and anxiety. While neurotransmitters are probably important, we now know that this theory is too simplistic and the causes of depression and anxiety are more complex than a simple neurotransmitter deficiency.

There is increasing research showing inflammation actually plays a role in mental health. In fact, people with depression, as a whole, suffer from chronic, low-grade inflammation. With this type of inflammation, there is often no overt signs of inflammation such as pain, redness, and swelling. Instead, it seems this chronic inflammation affects several hormones in our body which can then affect our mood. In some studies, it has actually been shown that we can change people’s mood by injecting them with a mild inflammatory endotoxin. In these studies, people exposed to this endotoxin became more sensitive to criticism and social rejection. Prior to this, they displayed no sensitivities.

Inflammation likely plays a significant role in depression and anxiety as it seems to lower neurotransmitters such as serotonin, increase stress hormones in our body (e.g., cortisol), increases free radical damage (which can affect our brain), and reduces our body’s ability to produce energy. Given its profound effects on the body, it is therefore important to lower inflammation. This firstly involves trying to identify the unique drivers of inflammation for an individual. These drivers could come from our diet, high stress, poor sleep, lack of physical activity, or a medical condition, just to name a few. Secondly, implementing strategies to reduce inflammation is important. ‘Anti-inflammatory’ strategies include reducing stress, learning relaxation, getting good sleep, eating a healthy diet filled with anti-inflammatory foods, and even taking anti-inflammatory supplements such as curcumin, saffron, and omega-3 fish oils.

If you are suffering from depression or anxiety, it is important to consider if inflammation is playing a part for you (most likely!) and then implementing integrative strategies to lower this inflammation.

If you are a mental health practitioner and would like to discover a range of integrative strategies to offer your clients, then make sure you don’t miss the 2-day PI Therapy Workshops. CLICK HERE to find out more.

If you are interested in using PI Therapy to enhance your personal mental wellbeing, CLICK HERE to find out more.