The Neuroscience of Depression with Neil deGrasse Tyson & Heather Berlin

What is depression? Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosts Chuck Nice and Gary O’Reilly break down the neuroscience behind major depression, its treatments, and the factors that contribute to this pervasive condition with neuroscientist Heather Berlin, PhD. Is there any adaptive reason behind depression?
What is the difference between depression and just being sad? Learn about how people get diagnosed with depression or dysthymia. We discuss the history of psychological disorders and how the serotonin pathway contributes to depression. Find out how SSRIs work and why we don’t just take Serotonin pills.
Chuck shares his experience with depression and what it is like to fake being happy when you are not. We break down the dopaminergic system and how there is now evidence that glutamate is involved in depression. Discover different treatments like ECT and transcranial magnetic stimulation. We discuss different environmental triggers, or “stressors,” for depression. Is seasonal depression real? We explore people’s ability to tolerate stressors, exposure therapy, and the stress diathesis model.
How do hormones affect depression? We discuss postpartum depression and menopause. We explore if there is an adaptive reason behind depression and how depressive signaling works in our society now. Is it possible that features that used to be adaptive are now maladaptive in our current environment? Could we someday have a pill to cure all mental illness?
Thanks to our Patrons Geoff Malone, Neander Rowlett, Brial Teel, Baran Blaser, Maxwell Miller, Doug Litwin, and Edward Bally for supporting us this week.
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00:00 - Introduction
2:40 - What is Depression?
6:55 - Anxiety and depression together
8:00 - The History of Mental Illness
10:08 - Treating Depression & The Serotonin Hypothesis
13:10 - Pharmaceutical Intervention & SSRIs
14:43 - Chuck’s Experience with Depression
16:46 - Dopamine Systems & Alternative Treatments
18:29 - Triggers & Seasonal Affective Disorder
22:48 - Social-Cultural Causes
27:43 - The Stigma
31:26 - Postpartum Depression
34:49 - Adaptive Signaling & Our Society
39:00 - Could There One Day Be an A Cure?

[@StarTalk]

Do you experience seasonal depression in the winter months? 🌧

[@Bosse_C]

Yes : /

[@ZeroOskul]

Imagine the sensation of happiness. Focus on the feeling of it for as long as you can. Do this often. Neuroplasticity and dendritic remodeling are your friends. The feeling of happiness is exactly what you feel when you imagine it. This rejects the pursuit of happiness and gives it to you straight away.

[@Bosse_C]

i got myself a cat last week. Really enjoying Loki

[@405adam]

I experience depression if I spend too much time using technology

[@ZeroOskul]

@@405adam John Nash (A Beautiful Mind) in real life, discovered he only developed paranoid delusions if he focused on politics, and he "cured" himself by avoiding politics. For some reason they left this out of that movie. See: *Henry Rollins in Johnny Mnemonic* to learn how overuse of technology leads to that movie's fictional affliction Neural Attenuation Syndrome or NAS. Johnny Mnemonic also features a pre-Matrix Keanu Reeves hacking his own brain in a very Matrix-like situation.

[@retroguardian4802]

Just wanted to throw this in. StarTalk had a great impact on me while recovering from alcoholism. Found StarTalk while quiting and only aloud my self to watch it if I was sober. After quitting 100% and finished with hospitals I was in a state of delirium for about a month. This was a great show to keep me grounded to reality.

[@LupeCoded]

As someone who struggled with alcoholism myself, I completely relate to what you said in your comment. Congrats on quitting and wishing you continued sobriety yo.

[@retroguardian4802]

Thanks man!@@LupeCoded

[@avalambs2405]

I've lived with depression most of my life and StarTalk is one of my favorite places to go for help and healing. I send you so much love!

[@LupeCoded]

@@retroguardian4802 fasho

[@mattsaunders8577]

Congratulations 👏

[@user-pi7gc4wg8k]

I have major depressive disorder and extreme anxiety, I got so bad that I completely stopped doing everything I liked, barely drank, didn't eat, got dangerously underweight shaked nearly uncontrollably and wouldn't speak and I just waited to die, got involuntarily committed and got put on medication and I can't believe this is how people are normally supposed to feel. It was always like I was lost in the dark. It's important to get help, I almost didn't make it.

[@rangerCG]

So glad you're doing good now.

[@tiatemsugyi5775]

@@rangerCGechoed my thoughts

[@AnglandAlamehnaSwedish]

Glad you did , I don't wanna share anything but good that you got help you're one of the lucky ones , just think wat it was in the 70s n 80s n before

[@shawnwales696]

So glad to hear you're recovering. I've got a family member suffering and she is getting treatment. Sadly, some family members are saying that she's faking it, even though she's had a diagnosis and is getting medication. People desperately need to get educated on this illness.

[@Stormkwiet]

So thankful you received help❤❤

[@thoso1973]

The challenge with describing depression to someone who never experienced it themselves, is similar to the challenge of describing sounds to someone who was born deaf.

[@DCamp1711]

I 100% agree. Another challenge is people who were never depressed. Since never depressed, they don’t believe in depression and say it’s just in their heads

[@TheSteveBoyd]

Or describing "red" to someone who has always been colorblind.

[@amyjoseph3914]

Indeed!!

[@abdulla_mathew]

Not really, never underestimate people like that. Most people are smarter than us and they know what depression is. If they believe lung cancer is a disease it's not so hard to believe depression also is. They deny it or ignore completely like an elephant in the room. There is a clear agenda behind this which I am not going to explain but look after yourself nobody cares but you.

[@deanschulze3129]

@@DCamp1711 - Depression probably is in the heads of its victims. That doesn't mean it isn't real, of course.

[@JD987abc]

First i want to applaud Chuck for his courage in sharing his personal situation. Very helpful to the rest of us who are guarded against social criticism for depression and anxiety. This episode of star talk is incredibly helpful and informative. Far more practical and relevant to the masses than another show on black holes. Great job to NDT and the doctor.

[@chrisjelley6899]

Timely. After 50 + years of suffering, finally reached out for help. Thanks.

[@Lenore4Evermore]

It took me 30 years to finally get the real diagnosis and medication. I suffer from Bipolar 1 and the mania almost took me out over a 12 year period. Finding the right medication has changed my life for the better . I am thankful I am finally going to live the rest of my life in a more calm and collective way. The chronic mania literally made me almost give up on a half normal life. I am no longer shaking .❤

[@xneapolisx]

Way to go Chuck!!! Been listening to and following you since your days on the radio in NYC with The Radio Chick (Leslie Gold) and "attaboy"... lol. Good on you for bringing a voice to this serious and painful issue. No need to unnecessarily suffer.

[@tiatemsugyi5775]

Yeah, mr Nice, Nice!

[@chrisbrowning360]

Heather is absolutely my favourite guest, always.

[@vickieysacoff4249]

As much progress that we have made regarding mental health, it's still not talked about much. Even between friends. People still worry about being judged. I'm a school Psychologist at a high school and we need more open discussions like this one. Thank you!

[@tannhauser5399]

I'm not worry about it. Being judged. Long ago, I've passed that point. It is just nobody understand it. Even some... psychologists, as in some cases they will be after your money. Going with the flow, quoting basic recommendations from various books. The issue is: what happens if you read a lot. A lot of university books, necessary to complete the same degree. And read a lot of philosophy, ancient myths, and everything from Jung, Nietzsche, Schopenhauer, and reaching for Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, or in modern age Joseph Campbell, Edward Edinger, or Eduardo Kastrup. You see how transpratent some psychologists are in the modern age. Just money (yeah, I hate it in a way, but also can see it in a lot of cases, I guess this is a modern world that we are living in...). Edit: grammar + formatting (just much easier to read).

[@mikaeljacobsson1437]

I broke up with the neurotypical world and it did wonders for my mental health.

[@soulwithwings123]

Same

[@barrywhite8747]

I'm 44 and have suffered from major depression, anxiety, and PTSD since I was 13, and am also medicine-resistant so it's been a constant battle.

[@dubselectorr345]

They forget to suggest the main natural remedy. Exercise 30 min a day every day, drop fast foods and sweets and eat proteins and take peptides and mushroom supplements. These suggestions on this video are insane and supporting big Pharma. It's a true shame to see honestly. Chuck is quite the drug dealer.

[@TheWenexx]

Thats awful. I can relate as it sounds similar to what I had. I too had a constant battle. But I am not meds-resistant, so when I got them, the battles became more like a seasonal game of chess. I wish you will find something that works for you, and friends or someone who helps you finding it.

[@21stcenturyscots]

How are you batteling?

[@barrywhite8747]

@@TheWenexx Thank you.

[@barrywhite8747]

@@21stcenturyscots It depends, how my depression manifests itself has changed as I've gotten old which I've been told is not uncommon. When I was a teen tell my early 20s I was extremely emotionally unstable and suicidal, but as I've gotten older and while death is always on my mind I for the most part don't have the urge to hurt myself anymore. Now as I'm dealing with right now when really depressed and dealing with a lot of anxiety my agoraphobia gets really bad and it's hard for me to go out if I don't absolutely have to. As for how I deal with it. Both my depression and anxiety abs and flows so when I'm in an ok state of mind I can live a fairly normal life. (normal for me isn't what others would consider normal) When things are like they are now it's not a lot that I can do. I take meds but the only one that really helps is Lorazepam for my anxiety and panic attacks. I'm on disability now partly because of my mental health problems and the fact that there's not really anything that works. My doctor has brought up ECT but where I live not a lot of doctors do it. I tried the magnetic one but it didn't really help and it made my head feel weird and I ended up having to stop treatment early because I had to have emergency surgery. As it is now I'm really left only to see if marijuana will help and trying mushroom. My state is one of the ones doing the pilot program for people like me who don't get any relief from meds.

[@aaronpsamuel]

I tried contacting a doctor about my depression and in so many words they asked me if I could afford care. I could but that really was a deterrent and I haven’t revisited it.

[@rangerCG]

Please keep trying. As long as you continue trying and moving forward, figuring out how to get help, then figuring out the medication/s that work for you, you will get to a good place.

[@FlyingDwarfman]

28:21 This short and amazing part peaks with Neal's "dandruff" reversal. For all kinds of neural diversity and mental health conditions, Heather is right that the stigma is starting to go away and Chuck is also right that it is still there and still a problem.

[@ADergal96]

The best guest of them all! Please have Heather Berlin on as much as possible!

[@peterkk7]

The level of information and education that you get here is remarkable and so precious! This channel should have hundreds of millions of subscribers!

[@dorhocyn3]

With depression, I feel like a broken car and everybody tells me to get to the shop to get repaired but I am broken and I can’t get started to go. Once I’m running I’m running and I feel fine.

[@tannhauser5399]

Welcome to my world... it is just I'm running at the end. What happens next? Pills? That is US/UK approach. And I wish I was wrong in this case (just masking the results of much more deeper issues).

[@ZeroOskul]

Imagine the sensation of happiness. Focus on the feeling of it for as long as you can. Do this often. Neuroplasticity and dendritic remodeling are your friends. The feeling of happiness is exactly what you feel when you imagine it. This rejects the pursuit of happiness and gives it to you straight away.

[@MrCali1968nico]

I've been struggling with depression for several months now, and I've been thinking about neuroplasticity a lot as a way out of it. I'm not there yet, but I will follow your advice. Thanks man. Hope it will help.

[@silviavalentine3812]

You use these WITH antidepressants as tools

[@himarei]

That was the issue I had with antidepressants. My life still sucked as much, if not worse than before, but I didn't care about it, I smiled at anything. It made me feel disconnected from reality. Only when I stopped looking for a "easy" chemical solution and made some real and difficult change in my life (not live the expected lifestyle) is when I genuinely became happy.

[@ZeroOskul]

@@silviavalentine3812 No, you try to feel happy BEFORE going to your doctor and asking for pills. First try it, if it doesn't work you MAY need medication.

[@dubselectorr345]

@@MrCali1968nico dude hold up now . This stuff is crazy. They forget to suggest the main natural remedy. Exercise 30 min a day every day, drop fast foods and sweets and eat proteins and take peptides and mushroom supplements. These suggestions on this video are insane and supporting big Pharma. It's a true shame to see honestly. Chuck is quite the drug pusher

[@SuperiorDave]

Crap, 15 people beat me to the comments. O'well. I'm here for Chuck's emotional support.

[@CthulhuInc]

i've suffered from Depression and Dysthymia for my whole life. sadly, it took 25 years before i was finally diagnosed with the illness and began to understand that well, i don't think/act "normally" - whatever that means! love from canada, @Startalk 😊

[@mrpearson1230]

Heather is back!!! Janna next please!!! Love the Startalk OG's!

[@ZeroOskul]

Jan Eleven is my favorite science superhero!

[@amethystrocks6433]

Great episode. I'd love to see more like this. 😊 One note: Heather was introduced as a clinical psychologist, not a psychiatrist. Psychiatrists are medical doctors, and can prescribe medications or arrange for ECT. Clinical psychologists have a PhD or PsyD. They can't prescribe meds or other physical symptoms, but, as clinicians, they can do "talk therapy."

[@fortheloveofmusicandphilosophy]

It's sad that this edition got much less views than when Neil talks about the stars. I'm glad these special editions exist, especially on a topic as serious as depression. Having seen first hand the devestation it can wreak upon a household, as well as my own struggles with it, this video is a great example of how we should approach educating people on this subject.

[@Brodes1985]

SSRIs have changed my life. Im on lexapro. It felt like living in a fog before. Now I can see

[@amaellio1131]

Living in Extreme poverty, and the circumstances the occur throughout, causes one stress, releasing high levels cortisol in the blood over a long period of time. Resulting in, not only CPTSD, but often many physical ailments. Also, undiagnosed mental illnesses, which is generational in my family, causes a cycle of abuse; both of self and others. My family self-medicated by drinking, which compounded the issues and led to the early death of most of my family. Mental health awareness is so important. I appreciate this episode, thank you for taking for time on the subject! 🙏🙏

[@Kushy666]

It boggles my mind to know that there are people in this world who don't know what it's like to have chronic depression.

[@NotSoNormal1987]

I'm more annoyed than anything. I have to pay money for what they get for free. 🙃

[@Wild-Duck]

Neil, I hate to say it. But you're missing a huge point with your "One stop shopping" remark and for once I think, you are so wrong on this one. This might work for people who suffer from a short/light depression and just need that boost. But for people, like me, who never knew something was actually wrong (because they were always like that and never knew everyone else wasn't the same as they are) until there entire life collapsed, they build a life and scarred themselves so immensely, they need to guidance to start living a life again. You can't fix that with just a pill. So you still need those sessions with people who can help you change your way of thinking, with for example CBT. Relieving your pain you've carried for years. Learning how to control your depression. Because for some, it will never completely go away. It will always be there, sometimes it's massive, sometimes it's small. To control it, you need to learn how. That will never come in the form of a pill.

[@tannhauser5399]

A lot is missing from it. Not just that point. Correct. Agree. And not just some kind of group sessions that people talk about in some cases. One on on. Long time. And by that I mean 2-4 years in a lot of cases, weekly sessions, 1h at least, every week (or more!). It is not easy. And in a lot of countries it almost doesn't exists as a lot of psychologist will be just after your money (yeah, welcome to a modern world, applicable not only to US but also to UK for example; good luck helping yourself without money; it is a "myth" in a way - looks good on the paper, but in a reality you cannot get a proper help without money). Pills may help at the beginning, definitely I can agree with it. But sooner or later you also have to do your own research, and "work" on yourself. Look at yourself honestly, deep honest look, and face it, whatever is wrong with you, whatever wrong you did, or somebody have done to you... you have to face it. It is simple as this. And it won't be pretty. And at the end, the psychologists/psychiatrist can help you on that road. But at some point, you will have to do it "alone". Just you. And that is opening a lot of learning about yourself, reading books, learning and growing in that whole process. because at the end, it will be a process, and there is nothing fast here. Unless you reach for pills/drugs of course - but they will just mask some much more deeper issues in a way. It helps too. But at the end... but if you trully want to help yourself, you will have to lave some of that behind, and learn a lot about... yourself too (by books, therapy sessions, University degrees... to put it simply: knowledge).

[@vincentzimmerman2011]

I have bipolar disorder and anxiety. I wasn't diagnosed until I was 30 years old. Took another 15 years before I found the right medications to treat my symptoms. Thank you for this episode. My take on sadness and depression is this: sadness is a hand grenade, and depression is a nuclear bomb. There's no comparison.

[@rcadventuresoffical]

we need a part 2!!!! maybe to more into natural ways to help treat depression and anxiety, diet? exercise? or something else? some people struggle to put food on the table and can't afford to go seek expensive medical treatment

[@tracy9610]

I use the full spectrum “daylight” treatment. It has helped me along with meds and lifestyle interventions the last 5 years.

[@alheinzeroth2859]

Dr. Robert Sapolsky's Stanford Lectures (as well as many YT videos with him) are most excellent! I took his course eons ago as I've suffered as a depressive since the '60s and amazingly in 2012 when my physical disabilities required a Neurologist's in-depth study incl. full body ENG and ensuing Neurosurgery and full C-Spine reconstruct I found that both of those excellent professionals had studied (much more extensively for sure) under Dr. Sapolsky in the late 90s. I believe his entire series of those lectures have been re-upped to YT, including one from 1990 on the Stanford Site here or just search his name and 'lectures'! TYVM for this one, guys!

[@tracy9610]

Search: Stanford lectures

[@TheFlyingstop]

Chuck Nice showing us we need to talk about mental/medical problems so we can deal with it and for it to be more acceptable. Thank You.

[@armandogutierrez5301]

Thank you for sharing chuck !!!❤

[@chrisroberts3917]

I have major depressive disorder, disthymia, general anxiety disorder, adhd, ptsd, and intermittent explosive disorder (I've made a lot of progress with IED). For me, a big problem is that they all kind of "feed" off of each other. This creates a negative feedback loop, intensifying the effects of each. Nobody seems to understand how much of an impact this has on my daily life, and ability to function properly. I have panic attacks even thinking about leaving my house to do things that I need to do (edit: catastrophizing is a term my therapist uses a lot). It gets so bad that trying to stop the negative thought process actually hurts. Then, I'm left feeling worthless; nothing more than a burden to my loved ones. The cycle continues. This talk really spoke to me, deeply. What a wonderful guest, and Chuck's personal experience was the cherry on top. People need to know, and better understand these things. Thank you.

[@CthulhuInc]

i get it, chris - you're not alone, brother

[@FlyingDwarfman]

I have a similar collection of comorbid conditions that create a similar feedback loop of feeding into and fighting against each other. It's... not fun, at times. And I agree with you completely about Heather and Chuck being able to open up about his personal experiences.

[@ryanrutledge922]

Heather Berlin is so great . ❤ from 🇨🇦

[@mshafer2006]

As someone with a TBI these kind of episodes with Heather make understanding neuroscience interesting to how the brain works as well as provide so much educational insight in the neuroscience field. I spent so much time almost 11 years ago researching the brain pertaining to what I went through with my TBI that it is fascinating to find out more about the depressive state of the brain that many people i have met over the years with TBI's go through that I didn't go through, on the effects of not only that condition but other conditions as well. Thank you guys for this video.

[@ajaythomas8997]

honestly missed you chuck you should be on every episode

[@erikhendrickson59]

Dr. Heather Berlin, the People's Champ

[@david111davies]

Yes, it is real for me. Im from the UK and winter is total misery here. Its cold damp and wet all the time, you almost never see the sun properly and it hardly ever fully dries up. It is raining even as i write this.

[@DCamp1711]

I had Major Depressive disorder, anxiety, PTSD for many years and currently have ADHD. I used medications to manipulate my serotonin(SSRI), dopamine, and noradrenaline(bupropion) to try and fix it. After years of no relief the medication worked pretty quickly to fix it

[@rbevans4648]

Thank you so much for covering this topic. I experience depression all year round + the seasonal kind from Nov - Apr. Your guest is very knowledgeable and helpful! Please make this into a continuing series as new treatments are developed. Thanks.

[@enerpro2955]

I had to move out of my hometown because of the long gray Winters. Seasonal depression is definitely a thing

[@joseimpact]

this episode got me in my feelings. thank you guys ❤

[@taylorprice5813]

Thank you very much for tackling this topic ❤

[@toriellsimon9075]

First time seeing the numbers refresh by themselves. Love this duo

[@josephgerstner]

Thank you for this MUCH NEEDED episode!!!!!!

[@kassistwisted]

I've often thought of depression like diabetes. If you have diabetes, you take medication (or eat a special diet) in order to regulate the amount of insulin in your system. People without diabetes naturally regulate their insulin levels. Depression treatment will take a major leap forward when we are able to regulate the amount of seratonin/dopamine in our systems like diabetics regulate their insulin.

[@LeondalePhotographer]

Love you chuck. I relate to what you're saying. Thank you!

[@petedawg]

Wonderful. Thank you for covering this.

[@dzzedge]

I greatly appreciate you covering this topic.

[@abdulla_mathew]

So glad to see Niel Degrass Tyson pull this one out. Since depression is way too complicated than our current understanding what we really need now is understanding and empathy not a cure. At least it will make the life of those who are affected easier.

[@MartinJutras]

I have summer depression, I think. I'm profoundly annoyed by the heat and strong sunlight.

[@72stinger]

Same. I’ve lived in Southern California my whole life, and the heat and the super-bright sun (mostly heat above 85 degrees) always bring down several times a year. I literally go to Seattle to feel better.

[@MartinJutras]

I live in Canada, autumn and winter are my favorite seasons. Bring the cold and the clouds and I'm happy.@@72stinger

[@isetmfriendsofire]

I HATE summer. The humidity gets me really sad. Also the people give me anxiety. I hate hot pavement smell too.

[@kellywalker9827]

Don't move to a higher elevation the sun is so close that it's oppressive 😒

[@Wild-Duck]

You're making a joke (I think, and thats ok). But on a serious note. It can be a thing. Seasonal depression doesn't have to be just a winter thing, otherwise we would call it winter depression. Strange they didn't mention it... So yes, the changing of seasons can cause seasonal depression. So you can actually get depressed because it's summer.

[@frankemeli7505]

I moved from a country around the equator, where we experienced equal day and night, to the UK, and during the winter, I noticed a significant unexplained sadness. I also lost motivation to engage in activities I loved. Suspecting a connection to the shorter days, I decided to change the color of my light bulb from the pale yellow it was to a whiter shade, hoping it would help-and it did, significantly improving my mood. However, the depression persisted. After some research, I came across Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), and everything started to make sense. With the gradual increase in daylight in the UK, I'm experiencing a general improvement in my mood.

[@tannhauser5399]

Not even close to a real life experience of living in UK, and going through the various prescriptions, GP, medical issues? UK: if you need proper help, one on one sessions, long term approach? Guess what? You need... money. Just like US. And yeah... I've been through the official UK system, working at NHS too. Bottom line, if you need to get yourselt better? Yeah.. you need money. Not your "friends and famly" approach. None of them can understand it anyway. Current prices? Depends. 50 British pounds, for a 50 minutes session with a psychologist. Psychiatrist? Different game. A lot more. And in some cases it will be one session per week, for a 2-4 years. Or 2 sessions. Or more. Just count the money now. Pills, just a simple and in a way easy way out. At some point they will be needed. And there is no question abou tit. But also, at some point they will be not (if you trully want to improve yourself, and look deeply at yourself - and accept what you see; start reading a lot, regarding those issues, psychology and so on). Edit: grammar/spelling/formatting.

[@pauljones9308]

Chuck ..the honesty .. incredible

[@digiryde]

I like listening to people of knowledge with a real passion for their knowledge.

[@MrEricwinston01]

Maybe the best episode ever…. Thank you!

[@goldengoose97]

Oh man this is perfect exactly what I needed to hear today

[@dubselectorr345]

To take drugs? This Is unbelievable, please don't listen to these big pharma drug dealers, try to exercise every day at least for 20 minutes and eat no fast food and lose the sweets. Do that first! This is outrageous

[@CJMohommed]

I lived with Depression and Passive Suicidal Ideation for over a decade. I was diagnosed with MDD and GAD by three separate psychologists in 2019, 2021 and 2022 respectively. I have been undergoing treatment (medical and therapy) since 2019. I would like to know what is wrong with me, but I don't expect I ever will. "The opposite of Depression is not Happiness. It is Vitality!" - Andrew Solomon

[@djsico2000]

Throughout my life I had a lot periods with depression. my advice to everybody is: go through it. Walk through this dark forest and eventually you come out at the other side. Sometimes it‘s all just part of a long term healing process. Be patient. Be strong. Believe in your natural ability to heal.

[@TheWenexx]

sure, or just get help if the forest is long. if you are not a lone wolf its more fun to walk with people. Or would that mean: to not "go through it"? what does it even mean "go through it"? Does time stop if I do not go? Do you talk like this to people in a wheelchair? cancer? Sure, there are actally people who did heal, without meds or surgery. But most do profit from getting help.

[@SB-hy9iq]

Those were words of encouragement. No need to be so critical.

[@TheWenexx]

@@SB-hy9iqfine. it is not your fault that I am allready unhappy with those words, because I heared them so many years, essentially blaiming me for wrongthink. Now you got my anger. If you want to encourage someone there should not be any doubt, but still: I wish you ad that it would be good to ask for help if attempts fail for some time. thats my critic.

[@TheWenexx]

also, this was me apologyzing, so consider yourself apologized to. And: good day sir.

[@timthomson5674]

Great as always. Thank you!!!!

[@renecoetzee8584]

I have been faking it for soooo long! Chuck, it is awesome to hear that we are not alone in this and that someone as great as you also struggle with this black dog on your back.

[@annwagner5779]

Thank you, Lord Nice, for bravely sharing. ❤

[@jeffsiegwart]

Very informative. Thank you.

[@martinloebig7089]

Thanks! this is such a detailed episode

[@WildL23]

I'm immune to seasonal depression. I like cloudy days more than I like sunny days.

[@SheSweetLikSugarNSavage]

I agree, thankfully I've always been immune to seasonal depression. Adore the holiday seasons and I love cloudy, rainy days... Not more than sunny days but equally as much. They just have their own vibration of cozy stay at home with hot of earl grey and read a book today vibe.

[@ellenlockhart4494]

Thant you, Chuck, for your honesty!

[@typicalrockandroll]

Im pretty sure I have it. I used to be able to avoid it by staying really active in the winter and just staying outside as much as possible. Snowboarding was my happy place. It’s not realistic for me to keep that schedule/lifestyle so winters have been tough. It helps keeping track of solstices and equinoxes so I’m at least aware of it. Usually starts a couple weeks before the winter solstice but sometimes as early as october. I take vitamin D and it helps a little. I could definitely improve my diet but being a light sleeper has always been a problem. Thanks for making the video guys!

[@philipbernstein8377]

SAD can also be experienced in relation to summer time. I used to become depresses and tearful when the first brilliantly sunny weekend of late winter occurred, anticipating the long hot extremes of summer looming. I raised this with my family physician who had not met this nuance of SAD before. He found that my symptoms were thyroid based and follow up medicating did the trick for me.

[@SiriusDogStar369]

Thank you 🙏

[@rbee6507]

I'm a simple man. I see Heather, I click. Instant dopamine boost!

[@SheSweetLikSugarNSavage]

😂😂🤣 oookay

[@LePedant]

I love my Lexapro. It really really helps me not see the world as a dull grey blob.

[@LennyDucano]

We love you Chuck!! ❤ thanks for this amazing episode yall #KeepLookingUp 🌎🧐

[@genuinefreewilly5706]

Great topic, It seems cathartic to express ones self via comedy or music or visual art to mitigate depression. I can easily talk to nearly anyone about music, and ask what music makes you feel good. Its a mixed, subjective bag all the time, but a brilliant conversation. What is not talked about are the stats on depression in regards to countries and or large populations. What countries are tackling it?

[@Isynchromissity]

This episode should have far more likes. Great content, thanks!

[@canonest]

that was deep and very well thought, thanks Heather & Neil.

[@KReneeNYC]

thank you ☮️

[@janette6]

Thank you Gary

[@pamlacooper3288]

For me it was the combination of Prozac and lots of cognitive behavior training. Still on Prozac and very into meditation and philosophy everyday.

[@Stormkwiet]

I love you all but I really keep coming back for Chuck😂😂❤

[@gilbertalvarado5101]

In my experience, major depressive disorder was my brain not allowing me to be okay. I underwent a newer treatment and changed everything. I can see where I was and could see no matter what coping skills I used, how much therapy it actually didn’t matter. Not to say they aren’t effective tools. They are and I use them. The problem is I always knew them but my mind wouldn’t allow me to execute. It took so much energy just to get to what felt like ”normal”. There’s hope.

[@terrytorkildson2831]

As a 50-year run of Treatment Resistant Major Depressive Disorder, caused by traumatic brain injuries, a genetic predisposition and a multitude of concussions, I appreciate a scientific discussion of common perceptions of depression. from my personal experience, the biggest difficulties stem from health care providers who are undereducated on the topic, insurance companies unwilling to cover treatment, procedures and new medication. It's bad enough I've made my own TMS, ECT, EMS and rTMS devices. The path forward will come from the work of Dr. Michael Levin, and his team, from Tufts University. Enviromental, nutritional and escapism chemicals make a difference, unfortunately not for many. I have had minimal success with medical treatment, my coping skills are what remains.

[@MrPoint50]

Crazy thing is that it fallows loss. The time of season not just winter for some reason tells my brain I'm depressed because of the loss of people close to and every time the season comes I lost them the feeling comes right back

[@christopherfegley421]

Hey Chuck....Thank You.

[@dubselectorr345]

for pushing drugs? They forget to suggest the main natural remedy. Exercise 30 min a day every day, drop fast foods and sweets and eat proteins and take peptides and mushroom supplements. This is insanity. I am also a Startalk fan.

[@indiesongwriter5474]

I'm a therapist and Tyson's comment about there being a day when people just take a pill for all of their mental health is wrong and misguided. We treat the brain and the mind and the mind is endowed with free will and consciousness. Therefore it's treatment will never be as reductive as a spleen or stomach or heart, and will often require therapy (there are people that JUSt have a chemistry imbalance but that's probably around 1-2 percent of my entire caseload). "People are less like problems waiting to be solved and more like poems waiting to be written"

[@nedcarlton409]

Thanks Chuck!! So glad you shared your story today. I think many fans or StarTalk feel more included in the conversation today!

[@orionthatman9390]

So brave of Chuck to share that with us 🙏 big ups dude

[@johnherron3961]

Another good excellent one folks! TY all.

[@denz4133]

Chuck is so relatable when giving his story and what it was like getting to the point if having something that helps, only to still be stigmatized for ‘needing’ pills smdh

[@charondolls]

Thank you for the humour in this serious topic! I learnt and entertained at the same time.

[@youcanknowit9374]

Great show!!!!

[@joaobranco17]

This episode had the perfect timing, I've been going through a break-up for a couple of weeks now and more probably than not I have the so-called SAD and I took the day to binge some of the latest StarTalk episodes I was late on. I refreshed the page and I have this one. Always a pleasure to learn here, especially when we can relate to it. Thanks for the insightful talk.

[@treeross]

15:55 Me too chuck! I use the insuffulation method personally. It's very cathartic.

[@ToniSkit]

This was great - really enjoyed this chat- I’ve published a lot on TMS tDCS dbs etc and I very much enjoy heathers approach to this call

[@7_of_9]

For anyone out there, working out is key, getting off social is key, no coffee or alcohol, stay away from toxic people, and I promise you that there is a cure at the end of the tunnel.

[@TheWenexx]

omg, every three comment I get annoyed. Yes it is true what you say about working out, abstinence, toxic people, but you forget, that if it does not work for month or years, ask a doctor. Also, kind of funny, if you have that kind of depression that prevents you from doing anything, good luck working out.

[@rangerCG]

This is true - it's part of the solution. Medication is equally important, and for me, one of the most important things is sleep. I give myself 9 hours so I have an extra hour to fall asleep etc. Going to bed at the exact same time every night, fasting after 3:30 (this was one of the biggest helps actually) are all ways I ensure good sleep.

[@NotSoNormal1987]

Yeah, that didn't work for me. But a combo of medications changed my life.

[@seanmostert4213]

Psychiatry and psychology each offer distinct approaches to mental health, with inherent trade-offs. Psychiatry's medication-based treatment can quickly stabilize mental state but may rely on external substances. Psychology's behavioral and cognitive methods build internal coping mechanisms but require time and effort. Gaining insights from both fields can provide a comprehensive perspective. The most effective strategy is one that is adaptable, integrating various methods to suit different environments and individual needs. Personally I have found psychology to be a more resilient approach as the methods learned can be used in other challenging areas of your life, and furthermore you can share the knowledge with others along the way which helps them grow strength as well.

[@yataybala4902]

Great conversation

[@feralbluee]

Hi - this was fascinating. Thank you a whole lot, say i naïvely :) but really, she is amazing. Everything was so clear. Going to try and find her Nova series. I’m on meds for depression and anxiety. The depression has been treated and I’m better. But I’m also on meds for generalized anxiety and I still have anxiety attacks and agoraphobia, which is very debilitating. So, yeah, it is very individualized. (I’m 78 and all this started when I was 18. Not treated for depression with meds til my mid 50’s.) I understand epinephrine, but serotonin and dopamine, I can never really understand the difference. I have to look them up again! More of this, please :) 🌷🌱

[@armandogutierrez5301]

Thank you guys !!!!🎉❤ 💯⚡️🇨🇴

[@terrysimpson3092]

Lovely Heather.....be formless shapeless like water❤

[@raneylee9617]

I was so scared to get on medication and my GP finally said “if you had diabetes and needed insulin, would you get it? If you had strep throat and needed amoxicillin, would you get it?” I said of course and he said “your brain is no different, so get over it. Get over the stigma and start living happy” and it was the best decision I ever made.