Feel good medicine?

It was announced this week that anti-depressant medications (mainly SSRIs) have increased 40% since 2007- this has been put down to better diagnosis by GPs and the rise of financial concerns during the recession. However, there are also worries that we may be over prescribing these medications. SSRIs work by raising an important neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain which improves mood. People with depression are often low in this chemical. Though drugs certainly have their place they also come with side effects. It has been shown that for mild to moderate depression exercise works just as well as the drugs without the side effects (except for a few sore muscles perhaps). Many will know that exercise increases endorphins, feel good hormones but, serotonin also increases. More than that exercise is extremely important in balancing hormones and neurotransmitters.  Good nutrition and some supplements are also important in raising serotonin levels as most of this chemical is actually produced in your gut. An overdose of anti- depressants- Feeling better?

Kevin 10 April 2011.