Biohacking Away the Blues

Depression, where does it come from, and what can be done to help those that are depressed? While some suggest the brain amine theory of depression, with neurotransmitter deficiency explaining why depression occurs, others suggest it’s much more complex, with circumstances influencing and being influenced by our body’s chemicals. While genes play a role in susceptibility, it seems that often, feelings of depression are triggered by the external. And while the external is many times out of our control, is there a way to biohack in order to ward off the blues?

I certainly think there is. 

Time and time again, I’m reunited with the theme that disconnection breeds depression, isolation, addition, and escapism. We can feel disconnected from a sense of purpose, within our communities, or how we feel when we consume different foods or substances.  I’ve spent 15 years working in restaurants. Since the advent of social media, no shift went by without a couple out to dinner not talking but scrolling Instagram. These couples don’t seem happy, connected, or fulfilled.

This theme isn’t new. It’s discussed in Viktor Frankl’s “Man’s Search for Meaning”, a call to find purpose even in the worst conditions, and again in Gabor Maté’s “In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction.” Research into psychedelic therapy focuses on that feeling of ‘oneness’ and a ‘dissolution of self’ and that these feelings of connection may promote healing and wellbeing.

Biohacking as a way to support ourselves during depressing times would have to encompass inner and outer work. The inner work would involve finding ways to feel connected. You know what they say about inner work, that it bears fruit but can be temporarily uncomfortable, so it’s best to work with a licensed mental health care professional.

The outer work is more physical. How do we treat out bodies, do we fill them with nourishing fuel, thoughts, and strengthen and train them regularly? Or do we eat foods that make us feel crappy and then have no motivation to do anything other than get lost in a Netflix series while eating more snack foods because what’s the point?

If this is the world we’ve got, and we feel blue, what can we do? 

• See a mental health care professional to work through unresolved trauma.

• Actively try to be more present.

• Digital detox.

• Finding purpose or connection to something larger.

• Find a mentor.

• Deal with stress.

• Get good sleep.

• Have good sex.

• Psychedelic Therapy. While research on psychedelics on mental health is relatively new, with psychedelic research legal again, psychedelics assisted therapy centers may be available in the U.S. in the near future.

• Get outside.

• Spend time with loved ones.

• Help others. Volunteer. Give back to the community. Find community.

• Attend a ThinkOlio.

• Move around. Especially if you have a desk job! They say 30 minutes to 1 hour of exercise before or after work can help offset the risk associated with sitting too long.

• Eat nutritious food. Whole food, quality, organically produced, pasture-raised foods, minimally refined.

Disclaimer: I am not a licensed mental health professional. These are musings, not medical advice.