I often hear about external things causing depression, but I always thought that depression was caused by exclusively internal things and separate from anything that’s actually happening in your life.
On a separate note, how can things like exercise and therapy help with it?
In: Biology
Hope this fits, here first time browsing/interacting with this sub.
Tldr: life events or habits can literally change your genetic expression, or they way your brain releases and absorbs those sweet, sweet brain juices they call neuritransmitters.
These chemical imbalances can occur after certain traumatic events and/-or substance use (I’m, sure, under other many other circumstances as well, but I’m speaking to those of which I’m somewhat familiar) these changes are called, “epigentics” essentially, this means a recessive gene, that would otherwise remain dormant, becomes active.
An example of this, is the COMT gene (the one that is believed to be responsible for schizophrenia) in adolescence. It has been observed that cannabis use in people within the age range of about 10 to 20 yo. that have the COMT gene, are at a high risk of activating this gene, resulting in schizophrenia. Something about using cannabis within this developmental stage can literally change your genetics. This can happen with other genes and events.
Traumatic events can also change your brain works. It changes the way your brain reacts to events. It changes the way you think, therefore, it changes the way your brain functions. You release certain neurotransmiters under stress.
If you develop an apprehension or fear due to an experience, if that memory is triggered again in the future, (whether you are acutely aware of it or not) your brain will release the “appropriate” neurotranitters (epinephrine, dopamine, norepinephrine) in turn.
Where as, when you are experiencing something pleasurable, you would release a neurotransmitter such as oxytocin or serotonin. Reinforcing your want or need to do the thing again.
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