Can Inflammation Cause Depression?
What You’ll Learn:
- New research shows inflammatory hormones cause depression
- How they reduce serotonin (which makes you feel happy & full)
- Can lead to anti-depressants being prescribed, which may cause weight gain
- Practical tips on combating inflammation
I want to get off my anti depressants. I’ve tried twice. My doctor gave me a schedule and it was to fast. Then I tried slower. Better, but then the crying jags, si I went back to taking them again. Any suggestions? I was told by my psychiatrist years ago (he is no longer practicing) to add Gabba supplements to my diet because my body needs to learn how to make it. Any help would be appreciated.
My chronic eczema has been flaring up lately. Treatment options are limited , and I’m wondering whether why my weight is increasing, despite my efforts to follow your plan, because of the inflammation. I’m beginning to feel out of control and depression is on the horizon.
My skin flares up only when I eat wheat and use soap with perfumes and fillers. I usually take my own soap and lotion bars on trips.
PPS FYI I have not lost any weigt for over a year – rather I put on more last year. Feel I am turning a corner, but it would make it much easier if I was out of pain and got uninterupted sleep zzzzzz
Pain is stressful. Can you take short naps or meditation breaks during the day?
Hey Jon,
Having read the threads it is clear I am inflammed! I have suffered with joint pain since 12 yesars old and my stiffness (I look like a 90yr old when I get out of chairs if I’ve been sitting too long) is getting increasingly worse. When I read Janine’s list – esp itchy eyes & ears – I assumed I was just severly allergic all my life!!!! What can I do to change this? I have categorically always said no to antidepressants – as most doctors offer them to me not knowing what else I can do with hormonal probs. I am living the Big 3 and doing breathing/body exercises daily (Oxycise)to ease my pain and assist with weight loss. What else should I be doing or not doing? This really sounds like a key for me – please advise! I am soon to have more tests and an MRI. My neck, spine & knees are the worst. I want to be that girl running on the beach, but some days walking is a challenge, nevermind running!! Please help xxx PS Last summer was my first allergy free summer since I was 10yrs old – I was sooooooooooo thrilled and convinced it was my new greeen lifestyle. Sadly my allergy symptoms came back in september with a vengeance, so I lost faith that the changes I’d made were the answer. Not sure what changed – I kept to my green regime. Any suggestions warmly welcomed. Big thanks – I know this is the way out of pain as conventional medicine are stumped at all my chronic symptoms. Appreciate your input :0)
Hi Pixie,
You say you’ve had joint pain since you were 12. Can you elaborate? Were you diagnosed with anything then? Or into sports? Did the joint pain start with menstruation or any other cause?
Let us know what your test results say.
Make sure to drink plenty of water and get enough Omega-3s. You may wish to seek out a naturopathic doctor to better help you work out the root causes of your inflammation.
-Janine, GM Team
hello Jon and Team,
maybe this question has been asked often before, yet I am struggling to find a great waterfilter, that has good evidence about whether it actually works. I live in Alice Springs.
Any good ideas? and yes, we are on a budget, so we have to be mindful about spending money, yet we do see the longterm benefit. Any help appreciated
I recently purchased a Clear2O water filter pitcher. It was recommended by Consumer Reports and filters out way more contaminants than anything else. It’s only available online, but it was only $9.99 by agreeing to an automatic send of a new filter every 2 months for $12.99. I love mine.
Hi Jon, I’m sorry I missed the call in this morning, I was looking forward to it. We spoke during the last call and I complained about my stomach bloating and developing a lot of weight gain around my middle. You asked me what had changed in those last two months and I think I figured out what that is. I had started getting allergy shots two months ago and I finished my allergy testing yesterday which revealed among other things, candida overgrowth? Can I continue with the homemade kefir, hemp and almond oils and chia seeds? Is there anything that I’ve learned through your program that I should avoid? Like apple cider vinegar with the mother? I look forward to your advice.
Hi Donna,
Kefir and apple cider vinegar in general are good for helping with good bacteria in your system. Hemp and Chia seeds are great for Omega 3 which is also important for your daily routine. Candida overgrowth is quite common and following The Gabriel Method does help combat it. Sugars (and hidden sugars in grains) are a big culprit of this overgrowth as well as hindering you from releasing weight.
Janine
The Gabriel Method
Dear John! This is the Kentucky Fried Chicken woman that has spoken with you regarding my many medications. I spent last year weaning myself off of all my meds. Waiting for an appointment with an alternative medical doctor for over 6 months. Miserable year. After I came off of everything, I saw this doctor in January. I was so overwrought with emotions regarding finally getting to see her that after our two hour visit, she diagnosed me with bipolar disease and wanted me on lithium or lamictal. She sent me to a physical therapist. They could not help me. I went on the lamictal for about 5 days and decided not to go down that road. I had hit an emotional depression bottom that I had never experienced before. I then went back to my regular doc and agreed to get on lexapro which was much less that I had been on. I had to get back on some pain meds but no longer on dilaudid. I have severe nausea and so I went back on phenergan as needed. Reglan as needed, Valium as needed, trazadone, and Prilosec. I was devastated. I stopped taking all my supplements such as krill oil, probiotics, d-3… I just recently started back up with my supplements. I have been swimming everyday and I love that because I’m not in pain when I’m in the water. I have lost about 30 lbs since last year. My appetite seems to be increasing lately and I fear I have stopped losing. I weigh 277 pounds. I’m discouraged. I feel much better being back on the antidepressants and my family is so grateful that I am. I was suicidally depressed. I couldn’t get out of it no matter how hard I tried. I couldn’t really even try. I am still out here doing as many things as possible to follow your lead. Is this probiotics for severe clinically depressed PTSD people? Is this a new finding? I feel my body is betraying me. Could inflammation really be at the root of my insanity? Help! Still spreading your word around. I am suppose to get an endoscopy and colonoscopy soon to see what if anything is causing this severe nausea. Maybe this gastroenterologist will recommend probiotics? With only part of my pancreas left and all the other stuff I had taken out and rerouted with my Whipple surgery, I wonder if he might be able to recommend your plan. As I told you before, my regular internist doesn’t recommend any of this plan for me. I don’t believe he knows best. After all, all the doctors I see tell me that I’m a miracle to be alive. Not so encouraging. As always, keep up the wonderful work you and your crew are spreading across this planet.
Hi Cynthia,
It’s possible that focusing healing your digestion can help your depression. Please see a naturopath or integrative doctor about taking steps to heal your digestion naturally.
Jon
What are the symptoms of an inflammation, how do I know if I have something like that ongoing in my body?
Symptomes besides of the depression, I mean.
Hi Katariina,
There are many symptoms of inflammation and can vary from person to person. Some include:
Bloating and stomach issues
Itchy ears or eyes
Joint pain and/or stiffness
Throat issues
Sinus issues
Water retention
Under eye bags or discoloration
Acne, cysts, hives or rashes
Craving certain foods
I hope this helps!
Janine
The Gabriel Method Team
Hi Janine,
What an impressive list, all the more knowing that it’s not exhaustive. Very interesting and educational indeed. Many thanks for this, it certainly helped!
Katariina
Years ago I developed shingles and then thyroiditis resulting in hypothyroidism all resulting I believe from EXTREME ANXIETY AND STRESS. I now experienced extreme levels of inflammation and pain in my joints and although I have cut out gluten, the goitrogenic foods and eating whole foods I do find that the level of inflammation in my body continues to causes challenges and immobility issues. I have found that the meditations and visualizations have changed so much for me in terms of my acceptance of body my love of my body and with tapping having the tools to counteract those anxiety episodes. Sometimes I feel the inhibitors of planter fasciitis do inhibit my experience of optimal self, but I’m changing. I struggle with weight-loss I can’t lose weight oh wait I take that back I lose weight and release that easily and successfully every day.
Yes meditation and visualization and visualization is great for reducing inflammation.
Thank you Jon, well I’m working on it – My first email from you with 3 free morning meditations was after the Tapping for Weight Loss series, and I have been using them daily. I have modified my eating, been working on elimination of stress (and cortisol) and all of these things are contributing to some incredible changes in my mind, my level of stress, and overall well being… I AM … becoming healthy, and my weight has not budged an pound. So I continue, and I feel like I am suppose to be at the Omega Centre so inviting that thought into my meditation every day … Thank you Jon for all you have done for me already! Along with this most recent Hay House World Summit and Marti Murphy scripts I feel so thank ful for this journey for such a time as this.
This thinking reverses the traditional medical thought that fat people get diseases and depression so lose weight and you will be cured of everything else and you will not have the need to be sad. I feel like putting an ad in the paper : Wanted : Doctor with updated knowledge, open mind and common sense.
Hi Philippa,
Hopefully over time this position won’t be as hard to fill!
Den – GM Team
I’ve had a problem with inflammation my entire adult life. I didn’t know during the years of very extreme and difficult menstruation cycles that inflammation was the main cause. I had long bouts of depression and mood swings. It wasn’t until I had been post menopausal for many years that I finally figured out on my own that inflammation had been (and still is to a lesser degree) the main culprit. “Meals that Heal Inflammation” by Julie Daniluk is waiting for me at the library. Though I already do so much to reduce swelling, it is still a big problem. I’m going to really zero in on it now. Thank you, Jon, for this latest information.
That is great Catherine!
You are on a roll!
Janine
The Gabriel Method Team
The last 60lbs I gained were during the slow upgrade and almost immediate downgrade of an SSRI about 8 years ago. It’s been very hard to get rid of the 35 lbs I’ve managed since then. I was prescribed an anti-inflammatory 200mg bid for aggressive tumor suppression and have also been using visualization and meditation learned from Jon. I’m wondering if the anti-inflammatory meds would hold onto weight also and the same question regarding an acetaminophen with codeine med? I don’t like to take them but sometimes they are necessary. Any research on those meds done yet? Or Jon’s trusted opinion?
Hi Donna,
We recommend you discuss with your doctor if there are any alternatives you can take and to take their recommendations. While medication can make one hold onto weight, we have had many successful people who are still on their prescribed medications.
Janine
The Gabriel Method Team
Thank you Janine I will do that 😀