Is depression caused by low serotonin?

[Otto Kretschmer]

(A spin-off from the thread about Neil deGrasse Tyson.)

Is it? 

This has been the predominant hypothesis about the pathophysiology of depression for several decades and has been heavily promoted by the pharmaceutical industry - but there's now a rival theory, namely the glutamate theory of depression that says neuroinflammation and glutamate dysregulation are to blame for depression.

Is there any scientific consensus regarding this matter?

 

[Phi for All]

6 hours ago, Otto Kretschmer said:

Is it? 

This has been the predominant hypothesis about the pathophysiology of depression for several decades and has been heavily promoted by the pharmaceutical industry - but there's now a rival theory, namely the glutamate theory of depression that says neuroinflammation and glutamate dysregulation are to blame for depression.

Is there any scientific consensus regarding this matter?

Bad question, makes it look like you're linking low serotonin levels to ALL depression. The claim is actually that impairing serotonin function can cause depression in some circumstances. 

[joigus]

I'm no expert here, but feedback mechanisms in biology are so frequent that I think pointing to the presence/absence of a certain chemical as the cause of an illness (or of any other process for that matter) is probably not the way to go.

[TheVat]

Indeed, multiple causes have been identified, both external and internal.  There's no magic bullet.  Glutamate dysregulation is likely more an effect than a cause - chronic stress has been implicated there.  

[iNow]

12 hours ago, TheVat said:

There's no magic bullet

Spending more time outdoors in motion and getting exercise coupled with consistent good sleep is no panacea, but they do hit the intended target rather often and forcibly

[dimreepr]

On 5/25/2024 at 3:44 AM, iNow said:

Spending more time outdoors in motion and getting exercise coupled with consistent good sleep is no panacea, but they do hit the intended target rather often and forcibly

Indeed, but it's not for everyone... 

The magic bullet is a kind of myth, in that it makes us feel better; does depression have a cause? 

Pehaps, but it certainly doesn't help itself