Inner Cosmos with David Eagleman Ep48 "Why do brains become depressed?"
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Feb 26, 2024 
Delve into the brain science behind depression with discussions on measuring medications in city water, reward pathways, and magnetic stimulation. Explore the intricate nature of depression, contributing factors, advancements in brain stimulation treatments, disrupting negative thoughts, and understanding brain function.
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Instant Depression via Brain Switch
- A patient with Parkinson's had electrodes implanted and flipping one switch caused instant depression.
- Turning the switch off lifted the sadness immediately, showing depression can be triggered like flipping a switch in the brain.
Depression as Evolutionary Defense
- Depression is an evolutionary defense mode called "fold" for unwinnable threats.
- This mode conserves energy by withdrawing when fight, flight, or freeze fails.
Forced Swim Test for Depression
- The forced swim test in mice models depression by measuring when they give up swimming.
- Antidepressants increase swim time, indicating delayed fold mode onset.