TMS THERAPY
FDA-cleared, non-medication depression treatment
Inflammation and Depression: Are They Related?
Laurence Lippsett
Medically reviewed on 11/16/2020 by
Dr. Geoffrey Grammer
Chief Medical Officer
Recent research has shown an intriguing link between inflammation and depression. Inflammation naturally occurs when the body fights to protect itself against infectious invaders, diseases, or wounds. The immune system is triggered to release chemicals that attack infections and increase blood flow to (and the swelling of) injured areas to promote healing. But these chemicals can also activate an inflammatory response in the brain, causing changes in brain activity that may contribute to depression. While research in this area is fairly new, and much remains to be discovered, this finding could partially explain why people with inflammation-causing diseases like arthritis are more likely to suffer from depression as well.
The Relationship between Inflammation and Depression
To be clear, the emerging research has not shown that inflammation causes depression, or even that all patients with depression have inflammation. But depression and inflammatory conditions are often comorbid, which means they coexist and can be closely connected. There is a long list of illnesses that can cause inflammation and also contribute to a higher risk of depression, including heart disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, asthma, arthritis, and other autoimmune disorders. In part, this may be because inflammation-causing diseases can be difficult to live with, which can increase stress and anxiety and, in the long term, contribute to the development of depression. Depression can also cause a number of physical symptoms, such as fatigue and higher sensitivity to pain, that can exacerbate inflammatory diseases. The relationship between inflammation and depression is complex, so the best way to support your health is to seek treatment for both the inflammatory condition and depression.
Emerging Research on Inflammation and Depression
While inflammation has not been shown to cause depression directly, studies have shown that a significant subset of patients with depression have higher-than-normal levels of inflammatory chemicals in their bodies and swelling in their brains. People with more severe depression may have more severe brain swelling as well. The inflammation appears to affect chemicals in the brain that transmit signals among brain cells and regulate moods. The result is a wide range of symptoms that are also associated with depression: fatigue, lethargy, loss of appetite, decreased motivation, and inability to focus. Along with those "down" symptoms, depression can also lead to more agitated or "up" symptoms, such as stress, insomnia, hunger, anger, and anxiety. One theory suggests that inflammation-induced behavioral changes may have arisen as an evolutionary advantage for early humans by helping to protect them against predators and pathogens. The "down" symptoms may have encouraged them to rest, heal, and withdraw from others to avoid infecting them. The "up" symptoms may have stimulated a fight-or-flight response to dangerous animals or other attackers that could cause death or wounds that become infected. However, this evolution-based idea is still new, and more research is needed to confirm it. New findings about the comorbidity of inflammation and depression could contribute to the development of new ways to detect and treat depression. For instance, a connection between inflammation and depression could explain why many people with simultaneous presence of both of these conditions often do not find relief through antidepressants. Many of these medications work by enhancing the activity of chemicals that transmit brain signals, and inflammation in the brain can inhibit these same chemicals. As a result, people with inflammatory diseases and depression may need to seek a different course of treatment.
Finding the Right Depression Treatment
Effective treatment for depression varies from person to person. For many people, lifestyle adjustments like exercise, dietary changes, and meditation can reduce both inflammation and symptoms of depression, but these changes are generally most effective alongside firstline depression treatments, such as talk therapy and medication. Others find that these treatments are only partially effective or not effective at all. If you're one of the many chronic inflammation patients who aren't finding relief with antidepressants, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy may be an effective course of treatment. TMS is an FDA-cleared, non-invasive, and drug-free treatment that delivers gentle magnetic pulses to areas of the brain that regulate mood. This can stimulate changes in brain chemical signaling that can alleviate symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder. The relationship between inflammation and depression is complex and nuanced, and science is still working to understand the nature of the connection. However, having an inflammatory condition that is comorbid with depression does not mean that you have to continue experiencing taxing symptoms. To learn more about whether TMS therapy might be right for you, schedule a no-cost consultation.
Let's see if we might be a good fit
Take our 6 question quiz to see if TMS therapy could be right for you
Share this post
We're Better Together
Subscribe for mental health, self-care, and TMS therapy updates for those affected by treatment-resistant depression or OCD.
Contact Us
By providing your email address, you are consenting to receive blog updates from Greenbrook TMS Inc. You may unsubscribe from these alerts at any time by following the “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of email alerts. At Greenbrook TMS Inc. we take the privacy and security of your personal information seriously. To learn more about how we protect your personal information, please refer to our Privacy Policy.
You might also like
You may feel isolated and alone when you have clinical depression, and depression also affects your relationships with family and friends. While the primary focus of your treatment is to improve your mental health, it’s also essential to understand your loved ones may experience their own issues as they try to support you. An understanding of how depression affects relationships can help everyone maintain healthy connections and navigate problems. Here are some of the ways depression may affect the people in your support network.
Our free mental health calendar for 2023 includes mental health awareness events, holidays, self-care activities, and a monthly 30 second mental health checkup!
We’ve all heard the common health-related misconceptions or myths-- chocolate causes acne, carrots will improve your night vision, and cracking your knuckles gives you arthritis. Subscribing to these particular myths is relatively harmless, but other health-related misconceptions can have far more serious consequences. This is the case for depression—the myths surrounding it can prevent people from getting the help they need. This is the case for depression—the myths surrounding it can prevent people from getting the help they need. Because untreated depression can have a serious physical and psychological impact, it’s imperative to have the right information in order to make the best decisions for yourself and for your health. Here are 5 common misconceptions about depression, and the facts behind them:
Starting any medical treatment for the first time can leave you with questions, especially if you’re looking forward to the benefits it may bring. It’s no different when you’re preparing for your nasal esketamine treatment. Your previous mental health treatments may have consisted solely of taking antidepressants at home or visiting a therapist’s office for cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), so nasal esketamine is probably a new treatment experience for you. If you're wondering what it's like to start nasal esketamine and get ready for your first session, keep reading. Getting Started with the Nasal Esketamine Treatment As with any new treatment, you’ll first talk to your primary care provider or psychiatrist about whether nasal esketamine is a good fit for you. Alternatively, you can schedule your esketamine nasal spray consultation with a treatment center (such as Greenbrook) that has certification by the FDA’s Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS). At Greenbrook's REMS-certified nasal esketamine treatment centers, our Greenbrook-affiliated psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners will review your medical history and also conduct our own assessment to help determine whether nasal esketamine treatment is right for you. Certain conditions, including blood vessel disease and a history of psychosis, may make treatment a risk for you. Make sure you discuss all previous and present conditions with your doctor or nasal esketamine provider before beginning treatment. If the medication is deemed a good fit, you’ll receive your prescription from the Greenbrook-affiliated provider. Your Greenbrook Care Team will put together a personalized care plan for the weeks and months to follow. Keep in mind that you will need to take a standard (oral) antidepressant along with your nasal esketamine treatment. There are two important regulations to note when it comes to preparing for treatment: Each treatment is followed by a mandatory two-hour observation period. This means you will need to plan to stay at the center for at least two hours following your self-administration of the esketamine nasal spray. You cannot drive during the rest of the day after treatment and must arrange for transportation. These regulations are mandatory. It may be helpful to sit down and plan out several weeks’ worth of transportation once you know your treatment schedule. In addition, if you’re wondering what to bring for the treatment, we recommend entertainment such as an audiobook or playlist of favorite songs and a pair of headphones. You may want them during the two-hour observation period. What to Expect During Nasal Esketamine Treatment On the day of treatment, you’ll need to stop eating any food two hours before your appointment and stop drinking all fluids 30 minutes before you come in. Your Greenbrook Care Team will confirm that you are prepared for the two-hour observation period and that you have a ride home. You’ll get the opportunity to practice using a “trainer sprayer” that mimics the real nasal esketamine sprayer but does not release any medication. The Care Team will encourage you to use the restroom and set up your preferred environment in your private treatment bay or room. Some patients like reduced lighting, for example, while others don’t request light adjustments. You’ll complete a depression scale before each treatment session. Your Greenbrook provider will confirm that the dose kit is yours, show you how to administer it, and then hand it to you. Each sprayer contained 28mg of Spravato esketamine nasal spray. Patients usually start with two sprayers (56mg) and soon increase to 84mg (three sprayers) per treatment. But, your dosage maybe vary. Should you be left with a metallic taste by the spray, the Care Team will offer suckers to help make the flavor dissipate. After your dose, you’ll be encouraged to lie back in your comfortable recliner. While most patients enjoy a quiet setting, Greenbrook is prepared to accommodate patients with a more animated reaction to the medication. You may feel sleepy, dizzy, mildly dissociated, and/or nauseated during treatment. Greenbrook's Care Team is readily available if you need assistance. How to Prepare for after your Nasal Esketamine Treatment Most side effects begin to wane in the second hour of observation, but if you’re wondering, “Is it safe to drive immediately after nasal esketamine treatment?” the answer is a resounding no. In addition to the mandatory ride home, you will need to block off time to rest and let side effects fully dissipate. This extended rest period is especially important in the first weeks of treatment when you’ll have treatment twice a week. Do not drive or operate machinery of any kind until the day after treatment. Just take it easy, relax, and take care of yourself. If you’re unsure what activities you can do or should avoid during this time, talk to your Care Team for more information. While side effects tend to dissipate completely after a good night’s sleep, many nasal esketamine patients begin feeling relief from depression symptoms within hours of their treatment. Other Tips in Preparing for Your Nasal Esketamine Treatment At Greenbrook, we make every effort to schedule your treatment in the afternoons or whenever it is most convenient for you. We encourage you to see each treatment session as an opportunity to relax and take care of your mental health. If you have any questions or concerns, talk to your doctor or the Greenbrook Care Team. At Greenbrook, we’ll help you feel at ease when preparing for each treatment session. Schedule A Free Consultation To get started with nasal esketamine, schedule your free consultation today.
Greenbrook TMS supports an accessible internet. If you have any questions about our accessibility features, please contact us at
866.928.6076 and/or info@greenbrooktms.com.
TMS THERAPY
RESOURCES
OUR COMPANY
