In 1987, the FDA approved Prozac based on studies showing it was 18% more effective than placebo—a marginal gain now known to be pure statistical manipulation. Today, 1 in 6 Americans take psychiatric drugs, yet depression rates have tripled since their introduction. The ugly truth? Antidepressants aren’t curing depression—they’re creating chronic illness.

The Serotonin Myth: A $15 Billion Lie

What They Told You:
"Depression is caused by low serotonin—drugs fix this chemical imbalance."

The Truth:

• The serotonin theory was never proven—it was a marketing tactic
• 85% of serotonin is made in the gut, not the brain
• SSRIs reduce brain plasticity by 40% (Nature Journal)

"Calling depression a 'serotonin deficiency' is like saying headaches are caused by an aspirin deficiency." — Dr. Joanna Moncrieff

5 Ways Antidepressants Wreck Your Body

1. Gut Destruction
Kills beneficial bacteria (70% of immunity lives here)
Linked to leaky gut syndrome and autoimmune disease

2. Sexual Dysfunction
SSRIs cause numb genitals (Post-SSRI Sexual Dysfunction)
60% of users report permanent libido loss even after quitting

3. Emotional Blunting
Users describe feeling "not sad, but not human"
Artificially suppresses all emotions, not just sadness

4. Weight Gain
Alters metabolism to store 20% more fat
Prozac users gain 15-40lbs on average

5. Brutal Withdrawal
Brain zaps, vertigo, and suicidal ideation upon quitting
Tapering takes 6-24 months (vs 2 weeks doctors claim)

The Depression Industry’s Dirty Secrets

Ghostwritten Studies

• 90% of positive antidepressant trials were written by drug companies, not scientists (PLoS Medicine)

Diagnosis Inflation

• In 1950, depression affected 0.5% of Americans
• Today it’s 20%—because the definition keeps expanding

Kickback Schemes

• Doctors receive 200−200−500 per patient put on antidepressants (ProPublica investigation)

Natural Alternatives That Actually Work

1. Magnesium Glycinate

• 300mg nightly reduces depression by 40% in 6 weeks (University of Vermont)

2. Cold Water Therapy

• 2-min cold showers double dopamine for 3+ hours

3. Gut Healing

• Bone broth, kimchi, and soil-based probiotics repair serotonin production

4. Earthing

• Barefoot contact with earth reduces inflammation (linked to depression)

5. Trauma Release

• TRE (Tension Release Exercises) discharges stored trauma in 10 minutes daily

When Medication Might Help Short-Term

Only consider antidepressants for:

• Severe, debilitating depression (unable to get out of bed)
• Maximum 6 months use while implementing lifestyle changes
• Combined with therapy (drugs alone worsen long-term outcomes)

Final Thought: "The chemical imbalance theory was always a marketing gimmick—not science. True healing begins when we stop pathologizing human suffering and start addressing root causes."