How to deal with depression caused by trauma or chronic intense stress?

Depression, or malaise caused by direct dysregulation of neurotransmitters in the nervous system, can have many causes. In this article, we will focus on depression caused by trauma and stress.

Why is this important? With depression caused by stress and trauma, the mechanisms of neurotransmitter dysregulation are usually similar, and their adjustment allows for specific therapeutic effects.

For comparison: serotonin levels in people after divorce or job loss are lowered in a similar way. In contrast, the decrease in serotonin in a person poisoned by pesticides or infected with toxoplasmosis is due to different mechanisms. Both cases require different solutions.

How do neurotransmitters become dysregulated in practice?

Imagine an example. Jan Kowalski leads a quiet life, until suddenly in one month:

1. He learns that layoffs are planned at his company, putting him in danger of losing his job.
2. He discovers that his wife is sick with cancer.

John is beginning to feel severe stress. He tries at the same time:

• Look for a new job and at the same time do everything to keep the current one.
• Read articles about cancer and look for doctors for his wife.
• Plan the budget, analyzing whether there will be enough money for treatment.

His mind is busy from morning to night, processing a huge amount of information. At first John manages, but after a few days he begins to experience insomnia caused by his inability to relax. High cortisol levels at night reduce serotonin and melatonin levels, which results in:

• Fatal Mood.
• Anxiety states.
• Deterioration of the ability to cope with stress.

After a few weeks, they also deplete dopamine levels, leading to a state in which Jan is unable to function. Even simple activities require tremendous effort. The condition can be described as "lying in bed without being able to move." At the same time, endorphin levels drop, resulting in a lack of enjoyment of life and a feeling that time drags on forever.

What is the solution to this problem?

The simplest answer would be: remove the causes of stress - cure the cancer and stabilize the work situation. The problem is that this often takes a long time and is very difficult. Moreover, by the time we normalize the situation, our nervous system may already be in ruins, making it impossible to continue.

In such a situation, the best solution is to take substances that will protect the nervous system and restore the balance of neurotransmitters, allowing us to act until we normalize our lives.

How to restore neurotransmitter balance during high stress?

The protocol I will present here was developed by myself. Unfortunately, I had the unpleasantness of finding myself in a similar situation for many months. However, I managed to solve my problems and restore the balance of neurotransmitters. I later applied this protocol to friends as well, with spectacular results.

It took me a long time to develop the protocol. I read a lot of scientific studies and experimented with different substances. If I had this knowledge from the beginning, getting out of problems would have been much easier.

It is worth mentioning that many people in this situation go to a psychiatrist for antidepressants. This might be a good idea, but you should be aware that most antidepressants are based on SSRIS (serotonin reuptake inhibitors). SSRIs act mainly on serotonin, which can help many people, but:

• They do not regulate dopamine or endorphins.
• They have side effects.

I would like to raise awareness to look for doctors who can regulate not only serotonin, but also other neurotransmitters.

Serotonin - the first neurotransmitter to be reduced

To raise serotonin levels, I used to use 5-HTP At a dose of 200 mg before bedtime. With this:

• I got rid of my terrible mood and anxiety.
• I have improved the quality of my sleep.

How does 5-HTP work?

• It converts to serotonin and then to melatonin.
• Taking it before bed helps you fall asleep faster and maintain deep sleep, which lowers cortisol levels.

Tips:

• To begin with, it is worth using smaller doses (50-100 mg) to avoid side effects such as nausea or irritability.
• You can divide the dose into smaller portions throughout the day, such as 4 times 50 mg and 100 mg before bedtime.

If 5-HTP does not work or causes side effects, it is possible that the problem is not serotonin, but dopamine.

Dopamine - motivation to act

The best measure I used was. bromantan. Its operation consists of:

• Supporting enzymes that convert tyrosine into dopamine.
• Stable and long-term elevation of dopamine levels without the "downhill" effect and addiction.

The doses I used ranged from 25 mg to 100 mg per day for 4 weeks. Then a month off and possible ad hoc use several times a month. Bromantan works differently from typical ADHD medications (e.g., Adderall), which increase the release of dopamine, but not its production. There are also dopamine feedback inhibitors, but they too don't increase dopamine production and have a lot of side effects. With bromantan, dopamine is produced more intensively and released in response to stimuli, such as work, music or physical activity. Bomantan does not cause rapid spikes up and down in dopamine.

Endorphins - joie de vivre

People with low endorphin levels often describe their mood as: "nothing makes me happy, time goes on." The natural way to raise them is through intense physical activity, but with high stress this is often impossible. Serotonin and dopamine are often discussed, but endorphins in the context of depression are unjustly neglected.

The solution is LDN therapy (low doses of naltrexone):

• Dose: 4.5 mg of naltrexone overnight.
• Mechanism: temporarily blocking opioid receptors for 7 hours, which forces the body to produce more endorphins.

Effects:

• Mood Stabilization.
• No negative thoughts.
• The return of joy in simple activities, such as a walk in the woods.

Emoxypine - support in the fight against anxiety

If anxiety continues to take its toll, consider emoxipine, also known as Mexidol. It's a substance with versatile effects - it relieves anxiety, calms and regulates dopamine and serotonin. In addition, it protects the nervous system thanks to its antioxidant properties.

The standard dose is 3 times 100 mg per day. Emoxypine works subtly but effectively, bringing calmness and balance both during the day and before bedtime.

What exactly did my protocol look like for depression?

• Breakfast: Steak in clarified butter (a rich source of tyrosine) and 75 mg of bromantane.
• Emoxypine: 300 mg divided into three doses of 100 mg at equal intervals. The last dose just before bedtime.
• Before bed: 200 mg of 5-HTP and 4.5 mg of naltrexone.

Side effects of protocol for depression

The protocol was individually selected by me, so I did not experience any side effects. Nevertheless, some people may experience them. Here are the most common ones:

• Bromantan: A few people may experience mild headaches or dizziness, but most users report no such problems.
• 5-HTP: Taking too much at one time can cause stomach discomfort.
• Emoxypine: Nausea, although it is rare.

What is worth keeping in mind?

1. Drug interactions:
   If you are already taking antidepressants, especially SSRIs, caution should be exercised. 5-HTP must not be used concurrently with SSRIs, as it can lead to an excess of serotonin and a potentially dangerous condition called serotonin syndrome.
2. Gradual introduction:
   When starting the protocol, it is worth introducing each substance separately for at least two days. This way, in case of side effects, it will be easier to identify their source. If you notice a significant improvement in your mood, you will know which neurotransmitter was the main problem.

Summary

The protocol I have created has a high degree of effectiveness in the fight against depression, but it is worth remembering that it may require individual adjustment to a particular person. Differences in neurotransmitter levels make it necessary to treat each case individually:

• Example 1: A person with low serotonin levels may experience anxiety, insomnia and bad moods, but at the same time not experience dopamine problems, which allows them to function at work.
• Example 2: Another person may have serotonin at the right level, feel good and sleep without problems, but a lack of motivation and energy indicates a dopamine deficiency.

In such cases, it is worth conducting a detailed interview with a specialist to identify the problematic neurotransmitter. The appropriate substance can then be applied and the effects observed.

It can happen that we misidentify the problem - for example, we suspect a serotonin deficiency, give 5-HTP, and the patient feels nauseous and worse, even at a low dose. Then it will be a signal that the problem may lie not in low serotonin levels, but in low dopamine levels.

Fortunately, in people with stress-related depression, the pattern of neurotransmitter dysregulation is often similar, making such a protocol likely to be effective for most of them.

Disclaimer

This article is written for educational purposes and is intended to raise awareness of the substance or problem being discussed. It is important to note that a substance or problem is discussed, not a specific product. The information contained in the text is based on available scientific research, personal experience and is not intended to serve as medical advice or promote self-medication. The reader should consult any health and treatment decisions with a qualified health professional