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

Depression, or malaise caused by a 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? In stress- and trauma-induced depression, the mechanisms of neurotransmitter dysregulation are usually similarand their regulation allows for specific therapeutic effects.

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

How does neurotransmitter dysregulation occur in practice?

Let us imagine an example. Jan Kowalski leads a quiet life, until suddenly one month:

1. He learns that redundancies are planned at his company, putting him at risk of losing his job.
2. He discovers that his wife has cancer.

Jan is beginning to experience severe stress. He tries at the same time:

• To look for a new job and at the same time do everything to keep the current one.
• Read articles about cancer and seek out doctors for his wife.
• Budget planning, analysing whether there is enough money for treatment.

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

• Fatal mood.
• Anxiety conditions.
• Deterioration of the ability to cope with stress.

After a few weeks, they also exhaust dopamine levelswhich leads to a state in which Jan is unable to function. Even simple activities require enormous effort. This state 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 stabilise the work situation. The problem is that this often takes a long time and is very difficult. Moreover, by the time we normalise 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 protect the nervous system and restore the balance of neurotransmitters, allowing us to act until we normalise our lives.

How do you rebalance neurotransmitters 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 my neurotransmitter balance. Later, this protocol was also applied by my friends (after consulting a doctor), 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 had this knowledge from the beginning, recovering from 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 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 down-regulated

In order to increase serotonin levels, I have been using 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 a deep sleep, which lowers cortisol levels.

Directions:

• To begin with, it is advisable to use 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, e.g. 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 action consists of:

• Supporting the enzymes that convert tyrosine into dopamine.
• Stable and long-term elevation of dopamine levels without a 'downhill' or addictive effect.

The doses I used ranged from 25 mg to 100 mg daily for 4 weeks. Then a month off and possible ad hoc use a few times a month. Bromantan works differently from typical ADHD drugs (e.g. Adderall), which increase the release of dopamine but not its production. There are also dopamine feedback inhibitors, but they too do not increase dopamine production and have many 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 talked about, but endorphins in the context of depression are unduly neglected.

The solution is LDN therapy (low-dose naltrexone):

• Dose: 4.5 mg naltrexone per night.
• Mechanism: temporary blockade of opioid receptors for 7 hours, which forces the body to produce more endorphins.

Effects:

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

Emoxypine - support for combating anxiety

If anxiety continues to take its toll, consider emoxypine, also known as Mexidol. It is 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 three times 100 mg per day. Emoxypine has a subtle but effective effect, bringing calm and balance both during the day and before bed.

What exactly did my protocol look like for depression?

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

Side effects of the 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 slight headaches or dizziness, but most users report no such problems.
• 5-HTP: Taking too large a dose at one time can cause stomach discomfort.
• Emoxypine: Nausea, although it is rare.

What is worth bearing in mind?

1. Drug interactions:
   If you are already taking antidepressants, especially SSRIs, caution should be exercised. 5-HTP must not be used concomitantly 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 developed has a high degree of efficacy against depression, but it is worth bearing in mind that it may need to be individually tailored to the individual. Differences in neurotransmitter levels mean that each case must be treated 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, allowing 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 may happen that we misidentify the problem - e.g. we suspect a serotonin deficiency, we give 5-HTP and the patient feels nauseous and worse, even at a low dose. This will then 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 being discussed and not a specific product. The information contained in the text is based on available scientific research, personal experience and is not intended as medical advice or to promote self-medication. The reader is advised to consult a qualified health professional for any decisions regarding health and treatment.