There's something seductive about the idea that all our problems are caused by this one thing, and if we could figure out what it is and fix it, we'd be unstoppable at life. It's the same idea behind "doctors hate this one weird trick".

On occasion, it even turns out to be correct.

Meirl

i know you're joking but fuck, sometimes it do be like that.

Obviously nobody should infantalise people suffering from depression by telling them to "just be happy", "go outside" etc. but if you're malnourished, have vitamin deficiencies, don't go out to hang out with the human tribe, and sit in your home the entire day without moving - you're going to feel like shite. Fixing those problems won't cure clinical depression, but the other way round is true too - getting meds for depression won't cure you of feeling like shit if you don't use the chance they give you to try to improve your life yourself.

I know you're joking but I only figured out I have anemia because iron supplements suddenly gave me energy to live

That literally happened to me. Turns out that my doctor’s resident who just finished a psych rotation learned that most people are deficient in magnesium.

It's not always someone saying - it's definitely these and anyone who is depressed just isn't taking these, it's literally just a kind and actually possible and helpful suggestion

There are low sugar sports drinks. Most of the electrolytes they're advertising is just salt. Your body needs salt to function. You lose salt when you sweat.

My doctor told me I come literally just put some table salt in water and it would do just as well as any sports drink, sugar or no.

I work in a physical environment and they hand out electrolyte packets and Gatorade like candy when it gets hot.

They sometimes tell them together in 1 pill.

Huh. My recurring biceps pains are the bane of my existence. And I was also refused for a blood donation due to insufficient hemoglobin. I need to try iron supplements.

Hugs from an internet stranger!

Our communities are setup like that. We're separated from eachother, and we can't afford to spend enough time at local third places to feel community. Church also used to be central to community and most people aren't religious, but nothing has replaced the churches role in community building.

It's rough. If you can get out to places nearby where people congregate that will be nice. Getting a dog is nice too if you like dogs, they give you love and accept your love and they're a good ice breaker. They also force you out regularly. You can take the dog to dog parks and chat with locals.

It's not your fault. Humans are a social animal and we built cities and an economy that didn't consider that.

It is important that you love yourself. In fact, I think it's important that you feel loved by someone, even if that somebody is yourself.

My sibling in science, I have consumed enough weed in my life to earn me an approving nod from Snoop himself, but on the off chance you’re not shitposting:

500mg is entirely too much for a nighttime dose. You are not getting any proper REM sleep at all if you’re actually doing this to yourself every night. Take a fuckin T-break man.

Honestly I think it's most likely that you're simply overworked. (many/most people are)

I think that being overworked, together with emotional instability/lack of security, are the most prevalent causes of mental illnesses in our society today. It's no "chemical imbalance in your brain" story. Sure, there's chemical imbalance, but where does that imbalance come from? I guess it's mostly that our bodies aren't built for today's demands.

500+ mg THC? That's a lot.

I think ashwaganda is not supposed to be taken daily long term

Kratom is not a health supplement.

Did your regular bloodwork from your PC doc show a vitamin D deficiency?

I just have a lot of sleep inertia. Sleepy when I get up, not sleepy at bed time.

I did also have a vitamin D deficiency without knowing it though.

imo seems inappropriately formal