Dr Joe Q&A – Antidepressants
Do Antidepressants Alter the Brain’s Structure and Impact the Manifestation Process?
Many people are aware of the side effects of antidepressants, but the question remains: do antidepressants permanently alter the brain’s structure? Would they interfere with the manifestation process? Research suggests that in placebo studies, particularly double-blind or triple-blind studies, around 83% of participants who received a placebo showed results as positive as those on antidepressants. Functional scans of the brain before and after the trial reveal significant changes in the brain, even though these participants took only a placebo. In fact, many report thinking they were given the actual medication, even when they were not.
This suggests that the brain is capable of producing its own pharmacy of chemicals, equal to those found in antidepressants, based purely on belief and thought. The chemistry in the brain changes due to mental processes alone, making it one of the most effective self-regulating systems we have.
Antidepressants, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are commonly prescribed for depression. These drugs are based on the idea that a lack of serotonin causes depression. SSRIs work by inhibiting an enzyme that helps serotonin stay in the brain’s synaptic gap longer, enhancing its effects. Interestingly, many SSRIs were initially derived from Benadryl, a drug that showed improvement in patients with anxiety and depression.
There is little evidence that antidepressants cause permanent brain damage. However, these medications have significant biological effects that suppress certain systems. These aren’t “side effects”—they are direct effects that can sometimes be more damaging than the depression itself.
Brain scans of individuals with anxiety or depression often show similar patterns. Anxiety is essentially focusing on worst-case scenarios and emotionally embracing them repeatedly, conditioning the body to adopt an anxious mindset. Over time, this can lead to panic attacks, which are difficult to control through conscious effort.
On the other hand, depression results from repeatedly reviewing past experiences, which causes the brain to produce the same emotional chemistry over and over. The body doesn’t distinguish between the emotion created by actual experiences and the one generated by thought alone, leading to a conditioning process of hopelessness and powerlessness.
Interestingly, brain scans show that anxiety and depression often have very similar effects on the brain. But when you focus on being present in the moment, you can start to create more brain coherence. Overcoming negative thoughts and emotions allows you to break free from this cycle.
We’ve seen significant changes in neurotransmitter levels (serotonin, melatonin, oxytocin, GABA, and glutamate) in as little as four days. Participants in our studies experience a noticeable improvement in their serotonin and melatonin levels, leading to a better sense of well-being. By opening focus and creating more brain coherence, the autonomic nervous system begins processing at a higher frequency, leading to a more balanced brain.
As the brain shifts back into coherence, the individual experiences less emotional fragmentation. When heart coherence is achieved, the heart becomes more activated, further supporting the body’s natural healing and balancing processes.
