This podcast episode investigates depression from an evolutionary perspective, arguing that it is a natural response to adversity. Depression shares similarities with physical pain by serving as a signal to pause harmful behaviors, ponder past actions, and learn from mistakes. Adversity, such as losing a mate or experiencing a natural disaster, can trigger depression as a coping mechanism to protect individuals from further harm. While depression is often viewed as a pathological condition, this episode emphasizes its potential benefits, including early detection of health issues and signaling for help. The episode also explores the potential role of physical strength in mitigating depression risk, especially in situations involving conflict, and the evolutionary theory of suicide as a credible signal of need.
