Why depression isn't what you think | Lisa Monteggia

Depression is not a simple chemical imbalance caused by low serotonin levels, as many individuals with the condition maintain normal neurotransmitter levels. While SSRIs remain life-saving treatments, their delayed efficacy suggests they do not function by merely correcting a chemical deficit. Instead, ketamine offers a different mechanism by targeting the glutamate system. By blocking fast neural communication, ketamine triggers synaptic plasticity, allowing the brain to adapt and strengthen connections. This process provides rapid relief from symptoms within hours rather than weeks. This shift in understanding redefines depression not as a state of being "broken," but as a condition where the brain requires assistance to adapt. Ongoing research focuses on sustaining these antidepressant effects and identifying how this window of plasticity can be optimized to improve long-term outcomes for patients who do not respond to traditional therapies.