Novel Treatments For Depression In 2022

Introduction

Depression is a common mental health disorder that affects more than 15 million people in the United States alone. Depression can cause people to withdraw from their friends and loved ones, which can make it more difficult for them to reach out for help. Fortunately, there are many treatments available today that can help patients manage their symptoms and live a full life without the burden of depression holding them back. In this article we discuss some promising new therapies on the horizon that could revolutionize treatment of depression in 2022.

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation For Depression (tDCS)

tDCS is a non-invasive treatment that uses electrodes to apply constant, low current to the brain through the scalp. This stimulates the brain and can change how it works by making nerve cells more or less likely to fire, depending on which part of the brain you are stimulating. tDCS has been shown to be effective at treating depression when added alongside antidepressant medication, although most people still need to take their antidepressant medication as well.

tDCS is also inexpensive and easy to administer — it only requires a device that costs under $200 and no medical training is required for its use.

Studies have shown that tDCS may be an effective treatment for depression but more research will need to be done before it's approved as a treatment option in 2022

MDMA For Depression

The most promising new treatment for depression is MDMA. In a meta-analysis of studies conducted between 2000 and 2020, participants who took MDMA had an average decrease in their depression symptoms by 57%. That was significantly more than the 38% average improvement experienced by those who took a placebo or other drugs, such as SSRIs (antidepressants) and antipsychotics.

MDMA’s effectiveness as a treatment stems from its ability to reduce activity in the amygdala and increase activity in the prefrontal cortex—both parts of the brain associated with negative emotions like fear and anxiety. This helps people with depression feel more at ease and less anxious about their condition. It also allows them to think more clearly about how they want to handle their problems rather than simply avoiding them because they feel overwhelmed by stressors like work deadlines or relationship issues that may have contributed to their mental health problems in the first place

Psilocybin For Depression

Psilocybin is a psychedelic compound found in certain types of mushrooms. It is used to treat depression by altering the way that people think and feel. Psilocybin is not addictive, and its use does not result in the same side effects that other antidepressants may cause, such as weight gain or sleepiness.

Ketamine For Depression

Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that has been used for decades as an analgesic and muscle relaxant. It was originally developed in the 1960s, but was withdrawn from the market because it was associated with hallucinations and other side effects. However, recent research has shown that ketamine can be useful in treating depression, PTSD, anxiety disorders and bipolar disorder. Ketamine works by blocking NMDA receptors in the brain that regulate pain and memory processing. When these receptors are blocked, people who are depressed or anxious may feel more relaxed or have fewer negative thoughts about themselves or their lives.

Conclusion

I hope this post has been informative and given you a better idea of what to expect in 2022. Depression is a serious illness that affects millions of people every year, causing great suffering and even death for some. We have seen the emergence of new treatments for depression in recent years, but there are still many unanswered questions about how effective they are and what type of side effects they may cause. As we move forward into 2024 with more research on these treatments being conducted all over the world it will become clear whether they can be used by patients or not.