Treating Depression | Natural Health Podcast

Treating Depression: Drugs vs Exercise

A recent article in Time Magazine touts the work of Dr. Jasper Smits who has developed a successful program using exercise as the primary treatment for depression, anxiety, and a variety of other mood disorders.  Americans currently spend around $10 billion a year for antidepressants, despite the fact that antidepressants may cause significant side effects.  In this health podcast, learn more about this study and the many natural health remedies for mood disorders if you, or someone you care about, is suffering from depression or anxiety.

A recent article in Time Magazine touts the work of Dr. Jasper Smits who has developed a successful program using exercise as the primary treatment for depression, anxiety, and a variety of other mood disorders. As Dr. Smits says, “Exercise appears to affect, like an antidepressant, particular neurotransmitter systems in the brain, and it helps patients with depression re-establish positive behaviors. For patients with anxiety disorders, exercise reduces their fears of fear and related bodily sensations such as a racing heart and rapid breathing.” Dr. Smits and Dr. Michael Otto of Boston University reviewed dozens of studies on the impact of exercise on mental health and recently presented their findings at a major conference in Baltimore. However, combating depression is big business in the US. In fact, it’s the biggest business in the pharmaceutical industry. Americans currently spend around $10 billion a year for antidepressants. Despite the fact that antidepressants may cause significant side effects such as sexual dysfunction, weight gain, dry mouth, nausea, sleep disturbances, tremors, dizziness, congenital defects, stroke, and ironically, increased depression. Although plenty of evidence suggests that antidepressants often don’t work, the medical community seems inclined to hand out prescriptions for them like Halloween candy. In this health podcast, learn more about this study and the many natural health remedies for mood disorders if you, or someone you care about, is suffering from depression or anxiety.