What I Wish Robert F Kennedy Jr. Knew About Mental Health - Antidepressants – And the Proper Treatment for Depression.

Like many of you, I was shocked when I heard Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announce his plan to create Wellness Farms aimed at helping people wean off antidepressants, which he labeled as “addictive” medications.

Many are still deeply frustrated by Mr. Kennedy’s classification of antidepressants as addictive and alarmed by his suggestion that Americans should stop taking them.

Why the outrage? Let me break it down simply to highlight just how misguided this claim is.

Your mother has diabetes and is on insulin to regulate her blood sugar. Insulin is considered and addictive medication, and we should help your mother come off of her insulin because of this. Does this sound like a good idea? What would the consequences be in doing this?

Taking away her insulin would be the WORST treatment plan for your mother. There would be a major disruption in her health, her blood sugars would go sky high leading to a decline in health and even perhaps death.

You see, antidepressants are similar to insulin in “purpose.” Most of the people suffering from mental health have issues with the chemical regulation and production in their brains. Let me explain them through one of the easiest examples: Antidepressants that are SSRI’s.

SSRI stands for Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, which are a class of medications commonly prescribed to treat depression and anxiety. However, there’s no specific “SSRI receptor” in the body. Instead, SSRI medications affect serotonin receptors and serotonin transporters in the brain.

Here’s a breakdown of how SSRIs work:

Serotonin Receptors

• These are protein structures located on the surface of brain cells (neurons) that bind to serotonin, allowing it to communicate with other neurons.
• There are several types of serotonin receptors (e.g., 5-HT1, 5-HT2, 5-HT3), and each one plays a different role in regulating mood, anxiety, sleep, appetite, and other functions.
• When serotonin binds to these receptors, it sends signals that influence various brain functions.

Serotonin Transporter (SERT)

• The serotonin transporter (SERT) is a protein responsible for reuptaking serotonin from the synapse (the gap between neurons) back into the neuron that released it.
• In the process of reuptake, serotonin is essentially “recycled,” preventing it from having a prolonged effect on serotonin receptors.

• SSRIs block the serotonin transporter (SERT), which leads to increased levels of serotonin in the synapse.
• By preventing serotonin from being reabsorbed, SSRIs allow serotonin to remain in the synapse for a longer period of time, enhancing its effects on the serotonin receptors.
• This action helps improve mood, reduce anxiety, and relieve symptoms of depression.

So, while SSRIs don’t directly affect serotonin receptors in terms of changing their structure or activity, they indirectly influence serotonin signaling by increasing the amount of serotonin available to bind to the receptors. This is why SSRIs can help treat conditions like depression, where serotonin signaling is often disrupted.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the newly appointed Secretary of Health and Human Services, has proposed the creation of “wellness farms” as an alternative to traditional antidepressant treatments. These wellness farms aim to provide a holistic environment for individuals seeking to discontinue psychiatric medications, including antidepressants. The concept involves establishing rural facilities where participants can engage in organic farming, develop trade skills, and participate in activities like meditation and yoga. The goal is to foster community reintegration and personal growth without reliance on pharmaceutical interventions.

Keeping an open mind, lets consider his approach in eliminating antidepressants through his wellness farms. Here are some facts:  

Natural Interventions

Regular Exercise – Boosts endorphins and serotonin naturally.

Healthy Diet – Omega-3s, B vitamins, and magnesium can support brain health.

Adequate Sleep – Poor sleep worsens depression; proper sleep hygiene is key.

Sunlight & Vitamin D – Deficiency in vitamin D is linked to depression.

Mindfulness & Meditation – Helps with stress reduction and emotional balance.

Remember, a treatment goal could be to increase the serotonin in a patient’s brain. While these things listed above can certainly contribute towards that goal, I must say that in my own experience using these natural interventions, the difference that it made in the successful treatment of depression and bi-polar was minimal. I honestly was not able to say that I noticed any notable difference at all.

Some new upcoming treatments for depression seem to be making a difference, and should be noted in the successful treatment of depression. Here are a few:

1. Ketamine and Esketamine (Spravato) – Still classified as an Antidepressant

• What it is: Ketamine, originally used as an anesthetic, has been found to have rapid antidepressant effects, especially in individuals with treatment-resistant depression. Esketamine (a derivative of ketamine) is an FDA-approved nasal spray for depression.
• How it works: Ketamine is thought to work by targeting glutamate receptors in the brain, which play a role in mood regulation. It also promotes neuroplasticity, which may help rewire brain circuits involved in depression.
• Benefits: Ketamine can offer rapid relief for severe depression, often within hours, which is different from the slower onset of traditional antidepressants.

2. Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy

• What it is: Psychedelic substances such as psilocybin (the active compound in “magic mushrooms”) and MDMA (often used in the treatment of PTSD) are being studied for their therapeutic potential in treating depression.
• How it works: Psychedelics appear to “reset” the brain’s activity by increasing neuroplasticity and enhancing the connectivity between different regions of the brain. When used in a controlled setting with therapy, they can lead to profound emotional breakthroughs and insights.
• Benefits: Research suggests that psychedelic-assisted therapy may help people with treatment-resistant depression, especially when combined with psychotherapy.

3. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

• What it is: TMS is a non-invasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate specific areas of the brain, particularly the prefrontal cortex, which is often underactive in individuals with depression.
• How it works: During a TMS session, an electromagnetic coil is placed on the scalp, and it sends magnetic pulses that activate neurons in the targeted brain regions. This can improve mood and reduce depressive symptoms.
• Benefits: TMS has shown to be effective in individuals who don’t respond to antidepressants. It has fewer side effects compared to other treatments and doesn’t require anesthesia or hospitalization.

4. Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)

• What it is: DBS involves implanting electrodes in certain areas of the brain and delivering electrical impulses to stimulate regions associated with mood regulation.
• How it works: The electrodes are typically placed in the subthalamic nucleus or other areas linked to mood regulation. The electrical impulses help normalize brain activity.
• Benefits: DBS is primarily used for severe, treatment-resistant depression when other methods have failed. It’s still experimental but has shown promise in clinical trials.

5. Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS)

• What it is: VNS involves the implantation of a device that sends electrical signals to the vagus nerve, which then affects brain activity related to mood regulation.
• How it works: The device is implanted under the skin in the chest, and it sends electrical pulses to the vagus nerve, which in turn communicates with brain areas involved in depression.
• Benefits: VNS has been shown to provide relief for people with treatment-resistant depression. It is a long-term treatment option, often combined with psychotherapy.

6. Augmentation Strategies

• What it is: Augmentation involves combining existing antidepressant treatments with other therapies or medications to improve their effectiveness.
• Examples:
  • Antipsychotic medications: In some cases, adding a low dose of an antipsychotic medication can help enhance the effects of traditional antidepressants.
  • Thyroid hormone supplements: Some studies suggest that adding thyroid hormones to antidepressant therapy can boost its effects, especially in individuals with subclinical thyroid issues.
  • Other medications: Other drugs like mood stabilizers or anti-anxiety medications may be added to address specific symptoms.

7. Microdosing Psychedelics

• What it is: Some individuals have explored microdosing, or taking sub-threshold amounts of psychedelic substances (like psilocybin or LSD), with the aim of improving mood and mental clarity.
• How it works: Microdosing does not produce the full psychedelic experience, but it may help stimulate neuroplasticity and enhance serotonin activity.
• Benefits: While research is still in its early stages, some anecdotal reports suggest that microdosing can help reduce depressive symptoms and improve mood over time.

As you can see from these examples, Mental Health Disorders such as depression are serious health conditions. They require CONTINUAL TREATMENT. To say that someone with mental health should be advised to come off of their “Treatment” is the same as letting Dr. Kevorkian manage your health and treatment.

I appreciate Mr. Kennedy’s efforts to address addiction and explore potential solutions. However, classifying antidepressants as addictive and implying that mental health treatment is as simple as reducing or eliminating them is misleading and harmful. Significant progress has been made in recognizing mental health as a serious issue, and statements like these only risk setting us back.

To all who struggle with mental health, please know that MANY of us hear you. We are fully aware that your antidepressants are your lifeline. There are many like myself who will fight to ensure that these medications will not be taken from you. Hold on to that thought.

Now, with that said, You and I will continually be open to modern advance in healthcare which includes mental health. Should there be an advancement in treating mental health that can replace antidepressants, we will be open to those treatments. But they must be proven to be successful for patients who have similar challenges.

I must close with this. The reason that this has been such an ordeal with patients with mental health issues who are on antidepressants, is that these medications are a Life Saver to them. Many have spent considerable time in finding the proper medication, and the correct dose to get where they are today. Healthy, high functioning, and productive. Suggesting that these life savers be eliminated is like removing oxygen to these patients. Please understand that this is the case.

Our brains are “Broken” if you will. We have to lean on our medical and psychiatric providers to show us the way forward. When most of us are “Off our Medication” we are left functioning with that broken brain, and could then be a danger to ourselves and others. It is not a simple fix to get someone off of their medication. This topic must be given the respect that it deserves, and not trivialized.