Depression affects more than 264 million people worldwide, among both young people and adults. Among university students, its prevalence is increasingly rising, often manifesting as chronic fatigue, lack of motivation, anhedonia (inability to enjoy), anxiety, and even physical symptoms without an apparent cause. 40% of people with this condition do not respond to antidepressants, making its "cause" and "cure" a significant obstacle for specialists today.
From a neurobiological perspective, depression is explained by multiple alterations in the brain circuits involved in motivation and pleasure, such as the reward system. This system includes structures like the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the nucleus accumbens, whose communication through dopamine is essential for experiencing motivation, reinforcing positive behaviors, and regulating mood.
When a person goes through depression, the brain stops functioning as usual in the areas that regulate motivation, pleasure, and the desire to do things. The chemical signals that should be activated do not arrive with the same strength, or they simply are not produced as before. Additionally, the brain loses flexibility: it struggles more to adapt, learn new things, or respond to what is happening around them.
It has also been discovered that, in many cases, depression is accompanied by a type of "brain inflammation." That is, the body begins to produce substances that, although they help defend against infections, can also negatively affect brain function. This interferes with emotions, mood, and even our physical energy.
From a different perspective, evolutionary psychology proposes an interesting idea: perhaps certain depressive states, especially mild and temporary ones, were useful in the past. They may have served to distance us from dangerous situations, conserve energy, or even ask for help without saying a word. Although today that response can become a problem, understanding its origin helps to understand it better.
In recent years, new therapies have emerged that seek to restore brain balance differently. One of the most studied is the use of psilocybin, a natural compound present in certain mushrooms. In controlled doses and in a therapeutic environment, it has been shown to help many people with depression, improving mood and the ability to reconnect with their surroundings.
Understanding depression from its cellular and molecular mechanisms allows not only to advance towards more effective treatments but also to destigmatize a condition that increasingly affects students and young adults. The challenge lies in continuing to integrate neurobiological knowledge with the social and emotional realities of those experiencing this condition.
Author: Sol Aebi, student of the Bachelor in Biotechnology at UADE
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