SHOCKING Truth About Antidepressants Revealed
Depression is no joke.
It’s a dark cloud that can suck the joy out of life, leaving you feeling hopeless and alone.
If you’re one of the millions of Americans struggling with depression, my heart goes out to you. You deserve to feel better.
But before you reach for that prescription antidepressant, there’s something you need to know.
A shocking new study has revealed a dirty little secret about these “happy pills” that Big Pharma doesn’t want you to know.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School dropped a bombshell.
They looked at eight common antidepressants and ranked them by how much weight gain they cause.
That’s right. The very pills that are supposed to lift your mood might also be expanding your waistline.
Here’s what they found:
- Bupropion (Wellbutrin) caused the least weight gain
- Sertraline (Zoloft) was in the middle
- Escitalopram (Lexapro), paroxetine (Paxil), and duloxetine (Cymbalta) were the worst offenders
In fact, people taking escitalopram, paroxetine, or duloxetine were 10-15 percent more likely to gain at least 5 percent of their body weight compared to those on sertraline.
Now, maybe you’re thinking. “But, isn’t feeling better worth a few extra pounds?”
Here’s the problem—that weight gain could trigger a vicious cycle.
- You gain weight
- The extra pounds make you feel worse about yourself
- Your depression gets worse
- You might stop taking your medication altogether
Not to mention weight gain is a trigger for many other health complications.
It’s a lose-lose situation.
But here’s the good news, you don’t have to choose between your mental health and your waistline.
There are natural ways to boost your mood without the nasty side effects:
- Exercise: It’s nature’s antidepressant. Just 30 minutes of moderate exercise a day can work wonders for your mood.
- Omega-3s: These healthy fats are brain food. Studies show they can be as effective as antidepressants for some people. Try fatty fish like salmon or if needed a high-quality fish oil supplement.
- John’s Wort: This herb has been used for centuries to treat mild to moderate depression. Just be sure to talk to your doctor first, as it can interact with some medications.
- Vitamin D: Low levels of this “sunshine vitamin” have been linked to depression. Get your levels checked and expose your skin to UVB light from the sun to raise your levels.
- Meditation: It’s not just for monks. Regular meditation can actually change your brain, reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Now, I’m not saying you should throw away your antidepressants. For some people, they can be lifesavers.
But if you’re concerned about the side effects of these medications (and they can go far beyond weight gain) it’s worth having a conversation with your doctor about alternatives.
Remember, depression is treatable. And you have options beyond what Big Pharma is pushing.
P.S. This nutrient helps FIGHT depression? Find out here.
SOURCE:
Petimar J, et al. Short- and Long-Term Weight Change Associated With Antidepressants: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Ann Intern Med. 2024 Jul 1. doi: 10.7326/M23-1671. Epub ahead of print.
