Main description:

This unique volume presents new understandings of the neurochemical nature of major depression, and how herbs and their constituent flavonoids and terpenes appear to address some of the mechanisms now thought to be involved. It explores how recent studies of the rapid antidepressant effects of ketamine inform neuroscientists about deep intracellular mechanisms of antidepressant action that have little to do with simple enhancement of monoaminergic activity. These mechanisms include actions on PI3K, Akt, mTOR, GSK3, BDNF, and other intracellular pathways. New theories of the pathophysiology underlying major depression, such as oxidative damage, inflammation, stress and insulin resistance are then explored.

Key Features:

Focuses on oxidative damage, inflammation, and metabolic syndrome.
Explains that a significant percentage of people treated for major depression obtain little if any relief from standard antidepressant medications.
These facts lead to discussion of herbs that can be used to treat major depression, as well as consideration of the scientific basis for how these herbs act.
The antidepressant properties of 66 herbs are discussed, along with dosing and safety information.

Contents:

Major Depression: A brief history of Western medical treatment; How antidepressants work, but often do not; Clues revealed by ketamine; New understanding of the nature and causes of Major Depression; Phytochemicals; Herbs with Antidepressant Effects; The rapid antidepressants effects of Yueue, and the herbs of Traditional Chinese Medicine; The antidepressant effects of flavonoids; Antidepressant effects of terpenes, polyphenolics, and other non-flavonoid phytochemicals; Practical Use: Why one herb rather than another?