Depression is not a well understood phenomenon. It is vital in such a discussion to be mindful of the term "depression". It is used colloquially as a synonym f

Depression is not a well understood phenomenon. It is vital in such a discussion to be mindful of the term "depression". It is used colloquially as a synonym for being "sad", "grieving" or just having a sad day. I am depressed because my mom died. Usually means "I am going through natural grief process because someone very dear to be died recently" Robert Sapolsky explains this much better than I [1] I have lived with major depression for 3 decades or so. Treatment is frustrating. You go through whatever diagnostic process is being used. Then they throw pills at you. This one might work, take it for 3 weeks - 3 months and tell us how you feel. You have to take it for a good amount of time to ensure that it's "fully working". Some make you more depressed and more suicidal. Some have other serious side effects. If the doctor treating, you figure that you tried out one for long enough they will throw a different pill at you and then you rinse and repeat until you feel better. Then they will start to try combinations. That is even more fun. I have spent years being a Guiney pig for the most part getting worse and having to deal with various side effects. I am not unique in this. It is common for major depression to have to try and fail, try and fail, try and fail meds. We have no physical way to diagnose depression as far as I know. You can't go to the ER and they measure something and can tell you if you are or not. We dont know what causes it, (we have many ideas of things that sometimes do) and we have no way to measure how much better you are getting. Its based on talking, filling out endless forms, and being asked if you feel better. There is no cure. (well death) (Being suicidal) It is something you cannot run away from. It is in you, and you can run, but it makes no difference. (Exercise can be beneficial, but I am not talking about that right now.) Well-meaning people will suggest all forms of activities that "Will make you feel better". It does not. Then they will nag you about how much better you feel now. Which you dont. I just want to urge people to be careful about using the term depression and dont build up too much hope in people (like me) because this new drug will fix you all up. I would take LSD, MDMA, K (all have shown promise). If prescribed or as part of a study if I could. It will take massive research over time with plenty of Guiney pigs to figure out if it works, how it works, for how many it works. With headlines and discussions on this, we will cause people with major depression to run out, buy street drugs, self-administer it and in all likelihood end up with even more problems. Given the unknowns of street drugs, how pure is it, what else is in it, how much should you take? It is highly unpredictable. [1] Stanford's Sapolsky On Depression in U.S. (Full Lecture) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOAgplgTxfc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOAgplgTxfc