A view of depression grounded in current neuroscience

A 2022 umbrella review sparked headlines by challenging the long-held idea that depression is caused by a “chemical imbalance,” particularly low serotonin. While the study found no consistent evidence linking depression to reduced serotonin levels or transporter activity, this doesn’t mean serotonin is irrelevant—it simply highlights that the brain is far more complex than a single neurotransmitter explanation. Modern neuroscience views depression as a multifaceted condition involving stress regulation, neuroplasticity, inflammation, and dysfunctional brain circuits. The outdated “low serotonin” narrative has long been oversimplified, even within psychiatry. Antidepressants like SSRIs may still be effective for many people, but not because they directly “correct” a chemical imbalance—instead, they likely work by promoting downstream changes in plasticity and brain adaptation. Rather than undermining treatment, this evolving understanding invites us to move beyond simplistic models and embrace a more accurate, systems-level view of depression grounded in current neuroscience.