Naturally, people weren’t designed to live sedentary lives while gorging on fast food, stressing about everything, and not sleeping enough. However, that is how millions of people live today, and such a lifestyle is leaving consequences.
One of those consequences is depression, a mental health condition affecting more than 300 million people worldwide. Still, despite its prevalence, there are so many misconceptions about what depression is and isn’t and how to treat it.
Many depression treatments focus on treating the symptoms instead of the cause. This is hardly surprising because there are many causes of depression, some of which aren’t so easy to treat.
However, apart from antidepressants and other depression treatments, recent studies have concluded that NAD levels in your body can reduce or promote symptoms of depression and anxiety. So, there is a link between NAD and depression, and this article will tell you more about that link. Keep reading to learn more!
WHAT CAUSES DEPRESSION?
To put it simply, depression is a rather complex state. There are many different types of depression and even different schools of depression theories. That means that we don’t have one or simple answer to the question of what causes depression.
There isn’t even an agreement on whether depression is a mental illness or mood disorder. However, we now know several potential causes of depression. Oftentimes, people become depressed when they go through hard and traumatic periods in their lives, especially during childhood.
In other cases, some people are simply more likely to become depressed due to their brain chemistry. Some people are more introverted, and that can make them more likely to become depressed. Then, some other psychological disorders and physical conditions can cause depression.
Additionally, substance abuse (drugs and alcohol) can be a trigger for depression, as well as certain medications and medical treatments. For example, antimigraine drugs and antipsychotics increase the risk of depression.
HOW DOES NAD AFFECT YOUR MENTAL HEALTH?
NAD is short for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. This is a coenzyme essential for various processes in our bodies, including cell respiration, energy transport, DNA repairing, gene expression, calcium signaling, and protecting chromosome integrity.
As such, this coenzyme is truly essential for your overall well-being, including your mental health. First of all, NAD boosts your energy levels and reduces the feeling of fatigue, making you feel more invigorated and motivated.
Additionally, NAD repairs your brain cells, improving your memory and focus and preventing brain fog. As a result, NAD brings mental clarity and strength to deal with daily life and everything that it brings.
People who take NAD therapy or supplements report better moods and more optimistic views on life. For this reason, NAD can prevent anxiety and depression or at least reduce the symptoms.
Many people suffer from depression and other mental health issues due to substance abuse. First of all, substance abuse destroys families, friendships, marriages, and careers. Many people who are addicted to these substances go through various traumatic experiences. Because of that, they are more likely to become depressed.
However, substance abuse also damages brain cells, which can lead to depression. NAD has the potential to reduce the negative effects of substance abuse by repairing these brain cells. As a result, it can also reduce the symptoms of depression caused by substance abuse.
HOW TO USE NAD TO TREAT DEPRESSION
If you suffer from depression, NAD can help you, but there are no guarantees that all your troubles will go away. First of all, you should always consult your therapist before trying any new therapy. They will be able to assess your current mental health and prescribe the appropriate type of NAD therapy.
Of course, you will still have to follow your usual therapy because NAD won’t cure your depression. It will simply reduce its symptoms and power your body and brain to fight against it.
There are several types of NAD therapy, the main ones being NAD IV, oral, and nasal supplements. Depending on your individual situation, budget, and personal preferences, your therapist will choose which therapy type will suit you the most.
If you start taking NAD IV therapy, you will need to go to a clinic every few days, where medical staff will administer the therapy. On the other side, if you get prescribed oral or nasal supplements, you will be able to buy them in pharmacies and administer them yourself.
Even though most patients felt the effects of NAD therapy rather quickly after taking it, you should still be patient until you see the first results. At first, you can expect more energy and motivation to perform daily tasks. Later on, as you continue to take your NAD therapy, your mood will improve, and your depression will become easier to handle.
Of course, each case of depression is unique, and being depressed isn’t just being in a bad mood. It is much more complex than that, but NAD therapy can help you, no matter how serious your condition is.
OTHER BENEFITS OF NAD
Apart from positively affecting your mental health, NAD will also improve your physical health. It boosts metabolism, which means it will help you retain a healthy weight, given that you eat properly and exercise regularly.
NAD is also a real-life fountain of youth. As we age, our bodies can no longer produce NAD in the same capacity as before. So, when our cells and chromosomes become damaged or mutated, there isn’t enough NAD to repair them all.
As a result, our bodies start to deteriorate and age. Our skin is no longer firm and elastic. Or muscles are no longer big and strong. We are no longer fast and full of energy. Over time, we start to suffer from certain age-related conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
When we replenish the missing NAD in our bodies, we delay the onset of these conditions. Apart from staying healthy, we also prevent depression. Unfortunately, people with debilitating conditions often become depressed, and preventing those conditions will also prevent depression.
Of course, NAD isn’t an elixir of youth. Even people who use it regularly will still age, get sick, and eventually die. However, NAD therapy delays the aging process, prevents or delays certain diseases, and promotes longevity.
With NAD, patients can get the most out of their lives and ensure that they live them to the fullest. As a result, they will be less likely to suffer from depression, or they will at least be able to deal with it more successfully.
MORE GREAT WAYS TO DEAL WITH DEPRESSION
If you are suffering from depression, there are several other things you can do apart from taking NAD. First, remember that there is no shame in having depression, and just because you suffer from it, it doesn’t mean that you are any less of a person.
With that in mind, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Find a therapist, and if you don’t like that one, find another one. Keep looking until you find a perfect therapist and therapy for you. Stay persistent with therapy even when you don’t have energy or motivation.
Of course, just taking the therapy won’t be enough. You will need to change your whole lifestyle. First of all, take care of your sleep. If you don’t get enough sleep, or if you sleep irregularly, your symptoms of depression will probably worsen.
Try to exercise. Even when you don’t want to lift your finger, try to force yourself to be physically active. If exercise is too much for you on some days, go for a short but energetic walk. Ask your friends or family to go with you so that you feel less inclined to give up on these activities.
Try to eat properly. A bad and unbalanced diet is one of the leading contributors to depression. Eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats. Set up a daily routine for your meals, and try to follow that routine.
Avoid substances such as drugs and alcohol. They might seem like a great way to feel “normal,” but they will only pull you deeper into the abyss. Some of these substances will even make your depression symptoms much worse.
Even when you don’t feel like you want someone’s company, don’t push away people who care about you. You will regret it one day. Additionally, you can connect with other people who suffer from depression. Use these friendships to discuss your issues, motivate each other, and share useful tips.
Finally, try to be patient. Battling depression isn’t easy, and you shouldn’t feel like a failure just because you are struggling. There will be days when you are making progress, and there will be days when you will regress instead. In both cases, keep pushing forward.
CONCLUSION
Our modern age lifestyle has made some aspects of our lives easier and more convenient, but this came with a price. We became so removed from our natural state that our brains started malfunctioning. Millions of people worldwide are suffering from depression, and it seems like we are in the middle of a depression epidemic.
While there are many different treatments for depression, none of them is a definitive cure. Fortunately, recent medical discoveries could potentially change the way we treat depression. One such discovery is NAD therapy, and this therapy has already proven to be successful at reducing depression symptoms.
Still, to fight depression successfully, you will need to do much more than just take some therapy. Living a healthy lifestyle, asking for help, and keeping your loved ones close is just as important!
