There are many complimentary and alternative therapies that have been used effectively to help alleviate depression.
The many therapies that follow have received attention in recent research. Before starting a new therapy,
learn all you can about it so you can get the most out of it.
Cold Therapy
As the name implies, cold therapy is done by subjecting the patient to cold temperatures, creating a physiological
response in the body and subsequently the brain.
A study at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine established that depressed patients who were
treated with cold showers showed a significant improvement in mood.
The treatments consisted of cold showers that were 20C for 2 to 3 minutes, performed once or twice daily over several
months. The evidence suggested that exposure to cold activates the sympathetic nervous system, increases the blood level
of beta-endorphin and noradrenaline, and increases synaptic release of noradrenaline in the brain. Additionally, due
to the high density of cold receptors in the skin, the cold shower sent electrical impulses from peripheral nerve
endings to the brain, which resulted in the anti-depressive effect.
Cold therapy helps with depression by creating the same type of physiological stressors that have been experienced
by primates through millions of years of evolution, such as brief changes in body temperature produced by a cold swim.
It's theorized that lack of this type of thermal exercise may impede adequate functioning of the brain.
Fasting Therapy
Fasting can be an effective means of alleviating the symptoms of depression. In one study, fasting therapy had an efficacy
rate of 90% in 69 cases of depression, dropping to 87% at long term follow up. Sometimes the effects of fasting can wane,
particularly if people return to a high-fat, highly processed diet. It these cases, another fast is recommended followed
by dietary changes.
Research suggests that fasting helps attenuate depression due to its profound effect on the brain. One study looked
at changes in the brain waves from 262 fasting patients and noted a slowing and synchronization of alpha waves, together
with an increased incidence of theta waves. This translates into a more relaxed and an introspective state of awareness
which is less neurotically preoccupied with the superficial and transitory patterns of thought. Similar brain wave
patterns have been observed in Zen meditators and in subjects practicing yoga. This correlation suggests that fasting and
meditation have similar psycho-physiological effects on the brain and nervous system.
In a major study in Japan, fasting was shown to alleviate depression, neuroses, and anxiety, as well as improve the
ability to adapt to frustration and external stress.
Fasting can be particularly beneficial for depression when done in a supervised setting with experts who know how
to best facilitate the process.
