What exactly is stem cell therapy, and how can it help people suffering from depression?
Depression is present in all societies around the world. Depression affects approximately 264 million people worldwide. Every year, approximately 17 million people experience a depressive episode. Women are twice as likely as men to suffer from a major depressive disorder.
According to the World Health Organization, there are 800,000 people who take suicide every year, and that is 1 person for every 40 seconds. Depression is one of the leading causes of suicide.
Depression can take a person from extreme highs to extreme lows. Their previous activities, people, and food are no longer fulfilling. Worse, depression can strike suddenly and without warning.
Some of the most high-profile rockstar celebrities like Chester Bennington of Linkin Park took their own life after celebrating a very joyous occasion in their life. And worse, depression is further aggravated by substance use.
Treatment options for major depressive disorder are limited and frequently do not address the underlying issues. Patients frequently have to try several medications or treatments before finding one that relieves their symptoms. Many patients are bound to a medication prescription for the rest of their lives. These constraints have compelled researchers to consider alternative treatments and medications.
Fortunately, stem cells may provide some hope to patients suffering from a major depressive disorder. Stem cells have demonstrated significant therapeutic potential for a wide range of diseases and conditions. Now, stem cells are showing promise in treating major depressive disorder. Before we get into the potential new treatments, let’s talk about the illness so we can understand how stem cells can help.
What Is the Definition of Major Depressive Disorder?
Depression is the more common term for major depressive disorder. The condition affects how the mind functions and can drastically alter how a patient feels, acts, and thinks. It can lead a person to unusual urges that might cause them to steal or engage with numerous sexual partners that further aggravate their state of mind.
Major depressive disorder can be a chronic condition or a series of episodes. Depressive episodes can last from a few weeks to a lifetime. One day the person might be feeling high and mighty, then crash the next day with all hope lost.
The following are some of the most common symptoms:
Suicide or death thoughts
Fatigue and/or low energy
Concentration problems
Loss of enthusiasm for hobbies and activities
Sleeping difficulties or excessive sleep
What Factors Contribute to Depression?
Depression can be caused by a variety of factors. Although researchers are unsure of the underlying cause of the major depressive disorder, they have discovered a few similarities. The following factors increase a patient’s chances of developing depression.
Structure and Chemistry of the Brain
Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals that are in charge of sending messages across neurons. If your neurotransmitters are not functioning properly, your brain may not be receiving the commands it requires. This may result in the development of depression. Patients with depression frequently have a less active frontal lobe, which could be a factor.
Patients suffering from emotional or physical trauma may develop depression. Depression can be exacerbated by traumatic memories. Emotional trauma in childhood can lead to depression later in life. Emotional trauma, according to some researchers, has the ability to change the structure or chemistry of the brain.
Hormones
Hormone deficiencies or excesses can lead to depression for a variety of reasons. Postpartum depression is very common in new mothers. A significant portion of the hormones present during pregnancy are no longer present in the patient’s body. This hormonal shift could easily lead to the development of postpartum depression.
Postpartum depression in mothers can last for years and cause them to be highly irritable and requires focused care and attention.
Genetics
Unfortunately, if your family has a history of depression, you are more likely to develop it yourself. Researchers do not fully understand why genetics influence a patient’s risk of developing depression. Some researchers believe that a patient can inherit a depression gene from their parents.
Inflammation
Recent research has revealed that a subset of patients suffers from depression as a result of increased inflammation. The brain may become inflamed, which may reduce the effectiveness of neurons and neurotransmitters. According to this new study, treating inflammation may actually improve depression symptoms.
Therapy for Depression
Psychiatric evaluation would be conducted by a mental health professional to determine the symptoms, thoughts and feelings, and behavior patterns of patients that suffer from major depression. Psychotherapy is a broad term for talking about your depression and related issues with a mental health professional. Talk therapy and psychological therapy are other terms for psychotherapy.
Medication
If therapy fails, many doctors will recommend long-term or short-term medication. Antidepressants have been shown to alleviate depression symptoms. This type of medication actually aids in the modification of a patient’s brain chemistry.
Antidepressants are typically taken orally on a daily basis. The medication’s effects can take several weeks to several months to take effect. To treat all of the symptoms of depression, medication is frequently used in conjunction with therapy.
Many health professionals will advise patients suffering from depression to engage in physical activity. Exercise reduces stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline while increasing endorphins, a chemical in the brain. Endorphins are a natural painkiller and help to elevate and regulate moods. Healthy eating may also benefit patients suffering from depression.
Some patients do not respond to conventional treatment. These patients frequently have few options. That is why scientists have looked into stem cells to treat patients who have severe depression.
The Brain’s Stem Cells
The original theory held that a brain cell could not be replaced or revived once it died. That all changed 20 years ago when researchers discovered stem cells in the brain. However, stem cells are only found in the hippocampus and not throughout the brain. This area of the brain is in charge of memory, learning, and mood regulation.
The problem is that the stem cells are concentrated in a large reservoir in the hippocampus. If stem cells were found all over the brain, the brain might be able to completely heal itself and rid itself of diseases like major depressive disorder. Researchers believe that stem cells aid in keeping the brain in peak condition.
Furthermore, these stem cells may contribute to a reduction in depression. The stem cells have the ability to generate more neurons, resulting in more brain connections. Antidepressants and electroconvulsive therapy, for example, all encourage stem cells to divide and produce more neurons.
However, these existing treatments may not stimulate enough stem cell growth in the brain to compensate for the lack of neurons or neurotransmitters. There may not be enough stem cells left in the hippocampus to repair the brain damage. As a result, researchers have looked into stem cell treatment to treat the major depressive disorder.
Depression and Stem Cell Therapy
Stem cells are extremely effective at decreasing inflammation throughout the body. They are also extremely effective at promoting cell regeneration. Wherever stem cells go, they release a variety of anti-inflammatory and growth factors. This made stem cells an extremely appealing option for patients suffering from depression. The hope was that stem cells would improve the condition of the brain and alleviate depression symptoms.
If a patient suffers from depression as a result of increased inflammation, intravenously injected stem cells may help. A small mouse study discovered that stem cells can reduce brain inflammation. The researchers injected stem cells into the mice, and the brain inflammation was significantly reduced after three weeks. The same treatment could be used to combat inflammation in patients suffering from depression.
Researchers have also discussed directly injecting stem cells into the hippocampus. Stem cells in the hippocampus are less potent in older patients than in younger patients. Injecting more potent stem cells is an appealing option for alleviating depression symptoms. The newly injected stem cells have the potential to generate new neurons throughout the brain.
Stem Cell Therapy Through the Spine
Some stem cell clinics employ a treatment method that administers stem cells via a spinal tap, which should be a more effective treatment method than simply administering stem cells via IV. More stem cells cross the blood-brain barrier when stem cells are administered via spinal tap. This may assist in reducing brain inflammation and promote stem cell production in the hippocampus. Some of the underlying depression-related treatments may benefit from this treatment method.
Feeling Good at Any Age The One-Stop Rejuvenation Center is a world leader in stem cell therapy and immunotherapy. FGAAA offers cutting-edge and revolutionary procedures such as stem cell infusion, HGH, HRT, and Reluma Cosmetics.
FGAAA has stringent criteria on what stem cells they use in their treatments. They only utilize premium when it comes to stem cell therapies. A strict evaluation process happens to ensure the best interest of patients. The clinic offers potent stem cells that provide effective healing potential.
Stem Cell Advocates
Lourdes Duque Baron, an actress-singer, film producer, and author, and Michael York are staunch supporters of stem cell research.
Stem cell therapy has resulted in incremental improvements that allow Lourdes Duque Baron and Michael York to continue living with incredible energy and immune systems.
Recipients of billions of stem cells attest to the truth and efficacy of this revitalizing and enormously powerful treatment.
Michael York, a well-known actor, became an advocate for stem cells after being treated for Amyloidosis and Multiple Myeloma.
While Lourdes Duque Baron received stem cell therapy to treat her osteoporosis.
New Breed of Homo Sapiens Book
A new book about Stem Cells and their wonders was authored by Lou Baron and will soon be released.
New Breed of Homo Sapiens Book Cover
“ Age should not define what you can do best to create a better world for humanity to thrive upon without fear of old age and other symptoms of age-related degenerative diseases”- Lou Baron
Said book is based on years of painstaking research and recent discoveries on stem cell therapy pioneered by her better half, Dr. Baron, an esteemed general, robotic, and stem cell surgeon.
The book’s goal is to educate people about the direction and to get stem cells accepted in the mainstream. Stem cell therapy has the potential to transform the healthcare system as we know it.
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