Background
Published in 2022, Chemically Imbalanced: The Making and Unmaking of the Serotonin Myth by Joseph E. Davis examines how the idea that depression is caused by a chemical imbalance—specifically low serotonin—became widely accepted despite limited scientific evidence. The book traces the origins of the serotonin theory, its adoption by the pharmaceutical industry, and its persistence in public understanding through advertising and medical practice. Davis argues that this narrative shaped not only psychiatric treatment but also cultural perceptions of mental health and selfhood. He also explores the consequences of framing complex emotional and social problems as biological disorders, and how this framing influenced the expectations and experiences of those diagnosed and treated under this model.
My Thoughts
We live in a capitalist system and there is so much money to be made in the pharmaceutical industry. It seems more and more people are asking tough questions and taking a closer look at the studies that our assumptions are based on. Given all that we know about the lies about the opioids that are coming out right and left, we shouldn’t be too surprised that they might have lied about mental illness being a chemical problem that could be fixed with a pill.
Honestly, I feel like most people already knew antidepressants were about as effective as placebos. That’s not a great selling point. Particularly when the logistics of a patient getting prescribed these medications involve months of changing around the dosages and moving from drug to drug trying to find something that works.
I love they updated to the DSM to include clinical judgment in 2022 rather than simply diagnosing everyone that is sad as “Depressed” even after a significant life event. It would make sense that a person would exhibit depressive symptoms following the death of their spouse or being fired from their job. What doesn’t make sense is to give them chemicals to change the functioning of their brain. But, that’s what we as a society decided to do.
In short, I’m all in for informed decisions. Let’s have a conversation about how these drugs actually work and the likelyhood of their success. I’m on the side that these drugs aren’t worth the side effects. However, that was my opinion before reading the book.
Recommendation
Not a bad read. However, the author comes off as a little defensive.