The factors that cause depression are complicated. Current and childhood life factors may play a role. Genetic factors can increase the risk of depression. Nutrition, inflammation and gut health have all been implicated in influencing nervous system health in depressed people. What about toxins in our environment?
Recently, more research has been exploring the role that chemicals in the environment can play in depression. This may be especially important for people who have a genetic predisposition to depression and for those who are experiencing life circumstances that can lead to depression (e.g. financial stress, relationship strain, loss etc.). Environmental chemicals may negatively impact the health of nerves in the brain in vulnerable people .
Some culprits that are being studied are:
Air Pollution: For example car exhaust and industrial factory emissions. Air pollution contains a number of chemicals associated with poor nervous system health and depression, including heavy metals.
Urbanization has increased our exposure to air pollution and it can be difficult to avoid depending on where you live. Avoiding exercise or spending time near busy roads is one way to minimize exposure.
EMFs (Electromagnetic Fields): EMFs are produced by a number of technologies like WiFi and cell phones. It’s not clear how much exposure is too much in terms of mental health.
Some ways to reduce exposure include keeping wireless devices away from the body (including your lap and pocket). Putting devices on airplane mode, taking off WiFi and bluetooth or better yet, turning devices off when they are not in use can help with minimizing exposure. Other options include unplugging electronics when they’re not in use and minimizing phone use in general. Charge your devices away from where you sleep. Turn lights off and make use of natural light when possible.
BPA and Phthalates: Phthalates are found in soft and flexible plastic products whereas BPAs are in harder plastics. They are considered endocrine disrupting chemicals meaning that they negatively interfere with hormones. Just because a plastic is BPA-free doesn’t mean it’s phthalate free. These toxins can be found in many everyday items including plastic toys, standard diapers, food containers, nail polish, some medications, food packaging, cosmetics, hygiene products etc.
Steps to reduce exposure include reading ingredient labels and avoiding products with phthalates or fragrance listed. Opting for fragrance free or naturally fragranced products can reduce risk. Avoiding plastic food and drink containers (heated or not) and plastic wrap can also reduce exposure. Using everyday items made of materials like wood, metal and ceramic can also help.
Pesticides: Pesticides are used in many of our crops. Very waxy looking produce (e.g. very shiny apples) may trap more pesticide residue on them compared to less shiny produce.
Rinsing produce for at least a minute in warm water especially with scrubbing or rubbing can reduce some pesticide residue. Government bodies like Health Canada and the FDA don’t recommend produce wash products and research demonstrates they are not more effective than water. Baking soda or vinegar has shown promise for pesticide removal in research. Cooking vegetables can also diminish pesticides in some cases as can discarding the outer leaves of leafy vegetables sold in a head. Organic produce tends to contain less pesticides.
Lab research suggests that some of these toxins negatively affect the brain by promoting inflammation, creating oxidative damage, interfering with the ways that nerves communicate with each other through neurotransmitters (like serotonin and dopamine), negatively impacting hormones that are important in brain health and interfering with gene expression in the brain. These neurological changes have been linked to depression.
Toxins can affect many areas of health but the role they play in depression and anxiety is sometimes overlooked. Research like this emphasizes the importance of looking at mental health from a holistic perspective. This is especially true in cases that don’t respond well enough to routine care. It may be worth broadening our lenses and considering the physical effect that the environment can have on our biology.