Do you know anyone who takes depression medication? Most people who do are prescribed what’s called SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors). Yet, many aren’t proud to announce it out loud. They often feel embarrassed or even blame themselves and their lifestyle for needing a drug to lift their mood.
If you didn’t know it, this is not new. SSRIs have been prescribed as the go-to treatment for depression and anxiety for decades. Unfortunately, most people believe that taking SSRIs directly stimulates a better mood. But that’s not how they work. The dominant theory is that depression results from low serotonin levels—and that SSRIs correct this so-called “chemical imbalance.”
In this article, you’ll learn the truth. And much of that truth is this: scientists still don’t fully understand how SSRIs work—yet their limited understanding often goes unnoticed because most people don’t know either.
Even more eye-opening, you’ll discover that SSRIs could, in many cases, be avoided altogether if we took steps to optimize gut health and correct omega-6 to omega-3 imbalances—two foundational factors that affect mood, inflammation, and emotional well-being.
I’ll bring clarity to what this means as you read on.
What SSRIs Actually Do (and Don’t Do)
Contrary to popular belief, SSRIs do not increase the amount of serotonin your brain produces. Instead, they block the reabsorption (or reuptake) of serotonin after it’s been released into the synapse—the small space between nerve cells.
This action leaves more serotonin available to bind to receptors on nearby neurons. In theory, this boosts mood by strengthening serotonin signaling.
But that theory has serious problems:
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- Serotonin levels increase within hours of taking an SSRI
- Yet mood improvement, if it happens, typically takes 2 to 6 weeks
- Some people with depression have normal serotonin levels
- And many don’t respond to SSRIs at all
This suggests that SSRIs may be triggering a cascade of longer-term changes in brain signaling, inflammation, neuroplasticity, or even immune regulation (Moncrieff et al., 2022).
The Gut-Brain Connection: Another Layer of Complexity
Here’s where things get even more interesting: about 90–95% of all serotonin is made in your gut, not your brain (Gershon, 1998).
This serotonin plays critical roles in digestion, immune signaling, and gut motility. While it cannot cross the blood-brain barrier, the gut still influences brain function through the gut-brain axis—a two-way communication system involving the vagus nerve, immune system, and gut microbes (Cryan et al., 2019).
So, while SSRIs target serotonin in the brain, gut health likely plays a much bigger role in mood and mental health than most people realize—something that’s been overlooked in traditional treatment models.
The Turning Point: Discovering Candace Pert
My own understanding changed dramatically in 1998 after reading Molecules of Emotion by Dr. Candace B. Pert, published in 1997. And for the record, I got to meet Candace in 2002 when she was touring in Westlake, California. A neuroscientist and pharmacologist, Pert is primarily known for discovering the opiate receptor in the 1970s—a breakthrough that helped launch the field of psychoneuroimmunology.
In her book, Pert writes:
“The body and the mind are one. Emotions are the nexus between matter and mind, going back and forth between the two and influencing both.”
She showed that neuropeptides, the body’s “molecules of emotion,” are found not only in the brain but throughout the body—especially in the gut and immune system. These molecules help transmit emotional signals across the entire system—not just in our head.
Her work helped me see what SSRIs—and conventional medicine—often miss: that emotional healing is biochemical, cellular, and full-body.
Client Story: Brett’s Transformation Without SSRIs
Before I share Brett’s story, it’s important to highlight the groundbreaking work of Dr. Joseph Hibbeln, a renowned psychiatrist and researcher who spent over 25 years at the National Institutes of Health. His studies found that individuals with higher intakes of omega-3 fatty acids, particularly DHA, experienced profound mental health benefits:
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- A 50% reduction in suicidal thoughts
- A 30% increase in perceived happiness
These findings reinforce the critical role that omega-3s play in emotional regulation, brain function, and mood stabilization. When we support the brain at the biochemical level, we often see emotional transformation.
This became especially clear to me when working with Brett, a client who had been taking an SSRI for years. He came to me looking for a more holistic solution. We tested his omega-6 to omega-3 ratio and discovered it was 48:1—a clear indicator of chronic inflammation.
I recommended BalanceOil+, a high-quality omega-3 and polyphenol supplement designed to restore balance, reduce inflammation, and support cell membrane fluidity—a key factor in healthy cell signaling.
After six months of consistent use:
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- Brett’s omega-6 to omega-3 ratio had improved dramatically
- He reported better mood, greater emotional resilience, and no longer needed his SSRI, under the guidance of his physician
I believe the improvement wasn’t just from lowering inflammation, but also from:
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- Enhanced neuroplasticity
- Increased DHA levels (a key brain-building omega-3 fatty acid)
- Better cell signaling, especially in areas of the brain tied to emotion and cognition
Take the First Step Toward Real Healing
If there’s one takeaway from Brett’s story, Candace Pert’s research, and what the science is revealing—it’s this:
True emotional and mental wellness begins at the cellular level.
That’s why I strongly recommend starting with the BalanceTest—an easy, at-home dried blood spot (DBS) test that measures your omega-6 to omega-3 ratio, cell membrane fluidity, DHA and Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) levels, and Arachidonic Acid (AA). These biomarkers give you a clear window into the inflammatory state of your body, which directly impacts brain health, mood, gut function, and more.
Why the BalanceTest Matters
Most people have imbalanced ratios—often over 20:1—which creates a pro-inflammatory environment in the body. Optimal health is achieved when your ratio is between 3:1 and 1:1, like our ancestors.
Once you get your test results, you can take targeted action.
Why BalanceOil+ is Different—and Why It Works
BalanceOil+ is not just a fish oil. It’s a clinically proven, synergistic formula that combines:
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- Two powerful prebiotics that support gut health and the microbiome
- Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) from high-quality fish oil for brain, heart, and immune support
- Polyphenols from cold-pressed unripe olives, which:
- Protect omega-3s from oxidation inside the body
- Enhance the absorption and delivery of omega-3s into cell membranes
- Reduce inflammation and oxidative stress
- Improve cell signaling and membrane fluidity, which supports Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) production and mood regulation
This unique combination nourishes the gut, brain, and immune system simultaneously addressing health at the root.
Next Steps: What to Do Now
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- Order your BalanceTest — It only takes a few drops of blood from your fingertip and can be done from home.
- Begin taking BalanceOil+ daily — It comes in liquid form, with a pleasant citrus flavor, and is backed by clinical studies showing improvements in inflammation, mood, and cognitive performance.
- Retest in 120 days — Most people experience a dramatic improvement in their omega-6 to omega-3 ratio, and many report better energy, improved focus, reduced joint pain, and better mood—just like Brett.
Ready to Begin?
Contact the person who shared this article or send me a message or email me at robert@dietfreelife.com to get started. I’ll personally guide you through the process and help you track your improvements.
This is test-based nutrition, not guesswork.
Your cells are talking—are you listening?
References
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- Andrews, P. W., Bharwani, A., Lee, K. R., Fox, M., & Thomson Jr, J. A. (2015). Is serotonin an upper or a downer? The evolution of the serotonergic system and its role in depression and the antidepressant response. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 51, 164–188. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2015.01.018
- Cryan, J. F., O’Riordan, K. J., Cowan, C. S. M., Sandhu, K. V., Bastiaanssen, T. F. S., Boehme, M., … & Dinan, T. G. (2019). The microbiota-gut-brain axis. Physiological Reviews, 99(4), 1877–2013. https://doi.org/10.1152/physrev.00018.2018
- Gershon, M. D. (1998). The second brain: A groundbreaking new understanding of nervous disorders of the stomach and intestine. New York: HarperCollins.
- Innis, S. M. (2007). Dietary (n-3) fatty acids and brain development. The Journal of Nutrition, 137(4), 855–859. https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/137.4.855
- Lacasse, J. R., & Leo, J. (2005). Serotonin and depression: A disconnect between the advertisements and the scientific literature. PLoS Medicine, 2(12), e392. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.0020392
- Moncrieff, J., Cooper, R. E., Stockmann, T., Amendola, S., Hengartner, M. P., & Horowitz, M. A. (2022). The serotonin theory of depression: A systematic umbrella review of the evidence. Molecular Psychiatry. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-022-01661-0
- Pert, C. B. (1997). Molecules of emotion: The science behind mind-body medicine. New York: Scribner.
- Hibbeln, J. R. (2001). Fish consumption and major depression. The Lancet, 358(9290), 1201–1202. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(01)06227-6
- Hibbeln and colleagues later contributed to studies on military personnel, where low omega-3 status (especially DHA) was associated with a 62% greater risk of suicide. Lewis, M. D., Hibbeln, J. R., Johnson, J. E., et al. (2011). Suicide deaths of active-duty US military and omega-3 fatty acid status: a case-control comparison. J Clin Psychiatry, 72(12), 1585–1590. https://doi.org/10.4088/JCP.11m06879
- Hibbeln, J. R., et al. (2006). Omega-3 fatty acids: evidence basis for treatment and future research in psychiatry. J Clin Psychiatry, 67(12), 1954–1967.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17194275/
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Robert Ferguson is a California- and Florida-based single father of two daughters, nutritionist, researcher, best-selling author, speaker, podcast and television host, health advisor, NAACP Image Award Nominee, creator of the Diet Free Life methodology, and Chief Nutrition Officer for iCoura Health. He also serves on the Presidential Task Force on Obesity for the National Medical Association and the Health and Product Advisory Board for Zinzino, Inc.
You can reach Robert via email at robert@dietfreelife.com.
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