Episode 325: The Real Causes of Depression: Amino Acids, Nutrient Deficiencies, and the Brain-Body Connection with Dr. James Greenblatt

What if depression isn’t “all in your head," but in your body?
In this powerful conversation, host Erin Kerry is joined by Dr. James Greenblatt, MD—one of the world’s leading voices in functional and integrative psychiatry and the pioneer of low-dose nutritional lithium for mental health. For more than 30 years, Dr. Greenblatt has been sounding the alarm that psychiatry can do better. Much better. And the research finally agrees: depression is influenced by nutrient deficiencies, immune activation, gut dysfunction, endocrine imbalance, and the brain’s biochemical wiring. This episode unpacks the root causes of depression, why nutritional psychiatry is essential for healing, the truth about serotonin, what clinicians get wrong about deprescribing, and the overlooked nutrients that often make the difference between struggling and thriving. If you’ve ever felt hopeless, stuck, or confused by your symptoms—or if traditional treatments haven’t worked—this episode will help you see your mental health through an entirely new (and hopeful) lens. Key Topics: - Why nutritional psychiatry needs to be integrated into all mental health treatment plans - The role of amino acids as precursors for neurotransmitters - Serotonin and depression: science vs. marketing - What everyone should know about deprescribing antidepressants - How B vitamins impact mood, methylation, and energy production - The mineral deficiencies most commonly seen in depression - The nutritional patterns that support recovery from chronic low mood - Root causes of PMDD and natural ways to reduce symptoms - Why Vitamin D is a pivotal regulator of mood and stress - The surprising role of cholesterol and healthy fats in mental health—and why low cholesterol can increase depression risk - How functional psychiatry gets to the root cause instead of masking symptoms - A preview of Dr. Greenblatt’s new book, Finally Hopeful 
Links: Website: jamesgreenblattmd.com Book: Finally Hopeful Instagram: @psychiatryredefined Join Erin’s monthly mailing list to get health tips and fresh meal plans and recipes every month: https://mailchi.mp/adde1b3a4af3/monthlysparksignup Order Erin’s new book, Live Beyond Your Label, at erinbkerry.com/upcomingbook/