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the claim

Depression is caused by low serotonin levels in the brain.

the verdict
REFUTED
the evidence says no
Recorded sources
3 sources for · 2 against

Counts group repeated records of the same source within each side. They do not measure evidence strength or source independence.

Is it true that depression is caused by low serotonin levels in the brain?

No. A 2022 systematic umbrella review in Molecular Psychiatry found no consistent evidence that depression is caused by lowered serotonin activity or concentrations, and a Wikipedia summary reports the same review concluding depression is not caused by a serotonin imbalance. Some sources still assert low serotonin causes depression, but only in narrow contexts such as postpartum depression or an animal review.

Verdict: REFUTED · 3 sources for, 2 against · Last checked

The private library was unavailable for some searches in this check. Missing library results are not evidence against the claim.

Evidence for · 3
Postpartum depression
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Postpartum depression. (n.d.). en.wikipedia.org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postpartum_depression

Evidence against · 2
Depression (mood)
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Depression (mood). (n.d.). en.wikipedia.org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depression_(mood)

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More for · 2
Serotonin: What Is It, Function & Levels
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Serotonin: What Is It, Function & Levels. (n.d.). my.clevelandclinic.org. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22572-serotonin

Expression of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in the Brain of Depressed Mice: Systematic Literature Review
2021
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AS, N. A., Veterini, L., Algristian, H., & Salim, H. M. (2021). Expression of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in the Brain of Depressed Mice: Systematic Literature Review. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.30651/jqm.v5i2.6354

More against · 1
The serotonin theory of depression: a systematic umbrella review of the evidence.
2023
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Moncrieff, J., Cooper, R. E., Stockmann, T., Amendola, S., Hengartner, M. P., & Horowitz, M. A. (2023). The serotonin theory of depression: a systematic umbrella review of the evidence.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-022-01661-0

also asked as
  • Is depression actually caused by low serotonin in the brain?
  • Does low serotonin really cause depression?
  • Are chemical imbalances of serotonin the true cause of depression?
  • Is it true that depression comes from a lack of serotonin?
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