A Study on the Muscle Immobility of Depression: The Weightlessness Within

This study investigated the role of bioelements in depression by analyzing hair sodium (Na) and potassium (K) levels in 311 adults, including 119 with significant unipolar depression and 192 controls. Results showed that men had higher hair Na and K levels than women, and depressed individuals had increased hair Na and K levels, indicating a negative balance of these electrolytes. Additionally, antidiuretic hormone (ADH) levels were lower in depressed individuals who attempted suicide. These findings suggest that the metabolic changes in depressed individuals may be similar to those experienced by astronauts, raising questions about the potential role of a gravity-dependent muscle mobility control mechanism in depression-related fatigue.