In 2022, a large-scale analysis of the largest antidepressant study found that traditional antidepressant medications only relieve symptoms in about one-third of patients who are on them [1].
Researchers and clinicians are focused on developing safe, evidence-based alternatives that can be combined with or used as a replacement for standard medication and therapies for depression that fail to work.
Some of the most promising alternative treatments for depression are ketamine therapy, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and neurofeedback, offering new paths of hope for those with severe cases that are resistant to conventional treatments. Read on to explore these alternatives.
What is “Alternative Medicine”?
Alternative medicine is a broad term encompassing a variety of medical modalities that are typically not taught in Western medical settings. Common alternative medicine practices in the US include acupuncture, Reiki, chiropractic manipulation, and herbal medicine [2].
Treatment is usually considered alternative if it lies outside of mainstream psychiatric models, emphasizes holistic healing (e.g., mind-body approach, lifestyle changes, nutrition), lacks consistent large-scale clinical evidence, or is more patient-driven and integrative rather than “medically” prescribed.
What Are Conventional Treatments for Depression?
Conventional treatments for depression often include antidepressant medications and evidence-based psychotherapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Interpersonal Therapy. These are considered conventional because they are widely supported by clinical evidence and commonly practiced within mainstream healthcare. They are also often covered by insurance.
Antidepressants and therapy are effective at reducing symptoms of depression and improving functioning, but not for everyone. Some patients experience adverse side effects or fail to see improvements, underscoring the need for more options and effective alternatives.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) are also beneficial therapies for depression, especially when related to trauma and PTSD. These use guided eye movements, visualization pratices, and bilateral stimulation of the brain to make it easier to process experiences of trauma into the brains greater larger memory network and reduce associated emotional distress.
What Are Alternative Treatments for Depression and Are They Evidence-Based?
“Alternative” treatments for depression are therapies, activities, or herbal medications that are used in place of or alongside conventional medical care, such as antidepressants and CBT. They are considered “alternative” because they are often not common in conventional Western medicine or not fully endorsed by major clinical guidelines as primary treatment.
Now, some alternative treatments for depression are evidence-based and clinically supported by mainstream psychiatry, such as ketamine or TMS, but are still considered “alternative” as they are not the first line of treatment.
Ketamine Therapy
In 2019, the FDA approved ketamine therapy for treatment-resistant depression (meaning you have already tried two other forms of conventional depression treatment). Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that can put the mind into a trance-like state that makes it easier to process emotional distress and reframe cognitive distortions. It also supports the growth of new neural connections in regions of the brain that influence mood and emotional regulation.
Ketamine therapy is evidence-based, and many report finding relief from symptoms of depression after just a few sessions. Around 60% of patients experienced the benefits of ketamine for up to 3 days after a single treatment [3].
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
Despite being FDA-approved since 2008, TMS is a lesser-known option for depression, but it is considered one of the safest and most effective treatment options. It has mild side effects such as mild headache, dizziness, and neck pain that often resolve shortly after the session. In general, patients report fewer side effects compared to antidepressant medications or other alternative therapies such as ketamine.
TMS uses small magnetic pulses on the scalp to stimulate activity in regions of the brain that contribute to symptoms of depression. Typical sessions often only last 30 to 60 minutes, and treatment courses run about 4 to 6 weeks.
It is evidence-based and highly effective, showing more success than standard therapy or antidepressants taken alone [4].
Neurofeedback
Neurofeedback therapy is a form of brain training that helps patients with depression observe and control brain wave frequency. Certain brain waves are associated with various emotional states and cognitive functions. Neurofeedback teaches patients how to self-regulate and decrease unhealthy cognitive patterns.
During a neurofeedback session, small sensors are placed on the scalp to monitor blood flow in key brain regions that control mood, emotional regulation, and stress.
Ideally, the goal of neurofeedback for depression is to increase alpha and beta brainwave activity in the left frontal lobes, which are associated with alertness and mood. Besides depression, neurofeedback has also proven effective for challenges such as PTSD, OCD, and ADHD, as well as increasing sports performance [5].
Holistic Alternatives and Herbal Remedies
In addition to alternative medical treatments such as ketamine and TMS, patients with depression may also benefit from holistic healing activities and herbal remedies. These have been shown to reduce stress and improve mental well-being to help fight off symptoms of depression.
They are not evidence-based treatments for depression, but can be particularly helpful when combined with conventional treatment. Some of these include:
- Yoga
- Reiki
- Acupuncture
- Sound Bathing
- Massage Therapy
- Herbal Remedies such as St John’s Wort, L-Theanine, or SAMe (check with your doctor first).
Lifestyle Changes
Making small lifestyle changes can go a long way in fighting depression and supporting your mental health. Of course, these are not treatments themselves, and often medication or professional support is still necessary. But overall, exercise, diet, sleep, and stress management are essential pillars for reducing and preventing mental health challenges such as depression and anxiety.
Some easy yet effective things to add to your daily routine to help fight off symptoms of depression include:
- Regular, daily movement to get the blood flowing and heart rate up.
- Diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, and antioxidants, such as salmon, spinach, yogurt, walnuts, and blueberries, to name a few.
- Build a consistent sleep schedule. Try to go to sleep and wake up at the same time every morning.
- Practice mindfulness and focus your attention on the present moment. Some studies have found that this can help manage symptoms of depression.
Innovative Treatment Interventions for Depression at Maple Mountain
Maple Mountain Mental Health & Wellness provides integrative treatment to address depression and other mental health challenges. Our alternative depression treatments include TMS, neurofeedback, and ketamine therapy, blending cutting-edge, evidence-based neuroscience with holistic, whole-body approaches to address all factors of mental health.
Our compassionate team can help you verify insurance benefits and set up a personalized treatment plan that meets your unique mental, physical, financial, emotional, and spiritual needs. Contact our admissions team today.
Sources
[1] Cipriani, A. et al. (2023). Real-world outcomes of concomitant antidepressant and statin use in primary care patients with depression: a population-based cohort study. BMC medicine, 21(1), 424.
[2] Kisling, L. et al. 2024. Alternative Medicine. StatPearl.
[3] Mathew, S. et al. (2013). Antidepressant efficacy of ketamine in treatment-resistant major depression: a two-site randomized controlled trial. The American journal of psychiatry, 170(10), 1134–1142.
[4] Baeken, C. et al. 2019. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment for depressive disorders. Journal of Current Opinion in Psychiatry.
[5] Lin, C. et al. 2023. Review of EEG-based neurofeedback as a therapeutic intervention to treat depression. Science Direct.