Current treatments for depression and PTSD only suppress symptoms, if they work at all. What if we could prevent these diseases from developing altogether? Neuroscientist and TED Fellow Beck Brachman shares the story of her team's accidental discovery of a new class of drug that, for the first time ever, could prevent the negative effects of stress -- and boost a person's ability to recover and grow. Learn how these resilience-enhancing drugs could change the way we treat mental illness.

A new class of drug that could prevent depression and PTSD

Current treatments for depression and PTSD merely mask symptoms, leaving millions at risk after trauma. A surprising discovery in mice revealed a new class of drugs that actually prevents depressive behaviors by boosting stress resilience. Unlike standard antidepressants, these resilience enhancers protect even before stress occurs, opening the door to preventative mental health care. With depression costing the world over three trillion dollars each year, this breakthrough could reshape how society approaches mental illness.

Preventing Depression May Soon Be Possible With New Drugs

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Beck Brachman: A new class of drug that could prevent depression and PTSD