This is a post to index the Sapolsky lecture on depression Depression Neuropenepherine Serotonin Limbic System Stress Response Appetite thyroid ruminating sex hormones cortisol stress melancholia aggression learned helplessness heritability "Simplistic idea: Cortex is getting the rest of the brain to go along with the "idea" that the body has been seriously injured" - Depressed = cortex going along with "abstract pleasure" Genetic factor pre-disposes us to depression when you are exposed to major stress. Gene involved in cortisol