"Red Remedy" Could REWIRE Depressed Brains

By Dr. Scott Olson, ND Posted March 10, 2025

Let’s talk about depression.

If you’ve ever battled this invisible enemy (or watched a loved one struggle), you know how frustrating Big Pharma’s depression treatments can be.

First, there’s the trial-and-error approach. Next comes the waiting game to see if a drug works (and they frequently fail). And finally, you live in fear of getting slammed with side effects.

But what if I told you that a natural depression solution has been hiding in plain sight this entire time?

In fact, chances are you already have it at home…
Scientists say lycopene—the compound that gives tomatoes their vibrant red color—could “rewire” depressed brains, improving communication between brain cells.

An exciting study published in Food Science & Nutrition reveals that this humble nutrient could be a game-changer in the fight against depression.

Lycopene improves “synaptic plasticity” to help your brain cells communicate better. To understand how lycopene could manage this feat, let’s briefly look at how brain-cell communication works…

Our brain cells or neurons communicate through electrical and chemical signals. Neurons have long extensions (axons) that reach out toward other neurons. When a brain cell is active, it generates an electrical signal that travels down its axon.

When that signal reaches the gap that separates it from the axon (the synapse) of the neuron it wants to communicate with, it triggers the release of chemical messengers called neurotransmitters.

The neurotransmitters cross the gap and attach to receptors on the receiving neuron—like a key fitting into a lock. The message is then communicated, which can either trigger the receiving neuron to fire its own signal or stay inactive, depending on the message.

Depression disrupts these communication pathways. But lycopene helps reopen and strengthen them.

The researchers found that lycopene boosts the protein Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) levels. BDNF promotes the growth and survival of neurons and improves the connections and communication between neurons.

When they gave mice lycopene, the rodents became more social and showed more interest in activities they usually enjoy. But before you rush to stock up on tomatoes, there’s a catch—the study used concentrated lycopene in doses higher than you’d typically get from diet alone.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t start boosting your lycopene levels anyway—after all, it has plenty of other health benefits.

• Load up on fresh tomatoes—the redder, the better
• Tomato sauce, paste, and juice also count—heating and processing make lycopene more easily absorbed
• Cook tomatoes with a bit of healthy fat (like olive oil) to help your body absorb the lycopene better
• Add other lycopene-rich foods to your shopping list, including watermelon, pink grapefruit, papaya, and red bell peppers
• Lycopene supplements are available as well

Depression is a complex condition that usually requires a multi-faceted approach. Adding more lycopene to your routine is a great way to support your continued recovery.

But remember, even if you feel fantastic, don’t stop taking prescribed depression medications without talking to your healthcare provider first.

P.S. Tomatoes aren’t the only depression fix hiding in your pantry. Researchers say this “salad solution” slashes depression symptoms FAST.

Source:

Xu, H., Wang, Y., Geng, D., Chen, F., Chen, Y., Niwenahisemo, L. C., Shi, L., Du, N., He, Z., Xu, X., & Kuang, L. (2025). Lycopene Alleviates Depression-Like Behavior in Chronic Social Defeat Stress-Induced Mice by Promoting Synaptic Plasticity via the BDNF–TrkB Pathway. Food Science & Nutrition, 13(1), e70003.

Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.

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