Depression
A specific mental health condition that Johnson suggests can be alleviated by focusing on achieving high-quality sleep.
First Mentioned
10/15/2025, 4:28:52 AM
Last Updated
10/15/2025, 4:30:35 AM
Research Retrieved
10/15/2025, 4:30:35 AM
Summary
Depression, also known as major depressive disorder or clinical depression, is a common and serious mental health condition characterized by a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest, negatively affecting how individuals feel, think, and act. Entrepreneur Bryan Johnson highlights the critical role of high-quality sleep in mitigating depression and anxiety, proposing it as the most impactful health intervention. He argues that optimizing sleep, through practices like avoiding screens before bed and managing caffeine intake, enhances willpower and prefrontal cortex function, thereby improving mental health. Johnson's perspective challenges the 'grind' culture, advocating for sleep prioritization as a superior strategy for performance and overall well-being within his 'Don't Die' philosophy.
Referenced in 1 Document
Research Data
Extracted Attributes
Type
Mental disorder
Impact
Affects how one feels, thinks, and behaves; can lead to emotional and physical problems; can disrupt daily activities; linked to increased healthcare costs and other health conditions like heart disease and diabetes
Treatability
Treatable condition, usually with talk therapy, medication, or both
Also known as
Major depressive disorder, Clinical depression, Depressive disorder
Core Symptoms
Persistent feeling of sadness, loss of interest or pleasure in activities
Other Symptoms
Feeling irritable, empty, or hopeless; significant changes in appetite and/or weight; sleeping too little or too much; decreased energy or increased tiredness/fatigue; difficulty with thinking, memory, eating, and sleeping
Gender Disparity
More women are affected than men
Prevalence (Global)
Estimated 5.7% of adults
Mitigation Strategy (Bryan Johnson)
Optimizing for high-quality sleep
Mechanism of Mitigation (Bryan Johnson)
Lowering resting heart rate before bed, enhancing willpower, keeping the prefrontal cortex functioning optimally
Timeline
- Date of the World Health Organization (WHO) fact sheet on Depressive disorder (depression), indicating a review or publication date for the document itself, not a historical event of the disorder. (Source: WHO web search result)
2025-08-29
Web Search Results
- What Is Depression? - Psychiatry.org
Depression (major depressive disorder) is a common and serious mental disorder that negatively affects how you feel, think, act, and perceive the world. [...] Feeling sad, irritable, empty and/or hopeless. Losing interest or pleasure in activities you once enjoyed. A significant change in appetite (eating much less or more than usual) and/or weight (notable loss or gain unrelated to dieting). Sleeping too little or too much. Decreased energy or increased tiredness or fatigue [...] The tabs below provide brief descriptions of six conditions related to depression: perinatal depression (previously postpartum depression), seasonal depression (also called seasonal affective disorder), bipolar disorders, persistent depressive disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and disruptive mood dysregulation disorder.
- Depressive disorder (depression) - World Health Organization (WHO)
Overview Depressive disorder (also known as depression) is a common mental disorder. It involves a depressed mood or loss of pleasure or interest in activities for long periods of time. Depression is different from regular mood changes and feelings about everyday life. It can affect all aspects of life, including relationships with family, friends and community. It can result from or lead to problems at school and at work. [...] Depression is closely related to and affected by physical health. Many of the factors that influence depression (such as physical inactivity or harmful use of alcohol) are also known risk factors for diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and respiratory diseases. In turn, people with these diseases may also find themselves experiencing depression due to the difficulties associated with managing their condition. [...] Home/ Newsroom/ Fact sheets/ Detail/ Depressive disorder (depression) Getty Images/1216841763 ©Credits Depressive disorder (depression) 29 August 2025 العربية 中文 Français Русский Español Key facts Depression is a common mental disorder. Globally, an estimated 5.7% of adults suffer from depression. More women are affected by depression than men. Depression can lead to suicide. There is effective treatment for mild, moderate and severe depression.
- Depression (major depressive disorder) - Symptoms and causes
Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. You may have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities, and sometimes you may feel as if life isn't worth living. [...] Depression is a mood disorder that causes feelings of sadness that won't go away. Unfortunately, there's a lot of stigma around depression. Depression isn't a weakness or a character flaw. It's not about being in a bad mood, and people who experience depression can't just snap out of it. Depression is a common, serious, and treatable condition. If you're experiencing depression, you're not alone. It honestly affects people of all ages and races and biological sexes, income levels and [...] Complications Depression is a serious disorder that can take a terrible toll on you and your family. Depression often gets worse if it isn't treated, resulting in emotional, behavioral and health problems that affect every area of your life. Examples of complications associated with depression include:
- Depression - National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Everyone feels sad or low sometimes, but these feelings usually pass with time. Depression (also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression) is different. It can cause severe symptoms that affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working. It is an illness that can affect anyone—regardless of age, race, income, culture, or education. Research suggests that genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors play a role in [...] Depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the United States. The symptoms range from mild to severe and can disrupt a person’s ability to carry out everyday activities. It is linked to increased health care costs and other health conditions like heart disease and diabetes. It is also a risk factor for suicidal thoughts and behaviors. ## How is NIMH research addressing this critical topic?
- Depression: Causes, Symptoms, Types & Treatment - Cleveland Clinic
Abu Dhabi|Canada|Florida|London|Nevada|Ohio| Home/ Health Library/ Diseases & Conditions/ Depression AdvertisementAdvertisement # Depression Depression is a common mental health condition that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and changes in how you think, sleep, eat and act. There are several different types. Depression is treatable — usually with talk therapy, medication or both. Seeking medical help as soon as you have symptoms is essential. Advertisement [...] Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest in things and activities you once enjoyed. It can also cause difficulty with thinking, memory, eating and sleeping. Advertisement Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services.Policy [...] It’s normal to feel sad about or grieve over difficult life situations, such as losing your job or a divorce. But depression is different in that it persists practically every day for at least two weeks and involves other symptoms than sadness alone. There are several types of depressive disorders. Clinical depression, or major depressive disorder, is often just called “depression.” It’s the most severe type of depression.
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Depression, Wilsonville, Macoupin County, Illinois, 62093, United States
Coordinates: 39.0700655, -89.8505610
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