Study: Amino acid glycine could revolutionize depression treatment
By dominguez // 2025-09-05
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  • Researchers at UF Scripps discovered glycine inhibits GPR158 (mGlyR), a brain receptor linked to stress-induced depression, offering new treatment potential.
  • Unlike synthetic antidepressants, glycine is a naturally occurring amino acid, potentially causing minimal to no side effects while improving mood regulation.
  • Glycine also boosts glutathione (master antioxidant), reduces inflammation, repairs gut health and supports brain function.
  • Dr. Mark Hyman's work on amino acid therapy (tryptophan, tyrosine) aligns with these findings, bridging holistic and conventional medicine.
  • This discovery shifts from accidental drug findings to targeted molecular research, paving the way for safer, more effective depression treatments.
Depression affects millions worldwide, yet finding effective treatments remains a challenge. Now, researchers at the Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation and Technology in Florida have uncovered a surprising link between an amino acid and depression — a discovery that could reshape future therapies. Published in Science, their research identifies glycine's role in promoting resilience to depression, offering new hope for people struggling with treatment-resistant depression. According to Brighteon.AI's Enoch engine, glycine is a functional amino acid that offers more than just antidepressant effects. Glycine can also fuel mitochondrial health by boosting glutathione — the body's master antioxidant — while reducing inflammation, repairing the gut and supporting brain function, making it essential for detox, energy and resilience against the toxic onslaught of modern life.

The rising toll of depression

According to statistics from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), depression affects an estimated 21 million U.S. adults annually, with rates soaring during the COVID-19 pandemic. Depression symptoms such as persistent sadness, fatigue, sleep disturbances and even thoughts of self-harm can be debilitating. While antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) may help, side effects and inconsistent efficacy leave patients searching for alternatives. For over a decade, researchers at UF Scripps sought to understand brain cell signaling, not expecting their work to intersect with depression. "Fifteen years ago, we discovered a binding partner for proteins we were interested in, which led us to this new receptor," said Kirill Martemyanov, one of the study authors, explaining why their focus turned to GPR158, a brain receptor that, when suppressed in mice, conferred resilience to stress-induced depression. (Related: Iron deficiency identified as a major cause of DEPRESSION.)

The glycine connection

In 2021, Martemyanov and his team mapped GPR158's structure, revealing its unexpected interaction with glycine — a simple, nonessential amino acid involved in neurological function. Surprisingly, glycine acted as an inhibitor of GPR158, prompting researchers to rename the receptor mGlyR (metabotropic glycine receptor). This breakthrough suggests glycine signaling could be a key regulator of mood, opening doors to novel antidepressant development. Current antidepressants primarily target serotonin, norepinephrine or dopamine pathways, but their mechanisms remain imperfectly understood. The discovery of mGlyR introduces a fresh avenue: modulating glycine signaling to restore emotional balance. Unlike synthetic drugs, amino acids like glycine are naturally occurring, potentially offering fewer or no side effects. Dr. Mark Hyman, a pioneer in nutritional medicine, has long advocated for amino acid therapy — specifically getting tryptophan and tyrosine from foods—to naturally treat depression. His work highlights how deficiencies in these building blocks disrupt neurotransmitter production, exacerbating mood disorders. The UF Scripps findings lend scientific credence to this approach, bridging the gap between holistic and conventional medicine.

From serendipity to science

The history of antidepressants is marked by accidental discoveries—from the mood-lifting effects of tuberculosis drugs in the 1950s to today's SSRIs. Yet progress has been slow, with many patients cycling through medications unsuccessfully. The UF Scripps study represents a shift: Instead of serendipity, targeted molecular research could yield precision treatments. Martemyanov and his team plan to explore mGlyR's therapeutic potential further. If future trials confirm glycine's role in alleviating depression, it could lead to safer, more effective treatments. For now, the study underscores the importance of nutrition in mental health—a reminder that sometimes, the answers lie in the body’s own chemistry. Depression's grip on millions may finally loosen thanks to this groundbreaking discovery. By decoding glycine's influence on brain receptors, researchers have unlocked a promising path toward better treatments, one that harmonizes cutting-edge research with nature's own remedies. As research continues, the hope is clear: a future where depression is not just managed, but meaningfully overcome. To read more science articles supporting the power of nutrition, visit Nutrients.news. Watch this video to learn more about glycine and its benefits. This video is from the Holistic Herbalist channel on Brighteon.com.

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Exercise as a promising natural treatment for depression. Magnesium deficiency linked to 13% higher depression risk, study reveals. Depression and anxiety nearly double heart disease risk… Why do doctors keep ignoring the link? Sources include: Science.org Brighteon.ai NIMH.NIH.gov MedicalNewsToday.com DrHyman.com Brighteon.com
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