Chemically Imbalanced (2026)

For years, we have been led to believe that depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain and that antidepressants are the solution. But what if this widely accepted belief is based on unreliable evidence? In Chemically Imbalanced, psychiatrist Joanna Moncrieff takes readers on a thought-provoking journey through the history of the serotonin theory of depression, from its origins in the 1960s to its widespread acceptance in the 1990s. With clarity and compelling evidence, Moncrieff examines how scientific understanding has been influenced by social and economic forces, leading to misconceptions that have shaped treatment decisions for millions. Accessible yet insightful, this book is for anyone seeking to make more informed choices about their mental health and understand the forces that shape how depression is perceived and treated today.