Antidepressants, Anxiety & Brain Health: What Women Deserve to Understand
Many of you have been asking about antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications lately, and I want to speak to this with honesty, care, and real experience—both professionally and personally through the women I work with.
This is not a black-and-white conversation.
This is a nuanced, layered, whole-woman conversation.
Understanding Antidepressants & Anti-Anxiety Medication
There are several classes of medications commonly prescribed for anxiety and depression. The most well-known include:
SSRIs (like Prozac, Zoloft, Lexapro), which work by increasing serotonin levels
SNRIs (like Effexor and Cymbalta), which impact both serotonin and norepinephrine
Atypical antidepressants, such as Wellbutrin
These medications can be incredibly helpful for many women. They can create stability during difficult seasons, take the edge off overwhelming emotions, and provide space to begin healing.
But they are not without side effects.
Many women experience things like fatigue, emotional blunting, weight gain, lowered libido, or feeling disconnected from themselves. Others find relief—but still feel like something is missing.
And this is where we have to zoom out and ask a bigger question:
Are we supporting the symptoms… or are we also supporting the body?
What I’ve Seen Work: A Real Perspective on Wellbutrin
Out of all the medications my clients have been prescribed, I have seen some of the most consistent success with Wellbutrin.
When used appropriately, it tends to feel different for many women. It is often more energizing rather than sedating. Women report improved focus, better motivation, and a sense of coming back online rather than being dulled or numbed.
For some, it has been a powerful tool—especially when used for a defined period of time while they work on rebuilding their health, mindset, and nervous system.
But even with Wellbutrin, it’s important to understand that it is still a support—not a solution.
Some women experience increased anxiety, sleep disruption, or a heightened sense of stimulation, especially in the beginning. And like all medications, it does not address the deeper physiological patterns that may be contributing to how someone feels.
Which brings us to the next layer of this conversation.
Supporting the Brain Beyond Medication
One of the most important things I look at with my clients is whether their brain is actually being nourished.
Because many women today are not lacking discipline—they are lacking nutrients.
Chronic under-eating, years of dieting, high stress, poor sleep, and nutrient depletion all directly impact brain chemistry. A depleted body will often present as anxiety, low mood, lack of motivation, or brain fog.
This is where targeted nutritional support can make a meaningful difference.
A combination I personally use, and have seen work well for many women, includes Acetyl L-Carnitine, L-Tyrosine, and Citicoline.
Acetyl L-Carnitine plays a key role in mitochondrial function, helping the body convert fat into usable energy. When energy production improves, many women notice better mental clarity and reduced fatigue.
L-Tyrosine is an amino acid that serves as a precursor to dopamine and other catecholamines. These neurotransmitters are essential for motivation, focus, and resilience to stress. When this pathway is supported, women often feel more stable, capable, and mentally engaged.
Citicoline, a form of choline, supports the production of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter deeply involved in memory, learning, and cognitive function. It also plays a structural role in maintaining healthy brain cells.
If you are interested in using this supplement stack to support you, here is what I would recommend:
Acetyl L-Carnitine - up to 2g/day
L-Tyrosine - 1000–1500mg/day
Citicoline - 500mg/day
While supplementation can be helpful, I always emphasize that these nutrients are meant to complement—not replace—a well-nourished diet.
Foods rich in these compounds include grass-fed red meat, organ meats, eggs (especially the yolks), high-quality dairy, and certain seeds. When these foods are consistently included, the body is far more equipped to support healthy brain function naturally.
The Hormonal Piece Many Women Are Missing
There is another layer to this conversation that often gets overlooked—hormones.
Many women I work with have a history of long-term hormonal birth control use. They come off the pill, but their cycles are irregular, their luteal phase is short, or they are not producing adequate progesterone.
And this matters more than most realize.
Progesterone is a calming, stabilizing hormone. It supports the nervous system and plays a significant role in mood regulation. When progesterone levels are low, women are far more likely to experience anxiety, irritability, mood swings, and even depressive symptoms.
In these cases, the issue is not simply a “chemical imbalance” in the brain. It is a hormonal imbalance within the body.
But instead of investigating and supporting this, many women are quickly prescribed antidepressants without ever addressing the root cause.
Again, medication may be helpful. But we cannot ignore what the body is signaling.
Final Thoughts: Supporting the Whole Woman
This is not about choosing medication or natural approaches.
This is about understanding that true support often requires both—used thoughtfully, intentionally, and in alignment with the individual woman.
Some women need antidepressants.
Many women need nourishment, hormonal support, and nervous system regulation.
Most women need a combination of all of the above at different points in their lives.
We cannot supplement our way out of depletion.
We cannot medicate our way out of imbalance without asking deeper questions.
A well-fed brain thinks differently.
A nourished body responds differently.
And when you begin to support your body at that level, everything starts to change.
If you’ve been navigating this, you are not alone—and you don’t have to figure it out on your own.
🍑 If you’re ready for deeper, personalized support, you can apply for 1:1 coaching.
We’ll look at your full picture—your health, your hormones, your lifestyle—and create a plan that actually supports you for the long term.