Hysteria, Demons, and More: Depression Throughout History
Here are 12 different causes of depression—according to the misinformed.
4 of 14
Sperm loss
Ancient Greece
Throughout the ages, sex has been used in a variety of ways to attempt to explain depression.
Many people do experience sexual side effects due to both depression and the modern medications used to treat it, says Walker, “but modern thinking is different” about blaming sex entirely.
Ancient Greek medical writer Philagrius is credited with prescribing an antidote of honey and ginger to cure depression brought on by a loss of excess sperm while asleep.
Needless to say, this didn’t go very far in explaining female depression.
Next: Lack of sex
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