The mystery of our minds

The MoJo Daily newsletter, Monday through Friday. [View in browser]( [Mother Jones Daily Newsletter](     October 6, 2022 I have long held a very cut-and-dry perspective on mental illness: that the brain is an organ like any other, and that when it runs into issues, it signifies a chemical imbalance that should be treated with medication. This summer, though, I've started to develop a more nuanced view. A [new overview]( of the evidence—or lack thereof—for the serotonin hypothesis of depression led [The Conversation]( to declare that the "chemical imbalance theory is dead." Of course, as the article notes, "that doesn’t mean antidepressants don’t work." But everyone, from a series of [New York Times]( opinion writers to the prolific critic of psychiatry [P.E. Moskowitz](, seems to have something to say about how the United States ought to address what we can all agree is a [mental health crisis](. The uncomfortable truth is that we might not yet know how to think about our own brains, even though we have to live with them every day. Two days ago, I took New Yorker writer Rachel Aviv's new book, [Strangers to Ourselves](, out from the library, and I've been riveted. I know it's poor form to recommend a book I haven't yet finished (I'm about halfway through), but, thus far, it's been an incredibly insightful look at people whose experiences with mental illness run up against the ways that psychiatry defines them. It asks more questions than it answers, leaving me with the distinct sense that I know nothing. What more could I ask for? —Abigail Weinberg Advertisement [The New School]( [Top Story] [Top Story]( [The Mass Killer in Thailand Fits a Recognizable Behavioral Profile]( Initial evidence from the horrific attack underscores how mass shootings can potentially be prevented. BY MARK FOLLMAN SPONSORED CONTENT BY THE NEW SCHOOL   Advance career in policy at The New School in NYC The Public and Urban Policy master’s program at The New School in NYC prepares you to lead the future of social policy. The program critically examines contemporary policy creation, addressing pressing issues including democracy, urbanization, technological change, economic empowerment, social equity, sustainability, migration, and globalization. [Learn more](. [Trending] [The reviews for that conservative dating app are in—and they're thrilling]( BY INAE OH   [Herschel Walker says the allegations against him are untrue and he didn’t send anyone money for an abortion, but that he sent lots of people money for lots of things and it’s hard to keep track, and if the story were true it would be nothing to be ashamed of because he believes in forgiveness, but he has done nothing to be forgiven for, and is living proof that you can make mistakes and move forward, which is really what this campaign is all about.]( BY TIM MURPHY   [Pathos and panic: Russians are mobilized for an undeclared war]( BY ANONYMOUS   [North Carolina's Outer Banks are in trouble, even without hurricanes]( BY DAVE MALKOFF Advertisement [The New School]( [Special Feature] [Special Feature]( [How a Hostile America Undermined Its Black World War II Veterans]( Servicemembers were attacked, discredited, and shortchanged on GI benefits—with lasting implications. BY MATTHEW DELMONT [Fiercely Independent] Support from readers allows Mother Jones to do journalism that doesn't just follow the pack. [Donate]( Did you enjoy this newsletter? Help us out by [forwarding]( it to a friend or sharing it on [Facebook]( and [Twitter](. [Mother Jones]( [Donate]( [Subscribe]( This message was sent to {EMAIL}. To change the messages you receive from us, you can [edit your email preferences]( or [unsubscribe from all mailings.]( For advertising opportunities see our online [media kit.]( Were you forwarded this email? [Sign up for Mother Jones' newsletters today.]( [www.MotherJones.com]( PO Box 8539, Big Sandy, TX 75755