Exercise vs Medication for Depression

Adjust adherence to see real-world effectiveness

Exercise

Effective efficacy30%
💊 Side effects: minimal 💰 Cost: low
Side effects: muscle soreness (mild, temporary), fatigue if overdone. Benefits beyond depression: heart health, sleep, cognition, energy.

Medication

Effective efficacy45.5%
💊 Side effects: common 💰 Cost: medium
Side effects: nausea, weight gain, sexual dysfunction, insomnia, fatigue (varies by SSRI/SNRI).
92% of clinicians get zero training on how to recommend exercise.
🌱 Exercise bonus: Beyond depression, regular exercise improves heart health, sleep quality, cognitive function, and energy levels — benefits no medication can match.
Based on data from @NTFabiano · Base efficacy: exercise 60%, medication 65% (meta-analyses)
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