Baby Aspirin and Depression: What the Research Really Shows

Many people have heard about the connection between inflammation and depression. With so much attention on anti-inflammatory treatments, a common question comes up:

Can low-dose “baby” aspirin help treat depression?

It’s a reasonable question — especially because nearly one-third of people don’t fully respond to standard antidepressants. But while inflammation and depression are linked, baby aspirin is not an effective treatment for mood symptoms.

Here’s what the science actually tells us, and which anti-inflammatory approaches show real promise.

Why Inflammation Matters in Depression

To understand why aspirin was even considered, it helps to look at how inflammation affects the brain.

Two Types of Inflammation

Short-Term (Helpful) Inflammation

• Protects the body during infection or injury

• Helps you heal

• Fades once the body recovers

Chronic, Low-Grade Inflammation

This type lingers for months or years. It can be fueled by:

• Ongoing stress

• Poor sleep

• Highly processed diets

• Sedentary lifestyle

• Autoimmune illness

• Excess abdominal fat

Over time, this “silent” inflammation circulates through the bloodstream and affects brain chemistry.

What the Science Shows

People with depression often have higher levels of inflammatory markers such as:

• CRP (C-reactive protein)

• IL-6 (interleukin-6)

These markers can disrupt:

• Serotonin levels

• Neural communication

• Overall brain function

This is why some people fit what researchers call the “inflamed subtype” of depression.

So… Does Baby Aspirin Help?

The short answer: No. Baby aspirin has not been shown to prevent or treat depression.

The Most Important Study: ASPREE-D

A major trial followed 19,000 adults (ages 70+) for nearly five years. Participants took 100 mg of aspirin or a placebo.

What happened?

• No prevention benefit — aspirin did not lower depression risk

• Mildly worse symptoms in people who already had depression

• Other studies matched these results

Conclusion:

Baby aspirin is not an effective depression treatment.

Why People Are Still Talking About Aspirin

Aspirin doesn’t help, but other anti-inflammatory approaches DO show promise, especially for people with inflammation-driven depression.

This is where the hopeful research lives.

Anti-Inflammatory Treatments That Do Show Potential

1. COX-2 Inhibitors (prescription only)

Medications like celecoxib (Celebrex) have shown improvements when combined with antidepressants — especially in people with high inflammation.

2. High-Dose Omega-3 EPA

Omega-3 supplements rich in EPA (not DHA) are backed by strong evidence for depression with elevated inflammatory markers.

3. Emerging Brain-Inflammation Treatments

Researchers are investigating compounds that target inflammation specifically in the brain, opening new possibilities for treatment-resistant depression.

Signs Your Depression May Be Inflammation-Related

If several of these apply to you, inflammation may be part of the picture.

Medical Factors

• Autoimmune diseases

• Diabetes, heart disease, or metabolic conditions

• Chronic pain

Lab Indicators

• Elevated CRP

• High IL-6

Physical & Lifestyle Patterns

• Abdominal weight gain

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• Chronic stress

• Poor sleep

Treatment Response

• Partial or minimal improvement with standard antidepressants

Why Baby Aspirin Isn’t Worth the Risk

Although the dose is small, baby aspirin carries real medical risks.

Key Risks

• Stomach ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding

• Increased bleeding when combined with SSRIs, SNRIs, or blood thinners

• Asthma flare-ups in sensitive individuals

Updated Guidelines

Most adults should not take daily aspirin unless they have known cardiovascular disease and are advised by a doctor. The risks often outweigh the benefits.

Anti-Inflammatory Approaches That Do Support Mental Health

These strategies are supported by research and carry fewer risks:

1. Movement

Regular exercise lowers inflammation and boosts brain chemicals that support mood.

2. Anti-Inflammatory Nutrition

Focus on:

• Colorful vegetables and fruits

• Healthy fats (olive oil, avocado)

• Wild-caught fatty fish

• Protein sources rich in essential nutrients

Avoid:

• Highly processed foods

• Sugary snacks and drinks

• Foods that commonly trigger inflammation

3. Prioritize Good Sleep

Deep, restorative sleep reduces inflammatory pathways and supports brain health.

4. Strategic Omega-3 Supplementation

EPA-focused omega-3s can be helpful for people with the inflamed subtype of depression.

5. Stress Reduction

Chronic stress is a major driver of inflammation. Helpful options include:

• Mindfulness

• CBT

• Trauma-informed therapy

• Breathwork

6. Professional Support

A clinician experienced in the inflammation-depression connection can help you:

• Order appropriate lab tests

• Interpret inflammatory markers

• Build a personalized, multi-layered treatment plan

Bottom Line

Baby aspirin is not an effective depression treatment — and it carries real risks.
But the inflammation-depression connection is one of the most promising areas in modern psychiatry.

Here’s what matters most:

• Depression sometimes has an inflammatory component

• Certain anti-inflammatory treatments can help

• Precision medicine is the future — the right treatment depends on the person

• Lifestyle changes often have powerful anti-inflammatory benefits

• Professional guidance makes a meaningful difference

There is real hope for people who haven’t found full relief with traditional treatments.

Professional Support

If you’re interested in an integrative approach that explores both psychological and biological contributors to depression — including inflammation when relevant — our team can help you build a personalized plan.

Learn more at: drlewis.com

References

Berk, M., Woods, R. L., Nelson, M. R., et al. (2020). Effect of aspirin vs placebo on the prevention of depression in older people: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Psychiatry, 77(10), 1012–1020. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2020.1214

Köhler, O., Benros, M. E., Nordentoft, M., et al. (2014). Effect of anti-inflammatory treatment on depression and adverse effects: A meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. JAMA Psychiatry, 71(12), 1381–1391. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2014.1611

Kiecolt-Glaser, J. K., Derry, H. M., & Fagundes, C. P. (2015). Inflammation: Depression fans the flames and feasts on the heat. American Journal of Psychiatry, 172(11), 1075–1091. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2015.15020152

Berk, M., Mohebbi, M., Dean, O. M., et al. (2020). Youth Depression Alleviation With Anti-Inflammatory Agents (YoDA-A): A randomized clinical trial of rosuvastatin and aspirin. BMC Medicine, 18, 16. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-019-1475-6