What does Sasha mean? Sasha [sasha] as a girls' name (also used less regularly as boys' name Sasha) is pronounced SAH-shah. It is of Russian and Greek origin, and the meaning of Sasha is man's defender. Short form of Alexander. The -sha ending may not be feminine in Russia, though it is in America. Associated with: russian, greek, defender.
Depression increases your risk of a number of diseases and other conditions by, for example, increasing levels of stress hormones such as cortisol or adrenaline. Depression can affect the immune system, making it harder for your body to fight infection. Vaccinations are even less effective in people with depression.
One mechanism as to how an unregulated immune system may contribute to depression is quite well understood. Cytokines activate an enzyme, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), which degrades serotonin resulting in low levels of the neurotransmitter. IDO also degrades the precursor to serotonin, tryptophan.