I think kratom could be a profoundly useful tool for determining imbalances in people's chemistry that are the source of depression and anxiety, etc. It's effects on different people are so varied and sometimes severely so. For instance if one strain causes anxiety, and another calmness, and those that wipe out all signs of depression while others do not, well what alkaloids are involved in this? I experimented on myself and found that Tryptophan, in relatively small amounts can cause severe anxiety letting me know about my serotonin levels whereas things that boost acetylcholine have a very positive effect on my mood and mind. Well lol, so do pain pills but when I fixed myself last year with B vitamins, DMAE, and St. John's Wort (I think SJW but I'm just starting the regimen again so I'll find out soon) I didn't crave oxy anymore AT ALL. I didn't even really want to smoke cigarettes anymore. I stopped this regimen feeling too confident in my new depression free self, along with the fact that I didn't really understand what cured me at the time, and resorted right back to first pills, and then luckily discovered kratom recently and it was a breeze getting off of the oxy but I don't know if it would have been that easy had I not started my balancing regimen again, knowing that there is a solution and it just being a matter of finding it again.

I wish you the best of luck and hope you discover the source of your depression. Your life sounds as though there is much to enjoy. What a privilege to be part of an archaeology dig. Good luck in your new job. Oh, and as far as tips for "going through it". Lots of water, protein drinks, and pretty high dose B and C vitamins. Look into Tryptophan or DMAE. If Tryptophan causes some anxiety then avoid all things that induce extra serotonin activity. If DMAE causes anxiety then likely excess acetylcholine activity is the culprit and a benadryl might help. If benadryl or other sleep aids cause anxiety then a boost in choline, such as with DMAE or other boosts might help with your mood a great deal.