How my snake helps with my depression-- anyone else have depression?

[FollowTheSun]

I struggle with depression, and especially on mornings like this when my partner and kids have left the house, and I have a day off after a tough day at work yesterday (I'm a nurse). This little snake gives me something to look forward to each day. She hangs out in my robe pocket while I make coffee, then she sits in my hand while I drink it until she gets tired of that, and then she hangs out in my sleeve. She's so gentle and cute and playful-- and most of the time she's very calm! I never thought I'd bond with a snake, and I never thought a snake would bond with me. :-)

I discovered the snake-therapy thing when my daughter bought a nearly full grown BP. She happens to be very snappy and bitey-- I don't think she was handled much before we got her. But what started as being part of the family effort to hold her and tame her turned into therapy for me! I realized that the gentle pressure of squeezing on my arms was very calming, similar to a weighted blanket effect. And they are so gentle as they slither, and "taste test" with their tongues. And you have to be calm so they stay calm.

So after that snake became tame and my daughter was bonded with her and feeling possessive, I bought Noodle my albino ratsnake in May when she was very tiny. Last month I acquired Spot, a banana BP because I realized that they have different ways that they move and grip. While Noodle is very gentle, Spot and our other BP have a firmer squeeze. They also have a nice heavy weight and are happy to sit in my lap longer than Noodle, and I will sit and knit and watch TV with Spot in my lap. :-)

When my daughter, who is 14 and has a connective tissue disorder, endured her third surgery this summer, the first "person" she would let touch her post-surgical knee was her snake. The snake was so gentle.

Anyway, I am sure I am not alone in my depression, and I'm sure I'm not the only one who has discovered "snake therapy." I would love to talk about this with others. :-)

[Bogertophis]

... And you have to be calm so they stay calm....

I've kept snakes for many years, starting when I had a very stressful career. While I don't have depression issues, I've always noticed the very same thing! Most pets
have therapeutic benefits, like lowering blood pressure, that the medical community has acknowledged for years. But in working with snakes, since they're not domestic
or inclined to trust humans, some of them need more help than others. I found they have that effect on me too...isn't it great? And in giving them needed medical
care, when I am so focused on helping them, they somehow seem to pick up on that & don't fight or bite. It can feel a bit magical at times...as if we're thinking with one
mind. I've even meditated while handling a nervous snake with great results...again, the calming effect gets their trust, but it's truly a "win-win".

You are the first person I've come across that has mentioned this...I'm so glad you brought it up.

[RickyNY]

I agree with you, snakes calm me down and have a soothing effect on me... while other pets stress me out, like my wife's dog

[FollowTheSun]

I've kept snakes for many years, starting when I had a very stressful career. While I don't have depression issues, I've always noticed the very same thing! Most pets
have therapeutic benefits, like lowering blood pressure, that the medical community has acknowledged for years. But in working with snakes, since they're not domestic
or inclined to trust humans, some of them need more help than others. I found they have that effect on me too...isn't it great? And in giving them needed medical
care, when I am so focused on helping them, they somehow seem to pick up on that & don't fight or bite. It can feel a bit magical at times...as if we're thinking with one
mind. I've even meditated while handling a nervous snake with great results...again, the calming effect gets their trust, but it's truly a "win-win".

You are the first person I've come across that has mentioned this...I'm so glad you brought it up.

What you say about snakes seeming to pick up on us helping them-- so true! When my daughter's BP had her first shed with us it was awful. She had not been kept in the best conditions at all. She had like a million pieces stuck on her and eye caps stuck on, etc. We had to soak her and then rub the skin off with warm washcloths. Even though she was at that time an extremely bitey snake (like, would randomly just bite and draw blood!), she calmed down and let us help her. It was truly magical. Recently she had another shed where a large strip was stuck on the top of her neck. Again she calmed and let my daughter help her get that off. And the snake has also learned to trust and is much less bitey now and more of a nice pleasant pet.

[distaff]

Some sort of inexplicable cosmic connection....they seem to work well as a conduit for draining away negative energy. (Not sure what they do with it - doesn't seem to bother them.)

[Bogertophis]

My gut feeling says it has something to do with our mind-body connection...that when our thoughts are purely good & helpful intentions, that it comes
across to animals in the way we touch them. And when we subliminally communicate that sense of safety, we also receive it back. I just know it's cool.

[Dianne]

Great topic! While I don’t have depression issues, I do have job related stress. Handling the snakes is calming. You have to be slow and easy with them, and as they gently move around it is very soothing, so you both end up calm. I like to watch their movements and feel them crawl around, plus the texture of their scales is cool. Some of my young bp’s feel almost silky, while the larger snakes feel kind of slick, and then there’s my Solomon Island ground boa who has keeled scales and is almost like sandpaper.

I found the same thing with the cats I used to have, both older and happy to cuddle, so very relaxing to pet. Plus their warmth and purring was soothing. My brother’s dog on the other hand keeps me on my toes. He’s a cute teacup poodle (rescue). He’ll mostly sit by you for pets until he gets bored, then you constantly have to watch him to make sure he doesn’t run amok and pee on anything. Not relaxing with whole house carpeting.

[Jus1More]

I totally agree with everyone on this topic. I definitely feel at ease when handling my snakes, especially my boa's. All of my stress from the day seems to just melt away and I am at a relaxed state of mind. And my snakes since that calmness as well because they are all chill as well.... Its an awesome feeling!

[Jessibelle]

I struggle with depression, and especially on mornings like this when my partner and kids have left the house, and I have a day off after a tough day at work yesterday (I'm a nurse). This little snake gives me something to look forward to each day. She hangs out in my robe pocket while I make coffee, then she sits in my hand while I drink it until she gets tired of that, and then she hangs out in my sleeve. She's so gentle and cute and playful-- and most of the time she's very calm! I never thought I'd bond with a snake, and I never thought a snake would bond with me. :-)

I discovered the snake-therapy thing when my daughter bought a nearly full grown BP. She happens to be very snappy and bitey-- I don't think she was handled much before we got her. But what started as being part of the family effort to hold her and tame her turned into therapy for me! I realized that the gentle pressure of squeezing on my arms was very calming, similar to a weighted blanket effect. And they are so gentle as they slither, and "taste test" with their tongues. And you have to be calm so they stay calm.

So after that snake became tame and my daughter was bonded with her and feeling possessive, I bought Noodle my albino ratsnake in May when she was very tiny. Last month I acquired Spot, a banana BP because I realized that they have different ways that they move and grip. While Noodle is very gentle, Spot and our other BP have a firmer squeeze. They also have a nice heavy weight and are happy to sit in my lap longer than Noodle, and I will sit and knit and watch TV with Spot in my lap. :-)

When my daughter, who is 14 and has a connective tissue disorder, endured her third surgery this summer, the first "person" she would let touch her post-surgical knee was her snake. The snake was so gentle.

Anyway, I am sure I am not alone in my depression, and I'm sure I'm not the only one who has discovered "snake therapy." I would love to talk about this with others. :-)

I’m so sorry to hear you, like so many others, suffer from depression. I also suffer from depression and anxiety. I have always had pets as I feel they really help with my anxiety/depression. It’s such an amazing feeling to have another being to care for and love on.

Unrelated to snakes, but have you looked into CBD oil? I’m not going to go into it (but feel free to PM me if you want to discuss it), but it helps me immensely. I’m also a professional, and my job can be stressful, but it really helps to calm me. Just thought I’d mention it in the event you haven’t heard of it. Amazing stuff.


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[Craiga 01453]

I have depression and anxiety issues and am an alcoholic and drug addict who will be celebrating 6 years clean and sober next week!!

I unfortunately rehomed all my animals years ago when I was unable to care for them. I could barely keep myself alive, let alone my animals. That was one of the VERY few smart things I did in 15 years...


After getting clean and sober and starting to get settled into my new life I realized I needed something to keep my mind busy and decided to get a fish tank. Then I started getting back into snakes once my girlfriend agreed to me having a snake in the house.

I love my fish, don't get me wrong, but my snakes are my "medicine" most days. There's just something about them that makes me feel peaceful and tranquil. When one of the snakes is out I just generally feel much more relaxed and calm. The way they move, the mystique they have about them, the way they feel...it fascinates me.

I used to say "the only thing better than drugs is more drugs"...now I say "the only thing better than snakes is more snakes"!!!! Hahahaha!!


OP, THANKS FOR STARTING THIS THREAD!!