Does stress (and depression) actually lower muscle gain?

No. You're just making an excuse. Again.

even if they do it's not like you're going to snap out of stress or depression just because you'd be better off lifting without it.

Stress definitely will as it causes high cortisol levels.

I'm not sure if depression affects gains, I think it is a sign of low test in itself.

I hope so, I've been stressed as fuck all year and not made as much gains as I think I should have.

>>36551762
why would you hope so? being happy sucks

>>36551709
desu first time posting in /fit/ so nt betafag

yes definitely

stress>high cortisol>more catabolic>less muscle gains
depression>low test>less muscle gains

>>36551779
Because that would explain why my gains haven't been as much as I think they ought to have been.

Stress and self-loathing (and the corollary depression) are what got me to the gym in the first place. Not that this anecdote answers your question or means anything at all.

>>36551698
The key here I think is to just lift so hard that you shake your depression. That's my goal for the next few months.