The present disclosure provides a method of preventing or treating depression in a subject in need thereof, including administering to the subject an effective amount of benzoic acid or a salt and derivative thereof. Also provided is a composition for use in preventing or treating depression in a subject in need thereof.本揭露提供一種用於預防或治療有需要的個體之憂鬱症之方法,所述方法包括對個體施用有效量的苯甲酸或其鹽及衍生物。本揭露亦提供一種用於預防或治療有需要的個體之憂鬱症之組成物。