I was re-reading this today... I'm happy to report that my girl has been really happy recently. Our friend ODd last week and it's been really traumatic, but when we first talked about it, we spent the whole night talking about our friend, and life, and depression, and she told me that she's really happy right now and she doesn't feel depressed anymore.

I noticed a change happen during this trip, and since then she's been much lighter and more carefree. She didn't tell me that it had anything to do with this experience, but I know how a good psychedelic experience can really help you shed some layers. I think our friend's death also put some stuff in perspective for her, I know it did for me. Makes you realize how ephemeral life is, and how every day could be your last. It seems like that would be a depressing realization, but it's actually very freeing, even though it's scary (mostly in thinking that we could lose the people we love very suddenly). It makes it easier to be thankful for the moments you have.
She even had a drink last night while we were at a show, and it hasn't bothered her a bit.

That sort of suggests to me that it's at least partly a stress response.