Supplements for Depression
Here we’ll be discussing some supplements for depression, supplements that have the potential to alleviate some depressive symptoms, to an extent, when it comes to overcoming depression. Remember, this is not about how to cure depression. It’s more about managing it.
St. John’s Wort
This is a common recommendation as a supplement for depression. There are some studies suggesting it may be helpful if you’ve been feeling depressed. There are also some studies suggesting it does nothing. The results are not conclusive. If you are taking an anti-depressant, do not take this in addition to it. That could cause a dangerous condition known as serotonin syndrome.
The recommended dosage is 900mg in 2-3 divided dosages, so 450 twice a day or 300mg three times a day.
Rhodiola Rosea
According to some research findings, Rhodiola Rosea may be effective in treating stress, fatigue, or depression, if you’ve been feeling depressed. It is an adaptogen. If you’d like to purchase it, we don’t sell it here, but this is the brand I recommend for this product. The recommended dosage is approximately 400mg-600mg, split into two doses.
Saffron
Saffron has been found to be a helpful treatment for depression for those with mild depression. Although it still’s a treatment for depression for other forms of depression, sub-clinical depression is where it most shines. The only one I have found that matches the dosages used in the studies is this one. The recommended dosage is 30mg-60mg per day.
Fish Oil
Although it’s still in its early stages, research is promising that fish oil can help to overcome depression. Fish oil consists of EPA and DHA, and it’s primarily the EPA that has an effect on depression. Therefore, a supplement should be higher in EPA than DHA, like in this one. The recommended dosage is approximately 900 EPA and 600 DHA.
NAC (N-acetylcysteine)
Strong evidence suggests that NAC may be a treatment for depression for those suffering from depression. Just remember to not think of it as how to cure depression. The recommended dosage is 2g/day. That may be more easily achieved with the powder:
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is certainly a depression treatment but not in all people. It’s not a guarantee that it’s how to feel better, but if you were to get a large enough group together, it would be a guarantee that it would raise some of their moods. Either way, it’s healthy to get enough vitamin D. Many people don’t get enough. So even if it unfortunately doesn’t improve your depressive symptoms, let it improve your health.The recommended dosage is at least 2,000 IUs.
B Vitamins
It’s quite nearly proven that B vitamins improve depressive symptoms because the vitamins themselves are directly involved in mood. It’s a clear logical conclusion. The recommended dosages are at least 50mg of B6, at least 400mcg of Folate, and at least 500mg of B12.
SAM-e
This is more like an anti-depressant. This is something already found in our bodies. Taking it as a supplement is mildly energizing and mildly mood-boosting. You can take it up to four times a day, although you would certainly start with once a day.
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Ginseng
This seems to take a while for how to make you feel better, gradually overcoming depression. Ginseng has been shown in many studies to improve mood, among other things. It’s effect on depression is gradually becoming clearer. The recommended dosage is anywhere from 100mg to 800mg. Always start low and then go up.
Sulbutiamine
This is a synthetic derivative of thiamine (vitamin b1). It increases alertness, levels, mood, and reduces anxiety. It can be purchased both as a powder and as capsules. This could be part of a plan on how to feel better. Here is a link to the capsules. A dosage of up to 600mg is okay.
Coffee/Tea/Caffeine
These will quickly make you feel better, as you may know, but they won’t necessarily be overcoming depression. As the public seems to understand, coffee, tea, and caffeine provide boosts. The reason “caffeine” is separate is because you can buy caffeine separately, in the form of capsules, powder, gummies, etc. Coffee and Tea, though, contain more than just caffeine and so will provide more benefits than caffeine alone, but they all have their place. I won’t be linking to any of them. I just wanted to mention them. This, too, could be part of a plan on how to feel better.
Lithium Orotate
This is a great supplement for depression. You may recognize the word “lithium.” The lithium prescribed by doctors is lithium carbonate, a different form of it. Lithium orotate can be bought OTC. It’s shown to provide many benefits, one of those being a reduction in depression symptoms. You would start at its lowest dose, and if that is not effective within a couple weeks, you would go to the next dose up. The highest dose you would try is 20mg.
L-tyrosine
This is an indirect supplement for depression. This is an amino acid which may provide a mood and energy boost. You can safely take it in high doses, but, as always, start with the lowest dose to assess for tolerance. You can get it as a powder to put into a drink, or you can get it as a capsule.
Amino Acids
Amino acids are found in proteins and convert to the chemicals in our brain that we want, such as serotonin and dopamine. We sell them as part of a nutritional supplement, but you could also just get an amino acid supplement on its own.
Noopept
Noopept is a nootropic and in addition to its purported cognitive benefits, it may also improve mood and reduce anxiety. You would take 10mg at a time, up to a maximum of 30mg a day.
Multiple Ingredients
Here is a supplement that’s four supplements in one. It contains lithium orotate, turmeric, kanna, and PEA. If you get anything on this list, I would get this. The link explains most of these ingredients but all four are useful. It might seem expensive, but if you were to buy the four supplements separately it would cost more. And sorry about the giant sales page that it’s on.