Depression

Why it works: Active constituents: St. John’s wort extracts contain several biologically active compounds, chiefly hyperforin and hypericin, plus flavonoids and other polyphenols. Modern pharmac...

Instructions: Typical clinical regimen used in trials and recommended in clinical summaries:. • Usual adult dose: 300 mg of a standardized extract (commonly standardized to ~0.2–0.3% hypericin o...

Warnings: Major interaction mechanisms. • Potent induction of cytochrome P450 enzymes (especially CYP3A4) and...

Studies: Systematic reviews & meta-analyses consistently find tha...

Why it works: Vitamin D acts like a neurosteroid. It affects brain cells directly (vitamin D receptors and enzymes exist in neurons/glia), influences serotonin synthesis and signalling, modulate...

Instructions: Most studies treat or supplement people who are vitamin D deficient or insufficient, and many trials aim to restore serum 25(OH)D to a sufficient range before assessing mood change...

Warnings: Toxicity (hypervitaminosis D): rare but occurs with very high/long-term doses → causes hypercalcemia...

Studies: Selected meta-analyses & reviews (load-bearing evidence)...

Why it works: Methyl donor / neurotransmitter synthesis. SAMe is a primary methyl donor in the body and participates in one-carbon metabolism. Through methylation reactions it helps form neurotr...

Instructions: Typical adult dosing (oral):. • Common clinical dosing ranges reported in trials and reviews: 800–1,600 mg/day, usually divided into two or more doses (e.g., 400 mg × 2 or 400 mg ×...

Warnings: Major safety/interaction warnings. • Risk of serotonin syndrome: SAMe can increase serotonin and has...

Studies: Major systematic reviews / meta-analysesCochrane review: “S-...

Why it works: Methylation and neurotransmitter synthesis. Vitamin B12 (as methylcobalamin) is a key cofactor in one-carbon/methylation chemistry that converts homocysteine → methionine → S-adeno...

Instructions: A. Test before treating. • Measure serum B12 (and consider active B12 / methylmalonic acid and homocysteine if the diagnosis is unclear). If levels are low (or clinical features st...

Warnings: Don’t assume supplements cure depression. If someone has depression, measure B12 and related markers...

Studies: Systematic reviews / meta-analyses (mixed results):A systema...

Why it works: 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) can raise brain serotonin because it’s the immediate biochemical precursor of serotonin and—based on small randomized trials and meta-analyses—appears t...

Instructions: Typical trial doses: published trials of 5-HTP for mood most commonly used roughly 100–300 mg per day (often divided dosing). Some studies have used doses as low as ~50 mg/day or a...

Warnings: Serotonin syndrome risk: Because 5-HTP increases serotonin synthesis, combining it with other seroto...

Studies: Systematic review & meta-analysis (Nutrition Reviews, 20...

What It Is. Agmatine Sulfate is a naturally occurring chemical compound derived from the amino acid L-arginine through a process called decarboxylation. It is classified as a bioge...

What It Is. Damiana (scientific name: Turnera diffusa) is a small shrub native to Mexico, Central America, and parts of the Caribbean. It produces aromatic yellow flowers and small...

What it is. Sunlight exposure is the deliberate practice of allowing natural sunlight to contact the skin and eyes (indirectly, not staring at the sun) for a limited, controlled pe...

Why it works: Shilajit is a complex, resinous substance containing fulvic/humic acids, dibenzo-α-pyrones and trace minerals. Proposed mechanisms relevant to mood:. • Antioxidant / anti-inflammat...

Instructions: Important: these are common practices and extrapolations from human trials for other indications — not official medical guidelines for treating depression.. • Form & product qualit...

Warnings: Contamination risk (heavy metals, arsenic, lead, microbes). Raw/unpurified shilajit can contain dang...

Studies: Comprehensive reviews summarizing shilajit chemistry, mechan...