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If you havemild to moderate depressionwithout suicidal thoughts and urges, OTC preparations may be worth a try. If you have moresevere depressionand need reliable symptom relief, talk to a doctor or mental health professional, who may advise that you take a prescription antidepressant.
OTC options for depression may be most beneficial when they are used alongside other lifestyle modifications that have been shown to alleviate depression symptoms. These include regular exercise, getting enough sleep, finding social support, and managing stress levels.
Learn more about the over-the-counter herbs and supplements that may help relieve mild symptoms of depression.
St. John’s Wortesemelwe / Getty ImagesSt. John’s worthas a long history of use, going back to ancient times. It has also become a popular depression remedy in the modern world.Does St. John’s Wort Work For Depression?There is evidence in the medical literature that St. John’s Wort may help relieve mild symptoms of depression. A review published in 2019 concluded that its effects were similar to tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) but with milder side effects.The review also noted, however, that the evidence isn’t strong enough to make a “robust conclusion.“The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health notes that St. John’s wort does not offer consistent results for relieving depression. Because of this, it should not be used to postpone or replace seeing a doctor for depression treatment.How Much St. John’s Wort Do You Need?Dosages of St. John’s wort used in studies have been quite variable and are dependent upon the formulation of the herb or its extracts. In addition to consulting your doctor before use, always follow the manufacturer’s directions for your chosen product.What to Be Aware OfIf you take St. John’s wort, it’s important to be aware of:Side effects: Always talk to your doctor before you begin taking St. John’s wort, since side effects can occur and can sometimes be severe. While reported side effects are uncommon and rare, they include dry mouth, dizziness, constipation, gastrointestinal symptoms, and confusion.Drug interactions:Medication interactionscan have serious and sometimes fatal consequences. For instance, taking St. John’s wort with HIV medications can cause the body to clear HIV medications at a much higher rate, making it possible for a resurgence of HIV viral counts in a previously stable person.Serotonin syndrome: If St. John’s wort is combined with a prescription selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), MAOI, or any othermedication that increases serotonin, there is a risk forserotonin syndrome, which can be fatal.Sun sensitivity: St. John’s wort can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so it’s important to wear sunscreen.
St. John’s Wort
esemelwe / Getty Images
St. John’s worthas a long history of use, going back to ancient times. It has also become a popular depression remedy in the modern world.
Does St. John’s Wort Work For Depression?
There is evidence in the medical literature that St. John’s Wort may help relieve mild symptoms of depression. A review published in 2019 concluded that its effects were similar to tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) but with milder side effects.The review also noted, however, that the evidence isn’t strong enough to make a “robust conclusion.”
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health notes that St. John’s wort does not offer consistent results for relieving depression. Because of this, it should not be used to postpone or replace seeing a doctor for depression treatment.
How Much St. John’s Wort Do You Need?
Dosages of St. John’s wort used in studies have been quite variable and are dependent upon the formulation of the herb or its extracts. In addition to consulting your doctor before use, always follow the manufacturer’s directions for your chosen product.
What to Be Aware Of
If you take St. John’s wort, it’s important to be aware of:
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Sharaff / Getty Images
Omega-3 fatty acids are very important for health. They play a role in heart health and reducing inflammation, but some findings suggest that they may also influence mental health.
There are three types of omega-3s:
Do Omega-3 Fatty Acids Work For Depression?
More research is needed to explore the connection, but some evidence suggests that omega-3s may be helpful for preventing or possibly alleviating mild to moderate depression.
EPA, which is found in fish and other seafood, seems to offer the greatest depression-fighting benefits.
A 2019 meta-analysis that looked at the results of 26 earlier studies found that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) had a beneficial effect on depression.
While omega-3s offer promise, whether EPA or other omega-3s provide significant relief on their own remains unclear. Studies suggest omega-3 supplements used in addition to standard antidepressant therapy resulted in the best outcomes.
Causes and Risk Factors of Depression
How Much Omega-3 Do You Need?
No particular dosage is recommended at this time for depression. The FDA recommends not going over 3 grams per day without your doctor’s permission due to a potential increase in the risk of bleeding.
How to Get More Omega-3sSince our bodies can’t make them from scratch, omega-3 fatty acids must be obtained from the foods that we eat or from supplements.Foods that are high in omega-3s include:Fish (especially salmon, mackerel, tuna, sardines, and herring)Nuts and seeds (including walnuts, chia seeds, and flax seeds)Plant oils (including canola oil, soybean oil, and flaxseed oil)
How to Get More Omega-3s
Since our bodies can’t make them from scratch, omega-3 fatty acids must be obtained from the foods that we eat or from supplements.Foods that are high in omega-3s include:Fish (especially salmon, mackerel, tuna, sardines, and herring)Nuts and seeds (including walnuts, chia seeds, and flax seeds)Plant oils (including canola oil, soybean oil, and flaxseed oil)
Since our bodies can’t make them from scratch, omega-3 fatty acids must be obtained from the foods that we eat or from supplements.
Foods that are high in omega-3s include:
If you decide to try taking supplemental omega-3s, there are a few things to be aware of:
For those who opt to eat fish rather than take a supplement, the American Heart Association recommends two servings of fish per week for general health,which could be taken as good minimum consumption level.
5-HTP
Jynto / Wikimedia Commons / CC0
5-HTP, or 5-hydroxytryptophan, is an amino acid that your body makes from a dietary amino acid called L-tryptophan. Since it may increaseserotonin, a neurotransmitter that is believed to be involved in mood regulation, it is thought that 5-HTP supplements might help relieve depression.
5-HTP does not occur naturally in foods, so you must take it as a supplement. The supplement is derived from the seeds ofGriffonia simplicifolia,a plant native to Central and Western Africa.
Does 5-HTP Work For Depression?
While better-quality studies are needed to firmly establish itseffectiveness as an antidepressant, a 2019 review found that there is some evidence that 5-HTP supplementation, along with creatine, may improve the effectiveness of SSRI medications in some cases.However, it’s essential that you speak with your doctor before adding this or any other supplement to your treatment program.
How Much 5-HTP Do You Need?
In clinical studies, the typical dose of 5-HTP ranges from 50 mg per day to 400 mg per day.However, it is always best to consult your doctor before you begin taking any new supplement, and never take more than the packaging label directs.
5-HTP is generally safe and well tolerated, although side effects can occur. Some potential side effects include:
5-HTP can also lead to drug interactions when taken with some other medications, including antidepressants like SSRIs and MAOIs, tramadol, and dextromethorphan (DXM).
5-HTP could lead to a dangerous build-up of high serotonin levels if it is used in conjunction with other medicines that impact serotonin.
SAMe
NEUROtiker / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain
SAMe(S-adenosylmethionine) is produced in your body from the essential amino acid methionine and the energy-producing compound adenosine triphosphate (ATP). It can also be taken as a dietary supplement.
SAMe plays a role in methylation, a process involved in the regulation of neurotransmitters like serotonin, so it could possibly play a role in depression.
Does SAMe Work For Depression?
Studies indicate that it may relieve depression as well as an older type of antidepressant called tricyclic antidepressants.
How Much SAMe Do You Need?
Potential side effects include:
It is also important to note that SAMe may worsensymptoms of maniain people with bipolar disorder.
Rhodiola Rosea
Daderot / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain
Does Rhodiola Rosea Work For Depression?
According to a review published in 2016, there were very few clinical trials examining Rhodiola rosea and its effect on depression. They were quite limited in their design and ability to determine outcomes. However, it appears to be well-tolerated, at least in short-term use.
One 2018 study found that Rhodiola rosea extract helped improve symptoms of stress-related burnout, including depression.
While American and European research is still in its early stages, this herb does appear to have some action as an antidepressant, and it has a good safety record.
How Much Rhodiola Rosea Do You Need?
In clinical studies, doses range from 100 mg to 400 mg daily.However, it’s best to consult your doctor before you start taking Rhodiola rosea, and never exceed the manufacturer’s dosage recommendations.
At low doses, most people do not experience side effects when taking Rhodiola rosea. However, you should consult your doctor if you plan to start taking Rhodiola rosea and you’re taking the following medications:
Vitamins and MineralsBrian Hagiwara Photolibrary / Getty ImagesA wide variety of vitamins and minerals have been investigated for their potential role in depression. These include vitamin B12,chromium, and inositol. It is not possible within the scope of this article to give full details about all of the nutritional factors involved in depression.Do Vitamins and Minerals Work For Depression?One meta-analysis suggested that the typical Western diet (which includes larger amounts of red/processed meats, refined sugars, and high-fat dairy) was associated with an increased risk of depression.Healthy diets that included a high intake of vegetables, fruit, whole grains, fish, low-fat dairy, and fish, on the other hand, were linked to a decreased risk of depression.How Many Vitamins and Minerals Do You Need?In general, an adequate, well-balanced diet will provide all of the vitamins and minerals needed for good health and emotional balance.Alternatively, vitamin and mineral supplements may be used to help fill the gaps. Please see your doctor if you have particular concerns about a vitamin or mineral deficiency.Depression and Your DietWhat to Be Aware OfA healthy diet is always a good place to start no matter what health condition you’re experiencing. However, vitamins and minerals alone can’t reverse major depression. If you have severe symptoms of depression and/or symptoms that have been going on for more than a couple of weeks, seeing a mental health care professional should be your next step.
Vitamins and Minerals
Brian Hagiwara Photolibrary / Getty Images
A wide variety of vitamins and minerals have been investigated for their potential role in depression. These include vitamin B12,chromium, and inositol. It is not possible within the scope of this article to give full details about all of the nutritional factors involved in depression.
Do Vitamins and Minerals Work For Depression?
One meta-analysis suggested that the typical Western diet (which includes larger amounts of red/processed meats, refined sugars, and high-fat dairy) was associated with an increased risk of depression.
Healthy diets that included a high intake of vegetables, fruit, whole grains, fish, low-fat dairy, and fish, on the other hand, were linked to a decreased risk of depression.
How Many Vitamins and Minerals Do You Need?
In general, an adequate, well-balanced diet will provide all of the vitamins and minerals needed for good health and emotional balance.Alternatively, vitamin and mineral supplements may be used to help fill the gaps. Please see your doctor if you have particular concerns about a vitamin or mineral deficiency.
Depression and Your Diet
A healthy diet is always a good place to start no matter what health condition you’re experiencing. However, vitamins and minerals alone can’t reverse major depression. If you have severe symptoms of depression and/or symptoms that have been going on for more than a couple of weeks, seeing a mental health care professional should be your next step.
Seeking Professional Help
If you find that OTC options do not alleviate your symptoms, talk to a doctor or mental health professional. In many cases, depression can be effectively treated with therapy and medication.
Therapy
Your doctor may recommend that you attend therapy.Cognitive behavioral therapy(CBT) is a common therapy type used to treat depression.
During CBT, a therapist will help you reframe negative thoughts and behaviors and teach youhealthy coping mechanismsto help alleviate symptoms of depression.
Medication
Examples of SSRIs include:
Or, a doctor may prescribe aselective serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor(SNRI) such asEffexor(venlafaxine).
SSRIs and SNRIs may produce side effects such as anxiety, stomach aches, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and dizziness.Be sure to talk to a doctor if you experience these or any other side effects when taking any type of medication for depression.
If you or a loved one are struggling with depression, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
If you or a loved one are struggling with depression, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
Natural Antidepressants for Depression
22 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Zirak N, Shafiee M, Soltani G, Mirzaei M, Sahebkar A.Hypericum perforatum in the treatment of psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders: Current evidence and potential mechanisms of action.J Cell Physiol. 2019;234(6):8496-8508. doi:10.1002/jcp.27781National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.St. John’s wort and depression: In-depth.de Wit L, Jeurissen S,Chen W. Risk assessment of herbal preparations containing St John’s wort. National Institute for Public Health and the Environment Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport. 2019.Wani AL, Bhat SA, Ara A.Omega-3 fatty acids and the treatment of depression: A review of scientific evidence.Integr Med Res. 2015;4(3):132-141. doi:10.1016/j.imr.2015.07.003Liao Y, Xie B, Zhang H, et al.Efficacy of omega-3 PUFAs in depression: A meta-analysis.Transl Psychiatry. 2019;9(1):190. doi:10.1038/s41398-019-0515-5Burhani MD, Rasenick MM.Fish oil and depression: The skinny on fats.J Integr Neurosci. 2017;16(s1):S115-S124. doi:10.3233/JIN-170072National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Omega-3 fatty acids: Fact sheet for consumers.National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Omega-3 fatty acids: Fact sheet for health professionals.American Heart Association.Fish and omega-3 fatty acids.Maffei ME.5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP): Natural occurrence, analysis, biosynthesis, biotechnology, physiology and toxicology.Int J Mol Sci. 2020;22(1):181. doi:10.3390/ijms22010181Dome P, Tombor L, Lazary J, Gonda X, Rihmer Z.Natural health products, dietary minerals and over-the-counter medications as add-on therapies to antidepressants in the treatment of major depressive disorder: A review.Brain Res Bull. 2019;146:51-78. doi:10.1016/j.brainresbull.2018.12.015Javelle F, Lampit A, Bloch W, Häussermann P, Johnson SL, Zimmer P.Effects of 5-hydroxytryptophan on distinct types of depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Nutr Rev. 2020;78(1):77-88. doi:10.1093/nutrit/nuz039National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAMe): in depth.Jagtap PN, Mhetre OS, Malavdkar PR.A review article on Rhodiola rosea: An adaptogen having multiple benefits.Int J Pharmacogn. 2020;7:62-9.Amsterdam JD, Panossian AG.Rhodiola rosea L. as a putative botanical antidepressant.Phytomedicine. 2016;23(7):770-83. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2016.02.009Kasper S, Dienel A.Multicenter, open-label, exploratory clinical trial withRhodiola roseaextract in patients suffering from burnout symptoms.Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2017;13:889-898. doi:10.2147/NDT.S120113Li Y, Lv MR, Wei YJ, et al.Dietary patterns and depression risk: A meta-analysis.Psychiatry Res. 2017;253:373-382. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2017.04.020U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture.2015 – 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. 8th Edition.Gautam M, Tripathi A, Deshmukh D, Gaur M.Cognitive behavioral therapy for depression.Indian J Psychiatry. 2020;62(Suppl 2):S223-S229. doi:10.4103/psychiatry.IndianJPsychiatry_772_19Clevenger SS, Malhotra D, Dang J, Vanle B, IsHak WW.The role of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in preventing relapse of major depressive disorder.Ther Adv Psychopharmacol. 2018;8(1):49-58. doi:10.1177/2045125317737264Sansone RA, Sansone LA.Serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors: a pharmacological comparison.Innov Clin Neurosci. 2014;11(3-4):37-42.Santarsieri D, Schwartz TL.Antidepressant efficacy and side-effect burden: a quick guide for clinicians.Drugs Context. 2015;4:212290. doi:10.7573/dic.212290
22 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Zirak N, Shafiee M, Soltani G, Mirzaei M, Sahebkar A.Hypericum perforatum in the treatment of psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders: Current evidence and potential mechanisms of action.J Cell Physiol. 2019;234(6):8496-8508. doi:10.1002/jcp.27781National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.St. John’s wort and depression: In-depth.de Wit L, Jeurissen S,Chen W. Risk assessment of herbal preparations containing St John’s wort. National Institute for Public Health and the Environment Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport. 2019.Wani AL, Bhat SA, Ara A.Omega-3 fatty acids and the treatment of depression: A review of scientific evidence.Integr Med Res. 2015;4(3):132-141. doi:10.1016/j.imr.2015.07.003Liao Y, Xie B, Zhang H, et al.Efficacy of omega-3 PUFAs in depression: A meta-analysis.Transl Psychiatry. 2019;9(1):190. doi:10.1038/s41398-019-0515-5Burhani MD, Rasenick MM.Fish oil and depression: The skinny on fats.J Integr Neurosci. 2017;16(s1):S115-S124. doi:10.3233/JIN-170072National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Omega-3 fatty acids: Fact sheet for consumers.National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Omega-3 fatty acids: Fact sheet for health professionals.American Heart Association.Fish and omega-3 fatty acids.Maffei ME.5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP): Natural occurrence, analysis, biosynthesis, biotechnology, physiology and toxicology.Int J Mol Sci. 2020;22(1):181. doi:10.3390/ijms22010181Dome P, Tombor L, Lazary J, Gonda X, Rihmer Z.Natural health products, dietary minerals and over-the-counter medications as add-on therapies to antidepressants in the treatment of major depressive disorder: A review.Brain Res Bull. 2019;146:51-78. doi:10.1016/j.brainresbull.2018.12.015Javelle F, Lampit A, Bloch W, Häussermann P, Johnson SL, Zimmer P.Effects of 5-hydroxytryptophan on distinct types of depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Nutr Rev. 2020;78(1):77-88. doi:10.1093/nutrit/nuz039National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAMe): in depth.Jagtap PN, Mhetre OS, Malavdkar PR.A review article on Rhodiola rosea: An adaptogen having multiple benefits.Int J Pharmacogn. 2020;7:62-9.Amsterdam JD, Panossian AG.Rhodiola rosea L. as a putative botanical antidepressant.Phytomedicine. 2016;23(7):770-83. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2016.02.009Kasper S, Dienel A.Multicenter, open-label, exploratory clinical trial withRhodiola roseaextract in patients suffering from burnout symptoms.Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2017;13:889-898. doi:10.2147/NDT.S120113Li Y, Lv MR, Wei YJ, et al.Dietary patterns and depression risk: A meta-analysis.Psychiatry Res. 2017;253:373-382. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2017.04.020U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture.2015 – 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. 8th Edition.Gautam M, Tripathi A, Deshmukh D, Gaur M.Cognitive behavioral therapy for depression.Indian J Psychiatry. 2020;62(Suppl 2):S223-S229. doi:10.4103/psychiatry.IndianJPsychiatry_772_19Clevenger SS, Malhotra D, Dang J, Vanle B, IsHak WW.The role of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in preventing relapse of major depressive disorder.Ther Adv Psychopharmacol. 2018;8(1):49-58. doi:10.1177/2045125317737264Sansone RA, Sansone LA.Serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors: a pharmacological comparison.Innov Clin Neurosci. 2014;11(3-4):37-42.Santarsieri D, Schwartz TL.Antidepressant efficacy and side-effect burden: a quick guide for clinicians.Drugs Context. 2015;4:212290. doi:10.7573/dic.212290
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Zirak N, Shafiee M, Soltani G, Mirzaei M, Sahebkar A.Hypericum perforatum in the treatment of psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders: Current evidence and potential mechanisms of action.J Cell Physiol. 2019;234(6):8496-8508. doi:10.1002/jcp.27781National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.St. John’s wort and depression: In-depth.de Wit L, Jeurissen S,Chen W. Risk assessment of herbal preparations containing St John’s wort. National Institute for Public Health and the Environment Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport. 2019.Wani AL, Bhat SA, Ara A.Omega-3 fatty acids and the treatment of depression: A review of scientific evidence.Integr Med Res. 2015;4(3):132-141. doi:10.1016/j.imr.2015.07.003Liao Y, Xie B, Zhang H, et al.Efficacy of omega-3 PUFAs in depression: A meta-analysis.Transl Psychiatry. 2019;9(1):190. doi:10.1038/s41398-019-0515-5Burhani MD, Rasenick MM.Fish oil and depression: The skinny on fats.J Integr Neurosci. 2017;16(s1):S115-S124. doi:10.3233/JIN-170072National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Omega-3 fatty acids: Fact sheet for consumers.National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Omega-3 fatty acids: Fact sheet for health professionals.American Heart Association.Fish and omega-3 fatty acids.Maffei ME.5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP): Natural occurrence, analysis, biosynthesis, biotechnology, physiology and toxicology.Int J Mol Sci. 2020;22(1):181. doi:10.3390/ijms22010181Dome P, Tombor L, Lazary J, Gonda X, Rihmer Z.Natural health products, dietary minerals and over-the-counter medications as add-on therapies to antidepressants in the treatment of major depressive disorder: A review.Brain Res Bull. 2019;146:51-78. doi:10.1016/j.brainresbull.2018.12.015Javelle F, Lampit A, Bloch W, Häussermann P, Johnson SL, Zimmer P.Effects of 5-hydroxytryptophan on distinct types of depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Nutr Rev. 2020;78(1):77-88. doi:10.1093/nutrit/nuz039National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAMe): in depth.Jagtap PN, Mhetre OS, Malavdkar PR.A review article on Rhodiola rosea: An adaptogen having multiple benefits.Int J Pharmacogn. 2020;7:62-9.Amsterdam JD, Panossian AG.Rhodiola rosea L. as a putative botanical antidepressant.Phytomedicine. 2016;23(7):770-83. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2016.02.009Kasper S, Dienel A.Multicenter, open-label, exploratory clinical trial withRhodiola roseaextract in patients suffering from burnout symptoms.Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2017;13:889-898. doi:10.2147/NDT.S120113Li Y, Lv MR, Wei YJ, et al.Dietary patterns and depression risk: A meta-analysis.Psychiatry Res. 2017;253:373-382. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2017.04.020U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture.2015 – 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. 8th Edition.Gautam M, Tripathi A, Deshmukh D, Gaur M.Cognitive behavioral therapy for depression.Indian J Psychiatry. 2020;62(Suppl 2):S223-S229. doi:10.4103/psychiatry.IndianJPsychiatry_772_19Clevenger SS, Malhotra D, Dang J, Vanle B, IsHak WW.The role of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in preventing relapse of major depressive disorder.Ther Adv Psychopharmacol. 2018;8(1):49-58. doi:10.1177/2045125317737264Sansone RA, Sansone LA.Serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors: a pharmacological comparison.Innov Clin Neurosci. 2014;11(3-4):37-42.Santarsieri D, Schwartz TL.Antidepressant efficacy and side-effect burden: a quick guide for clinicians.Drugs Context. 2015;4:212290. doi:10.7573/dic.212290
Zirak N, Shafiee M, Soltani G, Mirzaei M, Sahebkar A.Hypericum perforatum in the treatment of psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders: Current evidence and potential mechanisms of action.J Cell Physiol. 2019;234(6):8496-8508. doi:10.1002/jcp.27781
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.St. John’s wort and depression: In-depth.
de Wit L, Jeurissen S,Chen W. Risk assessment of herbal preparations containing St John’s wort. National Institute for Public Health and the Environment Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport. 2019.
Wani AL, Bhat SA, Ara A.Omega-3 fatty acids and the treatment of depression: A review of scientific evidence.Integr Med Res. 2015;4(3):132-141. doi:10.1016/j.imr.2015.07.003
Liao Y, Xie B, Zhang H, et al.Efficacy of omega-3 PUFAs in depression: A meta-analysis.Transl Psychiatry. 2019;9(1):190. doi:10.1038/s41398-019-0515-5
Burhani MD, Rasenick MM.Fish oil and depression: The skinny on fats.J Integr Neurosci. 2017;16(s1):S115-S124. doi:10.3233/JIN-170072
National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Omega-3 fatty acids: Fact sheet for consumers.
National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Omega-3 fatty acids: Fact sheet for health professionals.
American Heart Association.Fish and omega-3 fatty acids.
Maffei ME.5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP): Natural occurrence, analysis, biosynthesis, biotechnology, physiology and toxicology.Int J Mol Sci. 2020;22(1):181. doi:10.3390/ijms22010181
Dome P, Tombor L, Lazary J, Gonda X, Rihmer Z.Natural health products, dietary minerals and over-the-counter medications as add-on therapies to antidepressants in the treatment of major depressive disorder: A review.Brain Res Bull. 2019;146:51-78. doi:10.1016/j.brainresbull.2018.12.015
Javelle F, Lampit A, Bloch W, Häussermann P, Johnson SL, Zimmer P.Effects of 5-hydroxytryptophan on distinct types of depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Nutr Rev. 2020;78(1):77-88. doi:10.1093/nutrit/nuz039
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAMe): in depth.
Jagtap PN, Mhetre OS, Malavdkar PR.A review article on Rhodiola rosea: An adaptogen having multiple benefits.Int J Pharmacogn. 2020;7:62-9.
Amsterdam JD, Panossian AG.Rhodiola rosea L. as a putative botanical antidepressant.Phytomedicine. 2016;23(7):770-83. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2016.02.009
Kasper S, Dienel A.Multicenter, open-label, exploratory clinical trial withRhodiola roseaextract in patients suffering from burnout symptoms.Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2017;13:889-898. doi:10.2147/NDT.S120113
Li Y, Lv MR, Wei YJ, et al.Dietary patterns and depression risk: A meta-analysis.Psychiatry Res. 2017;253:373-382. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2017.04.020
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture.2015 – 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. 8th Edition.
Gautam M, Tripathi A, Deshmukh D, Gaur M.Cognitive behavioral therapy for depression.Indian J Psychiatry. 2020;62(Suppl 2):S223-S229. doi:10.4103/psychiatry.IndianJPsychiatry_772_19
Clevenger SS, Malhotra D, Dang J, Vanle B, IsHak WW.The role of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in preventing relapse of major depressive disorder.Ther Adv Psychopharmacol. 2018;8(1):49-58. doi:10.1177/2045125317737264
Sansone RA, Sansone LA.Serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors: a pharmacological comparison.Innov Clin Neurosci. 2014;11(3-4):37-42.
Santarsieri D, Schwartz TL.Antidepressant efficacy and side-effect burden: a quick guide for clinicians.Drugs Context. 2015;4:212290. doi:10.7573/dic.212290
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