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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by SLS on September 14, 2010, at 17:36:07
What are your favorite remedies for depression?
Thanks in advance.
- Scott
Posted by Tomatheus on September 14, 2010, at 18:37:13
In reply to Favorite remedies for depression?, posted by SLS on September 14, 2010, at 17:36:07
Scott,
I would say that the most effective supplement that I've taken for my depression has been SAMe when I took it with the version of tranylcypromine manufactured by Goldshield. Keep in mind that this combination is generally not recommended. When I was taking SAMe with tranylcypromine, though, I experienced a partial-but-consistent antidepressant effect that I would describe as my second-best antidepressant response behind Nardil with doxylamine succinate. SAMe no longer has any effect on any of my symptoms.
I currently take coenzyme q10 (60 mg/day) and Korean ginseng (535 mg/day) for depression as part of my medication and supplement regimen. Strangely, both supplements made my depressive symptoms worse when I took them before I was on Abilify. But somehow, now that I'm on Abilify (5 mg/day), both supplements seem to reduce the severity of my depressive symptoms.
Certain preparations of hot chocolate and dark chocolate usually give me some short-lived relief from my depression. Specifically, I've noticed that the hot chocolate served at Starbucks seems to have a pretty decent antidepressant effect. When I was on Nardil, though, drinking hot chocolate seemed to cause my symptoms to become much worse the following day.
The following supplements have produced transient antidepressant benefits, but don't seem to work for more than a few days (at most):
* l-methylfolate
* evening primrose oil
* niacinamide
* vitamin B complex (the AD benefits may be due to the niacinamide, as mentioned above)
* zinc
* kelp
* pregnenolone
* DHEA
* quercetin
* vitamin C with bioflavonoids
* picamilonThere are probably a few more supplements that have helped me transiently that I just can't think of at the moment.
I've been considering trying some low-dose harmine for my depression. I haven't decided whether or not to go ahead with that one, though.
Tomatheus
Posted by morgan miller on September 14, 2010, at 23:47:32
In reply to Favorite remedies for depression?, posted by SLS on September 14, 2010, at 17:36:07
My list:
*Fish oil-High DHA to EPA or High EPA to DHA or a more balanced EPA to DHA ratio-depends on the person
*Phosphatydil Choline
*Citicholine
*Uridine-combined with a choline source and omega 3s has been shown to help depression and alzheimer's
*Holy Basil
*Turmeric/Curcumin
*StressCare by Himalaya
*MindCare by Himalaya
*Cordyceps
*Reishi
*Schisandra
*Acetyl L Carnitine
*Magnesium
*Niacin
*Rhodiola-good brand
*SJW-good brandSome things on the list work more towards improving brain function and physiological function to assist in improving overall well being, hopefully resulting in alleviating depression symptoms
Posted by linkadge on September 17, 2010, at 18:54:27
In reply to Re: Favorite remedies for depression?, posted by morgan miller on September 14, 2010, at 23:47:32
I actually seem to do better on a higher DHA formula. I try to get about 500mg of DHA a day.
Linkadge
Posted by morgan miller on September 17, 2010, at 19:29:37
In reply to Re: Favorite remedies for depression?, posted by linkadge on September 17, 2010, at 18:54:27
Hey Linkage, have you ever tried going higher than 500 mg DHA? Just curious. I am going to try a higher DHA to EPA ratio soon, even though about a 4 to 3 EPA to DHA ratio has worked for me over the years.
Posted by linkadge on September 19, 2010, at 19:28:43
In reply to Re: Favorite remedies for depression? » linkadge, posted by morgan miller on September 17, 2010, at 19:29:37
I get insomnia if I go too high on the DHA. Above 500mg starts to give me some insomnia.
Linkadge
Posted by bleauberry on September 27, 2010, at 15:58:50
In reply to Favorite remedies for depression?, posted by SLS on September 14, 2010, at 17:36:07
My favorites include:
5htp, tyrosine and/or dlpa added to it later.
DLPA
St Johns Wort Kira brand
SAMe
Antimicrobials of many sorts
Garlic (fresh or smelly pills)
Rhodiola RoseaOne of my favorite natural authors says the best results come from a weekly massage...clears lymph glands, stimulates endorphins, erases stress, all kinds of stuff. He says he has the hardest time trying to convince people of it because it sounds so absurd. His second best choice is Eleuthero (siberian ginseng)
I would like to try the weekly massage, but at $45 a week that's not realistic for most of us.
Posted by bulldog2 on September 29, 2010, at 15:22:52
In reply to Re: Favorite remedies for depression?, posted by bleauberry on September 27, 2010, at 15:58:50
> My favorites include:
>
> 5htp, tyrosine and/or dlpa added to it later.
> DLPA
> St Johns Wort Kira brand
> SAMe
> Antimicrobials of many sorts
> Garlic (fresh or smelly pills)
> Rhodiola Rosea
>
> One of my favorite natural authors says the best results come from a weekly massage...clears lymph glands, stimulates endorphins, erases stress, all kinds of stuff. He says he has the hardest time trying to convince people of it because it sounds so absurd. His second best choice is Eleuthero (siberian ginseng)
> I would like to try the weekly massage, but at $45 a week that's not realistic for most of us.Have you ever tried the St Johns Wort from the hypericum buyers club? Their current batch is assayed at 5% hyperforin.
Posted by Lao Tzu on October 15, 2010, at 7:31:52
In reply to Favorite remedies for depression?, posted by SLS on September 14, 2010, at 17:36:07
What category are you in, Pyroluria, Overmethylation, or Undermethylation? Taking the correct supplements according to your category can greatly help depression. I have found that adding the correct vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids to an SSRI is greatly beneficial for depression. That's my experience.
Lao
Posted by SLS on October 15, 2010, at 11:04:15
In reply to Re: Favorite remedies for depression?, posted by Lao Tzu on October 15, 2010, at 7:31:52
> What category are you in, Pyroluria, Overmethylation, or Undermethylation?
How would I determine these things?
Thanks.
- Scott
Posted by Lao Tzu on October 16, 2010, at 10:10:43
In reply to Re: Favorite remedies for depression? » Lao Tzu, posted by SLS on October 15, 2010, at 11:04:15
Perhaps, you would figure out which category you are in based on your symptoms and how you react to certain supplements. Do a search on each category and you'll find each category has symptoms, which may be alleviated by taking certain supplements. I think it is not well-defined, however, and some people believe there is overlap, where you might find that you fit in more than one category. I guess that's the flaw. For example, I seem to fit into the Pyroluria category because I do very well on Zinc and B6. However, in the Winter I need B12 (which is a supplement in another category), and I can't sleep without a balanced Calcium/Magnesium ratio (Again, calcium and magnesium need are in another category, not in Pyroluria). So I do think there may be some overlap.
Posted by Mending on October 16, 2010, at 21:30:52
In reply to Re: Favorite remedies for depression?, posted by Lao Tzu on October 15, 2010, at 7:31:52
> What category are you in, Pyroluria, Overmethylation, or Undermethylation? Taking the correct supplements according to your category can greatly help depression. I have found that adding the correct vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids to an SSRI is greatly beneficial for depression. That's my experience.
>
> LaoWhat does that mean, "What category are you in?"? I've never heard of them. How does one determine what category???
Posted by Lao Tzu on October 18, 2010, at 16:33:55
In reply to Re: Favorite remedies for depression?, posted by Mending on October 16, 2010, at 21:30:52
If you go to this website in Perth, Australia and click on a category, it will explain pyroluria, overmethylation, and undermethylation. Typically, these three categories refer to Bipolar or Schizophrenia, but pure major depression could benefit from the supplements suggested plus medication if need be.
Posted by Hyena on October 24, 2010, at 18:16:43
In reply to Favorite remedies for depression?, posted by SLS on September 14, 2010, at 17:36:07
short, daily aerobic exercise sessions have been my best way to keep control of my depression. it makes a huge difference to me. i think this is due to lowering of cortisol/adrenaline and maybe giving a natural boost of serotonin. i used to get jitters after eating certain foods but if i have exercised this doesn't happen. i take supplements as well but none of them have worked as consistently as exercise. it also promotes neurogenesis in the hippocampus by raising BDNF levels. depressed people have been shown to have a smaller hippocampus than non depressed people.
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