Author: tearj3rker
Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2012 12:05 am
I’ve experimented a lot with supplements for mood. So far none has really had any huge impact that compares with the anti-depressants. But some have had an impact, enough to continue. The ones of note have been:
– Fish Oil (large doses – I have 6 grams per day). I noticed that when I resumed taking fish oil after a long break, I started having vivid dreams. Dreams i would actually remember throughout the day. My ex thought it was bizarre how much I could remember my dreams – I can still remember them clearly to this day. While this effect faded after a few days, it does show that it has some impact. I felt when I resumed fish oil that my thoughts were more fluid – that my train of thought wasn’t interrupted and scattered like it can be.
– 5-htp – this stuff is really quite psychoactive. It’d make me quite drowsy an hour after taking it, but the whole next day I’d have this slight anti-depressant effect. It definitely did something with serotonin as colours had that mild-vibrancy I’d associate with SSRI’s / MDMA (or LSD, though nowhere near to its extent!)
– SAM-e – this gave me a mild, but noticeable mood lift. However I always felt it added a touch of anxiety to my life as well.
– St John’s Wort – this is actually quite effective, though it did eventually poop-out in its effect (like all anti-depressants). Apparently it’s the most prescribed anti-depressant in Germany.
– Inositol – A good liver cleanser and mood stabiliser (don’t get IP6 though).
– Garlic – really good for the immune system. Any time I’ve had a cough, a coupla garlic pills would bring relief.
– B-complex – A lil energy boost.
However, I always found the anti-depressant effects from supplements would eventually wane, or they weren’t strong enough to contain my worse depressions. But for those with mild depression / dysthymia / anhedonia, it’d probably be enough.
