Are There Such Things As Natural Antidepressants?
There are such things as natural antidepressants, but they only work for only the mildest type of depression, which is triggered by a traumatic event and goes away after some time. St. John’s Wort is the best known natural anti-depressant, although it’s effectiveness has been rather over-hyped in recent years. If you do take St. John’s Wort, be sure to not take manufactured antidepressants, because they will clash.
Another chemical getting hyped in the last twenty years or so is called SAM-e (S-adenosyl-L-methionine). The cost of this stuff is ridiculous and the results are questionable, at best. Although I have not taken SAM-e, I do know family members who have and to say they were disappointed with the results is putting it mildly.
WARNING
Just because somethign is natural or herbal doesn’t mean it’s safe. It can play very badly with all of the other medications in the playground of your body. This is why you have to talk to your doctor BEFORE taking any natural antidepressants or any other natural supplement.
What About Major Depression?
For more serious types of depression like bipolar disorder or endogenous recurring depression (major depression), you are basically stuck with the drugs. For some people, they will be on medication for the rest of their lives. For others, they really only need to be on for a couple of years. It’s different for everyone.
You can use very natural means in order to help make the medications more effective or to make lowered doses of those medications effective. These natural things include getting enough sleep, getting regular exercise and learning how to manage your stress. I also like to munch on some chocolate to get help, albeit temporary help.
Hope this helps.
January 8th, 2009 at 8:14 pm
Thank you for the very informative information. It is necessary to know some tips and background about depression, because we all may experienced it.
Great post!
January 9th, 2009 at 1:12 am
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