Inositol
I am elated to report that after taking inositol for about 2 months I do not have the big, black, depression I've had for the last 2 years! I had read about inositol for depression while researching Pyroluria and Histadelia and decided to try it. I ordered the powdered product, and began taking 1/4 teaspoon 4 times a day. After about a week I started going up on the dose until I was taking 1/2 teaspoon 3-4 times a day. That dose works out to 1200 mg 4 times a day. There was very little change at first but gradually I found that if I hadn't taked a dose that the depressive thoughts would start. After about 2 months I noticed that my mood had smoothed out so I waited about a week and cut my dose in half. That has worked just fine so far.
The powder is relatively inexpensive, and easy to take. The label says there is nothing in the powder but inositol. It is very sweet and I found I like it just fine dumped as a powder into my mouth from the measuring spoon. It would be fine to mix into anything that you drink as it has no taste except for being very sweet. I will try to remember to update if I have any changes in dose. I've never had anything for depression that didn't have really bad side effects so saying I'm very pleased would be an understatement.
Just L-Theanine
L-THEANINE is the best for a mild anxiety. also i tried before playing golf and the results are a four or five better score.this site of yours is the most informative and serious that i have found. thank you.
L-Methylfolate
My daughter suffered from severe deppression with signs starting at the age of 3!!! For years helped her work thru the bad episodes until she was ready for therapy then she went on meds around the age of 11 they helped but the need to increase them or change them every 2-6 months was getting very scary! She was on pretty high doses by the time she was 16 we were thinking about trying natural remedies last summer while she was out of school. I started talking to my MD who believes in pharmicalogical and homopathic med and he suggested Methyl folate, which is available by rx only even though it is a vitamin. It is a type of folic acid that crosses the blood brain barrier it then reteaches the brain how to produce the right amounts seretonin neroephneprine ect.... needed.
You start to take it while on your antidepresents then slowly decrease the amounts of the antidepresents until you are off of them then you continue the Methylfolate for 6 months then stop them. WOW, she is a different person! She has not taken anything since the begining of December 2012 she has 1 sometimes 2 bad days a month (around the time of menstruation) but so far is able to work thru those without meds!!! We all have bad days!!! Hers are just more intense.
This is not well known in the med field or the phyc Drs are somehow for some reason not going with natural cures. This is really sad so many people young and old can have a normal state of mind again!!! We were lucky my MD gave us samples for her. Rx policies will not cover vit's it is almost $400 over the counter but the company that makes it has a web site pharm were it is only $48 for a three month supply they have no patient asst program were it is free if you finacialy qualify. You still have to get an Rx from a DR if you have to go to your pcp for it just do it!!! THIS IS THE REAL DEAL!!! It comes in 7.5 and 14mg she took the 14mg. dose once a day. REMEMBER YOU HAVE TO GRADUALY DECRESE YOUR PHYC MEDS!!! YOU ALL KNOW THAT THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT IT CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS TO STOP THEM ALL AT ONCE!!! REPEAT DON'T DO THAT!!! GOD bless and be with you all!!!
(New England)
04/27/2016
Methylfolate is especially helpful if someone has mutations on the MTHFR gene. You can find out by getting your DNA sequenced by 23andMe, and then uploading your results to a number of good online apps, like geneticgenie or nutrahacker. See the work of Amy Yasko. SNPedia is also helpful...search for MTHFR.
(Melbourne Beach, Florida)
11/20/2016
It's important to confirm the MTHFR mutation for many reasons including the methylation process. GeneSight is a company that offers reasonably priced testing for both MTHFR mutations. (https://assurexhealth.com) I've been taking Thorne Research Methyl-Guard after testing positive for both mutations and I am starting to feel better after about 2 weeks. It's been a long road of fatigue, anxiety, and frustration for not understanding my symptoms and being dismissed by my PCP.
L-Theanine in Tea
L Theanine in Black Tea cured my Chronic Anxiety and Minor Depression.
I have suffered the above symptoms for a large part of the past 15 years. Have been prescribed a host of SSRI's and other drugs during this time. For the past few weeks I have been drinking a lot of black tea (6 cups per day) and the results have been amazing. The depression has lifted and i am more relaxed than i have been in years. I drink the tea straight (no sugar or milk) and let it settle well before drinking. Interestingly i used to drink a lot of green tea but did not get as good a response. I'm very encouraged by my experience of black tea and hope it continues to work.
L-Tyrosine
For immediate relief of mild depression, take the amino L-Tyrosine plus the herb St Johnswort. The supplement SAMe is also good for mild depression and also boosts detox systems.
Lamp Therapy
Day light lamp not only helps to relieve the symptoms of SAD, but it, also, works great for depression. Make sure the lamp has a filter that blocks UV rays.
Lemon Juice
I didn't know lemons treat the blues, but I found out accidentally one day when I was bummed out that I cannot live without lemons.
Low BCAA Protein Diet
I am tremendously helped with my chronic depression by a diet that cuts way down on Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAA's). That is because BCAA'S lower the serotonin and the dopamine in the brain. And you need serotonin and dopamine to feel good. Do your own research. Google "Branched-Chain Amino Acids and Depression."
To experiment with this, try this diet for a few days to a week and see if it works for you:
Vegan + no or very limited nuts, beans, & seeds. Simple.
Explained in more detail:
Vegan means no beef, chicken, lamb, pork, ham, cold cuts, turkey, eggs, dairy (no yogurt, cheese, milk, etc.) IN OTHER WORDS NO ANIMAL PRODUCTS OF ANY KIND EXCEPT HONEY AND GHEE ARE OKAY.
AS WELL, cut way down on these plant proteins: legumes, beans, lentils, peas, all nuts, all seeds. I remember the diet this way:
Vegan plus nuts, beans, seeds. So simple.
It's a limited diet, yes. But you may see good results, as I do. You will have more serotonin and dopamine, which will free your mind. It works for me.
Plus I uploaded my DNA results from 23andMe to Nutrahacker, and now I know what supplements/foods are good for me and which to avoid. For example I'm positive for the MTHFR mutation, so I take folate. Usually one with the MTHFR mutation takes methylfolate, but Nutrahacker tells me I don't tolerate methyl groups well, so It take folinic acid instead. Nutrahacker told me lots else, too. For example I have the CBS mutation, which means I must follow a low-protein, low thiols sulfur diet. No time to go into it all here. It will cost you around $199.00 for 23andMe plus around $35.00 for Nutrahacker. You will never regret it.
For me, my Nutrahacker results plus the low BCAA diet and low sulfur diet is great. Take it from someone who has searched high and low to cure my dysthymia, and doesn't like pharmaceuticals.
(New England)
04/28/2016
Tyrosine increases norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. Those neurotransmitters speed up the brain and make one more alert. For some that may be good, while for others who are low on serotonin, it could be harmful. Tyrosine is found in protein foods, so eating more protein, especially animal-source, will increase this alert, speeded-up mentality. But if one is worrying and sad and angry and obsessive, it's more likely serotonin in short supply, in which case complex carbohydrates are better.
I've tried Tyrosine from time to time. It does make me more alert, but not in a good way, more in a "wired" way.
Anyone wanting to increase their serotonin can try Tryptophan or 5HTP. Again, don't take them with any other protein. Sometimes I take Tryptophan or 5HTP before bed, as they cause drowsiness. My experience is that a diet low in protein and high in complex carbohydrates, NOT TAKEN AT THE SAME TIME AS PROTEIN OR WITHIN A FEW HOURS OF PROTEIN works just as well to raise serotonin. Fruit and vegetables don't have much effect either way. By complex carbohydrates I refer to whole grains, potatoes (white & sweet), and winter squashes. Take without added oils/fats for quickest effect, and watch out for white potatoes as you may be sensitive to nightshades.
Remember to take ANY amino acid supplements on an empty stomach or at least not with within an hour or so of any other protein, since the amino acids in the protein will compete with the amino acid(s) in the supplement. Taking amino acid supplements with fruit should be fine.
Thank you for your suggestion.
Lowering Homocysteine and Copper Levels
High Homocysteine and high copper = depression
After reading the book Nutrient Power by Wm Walsh and meeting with a holistic psychiatrist I was able to lower my homocysteine level from 11.9 to 8.5 and my copper from 150 to 115, resulting in improved mood and no anxiety. I was taking TMG 3000 mg and zinc 80 mg per day. I got my blood levels done thru www.lifeextention.com at a decent cost (about $125.00 for homocysteine, copper, copper protein, and zinc). It took about 2.5 months and I did go thru a detox for about 3 weeks. Now I balancing my overall supplements with my Lic. Accupuncture doc who also has training in the Walsh application. More info can be found on www.walshinstitute.com and also www.samanthagilbert.com. I would suggest getting the book thru Amazon and reading it. It is hard reading but understandable. You can find a list of practictioners thru the book also. The levels of the three components need to be in balance and it important to work with a medical professional. Samantha Gilbert provides online assistance.
Glad to see you have found a real cure and shared it with others as depression is quite common and conventional treatment option are limited and come with negative side -effects.
I would like to note that I find it unusual that Molybdenum was not recommended to reduce the Copper, and Vit-B-6 was not recommended to reduce homocysteine as well as a metabolic enhancer of Zinc. And also why B-12 & Folic Acid was not recommended along with the TMG as methyl donors in reducing homocysteine, or simply taking SAM-e as the ultimate methyl donor as well as a great mood booster.
Seems most folks have their own angle and pinpoint problems & solutions from their reference points, maybe it's most profitable for themselves this way, I don't know; but in many cases and especially extreme cases of disease, one's best approach is as broad and holistic as possible (which you have done with a your approach here).
Magnesium
I have a relative who was so depressed, he tried to hurt himself badly. I had read that magnesium is amazing for depression and works rather quickly. I convinced him to try it. One tablet each day of the daily recommended dosage and he was unbelievably back to his old happy self in two days! However, when he forgets to take this, he sinks back into depression very quickly.
I truly truly believe that depression is a chemical imbalance and not necessarily a psychological problem. I really hope this helps others out there who are suffering with this!
Magnesium
I would like to share my wonderful discovery of the power of simple magnesium to alleviate depression. I had been taking a powdered form of magnesium every night before bed, which made me feel Calm and relaxed. Then I stopped taking it. I began to suffer a lot of mood problems when stopping it, and when I resumed the powdered magnesium citrate, I couldn't believe how much better I felt the next day.
I also use a combination herbal therapy for Mood Support, which works well. And every day I take vitamin D at 4000 mg, fish oil, and something called lithium orotate, a safe, commonly found supplement for brain and mood health. (Don't let the word lithium scare you. Unlike the drug lithium, lithium orotate is safe to take and you don't need to have your blood tested. Please look up lithium orotate online for more info.)
But to me, the most important missing link in the puzzle was magnesium. You can buy it at the drugstore, but I do suggest taking at least 700 mg a day to begin to see results. I stagger the dose, taking 200 mg magnesium citrate tablets twice a day at work, and then taking the wonderful fizzy magnesium drink at night as a hot tea, which makes me feel very sleepy and Calm.
(Calgary, Alberta, Canada)
08/18/2011
Hi Celia - I like your message about being calm while taking... Calm! I, too, use it nightly - although I only take a teaspoon (about 200 mg) so I probably should increase it. I use it to help me with restless legs and it works. I do get rather vivid dreams, though. I'll gradually up my dose and see what happens. Cheers, Bess
(Melbourne, Australia)
08/18/2011
I read yesterday that the best way to get magnesium into you is to take it transdermally... Through the skin. A great way is to use magnesium oil and rub it on the skin but the best way is to swin in the ocean.. it is a veritable magnesium bath. The reason racehorses swim in the ocean after a race to relieve their muscles.
So if you live near the ocean go for a swim every day to relieve your depression or aches and pains. Or grab a bucket of sea water and soak your feet!
Magnesium
Feeling extremely depressed, anxious, panicky, I first stsrted taking Magenesium Glycinate, which I thought worked well until I ran out read a little more about different types of Magnesium and went to my local health food store and bought Magnesium Citrate, 200 mg. I started taking 400 mg. in the morning and 400 mg. at night before I go to bed and I can't believe how much better I sleep on Magnesium Citrate! I just wanted to highly recommend it for depression and/or anxiety, it seems to relax your body and take you in to a deep sleep throughout the night.
(Jerusalem)
05/21/2014
I will try the magnesium I tried liquid mag, no luck yet tastes horrible. My chiro put me on homeopathic lithium, and also a combo of bacopa, for brain fog and a few other herbs. I am unbelievabley moody, rage attacks, deep frustration often cannot stop crying and terrible depression. I was on 300 mg of gabapentin for moods, about 3+ weeks ago went down to 250 with drs ok, and feel nuts. Am also on 100mg trazodone for sleep.
I will not go up again, but wonder why I feel so much worse on such a small dose change. My holistic md friend says they make it so that when you withdraw you feel awful and want to go back on it for relief.
I am alos on high doses of valerian, cal poppy, but sleep is awful.
Any ideas? Serach
(Hotspot, Texas)
05/22/2014
Hi Serach, I'm not sure, but I think that Gabapentin is a drug that works by enhancing the effects of the GABA that you do have. The problem I see with this is that it doesn't give you more GABA so what happens when the GABA deficiency becomes so bad that it can't be "pushed" anymore? Suicidal tendency is also a side effect of this drug.(! )
I took Xanax for a short time for anxiety and felt that it did make the anxiety worse, kind of like a rebound effect.
There is a good book called The Mood Cure that discusses neurotransmitters and depression, anxiety, etc. The author gives detailed instructions as to what nt to take for what condition.
I found that my anxiety and insomnia went away as I supplemented with large dose vitamins and minerals. Interestingly, vitamin C seemed to add to my problems of anxiety.
At night, I take zinc, magnesium, copper, and niacin, as well as tart cherry juice and sauerkraut and have minor sleep issues, if any.
(Hotspot, Texas)
05/22/2014
Hi Serach, I'm not sure, but I think that Gabapentin is a drug that works by enhancing the effects of the GABA that you do have. The problem I see with this is that it doesn't give you more GABA so what happens when the GABA deficiency becomes so bad that it can't be "pushed" anymore? Suicidal tendency is also a side effect of this drug.(! ) I took Xanax for a short time for anxiety and felt that it did make the anxiety worse, kind of like a rebound effect.
There is a good book called The Mood Cure that discusses neurotransmitters and depression, anxiety, etc. The author gives detailed instructions as to what not to take for what condition. I found that my anxiety and insomnia went away as I supplemented with large dose vitamins and minerals. Interestingly, vitamin C seemed to add to my problems of anxiety.
At night, I take zinc, magnesium, copper, and niacin, as well as tart cherry juice and sauerkraut and have minor sleep issues, if any.
(Fort Wayne, In)
05/23/2014
Serach from Jerusalem, I want to suggest a website for help with your anger. It is orthomolecular.org. On the home page hit Library and then click on the article Nutritional influences on Aggressive Behavior. Please read the complete article as it has much information. The site has helped a lot with our bipolar son. I wish you the best.
Magnesium Chloride
Many people have reported the benefits of magnesium chloride oil applied topically here on EC, but magnesium chloride tablets are also well absorbed and according to the recent study link below, at the proper dose can have a significant impact on depression in people. This is important because many of the side effects from prescription antidepressants can be hard to deal with and even unhealthful, so alternatives like magnesium chloride tablets which are more likely to have healthful side effects are very useful in the treatment of depression.
This study is very helpful because it not only shows that mag chloride tablets are useful for depression, but it is also well tolerated with a very good safety profile. This study is also useful because it shows the dosing used and describes the benefit achieved. According to the study, some participants started to see benefit after just two weeks of supplementing. Participants of the treatment group took 4 tablets of magnesium chloride per day. This is the manufacturer who supplied the magnesium chloride tablets and the tablets are similar to those used in the study, but possibly 20mg more per tablet.
As you can see from the study they used four tablets of Alta Health Magnesium Chloride at 500mg per tablet for a total of 248 mg of elemental magnesium per day. Magnesium chloride is well absorbed topically or orally. The tablets seem relatively easy to take compared to mag oil application to the skin everyday.
Here is a link to the full study:
http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0180067
One important finding from the study is that some people may be able to get by with a smaller dose than what was used in this study.
Art
Magnesium Glycinate
My son suffered from anxiety and depression after his divorce. I read an article by George Eby about Magnesium Glycinate for depression. I bought my son some of the magnesium and after a few days he started feeling better and talked about having more energy and concentration. He took 800-1000 mgs. for a few days to build it up in his system, then backed down to 400 mgs. The Magnesium Glycinate really changed his life.
Medication Side Effects
I can't say I like prozac , but for some reason for three years I could eat normal food, sleep 12 hours a night and a four hour nap during the day and NOT ONE YEAST INFECTION WHILE EATING NORMAL: PIZZA , BURGERS, FISH AND CHIPS, CHINESE FOOD, STUFF I COULDN'T TOUCH MY WHOLE LIFE , once or twice a week, never had a yeast outbreak, and prozac makes constipation MUCH worse.
I suspect that cortisol from fight or flight emotions feeds the yeast. Three years on prozac, no emotions, no symptoms. I don't think it is good for people to take prozac, I felt suicidal the whole time I used it, but wasn't depressed anymore.
Having HAD been both most of my life, there is a difference, depression is hopeless dark tunnel and suicidal is like BEAM ME UP, I HAVE NO DESIRE TO LIVE! Your mind constantly thinks of ways to end it . Of course you have to resist.
I don't have those battles anymore! Whew!!!
(San Francisco)
07/03/2014
(Montebello, Ca)
07/04/2014
