If You Have Depression But You Don’t Want to Take Meds…

For moderately severe depression, if someone is wary of taking medications I usually recommend either SAMe or St John’s wort.

SAMe

SAMe stands for S-adenosylmethionine. It is one the most well researched nutraceuticals that I most frequently use for depression, when someone prefers not being on medications. 

SAMe exerts its effects through helping preserve the mitochondria. It is a methylator. Healthy methylation is vital for cellular health, hormone and neurotransmitter production and energy metabolism. SAMe also functions as a precursor molecule for glutathione and neurotransmitter production, thereby increasing overall cell health and alleviating symptoms.

Conditions it has been shows benefits for:

• Depression

• Cognitive issues

• Joint issues

• Liver problems

The reason why it is so versatile in its clinical benefits is because it improves overall cellular health and function.

As with any supplement it is important to get a quality, pharmaceutical grade product. I usually recommend Pure Encapsulations’ SAMe which is a convenient once a day dosing.

St John’s Wort

St. John's wort has been utilized primarily for its possible antidepressant activity but also for its purported antiinflammatory and wound healing properties. A number of compounds isolated from St. John's wort possess pharmacologic activity, including naphthodianthrones, flavonoids, hyperforin, several amino acids, and tannins. Some of these inhibit neurotransmitter uptake, just like reuptake inhibitor medications. St. John's wort is widely used in the management of depression. However, please note, evidence is inconsistent for efficacy. In addition, there are also multiple interactions between St. John's wort and many commonly used medications. I think the biggest concern is lack of industrial standard and quality control meaning there are all kinds of questionable quality products out there. Make sure you are purchasing from a solid looking company and look at online reviews as a reference point.

As a final note, please do not take these without consulting me if you are pregnant or have bipolar disorder in the family. These are compounds with medication like effects and can cause side effects and interactions just like medications. It is always a good idea to have a consultation prior to starting these, in order to make sure this is going to be the right product for you.