Depression - Substances that Treat

Introduction

This section outlines natural and conventional medical treatments for Depression.

Alkaloids

 Galanthamine may exert a mild anti-depressant effect and may therefore be useful as an adjunct for the treatment of Depression (this occurs from Galanthamine preserving Acetylcholine levels in the Brain).  ^[1]

 Piperine may be useful for the treatment of Depression (due to its ability to inhibit Monoamine Oxidase enzymes).  ^[2]

Amines

 Putrescine may alleviate Depression.  ^[3]

Amino Acids

 5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan) [300 - 600 mg per day] may alleviate various forms of Depression (including Endogenous Depression and Reactive Depression).  ^[4]

 Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALC) (500 - 3,000 mg per day) may alleviate Depression (especially in elderly people).  ^[5]

 Agmatine may alleviate Depression.  ^[6]

 Creatine Monohydrate may alleviate Depression.  ^[7]

 Glutamine (250 - 1,000 mg per day) may improve Mood in Depression patients.  ^[8]

 Methionine may alleviate Depression where the Depression is caused by excess Histamine (due to the ability of Methionine to detoxify excessive Histamine).  ^[9]

 Phenylalanine (usually L-Phenylalanine but some studies have shown benefit using DL-Phenylalanine or D-Phenylalanine) may alleviate Depression when Depression is caused by Norepinephrine or Phenylethylamine deficiency (by functioning as a precursor for the production of Norepinephrine and Phenylethylamine).  ^[10]

 Proline may bring a sense of relief/happiness to many short-term Depression cases: 

 Caution:  Proline can sometimes induce anger.

 S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe) may alleviate (all forms of) Depression:  ^[11]

 Many studies have confirmed that SAMe may be significantly (approximately 15%) more effective in the treatment of Depression than traditional Pharmaceutical Anti-Depressants for the treatment of Depression.

 Taurine may alleviate some cases of Depression.  ^[12]

 Threonine (2,000 mg per day) may alleviate some cases of Depression.  ^[13]

 Tryptophan may alleviate some types of Depression - the types of Depression that can be alleviated by Tryptophan are characterized by intense cravings for Carbohydrates and include the Depression associated with Menopause.  ^[14]

 Tyrosine may alleviate many cases of Depression (due to its role as a precursor for the production of Norepinephrine).  ^[15]

Coenzymes

 Supplemental, exogenous NADH (5 mg per day) may alleviate Depression (by boosting Brain Dopamine and Norepinephrine levels).  ^[16]

Enzymes

 Optimal levels/activity of Tyrosine Hydroxylase are required for the prevention of Depression (due to Tyrosine Hydroxylase’s rate-limiting role as a precursor for Catecholamine Neurotransmitters known to play a role in the prevention of Depression).  ^[17]

Glycosides - Saponins

 Glycyrrhizin (a component of Licorice) may alleviate Depression. 

Growth Factors

 Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) may help to prevent Depression.  ^[18]

Hormones

 Androstenedione may alleviate Depression.  ^[19]

 DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) (30 - 90 mg per day) may alleviate Depression.  ^[20]

 Melatonin may be useful for the treatment of some types of Depression.  ^[21]

 Pregnenolone may help to alleviate Depression (where Depression is caused by excessive Cortisol).  ^[22]

 Progesterone (i.e. Natural Progesterone and not synthetic Progestins) may alleviate Depression and may help to prevent Depression.  ^[23]

 Depression may occur as a result of insufficient endogenous Testosterone levels (especially in men) and Testosterone replacement therapy may alleviate Depression.  ^[24]