Supermarket Treatments for Depression Don’t Require a Prescription. But Do They Work?

Supermarket treatments for depression don’t require a prescription. But do they work?

The dose and quality of over-the-counter products can vary significantly. But there is some evidence several supplements may help with mild to moderate depression.

Do supermarket treatments for depression work? An expert weighs in

A new review assessed the evidence from 209 studies. Here’s what it found

64 widely available "mood-boosting" supplements are put to the test

From St John’s wort to vitamin D, the range of over-the-counter supplements for mental health support and wellbeing continues to expand at a rate faster than scientists can validate their efficacy. Now, a new metastudy has assessed 64 different products reviewed in hundreds of studies to shed light on how useful they are in relieving depression.Continue ReadingCategory: Diet & Nutrition, Wellness & Healthy Living, Body & MindTags: Depression, Di…

expert reaction to scoping review of over-the-counter herbal products and dietary supplements used for depression

A review published in Frontiers in Pharmacology looks at over-the-counter herbal products and dietary supplements used for depression.   Prof Stella Chan, Charlie Waller Chair in Evidence-based Psychological Treatment, University of Reading, said: “This review paper synthesised findings from a large volume of research studies investigating the effects of over-the-counter (OTC) products on depressive symptoms. It was appropriately conducted with …

Which supermarket depression treatments work?

International experts investigated the existing evidence for depression treatments you can find in your local supermarket, and found 64 different products that have been tested in 209 clinical trials, although the levels of evidence differed widely between them. The products that had been tested the most were the best known – omega-3s (39 trials), St John’s Wort (38), probiotics (18) and vitamin D (14) – as well as saffron (18), important in the…