What are
Natural antidepressants constitute a vast group of substances of natural origin, capable of exercising antidepressant and mood regulation activities. These activities are carried out centrally through various mechanisms of action.
Within the large group of natural antidepressants there are numerous plants, whose extracts are able to improve mood through more or less known mechanisms.
In some cases, natural antidepressants are part of the composition of real drugs used to treat depressive syndromes; while in many other cases these substances are found inside food supplements, therefore their purchase can be made without a prescription. However, this does not mean that similar products are free of side effects or do not present contraindications of any kind. For this reason, before taking natural antidepressants of any kind, it is necessary to ask the doctor's advice, in order to exclude the presence of any contraindications or potential risks deriving from the use of the product.
Warning!
Supplements based on natural antidepressants should not be understood as a substitute for antidepressant drug therapy. In fact, most of these products - although useful in case of mild mood disorders - are not drugs and are not able to ensure a real therapeutic action.
Furthermore, it should be noted that - in order to avoid the occurrence of serious side effects and / or the onset of dangerous drug interactions - natural antidepressants should not be taken in case of therapy with current antidepressant drugs.
Therefore, we reiterate the importance of requesting the preventive consultation of your doctor before taking natural substances of this type.
ademetionine
Academetionine - also known as S-adenosyl methionine or SAMe - is a coenzyme naturally present within our body. This substance has the task of transferring methyl groups in the context of various metabolic reactions of fundamental importance for the body.
The interest in the academetionine in the treatment of depression and mood disorders is due to its involvement in the synthesis reactions of various neurotransmitters - such as serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine - implicated in the regulation of mood.
It has been shown that the levels of S-adenosyl methionine in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with depression are lower than in healthy patients. This fact may be sufficient to explain the therapeutic efficacy of the academic dialectics, but the activities of this substance do not end there. In fact, it is also able to regulate the synthesis and to increase the levels of other compounds (such as melatonin and folate) that are believed to be involved in the etiology of depressive syndromes.
Since the aforementioned activities have been widely demonstrated, the academetionine belongs to the group of natural antidepressants included in the composition of real drugs for the treatment of depression (Samyr®).
However, there are also dietary supplements based on this active ingredient, useful in case of lowering the mood. Of course, in such products the concentration of ademetionina is much lower than that contained in medicinal specialties.
Side effects
Although it is an endogenous substance - therefore, of natural origin - as a result of the intake of ademetionina can occur:
- Anxiety;
- Headache;
- Nausea;
- Diarrhea;
- Increased frequency of urination.
Pharmacological Interactions
The concomitant intake of ademetionine and substances such as tricyclic antidepressants, serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), medicines and / or tryptophan supplements, increases the risk of developing serotonin syndrome.
Therefore, the simultaneous use of ademetionine and any of the above substances should be avoided.
Did you know that ...
In the medical-pharmaceutical field, the academetionine is not used solely and exclusively for the treatment of depressive states. This molecule, in fact, is also used in medicinal products intended for the treatment of intrahepatic cholestasis (for more information: Ademetionina).
Hydroxytryptophan
Hydroxytryptophan - or, more precisely, 5-hydroxytryptophan - is an amino acid derivative synthesized in the body by the enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase.
5-hydroxytryptophan is an intermediate in the synthesis of serotonin, one of the neurotransmitters most involved in mood regulation. At the same time, this compound has been shown to increase melatonin levels in the body.
For this reason, 5-drossitriptofano is available in various dietary supplements indicated in all those cases in which it is necessary to improve mood and / or combat sleep disorders.
Side effects
Following the use of 5-hydroxytryptophan, undesirable effects such as vomiting, burning and stomach pain, flatulence, diarrhea and insomnia may occur.
Pharmacological Interactions
5-hydroxytryptophan can establish drug interactions with carbidopa, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
For this reason, 5-hydroxytryptophan should not be taken in conjunction with the aforementioned drugs, unless otherwise prescribed by a doctor.
Did you know that ...
5-hydroxytryptophan may also be useful in the treatment of other disorders, such as obesity (anorectic effect), headache and fibromyalgia.
Griffonia
Griffonia ( Griffonia simplicifolia ) is a plant belonging to the Fabaceae family, whose seeds are rich in 5-hydroxytryptophan. The latter, as we have seen, is a metabolic intermediate in the synthesis of serotonin. The plant extracts, therefore, are part of the composition of dietary supplements indicated to improve mood.
The mechanism of action with which griffonia seed extracts exert antidepressant activity, side effects and drug interactions are similar to those described above for 5-hydroxytryptophan.
hypericum
St. John's Wort ( Hypericum perforatum ) - also known as St. John's Wort - is considered the natural antidepressant par excellence.
The antidepressant properties of hypericum are attributed to the set of substances contained in its extracts, among which we find the hyperforin, the hypericin, the pseudohypericin, the actionoflavone and the rutin.
Although the mechanism underlying the antidepressant activity of hypericum is not yet fully understood, it is believed that the plant extract performs this action through the interaction with norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine receptors. Interaction that leads to an increase in the signal of the aforementioned neurotransmitters, which results in an improvement in mood.
Furthermore, hypericum extracts are also able to inhibit the reuptake of GABA at the presynaptic level. Although this activity more than justifies its anxiolytic properties, it seems that it may also be implicated in the antidepressant mechanisms of action of plant extracts.
Curiosity
The antidepressant activity of hypericum derives from a synergistic, or additive, action exerted by the different molecules contained in its extracts (phytocomplex), which - if administered individually - are not able to induce the same antidepressant effects.
The antidepressant activity of hypericum has been widely confirmed by numerous studies, which have shown that its extracts are able to exert an action similar to that of different antidepressant drugs (such as, for example, imipramine). For this reason, the hypericum dry extract is part of the composition of medicines (Quiens®, Nervaxon®) indicated for the treatment of mild and moderate depressive syndromes.
Side effects
Although these are natural antidepressants, the side effects that can occur after taking hypericum extracts are many. Among these, we recall:
- Gastrointestinal disorders;
- Photosensitivity reactions;
- Headache;
- Fatigue;
- Restlessness;
- Hypertensive crisis;
- Increased frequency of urination.
Pharmacological Interactions
Unfortunately, hypericum extracts can cause numerous drug interactions with:
- Other antidepressant drugs;
- Oral anticoagulants;
- immunosuppressant;
- Anti-cancer drugs;
- anticonvulsants;
- antiarrhythmics;
- Antibiotics;
- Antivirals;
- Beta-blocking drugs;
- Hypoglycemic;
- Antihypertensive and antianginal drugs;
- Contraceptives and other estrogen-based drugs;
- Theophylline;
- Caffeine;
- Foods containing tyramine.
Concomitant intake of the aforementioned substances and hypericum extracts should therefore be avoided.
Rhodiola
Rhodiola ( Rhodiola rosea ) is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Crassulaceae family.
The extracts obtained from this plant are certainly known for their nootropic and stimulating properties. However, some studies have shown that taking these extracts can also be useful to counteract depressive asthenia, ie the state of severe fatigue that occurs in many patients suffering from depressive syndromes.
This action appears to be exerted through the inhibition of monoamine oxidase (MAO) and catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT), or by inhibiting the enzymes responsible for the metabolism of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine.
By virtue of these properties, rhodiola is used in various food supplements that can be useful in case of mood disorders and in particularly stressful periods.
Pharmacological Interactions
The concomitant intake of rodiola extracts and other drugs or substances with a stimulating action may give rise to potentially harmful and dangerous additive effects. Therefore, these associations should be avoided.
Contraindications
In addition to the classic contraindication in case of known hypersensitivity to rodiola and its extracts, these natural antidepressants must not be used in patients suffering from bipolar disorders who develop manic episodes following the use of antidepressant or stimulant drugs.
Cocoa
Often, cocoa - and, more precisely, the chocolate obtained from it - is defined as a natural antidepressant. In fact, cocoa contains various substances (such as, for example, 2-phenylethylamine) able to increase noradrenergic and dopaminergic transmission, which can lead to an improvement in mood.
Despite this, cocoa is not included in the composition of any type of drug or supplement intended for the treatment of mood disorders or depressive syndromes.
However, thanks to the sense of gratification that its assumption is able to induce, chocolate is considered by many to be the best natural remedy against sadness and depression (not pathological).
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Can Natural Antidepressants be used in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding?
As a precautionary measure, the use of natural antidepressants during pregnancy and lactation is generally contraindicated due to the potential risks that could arise.
However, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers should always seek the advice of their doctor or gynecologist before taking substances of any kind for therapeutic purposes (whether they are medicines or supplements).
Also, remember that depression in pregnancy and postpartum depression are serious disorders that should not be underestimated. Therefore, in case of mood changes, before resorting to do-it-yourself treatments based on natural antidepressants, it is advisable to consult specialized medical personnel.
