Natural antidepressants without prescription: Do they exist or not?
What is depression and how is it treated?
We have already discussed what depression is in our previous articles, so let's just remind you that it is a serious mental illness, accompanied by negative feelings and symptoms, which manifests itself on a psychological and physical level.
Depression is classified according to its severity as mild, moderate and severe.
Further subdivision can be according to frequency and origin. This illness is most commonly diagnosed in the 55-64 age group, but affects all ages, including children. Some types of depression occur at specific life stages (for example, postpartum depression or depression in old age).
Currently, depression is most commonly treated in the following ways:
- Pharmacotherapy: In this case, the doctor prescribes antidepressants. These are drugs that help increase the level of neurotransmitters in the brain and reduce the symptoms of depression.
- Psychotherapy: There are many types of therapies, currently cognitive behavioural therapy is widely used, which works with changing thought patterns and behaviour.
- Combination of medication and therapy: Especially for more severe forms of depression, psychotherapy needs to be complemented by drug therapy.
Prescription antidepressants
Common antidepressants are tied to a doctor's prescription. Some can be prescribed by your GP, others are prescribed only by a specialist, usually a psychiatrist.
Antidepressants are taken long term, and the effects should start to show within 4-6 weeks of the first dose, otherwise it is usually necessary to change the medication, of course always for prior consultation with a specialist. The onset of action may vary depending on the type of antidepressant, the dose, the individual patient's response and the severity of his/her condition.
Several types of antidepressants are used to treat depression, among the most commonly prescribed are:
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): this group of antidepressants includes drugs such as fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), paroxetine (Paxil), and others. SSRIs increase serotonin levels in the brain, which can help improve mood and reduce anxiety.
- Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs): this group of antidepressants includes drugs such as amitriptyline (Elavil), imipramine (Tofranil), and others. TCAs block the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain, which improves mood and reduces anxiety.
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs): This group of antidepressants includes drugs such as phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), and others. MAOIs block the enzyme monoamine oxidase, which increases levels of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine in the brain.
- Atypical antidepressants: This group of antidepressants includes drugs such as bupropion (Wellbutrin), mirtazapine (Remeron), and others. These drugs have a different mechanism of action than SSRIs, TCAs, and MAOIs, but can be effective in treating depression.
Side effects of antidepressants
As with any medication, side effects can occur with antidepressants. These may subside with time, but it is always important to tell your doctor about them and get advice on how to proceed.
Side effects mentioned include:
- nausea
- headache
- dry mouth
- insomnia or drowsiness
- constipation or diarrhoea
- weight gain or weight loss
- excessive sweating
- loss of libido
Side effects are not common with modern antidepressants and, as mentioned above, they should usually subside or at least lessen over time. The benefits of treatment should always outweigh the unpleasant side effects.
Natural antidepressants
Many people turn to nature when looking for solutions to various health problems. This is no different in the case of mental illness. Herbs can contribute to calming, and are also used for anxiety, insomnia or to improve mood. Certain foods or food supplements can also help to make us feel better.
Which food affect our health?
Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids:
- tuna
- salmon
- flaxseeds
- nuts
Foods rich in tryptophan:
- chicken and turkey
- fish
- milk
- soy products
What plants are being researched in relation to depression?
- St John's wort - double-blind randomized trials suggest that St John's wort extract is more effective than placebo and has similar effects to fluoxetine, imipramine and sertraline.
- Saffron Seed - Generally, saffron, its extracts and tinctures are used in traditional medicine as antispasmodic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and stimulant. According to clinical trials conducted, after 6 weeks of treatment, patients with mild to moderate depression experienced a significant improvement in depressive symptoms similar to that seen with fluoxetine. Regarding the mechanism of antidepressant action, it is believed that the two active substances of saffron, including safranal and crocin, inhibit the reuptake of dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin.
- Valerian - is one of the medicinal plants whose effect on depression and anxiety states is still under investigation. Studies suggest that valerian also has potential in treating anxiety disorders and sleep problems, especially when combined with St. John's wort extract. However, the evidence regarding the effectiveness of valerian in treatment is currently insufficient and further research is needed on a larger sample of users.
- Lavender - a scientific study published in 2021 examined the effects of lavender on anxiety and depression. Lavender aromatherapy showed better results in reducing anxiety than placebo, but randomized controlled trials on the effects of lavender on depression are still few.
Other gifts of nature that have shown potential to restore mental balance include ashwagandha, known from Ayurvedic medicine, ginseng, sage and curcumin, a natural chemical compound found in turmeric.
CBD and the endocannabinoid system
CBD has also been talked about in relation to depression, anxiety and stress relief for several years. Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a non-psychoactive substance naturally occurring in the cannabis plant. There is a wide range of products on the market today, such as CBD oils and drops, capsules, CBD patches and more.
CBD interacts with our endocannabinoid system (ECS), which influences a number of functions in the body and the hormonal and nervous systems. The ECS consists of endocannabinoids, enzymes and receptors and plays a vital role in maintaining homeostasis, the body's internal balance. CBD can stimulate the production of endocannabinoids and acts on the ECS receptor system by binding to or modulating the activity of CB1 and CB2 receptors. These receptors are distributed throughout the body and influence a variety of mechanisms such as brain function or immunity.
CBD also affects other receptors in the body, such as the serotonin receptor 5-HT1A. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays an important role in the regulation of mood, sleep, appetite and other physiological functions. Studies suggest that CBD could have effects similar to antidepressants, precisely because of its interaction with the 5-HT1A receptor. CBD binds to this receptor and stimulates its activity, which may lead to an increase in serotonin levels in the brain, thereby improving mood.
It is important to note that the exact mechanism of CBD's action with serotonin receptors is not fully understood and is still under investigation.
Can CBD work as a natural antidepressant?
User experience and research suggests that CBD has therapeutic potential. People seek CBD for sleep problems, anxiety or stress. CBD is non-addictive, has no psychoactive effects and usually has no or very mild side effects.
Some scientific studies conducted on animals have produced promising results and suggest that CBD may have similar effects to some antidepressants. However, it is important to note that each individual responds differently to CBD and the effects can be influenced by many factors such as dosage, method of use and individual sensitivity.
Never take CBD products in combination with antidepressants. Also, beware of the interaction of CBD with other medications.
If you observe any of the symptoms of depression on yourself, always seek professional help as soon as possible. Contact your doctor or see a psychologist or psychiatrist.
Summary
Antidepressants are currently prescription only. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids and tryptophan, as well as certain herbs such as St John's wort, saffron and lavender, also have a positive effect on mental balance and well-being. CBD is a natural substance that can help to make us feel better in body and mind.
Although the popularity of natural or 'alternative' remedies for the treatment of medical and psychiatric disorders has been increasing in the last decade in this country and around the world, more extensive studies need to be carried out before these remedies can be labelled as 'natural antidepressants' and recommended as effective alternatives or adjuncts to conventional drug therapy.
PHOTO: Shutterstock
"All information provided on this website, as well as the information provided through this website, is for educational purposes only. None of the information contained herein is intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis and such information is not to be considered medical advice or recommended treatment. This website does not promote, endorse or advocate the legal or illegal use of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances or the commission of any other illegal activity. Please see our Disclaimer for further information."