St. John's Wort

Don’t use SJW if you’re bipolar. Manic swing activation.

I am hesitant to try st John's wort because of the listed possible side effects but i do use cbd oil, light therapy and lemon balm tea. I also take a probiotic because your stomach is ground zero for all sorts of mind and body issues. they seem to be helping. i havent killed myself yet.

I had terrible nightmares when I used it. In fact, they were so bad that it negated any positive effect it might have had.

I tried it and I may as well have been taking a sugar pill it was so useless. Only prescription antidepressants work for me. But you may as well try it.

OP, I know that this may seem bitchy but its not the intention, do you regularly exercise? Best mood stabilizer. Melatonin also helps.

St John's Wort is definitely biologically active, you just have no guarantee that the particular pill you're popping actually contains it. Additionally, it's an inducer, so any other medication you take won't work as well.

My anxiety responded surprisingly well to kava, although I don't want to take it longterm.

Except for a few evening strolls every other day, probably not as much exercise as I should, R5.

Doesn't hurt to try it out.

I've never taken it, but it's a very pretty wildflower.

I take saffron extract.

"Due to safety concerns and side effects of many antidepressant medications, herbal psychopharmacology research has increased, and herbal remedies are becoming increasingly popular as alternatives to prescribed medications for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). Of these, accumulating trials reveal positive effects of the spice saffron (Crocus sativus L.) for the treatment of depression.... Findings from clinical trials conducted to date indicate that saffron supplementation can improve symptoms of depression in adults with MDD. "

R7/OP Its not the quick solution but it is the most effective at boosting endorphins and other neuropsychological substances the body creates. Yoga is great for helping stimulate serotonin production and absorption. Can also help regulate your nervous systems by manipulating the thalamus, great for your thyroid, and lymph and endocrine systems as well as your circulatory system.

I'm also a fan of just running on an elliptical especially with Jeopardy on, but that's me. The cross body workout there is great for working out stress and agitation without the impact on the hips/knees. Helps sleep which helps mood. 🌀

Treat your body systematically not symptomatically.

Some info on St. John's Wort.

I'm going to try it. I don't take any other medications for it to interact with, and I live in a dismal cloudy place.

SJ Wort is reported to be as effective as prescription anti-depressants.

Maybe for some people, in some ways, but it definitely didn't work for me.

I prefer eye of the newt myself.

Yes! It works! Until it doesn’t - for me this was 1 year / and I moved onto an SNRI.

Bump

For Christ's sake go to a REAL doctor and get REAL medicine.

It worked for me for about two years. Make sure you get a brand with a standardized amount of hypericum.

I lived in Florida, and too much sun didn't bother me at all. Just don't take it with any other anti-depressant,or you could suffer from serotonin syndrome.

Good luck, OP.

Was useless. Bite the bullet and see a shrink.