[livingforluna]

My doctor knows that I am very hesitant to take medication, and she thinks I can get by without it so she suggested that I try herbal mood enhancing supplements.

So. I'm not sure where to go from here. My best friend swears by Sam-E, my ex did 5htp and said it was amazing, but I'm curious, have those ever actually helped? Or is it just a placebo effect?

[Shazerac]

I've tried them and people I know have tried them. I'm bipolar and all they did for me was give me very expensive urine. Did not help me at all. A friend tried them because she was feeling a little tired she claimed they helped her but she's not mentally ill.

It's worth a try I guess. But I'm sceptical.

[Persephone518]

At various points in my life, I've tried Sam-E, St. John's Wort, and Ashwagandha, and none of them did anything for my symptoms. Not even a placebo effect (even though I began each one with the full expectation of improvement because everyone else raved about the benefits). What did help were Lexapro - a prescription SSRI that I weaned off of because reasons and that I never intended to be on long term anyway - and medical cannabis.

That being said, I think you should still give these supplements a try. They may genuinely help you. Or you may benefit from the placebo effect (I say "benefit" because feeling better is feeling better, regardless of the technical reason). Every body is different. There's only one way to know how yours will react. My only advice beyond that is to stay on the supplement for at least 90 days, since this is the average time it takes for levels to build up in your system enough to be effective.

[mythrider]

I’m on Sam-E by the way. Works for me.

[downandlonely]

I say give it a try, but just be careful if you're bipolar. St. John's wort can make you manic (similar to an anti-depressant).

I would also say that I am somewhat hesitant to try these because they are considered to be natural and therefore "harmless" when in fact they can have the same side effects as other meds and anyone can get them without a prescription. Tell your doc about everything you take.