Are there any over the counter medicine for depression?

Comments

1. Unknown says:

   January 28, 2010 at 10:50 am

   St. Johns Wort (availible at grocery stores), Kanna (availible only at herbal smoke or head shops for some weird reason), l-tryptophan(availible at vitamine stores), kava kava root (for anxiety realated depression availible in pharmacy area of grocery store as a tea)

   Actually, I have read some scientific literature on Kannas active ingredient mesembrine. It was tested via radioactively labeled mesembrine on a cloned rats serritonin receptor to be by far the “most potent SSRI chemical ever found in science” SSRIs are chemicals that improve serritonin levels like prozac or zoloft. Its antidepressent activity was tested via the forced swim test in rats and caused rats that were intentionaly put into a psychological state of “learned heplessness” to prolong their swimming endurence or attempt escape in the water tank. This indicates that the drug has antidepressent activity as the rats suddenly swim longer because of their increased confidence in their ability to swim and survive. The only steps needed now for mesembrine to gain acceptance into mainstream pharmacy is to find a way to synthesis or extract it without its other natural or environmental impurities and then go into human phase test trials. So yes Kanna is an antidepressent that is more potent then any currently used medicen on the market.
2. Radish says:

   January 31, 2010 at 7:32 pm

   Do some research into vitamins. Some vitamins can help with mood swings and hormonal imbalances.
   Also, don’t always depend on pills to fix everything. If you’re sitting inside and feel sad and depressed, go take a walk, or go sit in the sun for a little bit. Just 10 or 15 minutes of some good old vitamin D from the sun, and a couple deep breaths, can sometime be the ‘restart’ you need.
   AND.. drink lots of water. I’ve noticed that I’m a lot more on-edge if I’m dehydrated.

   Good luck, and smile!
3. AlwaysCurious says:

   February 2, 2010 at 2:55 pm

   Vitamin B Complex It really works to boost your mood.
4. articleresearcher says:

   February 6, 2010 at 3:50 am

   You may wish to consider taking a herbal remedy first rather than an OTC drug for depression. Drugs, whether OTC or prescription, carry with them side effects.

   If you suffer from low moods only once in a while, you may want to try St John’s wort. Also, supplements like Vitamin Bs and Cs are helpful.

   Also try meditation and yoga as alternative therapies.
5. A N says:

   February 7, 2010 at 7:47 am

   First of all, don’t listen to Radish. She doesn’t really know what depression is if she thinks drinking water and walking, or sitting out in the sun can help it. Being dehydrated, sedentary, or having seasonal affective disorder is NOT depression. She is probably also nearsighted, but doesn’t want to “depend” on glasses. Duh!
   I agree with the other posters, however. St. John’s Wort is good, however, I like a combination of the mood enhancers B-complex and Omega-3 and then Sam-e is great. It’s a chemical often missing at the cellular level of a person who has depression. Find it in a health food store.
   Also don’t do kanna, which is like weed and it’s effects are short lived, or kava kava. Kava kava is specifically for relaxation NOT depression and it may say, DO NOT take if you are depressed!
6. The Herbalist says:

   February 8, 2010 at 7:20 am

   Hi there
   St John’s wort is a good medicinal herb for mild and moderate depression but is not considered effective for severe depression.

   Please note that St.John’s wort can interact with many other medicine so if you are on any medication it is extremely important that you consult with your doctor.

   Furthermore St.John’s wort makes the skin sensitive to sunlight so it is a good idea to avoid intense sun exposure while using it or any supplement that contains it.

   Hope this helps