Mood Support
Nutrients connected to Mood Support
A link means the body needs the nutrient for this, or that low intake is linked to it. It does not mean extra supplements help if your intake is already adequate; each link shows how strong the evidence is.
- SaffronPreliminary or mixed
Meta-analyses of trials report lower self-rated depression and anxiety scores, and similar results to SSRIs in head-to-head trials; clinician-rated outcomes were not significant.
- St. John's wortClinically supported
Specific extracts have trial support for mild to moderate depression; this applies to those extracts, not every product.
- SaffronPreliminary or mixed
Supplement trials report lower self-rated depression scores; clinician-rated scales did not change significantly.
- TryptophanPreliminary or mixed
A review of 11 trials in healthy adults found four with better mood or less negative feeling than the comparison group. Results are mixed and say nothing about treating depression.
- Fish oilPreliminary or mixed
A 2021 review found any mood effect may be too small to be meaningful, with low-quality evidence.
- Omega-3 fatty acids (ALA, EPA and DHA)Preliminary or mixed
Small, low-certainty effect on depression symptoms in reviews; not a replacement for care.
- N-acetylcysteinePreliminary or mixed
Added to usual care, NAC gave a small improvement in depression scores in a 2024 meta-analysis; larger trials are needed. Not a replacement for treatment.
- Lemon balmPreliminary or mixed
Meta-analysis found lower depression and anxiety scores; high heterogeneity.
- SkullcapPreliminary or mixed
Overall mood scores improved in one small trial in healthy adults; preliminary.
- Baikal skullcapPreliminary or mixed
Small trials of products containing the root reported mood benefits; the root alone is not proven.
- Griffonia (5-HTP source)Preliminary or mixed
Used for low mood; evidence limited to a few small trials of purified 5-HTP.
- Morinda root (ba ji tian)Preliminary or mixed
Oligosaccharide capsules matched antidepressants in trials in China; evidence promising but limited.
- Lavender TeaPreliminary or mixed
Preliminary reports for depression symptoms (NCCIH) and one tea trial.
Explore all vitamins → · Minerals → · Amino acids → · Omega fatty acids → · Antioxidants → · Gut supplements → · Nootropics → · Herbs →