Mood Change Medicine
Nutritional Supplements
5-HTP: Efficacy for Depression, Anxiety & Insomnia
5-HTP might be as effective for depression as Prozac, but the evidence of efficacy is unclear for both the supplement and the antidepressant pharmaceuticals. It’s possible 5-HTP might help some people with either insomnia or anxiety. But the evidence is less clear. . . . Continue reading
Low Tryptophan = Low Serotonin. Does Low Serotonin = Depression?
There’s a major controversy over whether or not depression is caused by low tryptophan and it’s consequence—low serotonin. Some researchers assert that there’s no support for the hypothesis that depression is caused by lowered serotonin. What does the science say about the causes of depression . . . Continue reading
Tryptophan for Sleep: Not as Simple as Popping a Pill
Without tryptophan there would be no melatonin, the backbone of the biology of sleep. But tryptophan’s role in sleep might be more about how it is affected by things like diet, light exposure and gut health than it is about the tryptophan itself. Continue reading
Are Tryptophan Supplements Effective for Anxiety & Depression?
Tryptophan deficiency has been linked to depression in some people. Not all tryptophan deficiencies are the result of inadequate intake. A deficiency can be caused by problems like absorption issues. Other treatments that are more effective for anxiety and depression include talk therapy, biofeedback, mindfulness and other supplements like . . . Continue reading
Are Tryptophan Supplements Effective for Insomnia?
Given that dietary tryptophan play such a pivotal role in sleep, it might make sense that taking tryptophan supplements should improve sleep. But it’s just not as simple as popping a pill. Continue reading
Tryptophan and Its Alternatives for Depression, Anxiety & Sleep
Tryptophan plays a pivotal role in the gut-brain axis, a two-way biochemical conversation between our brains and bellies that helps determine the production of melatonin and serotonin, key brain chemicals that affect sleep and mood. Optimizing the biology of mood and sleep includes optimizing factors that impact tryptophan nutrition. Continue reading
Bewildering Array of CBD Products
Different formulations taken at different doses can have very different effects in the body. Full-spectrum CBD products contain all the naturally-occurring compounds found in the cannabis plant, including THC. “Broad spectrum” or “wide spectrum” CBD products may also contain these components but without the THC. Continue reading
CBD: Is there a sweet spot for dosing?
Researchers found a sweet spot for dosing—higher or lower doses aren’t as effective as those in the middle of the dosage range. But this may not hold true for full-spectrum products that contain both CBD, THC and other constituents in the cannabis plant. Continue reading
Cannabinoids: Depression & Inflammation
Compounds in cannabis have anti-inflammatory properties which might lead one to reach for cannabis products high in the anti-inflammatory constituents. But those using cannabinoids for anxiety and depression run the risk of making things worse. Continue reading
Are cannabinoids effective for anxiety?
There’s not enough evidence to conclude that cannabinoid mixtures containing both CBD and THC are effective for the range of anxiety disorders. But the research for CBD and social anxiety is rising. The risks rise with any cannabinoid product containing THC as its dose rises. Continue reading
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