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Nutritional Supplements

This category contains 31 posts

Are cannabinoids effective for sleep?

Certain cannabinoids might help people with sleep problems, but the question is do the possible benefits outweigh the known risks? Continue reading

Cannabinoids: Anxiety, Depression & Sleep

Cannabinoids are naturally occurring constituents in the cannabis plant, also known as marijuana. There are over 100 types of cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant—delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are two major cannabinoids. Research on the potential clinical uses of cannabinoids for anxiety, depression and insomnia is ongoing. Continue reading

Nutrition for Making the Most of Natural Melatonin

The most potent way to get the sleep-promoting benefits of melatonin is to not to buy it off a store shelf. Natural melatonin is made in the body from food. All melatonin production is driven by key dietary nutrients, especially tryptophan found in foods like turkey, eggs and bananas. Continue reading

Who Benefits Most from Melatonin Supplements?

Melatonin supplementation can provide meaningful benefits for individuals with lowered natural melatonin levels such as night workers and the elderly. It is also beneficial for treating delayed sleep phase—shifting the sleep clock of night owls. Continue reading

Natural Melatonin vs. Supplements: Which is Superior for Sleep?

Melatonin is a sleep-promoting hormone that is naturally produced and secreted by the pineal gland in the brain. The impact of naturally-occurring melatonin on our bodies is broad, profound, and not completely understood. Continue reading

Foods that Stress and Depress—Foods that Promote Well-being

A 2017 randomized controlled trial of 67 depressed patients asked the question: “If I improve my diet, will my mental health improve?” Half of them received nutrition counseling, and for them the answer was yes. Not true for the other half, who got social support sessions instead of nutrition counseling. Continue reading

Dietary Supplements vs. Sleeping Pills: The Pros & Cons

In contrast to pharmaceutical insomnia medications, “plant extracts are generally safe and well tolerated,” researchers concluded in a 2020 peer-reviewed, systematic review of oral plant extracts for sleep disorders. But there are exceptions to that rule. The conclusion of this article contains links to articles on popular supplements for insomnia. Continue reading

Supplements vs. Pharmaceuticals for Anxiety & Depression: The Pros & Cons

Just like drugs, some supplements can be beneficial and carry very little risk. Others may not carry much risk, but may not be that beneficial. And then there’s everything in between. The conclusion of this article contains links to articles on popular supplements for anxiety and depression. Continue reading

My Thoughts on Supplements for Anxiety, Depression and Insomnia

Mood Change Medicine’s website offers information, without a paywall, about some of the most popular supplements for anxiety, depression and insomnia. This article has links to two other articles, each of which provide links to articles on specific supplements for each of these conditions. Continue reading

Should I take this treatment ?

There’s a lot to consider when a physician decides whether to recommend starting a new treatment or stopping an old one. The more you understand how your doctor thinks, the better equipped you are to make the final decision, which is yours to make. Here’s how a physician might think: Continue reading