Dietary supplements and natural products as psychotherapeutic agents.
Study Design
- Tipo di studio
- Review
- Intervento
- Dietary supplements and natural products as psychotherapeutic agents.
- Comparatore
- Placebo
- Direzione dell'effetto
- Positive
- Rischio di bias
- Unclear
Abstract
Alternative therapies are widely used by consumers. A number of herbs and dietary supplements have demonstrable effects on mood, memory, and insomnia. There is a significant amount of evidence supporting the use of Hypericum perforatum (St. John's wort) for depression and Ginkgo biloba for dementia. Results of randomized, controlled trials also support the use of kava for anxiety and valerian for insomnia. Although evidence for the use of vitamins and amino acids as sole agents for psychiatric symptoms is not strong, there is intriguing preliminary evidence for the use of folate, tryptophan, and phenylalanine as adjuncts to enhance the effectiveness of conventional antidepressants. S-adenosylmethionine seems to have antidepressant effects, and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly docosahexaenoic acid, may have mood-stabilizing effects. More research should be conducted on these and other natural products for the prevention and treatment of various psychiatric disorders.
Used In Evidence Reviews
Similar Papers
Journal of clinical sleep medicine : JCSM : official publication of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine · 2017
Clinical Practice Guideline for the Pharmacologic Treatment of Chronic Insomnia in Adults: An American Academy of Sleep Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline.
Annual review of pharmacology and toxicology · 2016
MT1 and MT2 Melatonin Receptors: A Therapeutic Perspective.
The American journal of medicine · 2006
Valerian for sleep: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Molecular medicine reports · 2010
Chamomile: A herbal medicine of the past with bright future.
Clinical therapeutics · 2016
Review of Safety and Efficacy of Sleep Medicines in Older Adults.
Journal of pineal research · 2012