Depression affects over 16 million people in the United States alone, and it’s one of the biggest causes of disability. (Yeung et al., 2018) Most people are unaware that having no desire to do things you used to do or having a lack of energy can result from depression.
– Mood swings– General Discontent– Agitation– Irritability– Social Isolation– Excess Sleepiness– Excess Hunger– Fatigue– Lack of Concentration– Thoughts of Suicide
Antidepressants work by modulating neurotransmitter activity in the brain. Antidepressants reduce feelings of depression; however, they often come with the risk of many different side effects such as insomnia, agitation, shakiness, anxiety, etc.
Exercise is not something you can take, but it is an underrated natural antidepressant. Research shows it is as effective as antidepressant medication combined with psychotherapy.
The sun is an excellent source of white light which can help reduce symptoms of depression. A study showed that individuals given white light therapy for 4-6 weeks had lower depression scores.
Lavender is an everyday essential oil, a fragrant, concentrated oil with purported therapeutic properties. For example, a study revealed that lavender essential oil inhalation lowered corticosterone levels in the body.
Passionflower is a vine that grows in the southeastern United States and Central America. It is typically used as a sedative and has been taken in doses of 800 mg safely for up to 8 weeks.
According to research, saffron increases the production of serotonin, your “happy hormone,” and it alleviates symptoms of depression. Saffron originates from the flower Crocus sativus and is used to color and flavor foods.