Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions in the United States, with around 7% of adults experiencing it in a given year.
Overall, depression is a serious mental health condition that should be treated with the care and seriousness it deserves.
While there are many different ways to treat depression, many people find that taking a supplement can be helpful.
Please consult your doctor for professional medical advice before making any changes to your medication.
In this blog post, we will discuss the best supplements for depression and how they can help you get your life back on track!
If you want more helpful info on supplements – including risks and general FDA guidelines – please see our “Supplements and Vitamins – Ultimate Beginner’s Guide”.
How We Rank and Review – 8 Criteria
1 – Price: What’s the price of the supplement? What’s the cost per serving?
- At Eating Enlightenment we value quality over price. However, all else being equal, then price comes into consideration.
2 – Reviews: How many reviews for each product? What’s the average rating? How many third party reviews?
- We strongly believe in third party reviews. Many supplement companies list positive reviews on their website, but third party reviews include negative comments. We always go with third party reviews.
3 – Reputation: How reputable is the brand behind the supplement? How long has the brand been around? What’s their mission?
- We believe that a company’s intention is highly important and should be one of your top purchasing decision factors.
4 – Taste / Absorption = What’s the taste? How quickly does your body absorb the supplement? Do reviews mention any negative side effects like an upset stomach?
5 – Perceived Therapeutic Effect = What beneficial effects or feelings does this supplement promote?
6 – Food Allergens = Does the company provide allergen info?
7 – Science / Certifications: Does the company list transparent scientific studies on their website? Do third party certifications test the company’s supplement for quality control? How many certifications does the company have?
8 – Pros/Cons: What are the pros and cons of each supplement? How is the supplement unique? For what situations is this supplement best?
1 – Best Overall – Neuroscience
- Price = $86.00
- # of Servings = 40
- Price per Serving = $2.15
- Product Reviews = 4.9/5 with 83 verified reviews
- Taste / Absorption = 3 capsules per serving
- Labeled Effect =
- Food Allergens = very safe
- Pro’s = blend of amino acids, vitamins and minerals
- Con’s = not plant based
About “TravaCor”:
TravaCor combines a variety of amino acids, vitamins and minerals to help boost mood.
Many supplements for depression have only one key ingredient. One ingredient can be great if you’ve done your research.
But if you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for, then more ingredients is a better approach.
The reviews are overall positive, but one common negative factor in reviews is the serving size of 3 capsules.
The company behind Travacor, NeuroScience, is reputable with 20 years of experience delivering premium grade supplements.
Made By “Neuroscience”:
About Neuroscience: Neuroscience has been around for 20 years. They have a strong scientific foundation. According to ReviewMeta.com, Neuroscience gets an adjusted average score of 4.0/5 with 854 verified reviews.
- Start = 2000
- Revenue = $5 million
- Employees = 28
- Mission = delivering supplements that contain impactful amounts of ingredients in a practical daily serving
- Third Party Certifications = cGMP
- Third Party Reviews = adjusted average score of 4.0/5 with 854 reviews
2 – Most Natural – CLE Holistic Health
- Price = $69.95
- # of Servings = 30
- Price per Serving = $2.31
- Product Reviews = 5/5 with 8 verified reviews
- Taste / Absorption = 4 capsules per serving
- Labeled Effect = supports the body in rebuilding resistance against depressive reactions
- Food Allergens = very safe
- Pro’s = seven proprietary plant-based ingredients
- Con’s = 4 capsules per serving
About “Mood Effex”:
Mood Effex is one of CLE’s main products. The CLE Mood Effex formula contains 7 plant-based ingredients, such as St. John’s Wort. All seven plants have been utilized for ages in different cultures to counteract negative moods.
Mood Effex is derived from natural sources and has no known negative effects when taken with prescription medications.
The downsides are 4 capsules per serving and a higher price per serving.
However, CLE has a stellar name brand and you can be sure you are getting a high quality supplement, and in this case decent clinical science behind it too.
Made by “CLE Holistic Health”:
About CLE Holistic Health: CLE Holistic Health is located in Vancouver, Canada and began in 2010. Generally speaking, Canadian authorities’ regulations on the production, testing, and marketing of supplements are among the most stringent in the world.
- Start = 2010
- Revenue = less than $5 million
- Employees = less than 25
- Mission = heal and empower you to take your health into your own hands
- Third Party Certifications = NPN (More strict Canadian version of GMP)
- Third Party Reviews = positive
4 – Best for 5HTP – Now Foods
- Price = $16.30
- # of Servings = 60
- Price per Serving = $0.27
- Product Reviews = 4.8/5 with 23 verified reviews
- Taste / Absorption = 1 vegetarian capsule per serving, take on empty stomach before bedtime
- Labeled Effect =
- Food Allergens = very safe
- Pro’s = active ingredients taurine and 5-htp have research about depression
- Con’s = may cause drowsiness
About “5-HTP”:
The active ingredient in Now Foods 5-HTP product has some good scientific research in regards to depression.
Several small studies have found that 5-HTP reduces depression by increasing serotonin.
With a low price per serving, if you are looking for a simple supplement with decent scientific evidence, this is a good option.
Made by “Now Foods”:
About Now Foods: Family owned since 1968. One of the most popular supplement brands, with many more third party reviews. According to ReviewMeta.com, Now Foods has an average adjusted rating of 4.2/5 from 175,757 verified reviews.
- Start = 1968
- Revenue = $650 million
- Employees = 1600
- Mission = provide value in products and services that empower people to lead healthier lives
- Third Party Certifications = USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, Certified Gluten Free, GMP
- Third Party Reviews = 4.2/5 from 175,757 verified reviews
5 – Best for L-Tryptophan – Life Extension
- Price = $24.75
- # of Servings = 90
- Price per Serving = $0.28
- Product Reviews = 4.8/5 with 18 verified reviews
- Taste / Absorption = 1 vegetarian capsule per serving
- Labeled Effect = promote healthy sleep and mood, encourage a healthy stress response, promote satiety and more
- Food Allergens = very safe
- Pro’s = Will boost levels of L-tryptophan; low levels of L-tryptophan have been seen in people with depression
- Con’s = limited research
About “L-Tryptophan”:
Individuals with depression have been found to have low levels of L-tryptophan.
Like 5-HTP, there is some research supporting use of L-tryptophan to treat depression and other related problems like insomnia.
In our review, we found more research supporting 5-HTP than L-tryptophan.
If you are looking for a 5-HTP supplement, your best bet is the eVitamins choice above.
However, if you are looking for an L-tryptophan, then this Life Extension product is a good one to try.
If you aren’t sure, then best to try another supplement that contains a more diverse blend of ingredients.
Made by “Life Extension”:
About Life Extension: Life Extension began in 1980 and is still going 40 years later. In 2021 ConsumerLab.com voted Life Extension as #1 Rated Catalog/Internet Merchant. According to ReviewMeta.com, Life Extension’s average adjusted rating of 4.1/5 from 24,224 verified reviews.
- Start = 1980
- Revenue = $168 million
- Employees = 500
- Mission = Achieve your goals with the best nutritional products that science can offer
- Third Party Certifications = GMP, Non-GMO
- Third Party Reviews = average adjusted rating of 4.1/5 from 24, 224 reviews
6 – Best for St. John’s Wort – Nature’s Way
- Price = $10.83
- # of Servings = 60
- Price per Serving = $0.18
- Product Reviews = 4.5/5 with 42 verified reviews
- Taste / Absorption = 1 gluten free tablet per serving
- Labeled Effect = promotes a positive mood
- Food Allergens = allergen free
- Pro’s = Active ingredient St. John’s Wort has some strong scientific evidence that it is effective for treating mild to moderate depression
- Con’s = Because of drug interaction risks, France has prohibited the use of St. John’s Wort
About “Perika St John’s Wort”:
Nature’s Ways’ St John’s Wort product also has scientific evidence to help with depression.
Sound familiar? Like 5-HTP and L-tryptophan, St John’s Wort has some science supporting its use for mild or moderate depression.
Like the other supplements with 1 main active ingredient, if you know what you are looking for, great.
However, if you aren’t sure what you are looking for, then it may be best to aim for a blend of ingredients.
If you are looking for a St John’s Wort supplement for depression, great. This is a high quality supplement.
Made by “Nature’s Way”:
About Nature’s Way: Nature’s Way is one of the most popular supplement companies. It’s been around for decades, and has a 4.2/5 average adjusted rating from 80,981 verified reviews.
- Start = 1969
- Revenue = $98 million
- Employees = 500
- Mission = help people everywhere live healthy lives
- Third Party Certifications = GMP, NSF, ISO, GMO Free
- Third Party Reviews = 4.2/5 average adjusted rating from 80,981 verified reviews
7 – Best for Ashwagandha – NaturaLife Labs
- Price = $15.94
- # of Servings = 33
- Price per Serving = $0.53
- Product Reviews = 4.6/5 with 29,965 verified reviews
- Taste / Absorption = 3 all natural, allergen free capsules per serving
- Labeled Effect = promotes stress reduction
- Food Allergens = very safe
- Pro’s = high quality Ashwagandha extracts and potency, ranked #1 for Ginseng Herbal Supplements
- Con’s = 100% herbal, no other vitamins or minerals
About “Organic Ashwagandha”:
Ashwagandha has some science for major depression.
I’m sure you know the drill by now.
If you know precisely what you’re looking for, great. If you are looking for an Ashwagandha supplement you are in luck.
This is a high-quality Ashwagandha supplement.
However, if you aren’t sure what active ingredient would help your depression, then aim for another product which contains more active ingredients.
Made By “NaturaLife Labs”:
About NaturaLife Labs: NaturaLife Labs is relatively young in the supplement industry. According to ReviewMeta.com, NaturaLife Labs has an average adjusted rating of 4.5/5 with 428 verified reviews.
- Start = 2016
- Revenue = $186,000
- Employees = 1
- Mission =
- Third Party Certifications = GMP
- Third Party Reviews = average adjusted rating is 4.5/5 with 428 reviews
Do supplements work for depression?
A 2016 review of 40 research papers, published June 1, 2016 in The American Journal of Psychiatry, found evidence to suggest that methylfolate, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin D might help people with depression.
Our best overall supplement contains most of these.
Conclusion
Let’s remember, too, supplements are one minor piece of the puzzle.
A focus on holistic health is what’s important. Things like self-development, sleep, rest and a healthy diet can be critical in improving your overall health.
Nonetheless, we realize many people are looking for supplements for depression and you can see our thoughts above.
If you have any questions or comments please leave them down below!
Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links, meaning that if you decide to purchase a product after clicking one, we may earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you.
Medical Disclaimer: This information should not be taken as medical advice. If you are suffering from depression, please consult your doctor before taking any supplements.
Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links, meaning that if you decide to purchase a product after clicking one, we may earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you.
Medical Disclaimer: This information should not be taken as medical advice. Please consult your doctor before taking any supplements.
