Best meds or herbal remedies for depression??

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This year I ingested a drug more powerful than LSD. The visions were ecstatic and were of a higher state of consciousness
but I cannot stay in this state of mind forever. I also need a rational state of mind to make sense of it all.

Since you're in school, do you have any form of health insurance offered by the school?
I recommend paying a visit to the school counseling center first
Some schools offer free counseling sessions to students.
You should look into it

St Johns Wort, but as some have hinted above, it's not a thing you can take alongside anti-depressant medication.

It might be a good thing to try before resorting to SSRI's.

I have a long history of severe depression. I began taking fluoxetine in 1993. It stopped working in 2004. For the next 22 months I was prescribed higher and higher doses of fluoxetine, and given 7 different psychotropic medications, including effexor and wellbutrin. I became substantially worse, and for the first time in my life, I seriously considered suicide.

In 2006 I realized that my acute sensory sensitivities were being made worse by the psychotropic drugs. I needed to find another way for me to treat my major depression, anxiety, and mild mood swings.

After extensive research, here is what works for me. Everyone is different so if you try anything new, always keep good notes. I tried several things, and made numerous dosage adjustments to find my perfect dose and timing of what I now take.

For winter depression I take 100mg of 5-HTP in the morning, 50mg 5-HTP 5 hours later, and 25mg 5-HTP 5 hours after the 50mg dose. (For summer depression I reduce the morning dose to 50mg).

This is the best treatment for my depression I have ever used.

In addition to 5-HTP for depression I take the following.

~ 850mg Omega3 Fish Oil 2x a day = 1600mg of DHA/EPA
~ Over the counter Lithium Orotate 120mg 3x a day
~ Cal/Mag 500mg/250mg 3x a day
~ Potassium Citrate 99mg 3x day
~ St. Johns Wort 300mg in the morning only. I started with 300mg 3x day, but developed light sensitivity AND horrible insomnia, so I adjusted the dose down to just once a day in the morning.
~ A weak cup of coffee in the morning (just 19mg of caffeine) ~ caffeine does have mood lifting qualities, but I keep the dose low so I can sleep at night
~ light/dark therapy ~ bright morning light (I use 2 Verilux HappyLight6000) for one hour each morning. At night I wear blue blocking glasses two hours before bedtime and then sleep in a totally dark blacked out bedroom. This regulates my circadian rhythm enabling me to sleep on a consistent schedule.

5-HTP is a serontonin precurser. It is a naturally occurring amino acid that increases the production of serotonin. It is sold over the counter in the USA, but in Europe it is a prescription medication used for treating several conditions including major depression.

5-HTP is the best anti depressant I have ever used. It worked for me almost immediately.

It does have several well known side effects. I experienced
~ light sensitivity causing headaches ~ I lowered the dose
~ insomnia ~ I changed the dosing so the last dose would be the smallest amount 100mg ->50mg -> 25mg This worked for me.

Hope you find something that works for you. Let us know what you find.

Answering the question about depression ... as someone has already mentioned, it depends on what chemical your brain is lacking. I have a suggestion that is so simple, it will sound loony, but I never make advice based on a 'report' or 'hearsay' because every one of us is unique, so trial and error is recommended, IMO ... I always do my own research on my own body. So here goes ... and apologies in advance if it sounds pedestrian:

I have trouble with sugar and dairy but really, really, really love dark chocolate. We all know (I hope) the benefits of chocolate, but sadly the benefit is not in the chocolate, which is candy, but in the cocoa which is the main (or should be main) ingredient. In order to indulge in my deepest of food desires, I had to be disciplined about it or not be able to do it at all, so I vowed to let Sunday mornings be my green tea, dark chocolate (1 oz ONLY,) and newspaper de-stress period. Over time, I noticed a pattern ... I was ridiculously happy after those weekly morning indulgences. So, how could I incorporate chocolate everyday into my diet without getting sick from the dairy and sugar? Answer (I know, Duh) ... just partake of the cocoa, only. So I bought pure, unsweetened cocoa powder and began concocting ways of ingesting one rounded teaspoon every single day, in the morning. After about two weeks, I began to notice that my life-long chronic depression didn't seem to rule my life any more. The only thing I had changed (I keep track) was the cocoa powder. So, I continued it and continued receiving the benefits of it, even sneaking into my homemade taco meat. I did this for a few years and never regretted it and never took anything else for depression episodes, because even when they would hit as they sometimes do, they just didn't feel as hard to live with. Another cool thing happened when I did my cocoa investigation, in addition to becoming a cocoa connoisseur (the cocoa rouge is to die for,) I realized that I also no longer, ever craved chocolate any more! Win-win As a side note, I had a highly depressive client that I made this suggestion to. One day, the client showed up with a weird grin, something totally abnormal for this person. When I asked what was up, I was informed that they had been trying the cocoa powder, ordering it in a block that they ground themselves, and was taking in three rounded teaspoons a day and being totally high throughout the day! (I recommended the dose be cut down a tad!) lol.

PS. I didn't give you my history of the handful of pharmaceuticals and the barrage of natural supplements I tried before I discovered the cocao. I don't want to get anyone's hopes up, but I've felt no need to try anything else, since the cocoa discovery. (Not cocoa drink, but unsweetened cocoa powder.)

PPS. Anxiety and PTSD related stuff? Still stuck there. But then again, the circumstances are highly unusual.

I was advised that skullcap and Dong Quai root powder can help.

If you get skullcap [or scullcap] get wildcrafted sculletaria or nana NOT commercial or organic latefloria. [the commercial and so-called 'organic' are far less potent and are often GMO [genetically modified organism]

To soothe the nerves I find a tea infusion of blue lotus is great. 1 rounded tsp steeped for 3 minutes minimum. And it tastes great too!

@Kooner: Since you've become a connoisseur of cocoa, you might want to try blue lotus as a tea. It's very soothing and relaxing. You can get it on ebay. [make sure it's wildcrafted, of course ]

Marijuana really does wonders as long as it is done in moderation. Wouldn't suggest doing it all the time though. once a day max for depression.

For me, bicycle riding, running or such and eating very healthy.
I am bi-polar and can have very deep depression if I lay around and eat poorly.
I tried medication, but they only made things worse.

St. Johns Wort is the strongest natural anti-depressant, so I've heard. I used to pick them myself right in the meadows by my parents' home and make a strong and tasty tea. It doesn't help much when you feel the black clouds gathering, but it certainly is a good tea. I remember this summer in the countryside when sometimes I would spice it with vodka and enter the dreamy fields of happiness. It doesn't really matter whats it gonna do to you when theres noone around, it's just peace, quiet and the forest.

Cycling and other sports help too. I was really a lot better functioning, until my bike got stolen. Cycling at least 20 km per day while listening to music and putting your plans together - I couldnt name many things I enjoyed this much. And after that you're pleasently exhausted and full of serotonin. I also used to drink loads of carrot juice back then, maybe theres a connection?

As for fish oil, I've tried it and it didn't do a thing, maybe the dose was too little.

Probiotics somehow help to manage the overall balance in the body. At least, you're "physically" well.

Yeah, and pot. Just don't try to end a panick attack with a blunt. It's a damn big mistake. Don't do it while having an actual breakdown. Prevent it from coming, have a smoke and try to focus on something you consider pleasant. Like a favorite cartoon. Or the mating habits of frogs. Focus on that as hard as you can. Plan on filming the frogs yourself. Whatever, it's supposed to be like a meditation to stop the brain from boiling. If you're entering a manic state, it will surely calm you down and maybe even put to sleep. If you can't eat or sleep because of mania, pot should do the trick.
But, yeah, it's mostly illegal, so don't.

Eating healthy and having regular physical activities kind of helps. At least, so that you dont become "physically ill" right on the onset of depression because of your immunity weakening. It also works the other way around - weakened body equals even more depression prone mind.