Author Archives: JmaC

Serotonin precursors are compounds used in the production of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, brain chemicals responsible for mood. A subset of people with bipolar disorder will respond to serotonin precursor treatment, but this intervention is still considered experimental. Both 5-hydorxytryptophan … Continue reading →

Bipolar disorder (formerly called manic depression) is a mood disorder that causes drastic changes in mood from high manic phases to depressive low phases. The manic phase is characterized by feelings of elated mood and exaggerated self-importance, talkativeness, little need … Continue reading →

The only true stand-alone CAM therapy for depression is St. John’s Wort. All other CAM therapies are typically considered adjuncts (additions) to other treatments. The following therapies are currently being studied to determine whether they benefit people with depression. These … Continue reading →

5-hydorxytryptophan (5-HTP) is a compound made from the amino acid (protein) tryptophan and is primarily found in the brain. 5-HTP is one of the basic building blocks for serotonin, a neurotransmitter (brain chemical) thought to be responsible for mood regulation. … Continue reading →

SAMe (pronounced “Sammy”) stands for S-adenosyl-L-methionine. SAMe is a compound produced by the liver and used throughout the body in a chemical process called methylation. Methylation, essential to many chemical reactions in the body, is one of the last steps … Continue reading →