St John's Antidepressant

Question: Does St. John's wart really work for stress or antidepressant? Has anyone tried it. And if so does it work, or is just a bunch of stuff that my body can do with out. I am trying to stay away from the prescription medication. If any knows what works better please let me know.

Answer: This is a fantastic product i tested it out and it really did work wonder....I actually tried to feel upset but the chemical serotonin wasn't letting me feel upset. I either used to drink the tea OR take the pill if i was on the go P.S Warning Do not take more then the bottle says or it can make depressive states worsen But apart from that don't overdose and it will work fantastically for you.

Question: SSRI antidepressants cause brain damage?! and can make you permenantly miserable later? what about st. john`s.? i read a few articles saying that prescription antidepressants (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) has actually been shown to cause brain damage. one of the specific drugs that had been shown to cause brain damage was Prozac. the article also mentions that SSRIs may have a negative effect on serotonergic nerve cells, causing them to fire serotonin (happy chemical) less efficiently in the future (permenant depression?) st. john's wort has been said to work like a standard SSRI (because it also inhibits the reuptake of serotonin) and it has even been compared to Prozac. so my question is, if this means that st. john's wort might also cause brain damage?

Answer: You dont need to take any pills. By eating healthy, exercising, doing yoga, meditation, relaxation techniques and thinking positive, you can overcome depression naturally without any side effects. And its VERY effective!!

Question: Does it take some time for St John's Wort to start working? I mean like all antidepressants, two or more weeks. And, as i remember it is an IMAO, so it targets all neurotransmitters: serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine?

Answer: They say about 2 to 3 weeks. As to what it is/contains, go here: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-stjohnswort.html

Question: How long does it take for St. John's Wort to take affect ...? in relieving depression? I have mild depression and cannot tolerate taking antidepressants, so I was wondering if anyone knew how long it might take for St John's Wort to help me with my emotions? Thanks!

Answer: It generally takes about a month to feel the full effect of the herb. However, you really must go to a qualified naturopath to find out what herbs/supplements will work best for you and to see if you have a vitamin deficiency or other health problem that could be causing your depression. St. Johns Wort has been proven in a number of clinical trials to be as effective as SSRIs -- check out PubMed. However, it is not for everyone and interacts with a number of drugs so you should not just take it on your own without medical guidance.

Question: When is the best time to take St John's Wort? I usually take 2 tablets before bedtime & first thing in the morning but what I want to know is if there is any particular time I should take them? I won't go anywhere near antidepressants as I don't need them, So using the natural way.

Answer: I've found it's best when you first get up, preferably after having some food first. In the event I forget to take it, I find I'm irritable when trying to face the normal stresses of the day. Before bedtime doesn't really do much for me, as I think the effects wear off by the time I wake up. I take Melatonin before bed, for a natural peaceful sleep.

Question: Has anyone had luck with St. John's Wart? I have been actively taking anti-depressants for almost a year now. I am currently taking Lexapro (20mg). I am fed up with the weight gain!! I am a very short person, and I am pushing 150 pounds. I thought about switching from my Lexapro to St. John's Wart because I would like to take a more natural approach to my treatment. My doctor said that my weight gain is from taking my Klonopin for my anxiety. (I only take the Klonopin as needed, which isn't very often. I take the Lexapro once a day). I seriously think it's from the antidepressants! Has anyone tried St. John's Wart for depression? Have you had any luck with it. Is there anything else that you would recommend? Any help would be greatly appreciated!!! Thank you.

Answer: I tried St John's Wort and was really hopeful that it would ease my depression. Unfortunately, after about four weeks, I could see it was having no effect. But it does work for some people; in Germany they prescribe it a lot for depression, though whether it perhaps works better for mild depression as opposed to severe depression, I'm not sure. Do remember that you can't take St John's Wort with anti depressants, or the birth control Pill; it also interacts with many other medications. Many people seem to gain weight from taking anti depressants; ask your doctor to switch you to one that is less likely to have this side effect.

Question: St. John's Wort: Your experiences please? I've had lasting anxiety for several years and I'm ready to admit I should probably ask my doc for an antidepressant. When I took them in the past, though, I did sometimes have side effects and it's been so long, I'm not even sure how well they worked for me. I am interested in trying St. John's Wort as a natural alternative to an Rx antidepressant and I am curious about your experiences using this herb. I have heard mostly good things about it and my uncle used to swear by it. Any input is appreciated. Thanks!

Answer: St John's Wort is not always without side effects. Potential side effects include dry mouth, dizziness and gut problems. I took St John's Wort for a short period before seeking professional help for my depression. I experienced an odd dizzy nausea that was pretty strong. I figured if I was going to get side effects I may as well try something prescribed under the guidance of a doctor. For me, it didn't help my depression much but many people find it useful for milder depression as you say. If St John's Wort doesn't help you could consider going back to your doctor and trying another anti-depressant. Different anti-depressants effect everyone differently, many people have to experiment before finding one that is suited to them. Good luck!

Question: If St. John's Wort has the same mechanism as other SSRIs and no side effects, why not take just that? It is an SSRI like the others. If it doesn't work then no other SSRI will work because reuptaking Serotonin doesn't work. People change antidepressants because of the side effects and not because of the mechanism of reuptaking Serotonin. But this one never has any side effects and has the same mechanism. Why not use this one? daddyrx- I think all those drugs are unlikely to be taken by the one considering in taken Wort. but you tell me.

Answer: Hypericin and Hyperforin are the two main active ingredients in St. John's Wort. This substance does act as a mild serotonin reuptake inhibitor. The reason that the side effects of SSRI drugs are identified and understood is because they have been studied in multiple large scale clinical trials. In these trials side effects are meticulously reported, compared to placebos and analyzed. When drugs are placed on the market, the manufacturer is obligated by law to monitor for and report adverse events St. John's wort on the other hand has been studied in relatively few trials, most of which have been rather weak, poorly documented and have reached conclusions showing it to somewhere between totally ineffective to mildly effective in mild depression. The general consensus is that it is not particularly effective and that much stronger research needs to be done to validate it as a treatment for depression. It is also marketed as a supplement, not a drug. In the US, this means that the manufacturer is basically under no obligation to make sure it is safe, that it works. They have no obligation to report adverse events or side effects, and may actively suppress them. There is also no way to standardize the dose, amount of active chemicals in it. In practice, they aren't even obligated to manufacture it under safe and sanitary conditions, because there are no provisions in the law to actually inspect them, hire people to do so, or punish them if they were to be caught. Supplement manufacturers have been found to adulterate supplements with everything from human and animal fecal matter to drugs, to human placenta - both intentional and through sloppy practice. St. John's Wort also interacts with a major enzyme system in the liver, CYP3A4. This can result in extremely dangerous interactions with a large number of drugs and substances, including birth control pills, seizure medications and countless others. This pathway is the main route the body uses to degrade and excrete foreign molecules. St. John's Wort has one of the most potent interactions with it known. In addition, most SSRI drugs and SNRI drugs, as well as some other families of psychiatric medications appear to exert part of their efficacy through neurotrophic factors in the brain that control proliferation and survival of neurons and neuronal axons, and to do so in specific areas independently of their effects on Oh, so basically it doesn't 'not have side effects' - it just doesn't have well documented, studied or reported side effects. That's a big difference.

Question: Does St. John's wort make you dumb like prescription antidepressants? Does it slow your mental processes, or affect your intelligence?

Answer: No! It works! NO SIDE EFFECTS! Edit: Yes Aoife they do!

Question: Anyone have real success using St. John's Wort for depression & anxiety? I have had depression/anxiety and sleep problems for about 4-5 months, and have tried several antidepressants which made my anxiety worse and so I quit them quickly. I am still open to the possibility of finding an antidepressant that works for me that I can tolerate, but am going to first try some natural medicines/diet/exersise options. My main question at this point is on St. John's Wort affectiveness treating depression and anxiety. I would like to here some experiences from people who have tried using it. Please explain how much you take, what form, and who long it took to work, or if it didn't help. Thanks

Answer: I've taken St. John's Wort but with little success. Possibly because I didn't look at the big picture, I was expecting to much from it. I needed to do more than just take a few pills a day. When I wake up I do a few stretches, nothing strenuous, a few deep breathing exercises for a few minutes, then have a cup of herbal tea, no sugar,I've cut out the coffee with sugar. Through out the day I'll have a cup of chamomile tea with lemon extract, and just as important I relax, breath and quiet mind are important. If I'm at home I burn incense and do it with the lights off, while I drink tea. I've tried the pharmo's, don't like where they took me, so I tried the natural produces and feel better for it. For sleep I also stay natural, I rotate between L-Trytophan, Melotonin and Valerian. I've tried the Valerian as tea, ugg, no way, so I take the pills. It has draw backs, it comes out in the sweat if taken more than the recomemded dose, ti works. The L-Tryophan is found naturaly in turkey but I take the pills, it works also. The Melotonin is found naturly in the brain and the pills I use for sleep also, in smaller doses I'll use it for times of stress when I can't do plan A, a warm bath with a candle and insence. The best to you, try to stay natural as possible.

Question: Is St. John's Wort safe & effective as a natural anti-depressant? I just want to know has anyone had any side effects from it & how bad the side effects(if any) were......& if it really works as an alternative to antidepressants Help really appreciated Also does anyone know of any other alternative remedies for depression & anxiety?

Answer: actually my own doctor recommonded it to me for mild depression. LOL. i would definitley consult a docotr b/c certain depression does not always need drugs and having a medical professional evealuate you and help you along when you have depression is a good idea. also if you take any other medicinces a doctor can tell you about interactions. every one's different and every depression is too.

Question: What is the best antidepressant with least side effects? I am 20, male and I have been depressed for about 4 years. I was gonna take st john's wort, but was told by my psychiatrist that it's not really effective...so he suggested antidepressants. I also get quite extreme anxiety around people. I'm gonna talk to my doctor before I decide which one I'm gonna use but I'd like to hear what any of you think if you've had any experience with antidepressants . Which are the best?

Answer: If you are suffering from clinical depression, which it sounds like, because of the prolonged nature of it (4 years is a long time) -- no matter how many vitamins or herbals you take, or walks you do... is going to cure you. There is no such thing as "best"... everyone has a different make up. If you have had a close family member suffering from it.. try first what they are on. That often works well, because of the shared chemicals. It is mostly trial and error. I have heard from friends, Effexor works well. Keeps you energized, and in high spirits. The trouble, like all anti-depressants for males, is sexual drive decrease. It's not THAT bad, if you are worrying, from the point of a woman! lol Been with men taking it, and, they make too much out of it. I personally would say, stay away from Prozac if anything.

Question: St. John's wort do they know? people tell me it is a natural antidepressant

Answer: I only know the wort St. John, is called by the people as the natural prozac because it acts by blocking the brain's serotonin improving depression, anxiety, shyness, inhibition and various behavioral problems. Recent research in Germany under strict and verifiable scientific studies comparing the Saint Johnswort and paroxetine with equal results in the reduction of major depression, so the Saint Johnswort is as effective in the treatment of major depression that chemical antidepressants. The wort is also used to combat other diseases such as anxiety disorders, digestive problems, enuresis, gout, arthritis, sciatica, backache and menstrual pain. The best brand I know is that of the GNC vitamin store called SJW with 90 capsules of 500 mg, the therapeutic dose is between 1 gram and 3 grams, the antidepressant effects are felt from the third week. St. John's wort works best when used in combination with valerian root or other sedative natural disappearing the panic attacks that are so annoying and difficult to combat.

Question: Somebody know St. John's wort ? people tell me it is a natural antidepressant

Answer: It works, but it takes a while to build up in your system. Take twice what it says on the bottle and get the "Nature's Way" brand. It will work well, but be patient. Nature works a little slower than science, but without the side effects.

Question: somebody know St. John's wort ? people tell me it is a natural antidepressant

Answer: Recent work, published in the British Medical Journal, has suggested that St John's wort is as effective as imipramine in controlling symptoms of mild to moderate depression. Other research has also shown that this herb may be as effective as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in treating mild to moderate depression. However, recent studies also suggest that St John's wort is of no benefit in treating major depression of moderate severity. More research is required to help us know whether St. John's wort has value in treating other forms of depression.

Question: I need to find a natural antidepressant? I tired taking paxil and it was a nightmare. I want something to help me with my emotions. Does anyone have any advice? St John's wart?

Answer: Aside from St. John's Wort, I agree with the exercise suggestion. Exercise creates endorphins. I would also suggest helping others in some way, whether it be through a social organization, volunteering your time and efforts, or merely helping your neighbors, friends, people in the supermarket, etc. The positive feedback you get from people will boost your own emotions. Although the Paxil did not work for you, doesn't mean another antidepressant won't work. Some people have to go through a trial of quite a few before finding one that will work for them. Best thing to do is to see a counselor who will diagnose your symptoms, not just randomly prescribe something like an m.d. will. My psychiatrist had me go for a thyroid test to rule out any physical aspects first, and cognitive therapy was perhaps the best thing I did for myself. Good luck to you.