Mood-Enhancing Vitamins

Vitamins play a big part in the overall health of your body; they can even help to improve your mood and brain function.

Mood-Enhancing Vitamins

When the body does not work at it's best, it's hard for your mind to be at peace. While most prefer to turn to antidepressants and medications to improve emotional trials, there is evidence that antidepressants could have numerous negative side effects. Most doctors prefer instead to advise their patients to have regular exercise and good nutrition, a combination which improves brain function and enhances one's emotional well being. Along with that, taking natural supplements and vitamins and eating brain enhancing foods can also serve to improve your emotional health.

Here are some energy boosting supplements and mood-enhancing vitamins that you can use to improve your mental wellbeing as well as boost your energy levels. Remember, however, that you should consult your doctor before taking different medications simultaneously.

Potential mood enhancing supplements

  • Lavender essential oil and tea can be used to relax the nerves and relieve anxiety and depression.
  • Valerian, a herbal remedy that is made from dried roots, can be taken to improve the quality of your sleep and reduce anxiety.
  • Omega-3 can be obtained from cold-water fish, certain vegetables, and omega-3 supplements. Because it promotes healthy brain function, it can be used to help treat depression and psychological problems. In most cases a person with emotional problems are advised to take approximately 2,000 to 4,000 milligrams of omega-3 per day.
  • Vitamin D supplements may be effective in treating certain types of emotional disorders like seasonal affective disorder. SAD, seasonal affective disorder, is a form of depression that occurs during the winter months due to a lack of sunlight to stimulate the brain cells. In certain studies, Vitamin D has proven to be an affective mood enhancer, though sufficient evidence is lacking.
  • B Vitamins are important for cell metabolism and for maintaining the central nervous system. Taking vitamin-B complex supplements each day can help stabilize nerve cell membranes.
  • St. John's wort is one of the most commonly used treatments for sleep disorders, mild to moderate depression, and anxiety. It may help to relieve symptoms of PMS, or perimenopausal mood changes as well. However, it may not be as effective for people with more severe forms of depression.

St. John's wort can be taken in its capsule, tablet, liquid extract, or tea form. The usual dose should be about 900 to 1,200 milligrams per day, for at least three months. Do not take it alongside prescription drugs for birth control, anti-depression, HIV, or blood thinning. It may increase the side effects of these medications.