14 Natural Antidepressants That 7 Health Experts Say Work

Natural antidepressants are substances obtained from natural sources—including plants, herbs, or dietary components—that may possess antidepressant properties, explains Erik Modlo, MD, MBA, IFMCP, a Functional Medicine Physician at Cleveland Clinic. And with depression rates on the rise—an estimated one in five U.S. adults struggle with mental illness, per the National Institutes of Mental Health—researchers and experts are exploring the potential of natural antidepressants as a complementary tool for mental health treatment. 

“We’re still learning about the underlying mechanisms of depression, but neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine clearly play a role,” explains Gary Soffer, MD, FAAP, director of the integrative medicine program at Yale Medicine and Smilow Cancer Hospital. “Many natural supplements aim to regulate these, while others may help reduce inflammation—another factor thought to contribute to depressive symptoms.”

That said, it’s very important to first talk to your doctor about starting a supplement or natural antidepressant, especially if you have known medical conditions or are taking other medications, says Michelle DiBlasi, DO, Chief of Inpatient Psychiatry at Tufts Medical Center. “Supplements may lower or increase the effectiveness of other medications you are taking, which can be particularly dangerous,” she explains. “People should also be aware that natural remedies may also vary in terms of dosing depending on the brand, so it is especially important to discuss with your doctor ahead of time before starting them.”

How do natural antidepressants work?

Natural antidepressant supplements can work in different ways and through different mechanisms. “Most commonly, they provide the brain with the building blocks needed to make neurotransmitters,” explains Connie Zajicek, MD, a Board-Certified Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychiatrist at Memorial Hermann Health System. 

Neurotransmitters include serotonin and dopamine, which each play a major role in regulating our mood, she says. “Supplements can, therefore, affect the amount of or efficiency with which our brain produces and uses neurotransmitters leading to improved mood regulation.” 

“I always recommend optimizing the diet first,” Dr. Soffer adds. “After all, supplements should be just that—a supplement to good nutrition.” But there are cases where it’s tough for someone to get enough of a certain nutrient from diet alone. 

In addition, dietary intake typically takes longer to correct an imbalance, and supplements can be used to jump-start the process while a person is learning how to change their diet, explains Jess Henning, APRN-CNP, IFMCP, a nurse practitioner with the Center for Integrative Health at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. 

14 Natural antidepressants to try today

“Supplements are very helpful, and they’re just part of the toolbox for addressing depression,” says Beata Lewis, MD, a Board-Certified Psychiatrist, Integrative Medicine Doctor, and a Clinical Assistant Professor of Complementary and Alternative Mental Health at NYU.

But each person is different—and treatment should be tailored, monitored, and adjusted with the support of a medical professional. “I rarely recommend just one supplement,” she explains. “I typically combine several based on each patient’s specific lab results.” 

Dr. Modlo also points out that while some natural products, or “nutraceuticals,” show promise, more high-quality research is needed. Concerns regarding standardization and long-term safety exist as well, as supplements are not regulated by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). 

That’s why Dr. Lewis recommends rechecking labs at least once a year to adjust a supplement protocol as things change. In addition: “Quality matters,” she says. “It’s best to use pharmaceutical grade supplements that are well researched, formulated, and tested.”