St Johns Wort?

[Flat6time]

Ello all,

Witchcraft or a good way of helping lift my mood? been a bit hacked of with life recently. Tried kicking the booze, and am out running a few times a week with the dog, but I still feel like I used to be happier.

Anyone have any expeiences of using it, or side effects to concern myself with?

[drivin_me_nuts]

If you are on any drugs be aware that it can interfere with uptake. used a lot in Germany instead of drugs. Read more before you make a decision.

[Mobile Chicane]

Mostly useless, I think.

The supposed mechanism of St John's Wort is that of a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) - an outdated (at least in the UK) form of anti-depressant due to nasty interactions with common foods containing high levels of tyramine - cheese, liver, chocolate, etc - which can be fatal.

If the dietary supplement sold as St John's Wort contained any useful amount of MAOI, people would be dropping like flies from its ill-effects, yet they aren't.

Hence, I conclude, snake oil.

See a doctor. Moreover one without 'witch' in their title.

[ctdctd]

Worked for me a few years back & got me through a sticky period. Whatever the GP tried just sent me to sleep!

No side effects that I noticed over a couple of month.

HTH

[timmybob]

Mobile Chicane said:

The supposed mechanism of St John's Wort is that of a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) - an outdated (at least in the UK) form of anti-depressant due to nasty interactions with common foods containing high levels of tyramine - cheese, liver, chocolate, etc - which can be fatal.

I thought the suspected MOA was serotonin reuptake inhibition not MAOI? The Cochrane review wasn't particularly helpful as to whether it works or not..