Supplements to Support Mood

NAD+ precursor that raises HDL, lowers LDL and triglycerides, and fuels cellular energy metabolism at therapeutic doses.

Brings depressive symptoms down by ~8.6 PHQ-9 points· Moderate evidence

Drives 100+ methylation reactions including neurotransmitter synthesis — clinically validated for depression, osteoarthritis, and liver health.

Brings depressive symptoms down by ~4.9 PHQ-9 points· Moderate evidence

Turmeric's active compound that modulates NF-kB inflammatory pathways — supports mood, joint health, and post-exercise recovery.

Reduce depressive symptoms by ~4.2 PHQ-9 points· Moderate evidence

Adrenal hormone precursor that declines with age, supporting hormone balance, energy, and body composition.

Reduce depressive symptoms by ~1.3 PHQ-9 points· Moderate evidence

A steroid-hormone precursor and neurosteroid being studied mainly in clinical psychiatry; human evidence is early and there is no proven benefit for cognition, mood, or anti-aging in healthy people.

Brings depressive symptoms down by ~8.7 PHQ-9 points· Weak evidence

Tea-derived amino acid that boosts alpha brain waves for calm, focused alertness — synergizes with caffeine to reduce jitteriness.

Drops depression severity by ~5.3 PHQ-9 points· Weak evidence

Clinically matched low-dose SSRIs for mild-to-moderate depression — also reduces anxiety and PMS symptoms.

Drops depression severity by ~5.1 PHQ-9 points· Weak evidence

A traditional GABA-modulating vine for anxiety and sleep — well tolerated, but the human trial evidence is small and mixed, with meta-analyses unable to confirm a clear anxiolytic effect.

Brings depressive symptoms down by ~5 PHQ-9 points· Weak evidence

Acetylated carnitine that crosses the blood-brain barrier to fuel mitochondrial energy and donate acetyl groups for acetylcholine synthesis.

Drops depression severity by ~4.8 PHQ-9 points· Weak evidence

Dual precursor to acetylcholine and phosphatidylcholine — enhances memory, focus, and brain cell membrane repair.

Lowers depression score by ~4.7 PHQ-9 points· Weak evidence