Evidence supporting the use of: Methylxanthine
For the health condition: Depression
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
Methylxanthines are a class of compounds that include caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline. Their primary mechanism of action is as adenosine receptor antagonists, leading to increased neuronal activity and the stimulation of various neurotransmitter systems, including dopamine and norepinephrine. There is some scientific interest in the potential role of caffeine, the most commonly consumed methylxanthine, in alleviating symptoms of depression due to its mood-elevating and psychostimulant effects. Epidemiological studies have indicated an association between moderate caffeine consumption and a lower risk of depressive symptoms. For example, a large cohort study published in JAMA Internal Medicine (2011) found that women who consumed more caffeine had a reduced risk of depression compared to those who consumed less. However, these findings are correlational and not proof of causality. Clinical trials directly assessing methylxanthines as treatments for depression are limited and inconsistent, with some suggesting transient improvements in mood and alertness but not robust or sustained antidepressant effects. Additionally, excessive methylxanthine intake can worsen anxiety and disrupt sleep, which may counteract any potential antidepressant benefits. Thus, while there is a scientific basis for investigating methylxanthines as mood modulators, the overall quality and strength of evidence for their use in treating depression is limited and does not support their use as a primary or adjunctive therapy for depressive disorders.
Other ingredients used for Depression
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)Acetyl L-carnitine
algal oil
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
amino acids
anchovies
anthocyanins
ashwagandha
Waterhyssop
basil
bergamot
beta caryophyllene
Bifidobacterium longum
black tea
Indian frankincense
bасора
caffeine
Cannabis sativa oil
chamomile
Chinese salvia root
choline
citicoline
clove
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
cordyceps
creatine monohydrate
turmeric
curcumin
damiana
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
eleuthero
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
fish oil
fish protein
flavonols
folate
gardenia
ginger
ginkgo biloba
ginseng
gotu kola
Greek mountain tea
green tea
hemp oil
Indian tinospora
inositol
jujube
krill oil
l-5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt (5-MTHF)
L-carnosine
L-glycine
L-methionine
L-phenylalanine
L-theanine
L-tryptophan
l-tyrosine
lactium casein decapeptide
lavender
lion's mane
lithium orotate
liquid liver fractions
luteolin
maca
magnesium
magnolia
Marine lipid
Matcha
Melatonin
Moringa
Muira puama
N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
omega-3 fatty acids
phenolic compounds
phosphatidylserine
phospholipids
phytocannabinoids
polygala root
pomegranate
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
pregnenolone
protein
butyric acid
quercetin
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
Rhodiola
rose oil
rosemary
saffron
sage
SAMe (S-adenosyl-L-methionine disulfate p-toluensulfate)
sceletium
selenium
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
Sphaeranthus indicus
spirulina
Tongkat ali
Almond fruit
Valerian root
velvet bean
vitamin B
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
Whey protein
Zinc
suma
gastrodia
Mugwort
alpinia galangal
commiphora
blackboard tree
Caesalpinia crista
peony
lingzhi
lemongrass
kanna
cistanche
dodder
Morinda
royal jelly
polyphenols
trace minerals
St. John's Wort
Yerba mate
cocoa
thyroid substance
star of Bethlehem
5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
7,8-Dihydroxyflavone
arginine creatine
Ardisia
Angelica
apigenin
Albizia
Agmatine
Agarwood
Alpha lactalbumin
Asteraceae
Algal protein
aniracetam
Amor seco
betony
Baikal Skullcap
Broussonetia
beta-hydroxybutyrate
biopterin
Butea monosperma
Beef liver
Bacopin
brahmi
Bacopa
bee products
bacoside
baicalin
Black Hellebore
biogenic amine
Camellia sinensis
coconut
caryophyllene
Monkey flower
crocin
Clary sage
catalpol
Codonopsis
Curcuminoid
Citrus
Chinese raisintree
curcumen
Cymbopogon martini
Centella asiatica
chocolate
creatine
Curcuma
cowslip
cannabidiol
Convolvulus prostratus
Convolvulus pluricaulis
cola nut
Canscora
cannabichromene
docosahexaenoic Acid
D-phenylalanine
DHEA
devil\'s club
dopamine
egg
Eicosatetraenoic acid
eicosapentaenoic acid
estrogen
folinic acid
folic acid
flavonoids
fragrant rosewood
fish
fatty acids
fungus
frankincense
guanidinoacetic acid
Ginsenosides
Griffonia simplicifolia
Gypenoside
Glutamate
Glycine
gastrodin
Honokiol
Hypericin
Hellebore
Hypericum
hyperforin
Helicteres isora
hericium mushroom
hemp
isoliquiritigenin
long pepper
icariin
Indian fagonia
inositol phosphate
jasmine
Jatamansi
Kokilaksha
lemon balm
Lebbek
ligustilides
limonene
Lavandin
Lycopodium
Large-leaved linden
little ironweed
lactalbumin
lactoglobulin
linalool
lipids
Methylcobalamin
Marine protein
Milk Protein
Methylxanthine
Mimosa
Meadow sage
Marine fat
magnolol
Mulungu
Mesembrine
Nardostachys
Nigella seed
Nymphaea caerulea
Nymphaea nouchali
Nutmeg
Oroxylum indicum
Onosma bracteatum
Oxindole alkaloids
Osthole
Phosphocreatine
pyrroloquinoline quinone
Phenylethylamine (PEA)
Pulsatilla
Patchouli oil
Pentacyclic triterpenoids
polyunsaturated fat
Piper nigrum
Polygonatum
paeoniflorin
Physalis angulata
poly-thyronine
Phytoestrogens
Polygala
Petiveria
Purple Monkeyflower
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
rue
rosavins
Rosabin
rosmarinic acid
Rubiaceae
rose
Sichuan Lovage
Schizochytrium Oil
Sete sangrias
Spikenard
Scleranthus annus
Salvia
Sensitive Plant
Sulbutiamine
Salmon Oil
Salidroside
Safed musli
Shankhpushpi
Sandalwood
Stereospermum
Shilajit
Safranal
Sarcosine
Sweet Orange alcohol
Terpenoids
Tea
Thymoquinone
Tumerone
Trichilia catigua
Tetrahydropalmatine
Uncaria
Uridine
Vetiver
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Withanolides
Wogonin
Wulinshen
Walnut
Xanthophyll
Xylaria nigripes
Yuzu
Yerba buena
Yohimbine
Ylang ylang
Zucchini
Zingiberene
