Evidence supporting the use of: Turmeric
For the health condition: Depression

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Turmeric, specifically its active compound curcumin, has been investigated for its potential role in supporting or treating depression. Several clinical trials and meta-analyses have suggested that curcumin may have antidepressant effects. These effects are thought to stem from curcumin's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, as well as its influence on neurotransmitter regulation (such as serotonin and dopamine). For example, a 2017 meta-analysis published in the journal Journal of the American Medical Directors Association found that curcumin supplementation produced a significant reduction in depressive symptoms compared to placebo. Several studies have observed that curcumin may be particularly effective when used as an adjunct to standard antidepressant medications.

Mechanistically, curcumin is believed to modulate multiple pathways implicated in depression, including reducing neuroinflammation, enhancing brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and regulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. However, despite these promising findings, the overall quality and size of the studies are limited; many have small sample sizes, short durations, or methodological limitations. Additionally, curcumin’s poor bioavailability in the human body raises questions about its efficacy unless formulated to enhance absorption.

In summary, there is growing scientific evidence suggesting turmeric/curcumin may provide some benefit in supporting mood and reducing depressive symptoms, but larger, high-quality studies are needed to confirm its efficacy and determine optimal dosing strategies.

More about turmeric
More about Depression

Other ingredients used for Depression

5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
7,8-Dihydroxyflavone
Acetyl L-carnitine
Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
Agarwood
Agmatine
Albizia
algal oil
Algal protein
Almond fruit
Alpha lactalbumin
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
alpinia galangal
amino acids
Amor seco
anchovies
Angelica
aniracetam
anthocyanins
apigenin
Ardisia
arginine creatine
ashwagandha
Asteraceae
Bacopa
Bacopin
bacoside
baicalin
Baikal Skullcap
basil
bee products
Beef liver
bergamot
beta caryophyllene
beta-hydroxybutyrate
betony
Bifidobacterium longum
biogenic amine
biopterin
Black Hellebore
black tea
blackboard tree
brahmi
Broussonetia
Butea monosperma
butyric acid
bасора
Caesalpinia crista
caffeine
Camellia sinensis
cannabichromene
cannabidiol
Cannabis sativa oil
Canscora
caryophyllene
catalpol
Centella asiatica
chamomile
Chinese raisintree
Chinese salvia root
chocolate
choline
cistanche
citicoline
Citrus
Clary sage
clove
cocoa
coconut
Codonopsis
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
cola nut
commiphora
Convolvulus pluricaulis
Convolvulus prostratus
cordyceps
cowslip
creatine
creatine monohydrate
crocin
Curcuma
curcumen
curcumin
Curcuminoid
Cymbopogon martini
D-phenylalanine
damiana
devil\'s club
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
DHEA
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)
docosahexaenoic Acid
dodder
dopamine
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
egg
eicosapentaenoic acid
Eicosatetraenoic acid
eleuthero
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
estrogen
fatty acids
fish
fish oil
fish protein
flavonoids
flavonols
folate
folic acid
folinic acid
fragrant rosewood
frankincense
fungus
gardenia
gastrodia
gastrodin
ginger
ginkgo biloba
ginseng
Ginsenosides
Glutamate
Glycine
gotu kola
Greek mountain tea
green tea
Griffonia simplicifolia
guanidinoacetic acid
Gypenoside
Helicteres isora
Hellebore
hemp
hemp oil
hericium mushroom
Honokiol
hyperforin
Hypericin
Hypericum
icariin
Indian fagonia
Indian frankincense
Indian tinospora
inositol
inositol phosphate
isoliquiritigenin
jasmine
Jatamansi
jujube
kanna
Kokilaksha
krill oil
l-5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt (5-MTHF)
L-carnosine
L-glycine
L-methionine
L-phenylalanine
L-theanine
L-tryptophan
l-tyrosine
lactalbumin
lactium casein decapeptide
lactoglobulin
Large-leaved linden
Lavandin
lavender
Lebbek
lemon balm
lemongrass
ligustilides
limonene
linalool
lingzhi
lion's mane
lipids
liquid liver fractions
lithium orotate
little ironweed
long pepper
luteolin
Lycopodium
maca
magnesium
magnolia
magnolol
Marine fat
Marine lipid
Marine protein
Matcha
Meadow sage
Melatonin
Mesembrine
Methylcobalamin
Methylxanthine
Milk Protein
Mimosa
Monkey flower
Morinda
Moringa
Mugwort
Muira puama
Mulungu
N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
Nardostachys
Nigella seed
Nutmeg
Nymphaea caerulea
Nymphaea nouchali
omega-3 fatty acids
Onosma bracteatum
Oroxylum indicum
Osthole
Oxindole alkaloids
paeoniflorin
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
Patchouli oil
Pentacyclic triterpenoids
peony
Petiveria
phenolic compounds
Phenylethylamine (PEA)
phosphatidylserine
Phosphocreatine
phospholipids
Physalis angulata
phytocannabinoids
Phytoestrogens
Piper nigrum
poly-thyronine
Polygala
polygala root
Polygonatum
polyphenols
polyunsaturated fat
pomegranate
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
pregnenolone
protein
Pulsatilla
Purple Monkeyflower
pyrroloquinoline quinone
quercetin
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
Rhodiola
Rosabin
rosavins
rose
rose oil
rosemary
rosmarinic acid
royal jelly
Rubiaceae
rue
Safed musli
saffron
Safranal
sage
Salidroside
Salmon Oil
Salvia
SAMe (S-adenosyl-L-methionine disulfate p-toluensulfate)
Sandalwood
Sarcosine
sceletium
Schizochytrium Oil
Scleranthus annus
selenium
Sensitive Plant
Sete sangrias
Shankhpushpi
Shilajit
Sichuan Lovage
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
Sphaeranthus indicus
Spikenard
spirulina
St. John's Wort
star of Bethlehem
Stereospermum
Sulbutiamine
suma
Sweet Orange alcohol
Tea
Terpenoids
Tetrahydropalmatine
Thymoquinone
thyroid substance
Tongkat ali
trace minerals
Trichilia catigua
Tumerone
turmeric
Uncaria
Uridine
Valerian root
velvet bean
Vervain
Vetiver
vitamin B
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
Walnut
Waterhyssop
Whey protein
Withanolides
Wogonin
Wulinshen
Xanthophyll
Xylaria nigripes
Yerba buena
Yerba mate
Ylang ylang
Yohimbine
Yuzu
Zinc
Zingiberene
Zucchini

Other health conditions supported by turmeric

Abdominal Pain
Abrasions
Acid Indigestion
Acne
Adenitis
Afterbirth Pain
Age Spots
Aging (prevention)
Allergies (food)
Allergies (respiratory)
Anal Fistula or Fissure
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Cartilage Damage
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Chest Pain
Chicken Pox
Cholera
Cholesterol (high)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Circulation (poor)
Circulation (to the brain)
Cirrhosis of the Liver
Cold Sores
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Colic (adults)
Colitis
Colon (atonic)
Colon (spastic)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (lymphatic)
Congestion (sinus)
Conjunctivitis
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Contagious Diseases
Convalescence
Convulsions
Corns
Cough (damp)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Cradle Cap
Cramps (menstrual)
Cramps and Spasms
Crohn's Disease
Cuts
Cystic Breast Disease
Cysts
Dandruff
Debility
Dementia
Denture Sores
Depression
Dermatitis
Diabetes
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diaper Rash
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Diphtheria
Dislocation
Diverticulitis
Duodenal Ulcers
Dyspepsia
Endometriosis
Enteritis
Epstein Barr Virus
Eye Infections
Eye Problems
Eyes (red or itching)
Eyesight (poor)
Fat Metabolism (poor)
Fatty Liver Disease
Fever
Fibroids (uterine)
Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Fibrosis
Free Radical Damage
Fungal Infections
Gall Bladder (sluggish or removed)
Gall Stones
Gangrene
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Giardia
Gingivitis
Glands (swollen lymph)
Glaucoma
Goiter
Gonorrhea
Gout
Halitosis
Hangover
Hashimoto's Disease
Headache (general)
Headache (sinus)
Headache (tension)
Headache (tension)
Heart (weakness)
Heavy Metal Poisoning
Hemochromatosis
Hemorrhoids
Hepatitis
Hernias
Herpes
Impetigo
Indigestion
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Influenza
Injuries
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Itching
Itching (rectal)
Jaundice (adults)
Jaundice (infants)
Jock Itch
Kidney Infection
Knees (weak)
Laryngitis
Leaky Gut Syndrome
Leprosy
Lesions
Leucorrhea
Leukemia
Lice
Ligaments (torn or injured)
Liver Detoxification
Lupus
Lyme Disease
Lymph Nodes or Glands (swollen)
Lymphoma
Macular Degeneration
Malaria
Mastitis
Measles
Melanoma
Memory and Brain Function
Mental Illness
Metabolic Syndrome
Migraine
Mood Swings
Multiple Sclerosis
Mumps
Muscular Dystrophy
Nephritis
Nerve Damage
Neuralgia and Neuritis
Oral Surgery
Ovarian Pain
Overacidity
Pain (general remedies for)
Paralysis
Parasites (general)
Pets (supplements for)
Phlebitis
Pleurisy
PMS Type P
PMS Type S
Pneumonia
Polyps
Psoriasis
Rheumatic Fever
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Scabies
Scars / Scar Tissue
Sciatica
Scratches and Abrasions
Senility
Skin (infections)
Slivers
Snake Bite
Sprains
Staph Infections
Stiff Neck
Stye
Tendonitis
Abscesses
Arteriosclerosis
Asthma
Autoimmune Disorders
Backache
Blood Clots (prevention of)
Blood in Stool
Body Odor
Boils
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Bursitis
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Carbuncles
Alzheimer's Disease
Arthritis
Bites and Stings
Bladder Infection
Burns and Scalds
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Edema
Fatigue