Mental Health

Depression

About Depression — Mental Health.

Major depression, persistent low mood and related conditions.

8studies analysed

5compounds with evidence

Systematic reviewstrongest evidence

Where research is strongest

Add your outcome — free & pseudonymous

Tried something for Depression? Share how it went — only ever published as part of a group of 10+.

5linked compounds

48linked studies

0published community reports

Results By the numbers Community Research Compounds

Headline results for Depression.

Figures as the studies reported them.

Colour keyReported a benefitNo clear benefitUnclearPossible harmAmber is for highlights, such as where the most research is. It never means a result was good.

Omega 3

3 of 10 results reported a benefit

2 studies, including a review of trials

Depression remission rateNo clear difference13% higher odds1 review of trials2021 study ↗
Treatment response rateNo clear difference20% higher odds1 review of trials0 of 2 results reported a benefit2021 study ↗

No figure given: Depression symptoms (mixed results).

Also measured alongside: Quality of life (no clear benefit).

Every result

5htp

3 of 4 results reported a benefit

2 studies, including a review of trials

Depression symptomsLarge effectmuch better than the comparison group1 review of trials2 of 2 results reported a benefit2020 study ↗
Depression remission rate65 in 100 of participants responded1 review of trials2020 study ↗

Also measured alongside: Apathy symptoms (no clear benefit).

Every result

Rhodiola Rosea

1 of 5 results reported a benefit

2 studies, including a review of trials

Depression symptomsNo clear difference5.1 lower, unit not reported compared with the start of the study1 randomised trial, compared with the start of the study0 of 2 results reported a benefit2015 study ↗
Treatment response rateNo clear difference39% higher odds1 randomised trial2015 study ↗

No figure given: Overall antidepressant effect (reported a benefit); Clinician-rated overall change (no clear benefit).

Every result

Saffron

1 of 2 results reported a benefit

1 review of trials

Depression symptomsMixed results1 review of trials · no comparable figure reported1 of 2 results reported a benefit2014 study ↗

Every result

Vitamin D3

0 of 2 results reported a benefit

1 randomised trial, 18,353 people

Depression symptomsNo clear difference0.01 points higher1 randomised trial2020 study ↗
Risk of developing depressionNo clear difference3% lower rate1 randomised trial2020 study ↗

Every result

Where the evidence is concentrated.

Published research

Depression: findings by compound

What this means: Bars count reported findings, not treatment effectiveness or certainty.

One study may report several findings or appear in more than one pairing. Counts do not show the size of an effect. Comparable numerical estimates are not established for this summary.

View the full data table

Published research: reported directions by pairing
Compound and condition	Findings (count)	Studies (count)	Reported results (finding counts)	How sure?
Omega 3	13	2	Benefit: 3; no benefit: 10; harm: 0; unclear: 0; not recorded / unrecognised: 0	Not formally graded
5htp	4	2	Benefit: 3; no benefit: 1; harm: 0; unclear: 0; not recorded / unrecognised: 0	Not formally graded
Rhodiola Rosea	6	2	Benefit: 1; no benefit: 3; harm: 1; unclear: 1; not recorded / unrecognised: 0	Not formally graded
Saffron	2	1	Benefit: 1; no benefit: 0; harm: 0; unclear: 1; not recorded / unrecognised: 0	Not formally graded
Vitamin D3	2	1	Benefit: 0; no benefit: 2; harm: 0; unclear: 0; not recorded / unrecognised: 0	Not formally graded

Degree of benefit for Depression

Strongest evidence first.

Published research: Depression. Study design is not a certainty grade.
Compound	Study designs	Reported findings
Omega 3Research score 25/100 · Mixed/Weak	2 systematic reviews/meta-analyses — 2 studies	3/13 outcomes showed benefit Depression symptomsSlightly better than the comparison group (slight effect)benefit2019 study ↗ Exact figures -0.28 (P=0.004) n=2160 · Follow-up: Not reported · Sample (as reported): 2160 · Recorded unit: Not reported · Efficacy of omega-3 PUFAs in depression: A meta-analysis. · Meta-Analysis · meta-analysis · PMID 31383846 Depression symptoms (EPA-major)Much better than the comparison group (large effect)benefit2019 study ↗ Exact figures -1.03 (P=0.03) · Follow-up: Not reported · Sample (as reported): Not reported · Recorded unit: Not reported · Efficacy of omega-3 PUFAs in depression: A meta-analysis. · Meta-Analysis · meta-analysis · PMID 31383846 Depression symptoms (EPA-pure)Moderately better than the comparison group (moderate effect)benefit2019 study ↗ Exact figures -0.50 (P=0.003) · Follow-up: Not reported · Sample (as reported): Not reported · Recorded unit: Not reported · Efficacy of omega-3 PUFAs in depression: A meta-analysis. · Meta-Analysis · meta-analysis · PMID 31383846 Depression symptoms (DHA-pure and DHA-major)No clear benefit found — measurement not reportedno benefit2019 study ↗ Exact figures No figures reported · Follow-up: Not reported · Sample (as reported): Not reported · Recorded unit: Not reported · Efficacy of omega-3 PUFAs in depression: A meta-analysis. · Meta-Analysis · meta-analysis · PMID 31383846 +9 more outcomes →
5htpResearch score 50/100 · Moderate	1 systematic review/meta-analysis + 1 randomised trial — 2 studies	3/4 outcomes showed benefit Depression remission rate65 in 100 of participants respondedbenefit2020 study ↗ Exact figures 0.65 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.55-0.78) n=13 · Follow-up: Not reported · Sample (as reported): 13 · Recorded unit: Not reported · Effects of 5-hydroxytryptophan on distinct types of depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis. · Meta-Analysis · meta-analysis · PMID 31504850 Depression symptomsMuch better than the comparison group (large effect)benefit2020 study ↗ Exact figures 1.11 (95%CI, 0.53-1.69) n=7 · Follow-up: Not reported · Sample (as reported): 7 · Recorded unit: Not reported · Effects of 5-hydroxytryptophan on distinct types of depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis. · Meta-Analysis · meta-analysis · PMID 31504850 Depressive symptoms (HDRS)Reported a benefit — measurement not reportedbenefit2020 study ↗ Exact figures n=25 · Follow-up: 4 weeks · Sample (as reported): 25 · Recorded unit: Not reported · Efficacy and safety of 5-hydroxytryptophan on depression and apathy in Parkinson's disease: a preliminary finding. · Randomized Controlled Trial · rct · PMID 32067288 Apathy symptoms (AS)No clear benefit found — measurement not reportedno benefit2020 study ↗ Exact figures n=25 · Follow-up: 4 weeks · Sample (as reported): 25 · Recorded unit: Not reported · Efficacy and safety of 5-hydroxytryptophan on depression and apathy in Parkinson's disease: a preliminary finding. · Randomized Controlled Trial · rct · PMID 32067288
Rhodiola RoseaResearch score 36/100 · Limited	1 systematic review/meta-analysis + 1 randomised trial — 2 studies	1/6 outcomes showed benefit HAM-D depression score — a depression rating scaleNo clear difference (5.1 lower, unit not reported compared with the start of the study)no benefit2015 study ↗ Exact figures -5.1; -4.6 (95% CI -8.8 to -1.3; p = 0.79) n=57 · Follow-up: 12 weeks · Sample (as reported): 57 · Recorded unit: Not reported · Rhodiola rosea versus sertraline for major depressive disorder: A randomized placebo-controlled trial. · Randomized Controlled Trial · rct · PMID 25837277 BDI depression scoreNo clear benefit found — see exact figuresno benefit2015 study ↗ Exact figures (p = 0.28) n=57 · Follow-up: 12 weeks · Sample (as reported): 57 · Recorded unit: Not reported · Rhodiola rosea versus sertraline for major depressive disorder: A randomized placebo-controlled trial. · Randomized Controlled Trial · rct · PMID 25837277 Antidepressant effectReported a benefit — measurement not reportedbenefit2011 study ↗ Exact figures No figures reported · Follow-up: Not reported · Sample (as reported): Not reported · Recorded unit: Not reported · Herbal medicine for depression, anxiety and insomnia: a review of psychopharmacology and clinical evidence. · Systematic Review · systematic-review · PMID 21601431 Adverse events30% vs 16.7% of participants — 13 more per 100 in the compound grouppossible harm2015 study ↗ Exact figures 30.0%; 16.7% (p = 0.012) n=57 · Follow-up: 12 weeks · Sample (as reported): 57 · Recorded unit: Not reported · Rhodiola rosea versus sertraline for major depressive disorder: A randomized placebo-controlled trial. · Randomized Controlled Trial · rct · PMID 25837277 +2 more outcomes →
SaffronResearch score 25/100 · Mixed/Weak	1 systematic review/meta-analysis — 1 study	1/2 outcomes showed benefit Depressive symptoms (placebo-controlled trials)Reported a benefit — measurement not reportedbenefit2014 study ↗ Exact figures No figures reported · Follow-up: Not reported · Sample (as reported): Not reported · Recorded unit: Not reported · Saffron (Crocus sativus) for depression: a systematic review of clinical studies and examination of underlying antidepressant mechanisms of action. · Systematic Review · systematic-review · PMID 25384672 Depressive symptoms (vs antidepressant medication)Unclear result — measurement not reportedunclear2014 study ↗ Exact figures No figures reported · Follow-up: Not reported · Sample (as reported): Not reported · Recorded unit: Not reported · Saffron (Crocus sativus) for depression: a systematic review of clinical studies and examination of underlying antidepressant mechanisms of action. · Systematic Review · systematic-review · PMID 25384672
Vitamin D3Research score 0/100 · Mixed/Weak	1 randomised trial — 1 study	0/2 outcomes showed benefit Risk of depression or clinically relevant depressive symptomsNo clear difference (3% lower rate)no benefit2020 study ↗ Exact figures 0.97; 13.3/1000 person-years (hazard ratio, 0.97 [95% CI, 0.87 to 1.09]; P = .62) n=18 353 · Follow-up: median treatment duration was 5.3 years · Sample (as reported): 18 353 · Recorded unit: Not reported · Effect of Long-term Vitamin D3 Supplementation vs Placebo on Risk of Depression or Clinically Relevant Depressive Symptoms and on Change in Mood Scores: A Randomized Clinical Trial. · Randomized Controlled Trial · rct · PMID 32749491 Change in mood scores (PHQ-8)No clear difference (0.01 points higher)no benefit2020 study ↗ Exact figures 0.01 (mean difference for change in mood scores, 0.01 points [95% CI, -0.04 to 0.05 points]) n=18 353 · Follow-up: median treatment duration was 5.3 years · Sample (as reported): 18 353 · Recorded unit: points · Effect of Long-term Vitamin D3 Supplementation vs Placebo on Risk of Depression or Clinically Relevant Depressive Symptoms and on Change in Mood Scores: A Randomized Clinical Trial. · Randomized Controlled Trial · rct · PMID 32749491

Important: This page reflects observational, aggregate-only community reporting and independent published research. It is not medical advice, and it does not claim any compound treats, cures, or is effective for any condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing any supplement or treatment.

No community reports published yet.

We publish depression results only once at least 10 people report on the same compound, so no individual report is ever shown.

5htp
Research saysResearch score 50/100 · Moderate2 of 2 studies reported at least one benefit
People reportNot published yet — needs 10 or more reports
Rhodiola Rosea
Research saysResearch score 36/100 · Limited1 of 2 studies reported at least one benefit
People reportNot published yet — needs 10 or more reports
Omega 3
Research saysResearch score 25/100 · Mixed/Weak1 of 2 studies reported at least one benefit
People reportNot published yet — needs 10 or more reports
Saffron
Research saysResearch score 25/100 · Mixed/Weak1 of 1 study reported at least one benefit
People reportNot published yet — needs 10 or more reports

Used something for depression? Share how it went — only ever published in a group of 10 or more.

Add your outcome

Peer-reviewed research.

Every study behind the numbers above is linked next to its result.

40 more papers, not summarised above

Strongest evidence first.

01Effect of Saffron Versus Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) in Treatment of Depression and Anxiety: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled TrialsShafiee A, et al. · Nutrition reviews · 2025

Meta-Analysis · matched via Depression · PubMed record (CORPUS-A)

PMID 38913392 ↗02Efficacy of Pharmacological Interventions in Milder Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisUrata M, et al. · Neuropsychopharmacology reports · 2025

Systematic Review · matched via Depression · open-access full text · PubMed record (CORPUS-A)

PMID 40014460 ↗03Comparative efficacy and tolerability of nutraceuticals for depressive disorder: A systematic review and network meta-analysisCheng YC, et al. · Psychological medicine · 2025