Mental Health

OCD

About OCD — Mental Health.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder. Intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviours that are difficult to control.

6studies analysed

3compounds with evidence

Systematic reviewstrongest evidence

Where research is strongest

Add your outcome — free & pseudonymous

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

4linked compounds

12linked studies

0published community reports

Results By the numbers Community Research Compounds

Headline results for OCD.

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.

NAC

4 of 7 results reported a benefit

4 studies, including a review of trials

OCD symptomsNo clear difference0.53 higher, unit not reported1 randomised trial2 of 4 results reported a benefit2022 study ↗

No figure given: Obsession and compulsion sub-scores (no clear benefit); Obsession symptoms (reported a benefit).

Also measured alongside: Anxiety symptoms (reported a benefit).

Every result

5htp

5 of 5 results reported a benefit

1 randomised trial, 60 people

Compulsion symptomsReported a benefitsee exact figures5-hydroxytryptophan improved Compulsion subscale score compared with placebo in 60 (12-week).1 randomised trial2020 study ↗

No figure given: Obsession symptoms (reported a benefit); OCD symptoms (reported a benefit); Treatment response rate (reported a benefit).

Every result

Glycine

1 of 1 result reported a benefit

1 randomised trial, 14 people

OCD symptomsFell by 6.04 points vs 1 pointsin the comparison group on the Y-BOCS scale1 randomised trial2009 study ↗

Every result

Where the evidence is concentrated.

Published research

OCD: 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?
NAC	9	4	Benefit: 4; no benefit: 4; harm: 1; unclear: 0; not recorded / unrecognised: 0	Not formally graded
5htp	5	1	Benefit: 5; no benefit: 0; harm: 0; unclear: 0; not recorded / unrecognised: 0	Not formally graded
Glycine	1	1	Benefit: 1; no benefit: 0; harm: 0; unclear: 0; not recorded / unrecognised: 0	Not formally graded

Degree of benefit for OCD

Strongest evidence first.

Published research: OCD. Study design is not a certainty grade.
Compound	Study designs	Reported findings
NACResearch score 32/100 · Mixed/Weak	1 systematic review/meta-analysis + 3 randomised trials — 4 studies	4/9 outcomes showed benefit Total Y-BOCS scoreReported a benefit — see exact figuresbenefit2024 study ↗ Exact figures p-Value = 0.05 n=195 · Follow-up: five to eight weeks · Sample (as reported): 195 · Recorded unit: Not reported · The safety and efficacy of N-acetylcysteine as an augmentation in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. · Systematic Review · systematic-review · PMID 39376972 Anxiety symptomsReported a benefit — see exact figuresbenefit2017 study ↗ Exact figures (P = .02) n=Forty subjects · Follow-up: 16-week · Sample (as reported): Forty subjects · Recorded unit: Not reported · Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of N-Acetylcysteine Augmentation for Treatment-Resistant Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. · Randomized Controlled Trial · rct · PMID 28617566 Y-BOCS obsession subscaleReported a benefit — see exact figuresbenefit2016 study ↗ Exact figures F = 5·44 (P = 0·011) n=44 · Follow-up: 10-week · Sample (as reported): 44 · Recorded unit: Not reported · N-acetylcysteine augmentation therapy for moderate-to-severe obsessive-compulsive disorder: randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. · Randomized Controlled Trial · rct · PMID 26931055 Y-BOCS total scoreReported a benefit — see exact figuresbenefit2016 study ↗ Exact figures F = 5·14 (P = 0·012) n=44 · Follow-up: 10-week · Sample (as reported): 44 · Recorded unit: Not reported · N-acetylcysteine augmentation therapy for moderate-to-severe obsessive-compulsive disorder: randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. · Randomized Controlled Trial · rct · PMID 26931055 +5 more outcomes →
5htpResearch score 44/100 · Limited	1 randomised trial — 1 study	5/5 outcomes showed benefit Complete treatment response rateReported a benefit — see exact figuresbenefit2020 study ↗ Exact figures (P = 0.001) n=60 · Follow-up: 12-week · Sample (as reported): 60 · Recorded unit: Not reported · 5-Hydroxytryptophan as adjuvant therapy in treatment of moderate to severe obsessive-compulsive disorder: a double-blind randomized trial with placebo control. · Randomized Controlled Trial · rct · PMID 32541380 Compulsion subscale scoreReported a benefit — see exact figuresbenefit2020 study ↗ Exact figures F = 6.64 n=60 · Follow-up: 12-week · Sample (as reported): 60 · Recorded unit: Not reported · 5-Hydroxytryptophan as adjuvant therapy in treatment of moderate to severe obsessive-compulsive disorder: a double-blind randomized trial with placebo control. · Randomized Controlled Trial · rct · PMID 32541380 Obsession subscale scoreReported a benefit — see exact figuresbenefit2020 study ↗ Exact figures F = 8.25 n=60 · Follow-up: 12-week · Sample (as reported): 60 · Recorded unit: Not reported · 5-Hydroxytryptophan as adjuvant therapy in treatment of moderate to severe obsessive-compulsive disorder: a double-blind randomized trial with placebo control. · Randomized Controlled Trial · rct · PMID 32541380 Partial treatment response rateReported a benefit — see exact figuresbenefit2020 study ↗ Exact figures (P = 0.032) n=60 · Follow-up: 12-week · Sample (as reported): 60 · Recorded unit: Not reported · 5-Hydroxytryptophan as adjuvant therapy in treatment of moderate to severe obsessive-compulsive disorder: a double-blind randomized trial with placebo control. · Randomized Controlled Trial · rct · PMID 32541380 +1 more outcome →
GlycineResearch score 44/100 · Limited	1 randomised trial — 1 study	1/1 outcomes showed benefit Y-BOCS score changeFell by 6.04 points vs 1 points in the comparison groupbenefit2009 study ↗ Exact figures 6.04; 1.00 n=14 · Follow-up: 12 weeks · Sample (as reported): 14 · Recorded unit: points · Adjunctive glycine in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder in adults · Randomized Controlled Trial · rct · PMID 19046587

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

5htp
Research saysResearch score 44/100 · Limited1 of 1 study reported at least one benefit
People reportNot published yet — needs 10 or more reports
Glycine
Research saysResearch score 44/100 · Limited1 of 1 study reported at least one benefit
People reportNot published yet — needs 10 or more reports
NAC
Research saysResearch score 32/100 · Mixed/Weak3 of 4 studies reported at least one benefit
People reportNot published yet — needs 10 or more reports