SAMe is a valuable natural treatment for depression that never seems to have quite caught on. This new systematic review is a reminder that maybe it is time that it does.
Depression is already too common, and rates are still rising. Among young people, only 36% report that their treatment helped “a lot,” and only 65% say that it helped even “some.” As an added disappointment, conventional treatment for depression has a depressing list of side effects, including suicidal thoughts, sexual dysfunction, nausea and vomiting, and weight gain.
There are several natural supplements that are safe and effective. One that has never really caught on is S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe).
This new systematic review looked at 36 studies of the effect of SAMe on the central nervous system. 32 of those looked at depression or mood. Not all of them used a sufficient dose, and not all of them lasted long enough, since the longer you use SAMe, the better it works.
Still, improvement was seen in 24 of the studies. When the Hamilton Depression scale was used, response was seen in up to 74% of people, and remission rates were seen in up to 93%. SAMe was effective both when taken on its own and when added to conventional antidepressants.
There were minimal adverse events.
The researchers conclude that “SAMe improves depressive symptoms both as a monotherapy and with concurrent antidepressant… therapy.”
Nutrients. 2024;16(18):3148.