Best Supplements for Depression, Ranked by Clinical Evidence

77 supplements · 3 outcomes · 130 trials

Our #1 pick

Omega-3 (EPA) Proven benefit Strong · 76

The deepest evidence base of any depression supplement

1 to 2 g daily of EPA specifically. EPA-dominant formulas outperform DHA-dominant ones for mood. Look for products listing EPA and DHA separately.

4 to 8 weeks. Most trials saw separation from placebo by week 4, with full effects by 8 weeks.

Depression is one of the most common reasons people turn to supplements, and one of the hardest conditions to study well. Depression scales are subjective, placebo response rates are notoriously high (sometimes 30 to 40 percent of people improve on sugar pills), and the line between "subclinical low mood" and "major depressive disorder" matters enormously for how you interpret any trial.

That said, a few supplements have genuine evidence behind them. Not wellness-influencer evidence. Not "a rat study showed promise" evidence. Real, replicated, placebo-controlled trial evidence in people with actual depressive symptoms, often pooled across multiple studies in systematic reviews.

The supplements that work best for depression tend to work through one of three pathways: reducing neuroinflammation (omega-3s, curcumin), supporting neurotransmitter production (SAM-e, St. John's Wort), or correcting nutritional gaps that worsen mood (magnesium, selenium). The best choice depends on your situation.

One thing this list will not do: pretend supplements replace therapy or medication for moderate-to-severe depression. If you're struggling to function, please talk to a clinician. These options work best for mild-to-moderate symptoms, as an add-on to existing treatment, or for people who want to try something before starting medication.

#1 deep dive

Why Omega-3 (EPA) takes the top spot

How it works

EPA reduces neuroinflammation by competing with arachidonic acid in brain cell membranes, shifting the balance away from pro-inflammatory signaling molecules and toward anti-inflammatory ones called resolvins.⁴⁶ This matters because depression is increasingly understood as partly an inflammatory condition, with elevated inflammatory markers predicting both onset and treatment resistance.

What the research says

A 2019 meta-analysis of 26 randomized controlled trials found omega-3 supplementation produced a clear improvement in depression scores, with the benefit concentrated in EPA-rich formulations.⁶ A 2024 dose-response meta-analysis of 67 trials confirmed the finding and showed higher EPA doses produced larger effects.⁸ A 2025 network meta-analysis comparing multiple nutraceuticals head-to-head ranked omega-3 among the most effective, particularly when added to antidepressant therapy.¹⁰ One important nuance: DHA-dominant formulas showed essentially no benefit for depression, while EPA-pure or EPA-majority formulas consistently did.⁶ This distinction matters when you're shopping.

Best for

People with mild-to-moderate depression, especially those with signs of inflammation (joint pain, metabolic issues, elevated inflammatory markers). Also well-suited as an add-on for people already taking an antidepressant who haven't fully responded.

Watch out

At doses above 2 g daily, omega-3 can increase bleeding risk in people on blood thinners (warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel). Discuss with your doctor if you take anticoagulants.

Pro tip

Check the EPA-to-DHA ratio on the label. For depression specifically, you want a formula where EPA makes up at least 60% of the total omega-3 content. Many standard fish oil capsules are split roughly 50/50, which is not optimal for mood.

Evidence by outcome

Ease depression symptoms Proven benefit

Helps reduce symptom scores and sometimes raises the chance of major improvement.

d=0.40 Small effect 30 endpoints trust 76

Expected: ↓3.5 on PHQ-9 (meaningful at 5) · 12 weeks

Lower depression risk Likely no effect

Helps reduce the chance of developing meaningful depressive symptoms over time.

d=0.03 Minimal effect 3 endpoints trust 71

Curcumin (Turmeric Extract)

Likely helps

Strong · 72 Moderate effect

Works best when depression comes with inflammation

500 to 1,500 mg daily of a bioavailability-enhanced curcumin extract. Standard curcumin is barely absorbed. Use formulations with piperine, phytosome technology, or nanoparticle delivery.

8 to 12 weeks. The strongest depression trial ran for 12 months, with clear separation from placebo. Shorter trials at 8 weeks also showed effects.

Full breakdown

How it works

Curcumin crosses the blood-brain barrier and reduces neuroinflammation through multiple pathways, lowering TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-1-beta levels in the brain.¹⁵ It also appears to raise serotonin levels directly, with one trial measuring a significant increase in blood serotonin alongside depression score improvements.¹⁵ This dual anti-inflammatory and neurotransmitter effect is why curcumin seems to work best in people who have both depression and metabolic inflammation.

What the research says

A 2025 network meta-analysis found curcumin shows a moderate improvement in depression scores, particularly strong when added to antidepressant therapy.¹⁰¹⁶ The best individual trial was a 12-month RCT in 227 people with type 2 diabetes and depression, where 1,500 mg daily of curcumin significantly lowered depression scores while also improving blood sugar, inflammation markers, and body weight.¹⁵ A 2025 meta-analysis specifically examining curcumin in chronic-disease-related depression confirmed benefits across multiple populations.¹⁶ The caveat: curcumin as monotherapy for depression (without an antidepressant) showed a trend toward benefit but didn't reach statistical significance in the network analysis.¹⁰

Best for

People whose depression co-occurs with inflammatory conditions (diabetes, obesity, autoimmune disease, chronic pain). The anti-inflammatory benefits compound with the mood benefits in this population. Less compelling as a standalone for otherwise-healthy people with depression.

Watch out

Curcumin inhibits CYP3A4 and can interact with blood thinners, immunosuppressants, and some chemotherapy drugs. If you take prescription medications, check with your pharmacist.

Pro tip

Bioavailability is the make-or-break factor. Standard turmeric powder delivers almost no curcumin to your bloodstream. Look for formulations that use phospholipid complexes, nanoparticle technology, or piperine co-administration to boost absorption.

Evidence by outcome

Ease depression symptoms Likely helps

d=0.62 Moderate effect 6 endpoints trust 72

Expected: ↓7.7 on PHQ-9 (meaningful at 5) · 8 weeks

St. John's Wort

Likely helps

Strong · 71 Small effect

Performs like an SSRI, with SSRI-level drug interactions

300 mg three times daily (900 mg total) of an extract standardized to 0.3% hypericin. This is the dose used in most positive trials.

4 to 6 weeks. Similar onset timeline to prescription SSRIs.

Full breakdown

How it works

St. John's Wort inhibits the reuptake of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine, hitting all three monoamine systems that antidepressants target.³⁹ The active compound hyperforin is primarily responsible for this effect. It also modulates GABA and glutamate signaling.

What the research says

A 2016 systematic review of 35 trials involving nearly 7,000 patients found St. John's Wort significantly outperformed placebo for major depression, with response rates and symptom improvements comparable to SSRIs.³ A 2023 meta-analysis confirmed it performed similarly to SSRIs with fewer side effects.⁹ A 2025 meta-analysis specifically examining mild depression found response rates comparable to fluoxetine.¹⁰ The evidence is strong for mild-to-moderate depression. For severe depression, the data is limited and inconclusive.³ The big advantage over SSRIs is the side effect profile: significantly fewer reports of GI symptoms, sexual dysfunction, and neurological complaints.³

Best for

People with mild-to-moderate depression who are not taking other medications. The drug interaction profile makes this a poor choice for anyone on prescription drugs. Best suited for otherwise-healthy adults with no chronic conditions requiring medication.

Watch out

This is the most important caution on the entire list. St. John's Wort activates liver enzymes (CYP3A4, CYP2C9) that metabolize dozens of common medications, reducing their effectiveness. It can make birth control pills fail, lower blood levels of blood thinners, immunosuppressants, HIV medications, and antidepressants. Do not combine with SSRIs (risk of serotonin syndrome). If you take any prescription medication, consult your pharmacist before using St. John's Wort.

Pro tip

Low-hyperforin preparations cause fewer drug interactions while maintaining antidepressant effects. If drug interactions are a concern but you still want to try it, ask specifically for low-hyperforin extracts.

Evidence by outcome

Ease depression symptoms Likely helps

d=0.23 Small effect 8 endpoints trust 71

Expected: ↓4.4 on PHQ-9 (meaningful at 5) · 8 weeks

Magnesium

Likely helps

Strong · 71 Moderate effect

The most accessible option, especially if you're running low

250 to 500 mg daily of elemental magnesium. Glycinate and threonate forms are better tolerated than oxide. Start at the lower end to assess GI tolerance.

2 to 6 weeks. A 2023 meta-analysis of trials in people with depressive disorder found effects within trial durations of 1 to 8 weeks.

Full breakdown

How it works

Magnesium regulates the NMDA receptor, a glutamate receptor in the brain involved in neuroplasticity and mood regulation.¹² When magnesium is low, NMDA receptors become overactive, increasing excitatory signaling and contributing to the neuroinflammation seen in depression. Restoring magnesium levels calms this overactivity. Magnesium also supports serotonin production as a required cofactor.

What the research says

A 2023 meta-analysis of randomized trials in adults with depressive disorder found magnesium supplementation significantly reduced depression scores versus placebo, with a large pooled effect size.¹² A 2025 meta-analysis of pharmacological interventions for milder depression included one magnesium trial showing significant improvement.¹⁰ The evidence is promising but thinner than omega-3 or curcumin. What makes magnesium compelling is that roughly half the population doesn't meet the recommended daily intake, and deficiency itself worsens mood.

Best for

People with depression who also have poor sleep, muscle cramps, or other signs of magnesium deficiency. People on medications that deplete magnesium (proton pump inhibitors, certain diuretics). The cheapest option on this list.

Watch out

High doses (above 500 mg) can cause diarrhea, especially with oxide or citrate forms. Space magnesium 2 hours apart from tetracycline antibiotics, fluoroquinolones, and bisphosphonates, which it binds to and inactivates.

Pro tip

Magnesium glycinate causes less GI distress than other forms and is well-suited for evening use, since it also supports sleep quality.

Evidence by outcome

Ease depression symptoms Likely helps

d=0.92 Moderate effect 6 endpoints trust 71

Expected: ↓8.0 on PHQ-9 (meaningful at 5) · 6 weeks

Lavender Oil (Silexan)

Likely helps

Strong · 72 Small effect

Primarily an anxiety treatment, with secondary mood benefits

80 mg daily of Silexan (standardized oral lavender oil capsule). This specific preparation is what the trials used. Aromatherapy lavender is a different product with different evidence.

2 to 6 weeks. The anxiety benefits appear first, with mood improvements following.

Full breakdown

How it works

Silexan's active terpenes (linalool, linalyl acetate) modulate voltage-dependent calcium channels in nerve cells, reducing excessive excitatory signaling.²⁴²⁵ This calming effect on neural circuits addresses the anxiety-depression overlap that many people experience.

What the research says

Lavender's strongest evidence is for anxiety, where it has proven effects across multiple meta-analyses. For depression specifically, a 2021 meta-analysis found it reduced depression scores alongside anxiety in pooled trials.²⁴ However, most of the depression data comes from trials where depression was a secondary outcome in anxiety studies.²⁵²⁶ A 2024 RCT in women on oral contraceptives found lavender improved mood disturbance, but this was a small trial in a specific population.²⁶ The depression effect is real but smaller and less consistent than lavender's anxiety effect.

Best for

People whose depression is intertwined with anxiety. If you experience both low mood and persistent worry, racing thoughts, or physical tension, lavender addresses both through the same mechanism. Less useful for depression without an anxiety component.

Pro tip

Silexan is the specific oral preparation used in clinical trials. Generic lavender oil capsules, essential oil diffusers, and lavender teas are not the same product and don't have the same evidence.

Evidence by outcome

Lift low mood Likely helps

d=0.21 Minimal effect 2 endpoints trust 73

Ease depression symptoms Likely helps

d=0.30 Small effect 6 endpoints trust 72

Expected: ↓2.6 on PHQ-9 (meaningful at 5) · 8 weeks

Selenium

Likely helps

Strong · 72 Moderate effect

Most useful if you're deficient, which is more common than you think

200 mcg daily. This is the dose used in supplementation trials showing mood benefits. Do not exceed 400 mcg from all sources combined.

8 to 12 weeks. The evidence base mostly comes from longer-term trials.

Full breakdown

How it works

Selenium is a required component of selenoproteins that protect brain cells from oxidative damage. The brain is particularly vulnerable to oxidative stress because it consumes 20% of the body's oxygen despite being only 2% of its weight.³⁰ When selenium is low, brain antioxidant defenses weaken, and inflammatory signaling increases.

What the research says

A 2022 meta-analysis found selenium supplementation significantly reduced depression scores versus placebo in interventional trials.³⁰ Observational data also showed an association between higher dietary selenium intake and lower depression risk, with particularly strong findings for postpartum depression.³⁰ The catch: most of the supplementation evidence comes from populations that may have had suboptimal selenium status to begin with. If your selenium intake is already adequate (common in people who eat Brazil nuts, seafood, or organ meats regularly), supplementation may offer diminishing returns.

Best for

People in regions with low soil selenium (parts of Europe, China, and New Zealand), people on restricted diets, and pregnant or postpartum women. The postpartum depression signal is particularly interesting.

Watch out

Selenium has a narrow therapeutic window. Above 400 mcg daily, you risk selenosis (hair loss, nausea, GI issues, fatigue). Don't stack a selenium supplement with a multivitamin and a Brazil nut habit without counting total intake.

Pro tip

A single Brazil nut contains roughly 70 to 90 mcg of selenium. Two per day covers the RDA without a supplement. If supplementing, selenomethionine is the best-absorbed form.

Evidence by outcome

Lower depression risk No clear effect

d=0.01 Minimal effect 2 endpoints trust 75

Ease depression symptoms Likely helps

d=0.47 Moderate effect 4 endpoints trust 72

Expected: ↓2.7 on PHQ-9 (meaningful at 5) · 12 weeks

SAM-e

Likely helps

Strong · 71 Small effect

A methyl donor that works like an antidepressant, at a cost

800 to 1,600 mg daily, taken in divided doses. Start at 400 mg and increase gradually over 1 to 2 weeks. The adjunctive trials used 800 to 1,600 mg alongside SSRIs.

2 to 6 weeks. One trial saw significant improvement by week 8, with maintained benefit through week 12.

Full breakdown

How it works

SAM-e donates methyl groups needed for the production of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. It's a direct precursor in the methylation cycle that converts homocysteine to methionine, and low SAM-e levels have been found in the spinal fluid of depressed patients.²⁷²⁸ It also supports cell membrane fluidity in the brain, which affects receptor function.

What the research says

The 2025 network meta-analysis ranked SAM-e among the effective nutraceuticals for depression, particularly as an add-on to antidepressant therapy.¹⁰ However, the largest head-to-head trial comparing SAM-e to escitalopram and placebo in 189 people with major depression found that neither SAM-e nor the antidepressant clearly separated from placebo at 12 weeks, though SAM-e showed transient superiority around weeks 8 to 10.²⁷ The evidence is mixed as monotherapy but more promising as an augmentation strategy.

Best for

People already on an SSRI who haven't fully responded and want to add something to boost the effect. Less convincing as a standalone treatment for depression.

Watch out

SAM-e commonly causes GI side effects (nausea, abdominal cramps, diarrhea) at higher doses. Do not combine with serotonergic drugs without medical supervision, as it may increase serotonin syndrome risk. Expensive compared to other options on this list.

Pro tip

SAM-e is unstable and degrades with heat and moisture. Buy enteric-coated tablets in blister packs, not bottles. Store in a cool, dry place. Generic formulations in jars are often partially degraded before you open them.

Evidence by outcome

Ease depression symptoms Likely helps

d=0.38 Small effect 8 endpoints trust 71

Expected: ↓2.3 on HAM-D (meaningful at 3) · 12 weeks

Ginkgo Biloba

Proven benefit

Strong · 91 Moderate effect

Strong data in older adults with cognitive decline, less clear otherwise

240 mg daily of standardized extract (EGb 761). This specific preparation is used in essentially all the positive trials.

6 to 24 weeks. The dementia trials ran 22 to 24 weeks. The stroke recovery trial measured outcomes at 24 weeks.

Full breakdown

How it works

EGb 761 increases serotonin and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, both of which are reduced in depression.² It also improves cerebral blood flow and reduces neuroinflammation, which may explain why it performs best in populations where vascular health and brain function are already compromised.

What the research says

A 2024 meta-analysis of RCTs found ginkgo significantly improved depression scores across multiple time points.² A 2018 meta-analysis of four large trials in people with dementia showed clear improvements in depression, apathy, and sleep, alongside reductions in caregiver distress.³ A 2023 pilot trial in stroke patients found ginkgo improved depression scores alongside cognitive recovery.¹ The evidence is strongest in older adults with cognitive impairment or cerebrovascular disease. For general adult depression without these conditions, the evidence is thinner and less direct.

Best for

Older adults experiencing depression alongside cognitive decline, dementia, or post-stroke recovery. The evidence in younger, otherwise-healthy depressed adults is not strong enough to recommend ginkgo as a first-line choice.

Watch out

Ginkgo has mild blood-thinning properties. Use caution with anticoagulants. Stop 2 weeks before surgery.

Pro tip

EGb 761 is the specific standardized extract used in the clinical trials. Generic ginkgo products vary widely in composition and may not deliver the same benefits.

Evidence by outcome

Ease depression symptoms Proven benefit

d=0.17 Moderate effect 4 endpoints trust 91

Expected: ↓2.7 on PHQ-9 (meaningful at 5) · 24 weeks

Lower depression risk Likely helps

d=0.56 Large effect 1 endpoints trust 71

Expected: ↓9.0 on NPI (meaningful at 8) · 23 weeks

What doesn't work

Save your money on these

Vitamin D Not enough research

Despite widespread belief that vitamin D helps depression, the largest trial to date (a 5-year RCT with over 18,000 participants) found no reduction in depression risk or symptoms versus placebo. Smaller trials are mixed, and a meta-analysis specific to older adults found no benefit. If you're genuinely deficient, correcting that may help general well-being, but taking extra vitamin D specifically for depression is not supported by the weight of evidence.

5-HTP Not enough research

5-HTP is a serotonin precursor, so the logic sounds straightforward: more building blocks should mean more serotonin. But the clinical evidence is razor-thin. The few existing trials are small, old, and poorly designed, with uncertain results. The theoretical mechanism is sound, but 'should work in theory' is not the same as 'works in practice.'

Rhodiola Not enough research

Rhodiola is heavily marketed as a mood-booster and adaptogen, but the depression-specific evidence is early-stage. A single trial found it helped when combined with sertraline, but that tells you the antidepressant worked, not necessarily that rhodiola did the heavy lifting. Independent evidence for rhodiola as a standalone depression treatment barely exists.

Ashwagandha Not enough research

Ashwagandha has solid evidence for stress and anxiety, but depression is a different condition. The depression-specific data is early-stage with very few endpoints. If your low mood is really burnout-level stress and anxiety, ashwagandha might help with that. But for clinical depression with persistent sadness, anhedonia, and energy loss, the evidence isn't there.

Synergistic stacks

Combinations that work better together

The Inflammation-Depression Bridge

Omega-3 (EPA) + Curcumin

Both target neuroinflammation through different pathways. EPA works through resolvin production while curcumin directly lowers TNF-alpha and IL-6. No absorption competition between them.⁶¹⁵

EPA-dominant fish oil 1-2 g with breakfast, bioavailability-enhanced curcumin 500-1000 mg with dinner.

The Nutrient Foundation

Magnesium + Omega-3 (EPA)

Magnesium corrects the most common nutritional gap affecting mood, while EPA provides anti-inflammatory support. Different mechanisms, complementary effects.⁶¹²

EPA-dominant fish oil 1-2 g with breakfast, magnesium glycinate 300-400 mg at bedtime (also supports sleep).

The SSRI Augmentation Stack

Omega-3 (EPA) + SAM-e

Both showed their strongest depression evidence as add-ons to antidepressant therapy. EPA addresses inflammation while SAM-e supports neurotransmitter methylation. Use SAM-e with SSRI only under medical supervision.¹⁰²⁷

EPA-dominant fish oil 1-2 g with food, SAM-e 800-1600 mg in divided doses (with medical oversight).

Buying guide

What to look for on the label

Form matters

•For omega-3, check EPA content specifically. You want at least 60% EPA in the total omega-3 content. Many standard fish oil capsules are split roughly 50/50 EPA/DHA, which is not optimal for mood.
•For curcumin, standard turmeric powder has almost zero bioavailability. Buy a formulation specifically designed for absorption, either a phospholipid complex, nanoparticle form, or one that includes piperine.
•For St. John's Wort, look for extracts standardized to 0.3% hypericin. If drug interactions concern you, low-hyperforin preparations reduce the interaction risk while maintaining efficacy.
•For magnesium, the form matters for tolerability. Glycinate is the gentlest on the stomach. Oxide is cheap but poorly absorbed and more likely to cause diarrhea.

Red flags

•Any product claiming to 'cure' or 'treat' depression. Supplements cannot legally make disease claims, and companies that do are either ignorant of regulations or deliberately misleading you.
•Proprietary blends that don't disclose individual ingredient amounts. You can't verify whether you're getting a clinically meaningful dose if the label says 'mood blend 500 mg' with six ingredients.
•Products combining multiple depression supplements in one capsule at sub-clinical doses. A multi-ingredient formula with 200 mg of fish oil, 50 mg of curcumin, and 10 mg of saffron gives you inadequate doses of everything.

Quality markers

•Third-party testing (USP, NSF, ConsumerLab). This verifies what's on the label is actually in the bottle, which matters particularly for fish oil (oxidation is common) and St. John's Wort (potency varies).
•Published clinical trials using the specific branded ingredient. Silexan (lavender), EGb 761 (ginkgo), and specific curcumin formulations all have their own trial data.
•Enteric coating for SAM-e (prevents degradation in the stomach) and blister-pack packaging (prevents moisture exposure).

The bottom line

The honest picture from the depression supplement data is that nothing here rivals a well-chosen antidepressant for moderate-to-severe depression. But for mild symptoms, for people who want to try something before medication, or as an add-on for people already on treatment, there are real options.

Omega-3s have the deepest evidence base and the clearest dose-response relationship, with EPA being the active component for mood. Curcumin and magnesium show promising effects, especially in people who also have inflammation or metabolic issues. St. John's Wort works but comes with serious drug interaction risks that limit who can safely take it.

Match your pick to your situation. Already on an antidepressant and want to augment? Omega-3 (EPA-dominant) has the best adjunctive data. Not on medication and dealing with mild symptoms? St. John's Wort is a reasonable first try if you're not on other medications. Dealing with depression alongside inflammation or metabolic problems? Curcumin addresses multiple pathways at once.

Give any of these at least 6 to 8 weeks before deciding whether they're working. Depression supplements have slower onset than most people expect, and early dropout is the most common reason people miss real benefits.

Frequently asked

Common questions

Can supplements replace antidepressants?

For moderate-to-severe depression, no. Supplements are best for mild-to-moderate symptoms, as a first step before medication, or as an add-on for people already on treatment who want additional benefit. St. John's Wort comes closest to pharmaceutical-level effects for mild depression, but its drug interaction profile makes it unsuitable for many people.³ If you're currently on an antidepressant, don't stop it to try supplements without medical guidance.

How long should I try a supplement before deciding it's not working?

At least 6 to 8 weeks. Depression supplements have slower onset than most people expect. The largest omega-3 meta-analyses pooled trials lasting 4 to 24 weeks, with the clearest effects appearing after 8 weeks.⁸ If nothing has changed after 8 weeks at an appropriate dose, it's reasonable to try something else.

Is it safe to combine depression supplements?

Most combinations on this list are safe. Omega-3 plus magnesium, omega-3 plus curcumin, and omega-3 plus lavender are all reasonable stacks with no known interactions. The major exception is St. John's Wort, which should not be combined with other serotonergic supplements (SAM-e, 5-HTP) or with SSRIs due to serotonin syndrome risk. SAM-e combined with an SSRI requires medical supervision.

Does the form of omega-3 matter for depression?

Yes, substantially. EPA-dominant formulas consistently outperform DHA-dominant ones for depression in clinical trials. A 2019 meta-analysis found EPA-pure and EPA-majority formulations significantly reduced depression scores, while DHA-pure formulations showed no benefit.⁶ When shopping, look at the EPA and DHA milligrams separately on the label.

Can I just eat more fish instead of taking omega-3 supplements?

The depression trials used EPA doses of 1 to 2 g daily. You'd need to eat roughly 6 to 12 ounces of fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines) every day to match that, which is impractical for most people. Two to three servings of fatty fish per week supports general health but probably won't deliver enough EPA to meaningfully affect depression scores.

Why isn't vitamin D on the ranked list?

Because the largest and best-designed trial, a 5-year study of over 18,000 people, found no reduction in depression risk or symptoms with vitamin D supplementation compared to placebo. Observational studies show a correlation between low vitamin D and depression, but the causal direction is unclear: depressed people go outside less, which lowers vitamin D. If you're genuinely deficient, correcting that may help general well-being, but evidence doesn't support vitamin D as a depression treatment.

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Sources

Generated April 4, 2026