The Low-down on Low-mood – Harm reduction for Mood Supplements

When we have a headache, it’s easy to grab a pill for the pain. But what do we do when we’re in a bit of a slump? Some people swear by supplements reported to boost serotonin (the happy chemical) and your mood, but even herbal supplements have risks. Most of these supplements are unregulated or poorly regulated, and are not considered “drugs”. They can have mild to severe side effects, and dangerous interactions with prescription pharmaceuticals as well as recreational party drugs. There are many of these supplements available on the market, but we’re going to look at a few common ones in this blog: St. John’s Wort, 5-HTP, and valerian root.

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