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About Depression — Mental Health.
Major depressive disorder, persistent low mood, and related mood conditions.
Audited published research per compound. Drill into a pair for the breakdown.
Bar length counts published studies — green marks studies reporting at least one benefit, slate the other studies (no benefit, unclear or harm); labels read benefit studies / all studies.
◆ marks each compound's research score (0-100): how consistently published studies reported a benefit, weighted by study design. It summarises the research, not how well a compound will work for you.
Compounds with published trial evidence for this condition, ranked by strength of evidence. Each result is put in plain terms and comes from the study itself — open “Exact figures” for the published statistics, or follow the study link to read the paper.
| Compound | Evidence strength | What studies found |
|---|---|---|
| 5htpResearch score 76/100 · Strong | 4 systematic reviews/meta-analyses + 1 randomised trial — 5 studies | 6/7 outcomes showed benefit
|
We publish community results for depression only once at least 10 people have reported on the same compound — so no individual report is ever shown. Until then, here is the research side on its own.
Used something for depression? Sharing how it went for you helps the next person — it is only ever published as part of a group of 10 or more.
Add your outcomeOpen the original papers, check their methods, and discuss what is relevant with a qualified professional.
Every study behind the numbers above is linked next to its result.
Ordered by strength of evidence, then result direction.
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 · 2025Meta-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 · 2025Systematic 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 · 2025Systematic Review · matched via Depression · PubMed record (CORPUS-A)
PMID 40314175 ↗04New horizons for the study of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) and its active ingredients in the management of neurological and psychiatric disorders: A systematic review of clinical evidence and mechanismsHan S, et al. · Phytotherapy research : PTR · 2024Systematic Review · matched via Depression · PubMed record (CORPUS-A)
PMID 38424688 ↗05Nutraceuticals in Psychiatric Disorders: A Systematic ReviewBozzatello P, et al. · International journal of molecular sciences · 2024These compounds appear in related research or traditional use. Their position is not a recommendation or ranking. Research scores summarise published studies only.
| Omega 3Research score 25/100 · Mixed/Weak | 2 systematic reviews/meta-analyses — 2 studies | 3/13 outcomes showed benefit
|
| Rhodiola RoseaResearch score 36/100 · Limited | 1 systematic review/meta-analysis + 1 randomised trial — 2 studies | 1/6 outcomes showed benefit
|
| Vitamin D3Research score 24/100 · Mixed/Weak | 1 systematic review/meta-analysis + 1 randomised trial — 2 studies | 2/5 outcomes showed benefit
|
| SaffronResearch score 25/100 · Mixed/Weak | 1 systematic review/meta-analysis — 1 study | 1/2 outcomes showed benefit
|
Systematic Review · matched via Depression · PubMed record (CORPUS-A)
Outcome summaries extracted from the linked papers' curated records. Educational, not medical advice.
Ordered by strength of evidence, then result direction.
Reduced with EPA-dominant omega-3s (26 trials)
Adults with depression · Meta-analysis · PMID 31545740 ↗Strong evidenceReduced02Depression scores — ImprovedModest improvement, especially in deficient patients
Adults with depression · Systematic review · PMID 36968291 ↗Strong evidenceImproved03Depressive symptoms — Reduced30mg saffron daily as effective as 20mg fluoxetine
Adults with mild-moderate depression · Double-blind randomised trial · PMID 20161974 ↗Moderate evidenceReduced04Depressive symptoms — ReducedComparable effect to sertraline with fewer side effects
Adults with mild-moderate depression · Pilot study · PMID 25245715 ↗Weak evidenceReducedFigures are reported as published; study designs and populations vary. Works for Us does not interpret results or provide medical advice.