Folate800–1000 mcg · morning
Your body needs it to make serotonin and dopamine, the chemicals that steady your mood.
Solid · 1 study, positiveResearch →
mood mental health · symptom
Low Mood
Flat, heavy, or joyless for weeks rather than days.
Top proven supplements
Studied in people, at a dose you can actually buy.1Studied in people, at a dose you can actually buy.
Might help
Real research, but thin or split. Worth knowing, not worth counting on.6Real research, but thin or split. Worth knowing, not worth counting on.
Chamomile500–1500 mg · any
The theory is that easing anxious tension lifts low mood alongside it, in people who have both.
Evidence · 2 of 2 studies agreeResearch →
Vitamin B121000–2000 mcg · morning
Your body needs B12 to make the mood chemicals serotonin and dopamine.
Mixed · 3 of 6 studies positiveResearch →
Omega-31000–2000 mg · with_food
EPA calms inflammation in the brain and appears to make serotonin signalling work better.
Mixed · 1 of 2 studies positiveResearch →
Lactobacillus helveticus R0052 + Bifidobacterium longum R01753 billion_CFU · any
Proposed to work through the gut-brain connection, influencing stress hormones and mood.
Mixed · 1 of 2 studies positiveResearch →
Maca1500–3000 mg · any
Its plant compounds show mood-lifting activity and appear to steady stress hormones.
Evidence · 1 study, positiveResearch →
5-HTP50–300 mg · any
One step away from serotonin, and it reaches the brain readily.
Evidence · 2 of 2 studies agreeResearch →
Tested — didn’t work
Measured properly against placebo. Nothing found.3Measured properly against placebo. Nothing found.
Vitamin D2000–4000 IU · morning
Vitamin D receptors sit throughout the brain, including the regions that set mood.
No benefit foundResearch →
Vitamin C1000 mg · any
Vitamin C helps make the brain chemicals behind mood — that was the theory, not the result.
No benefit foundResearch →
Melatoninany
A disrupted body clock goes with low mood, which is the loose reasoning behind the claim.
No benefit foundResearch →
No research yet
People take these for it. We haven’t found trials we would stand behind.7People take these for it. We haven’t found trials we would stand behind.
Calcium1000 mg · split
No trials we can vouch forResearch →
Saffronany
No trials we can vouch forResearch →
Zincany
No trials we can vouch forResearch →
Selenium100–300 mcg · with_food
No trials we can vouch forResearch →
Chromium600 mcg · with_food
No trials we can vouch forResearch →
Vitamin Ewith_food
No trials we can vouch forResearch →
Manganese1–5.6 mg · any
No trials we can vouch forResearch →