Alternative medicines to aid your mental health

Updated on August 23, 2023

Depression is a mental health disorder that is associated with hopelessness and worthlessness. It can affect working, eating, socializing, and even sleeping. It can be caused by numerous things like chemical imbalances, high levels of stress, and traumatic experiences. As much as 10% of people in the US suffer from depression and yet there is little to help people process these feelings. Whilst some prefer therapy others prefer medications. There are a wide variety of options out there and this article will explore a few alternative medicines to help your mental health. 

Ketamine

Ketamine was once used mainly as an aesthetic on battlefields and in operating rooms. However, it has been more recently used as a promising treatment for depression. Due to its rapid action, ketamine can be one of the best reliefs from depression when it is compared to other treatments that can take weeks to come into action. When it’s time to consider Ketamine for depression, you need to think about which type of ketamine you should use. There are two main types now. IV ketamine or Esketamine which is a nasal spray. Ketamine exerts an antidepressant effect; it may be able to help people successfully manage depression. 

Natural Remedies 

There have been numerous natural remedies that have been suggested to help with depression. Whilst more studies will be needed to provide definitive results. One remedy that has been touted as the most effective is St. John’s Wort. It comes from a plant that has yellow flowers and is a weed in some parts of the US. It can be taken orally, in tea, or as a liquid extract. It can be used to treat mild to moderate depression with fewer side effects than other common antidepressants. It also can help with some other issues in life such as sleep problems. 

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a fort of traditional Chinese medicine, in which practitioners used needles to stimulate specific areas. More recently, it has become accepted as a treatment for aches and pains but also perhaps for depression. While initially renowned for its efficacy in relieving discomfort, this practice has garnered substantial recognition for its potential in addressing ailments like depression. Notably, a comparative study revealed that electroacupuncture yielded comparable results to Prozac, a conventional antidepressant, in mitigating depressive symptoms. Additionally, traditional acupuncture exhibited promise in alleviating various side effects within a 12-week timeframe. However, it’s crucial to underline that medical acupuncture is most effective when incorporated into a comprehensive treatment plan, rather than employed as a standalone intervention.

Exercise

Exercising to aid your mental health sounds like a simple thing and yet it can be so hard to get started. Depression will try and prevent you from moving your body. However, if you can get past this, the results can be extremely effective. High-intensity exercise can release feel-good chemicals called endorphins that begin to change your mood. By getting into a habit of exercising, you can really combat the negative side effects of depression. 

Treating depression

It can be a difficult situation to go through but always remember that there are lots of options out there for you. As well as the more traditional methods such as therapy and medication. However, alternative medicine may be able to help you just as much. 

The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.