By: Andrea Moreau
Turmeric is an ancient herb for modern problem. In some studies, it has been shown to be as effective as an SSRI for treating Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder. Turmeric acts on many different pathways in the brain and body to support mental health and wellbeing.
Is turmeric the right choice for you?
Tumeric Image by Seksak Kerdkanno from Pixabay
Turmeric is a traditional herbal medicine
Turmeric is a spice that is instantly recognizable by its vivid, yellow colour. It has a rich history of use in cooking, as well as in traditional herbal medicine. It’s potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties make it an immensely promising option for the treatment of a myriad of health concerns, ranging from skin conditions to diabetes (Hewlings & Kalman 2017) . It owes these capabilities to its active constituent, the phenolic compound curcumin.
Turmeric is effective in treating mental health concerns
In addition to the treatment of physical ailments, curcumin is also effective in the treatment of mental health disorders, namely anxiety and depression (Lopresti 2017). Circumin acts to regulate a number of pathways involved in the neurophysiology of anxiety disorders, and recent randomized controlled studies have concluded that curcumin extracts may offer an option for the treatment of mental illnesses that is as effective as SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), without the side effects (Sanmukhani, Satodia & Trivedi 2014).
Turmeric works on many systems in the brain and body
Circumin’s anxiolytic effects can be attributed to a number of modes of action. For example, circumin subdues anxiety and improves overall mental wellbeing by acting as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, increasing levels of the neurotransmitters serotonin, and norepinephrine (Lopresti 2017). As well, it decreases levels of the stress hormone, cortisol (Yu, Pei & Zhang 2015). Additionally, it significantly increases the synthesis of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), an omega-3 fatty acid that is often scarce in Western diets. DHA deficiency is associated with the pathology of anxiety disorders, combatting oxidative stress and improving neural plasticity (Wu et al. 2015). As previously mentioned, oxidative stress and dysregulated inflammation are two very common causal factors of anxiety (Lopresti 2017). Circumin prevents oxidative stress via modulating antioxidant enzymes, and fights inflammation by regulating cytokine gene expression (Lopresti 2017).
HPA (hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal)-axis imbalances are another factor with a causal role in anxiety. This system controls mood, emotions, and stress response through hormonal output. Thus, HPA dysregulation results in an overactive sympathetic nervous system, and a constant state of stress and anxiety (Faravelli et al. 2012). Circumin is able to regulate the HPA-axis by influencing a number of genes, hormones, and receptors that play a role in the process in communication between the central nervous system and endocrine system (Lopresti 2017).
Turmeric Extracts have been shown to be as effective as taking an SSRI
In a randomized, controlled trial performed in 2013, taking curcumin was shown to be as effective as taking the SSRI, fluoxetine (Sanmukhani, Satodia & Trivedi 2014). Circumin has also been shown to enhance the actions of other antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications when taken in addition to these drugs (Yu, Pei & Zhang 2015). While further research is needed regarding doses and conjunctive treatments, curcumin is proving to be a very effective anxiolytic, and a potential natural alternative to SSRIs.
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