SAMe (S-adenosylmethinone) for Depression

[Markku]

Has anybody here tried SAMe as a natural alternative to the regular SSRIs and such?

http://www.lifeextension.com/Magazi...Potent-Antidepressant-Effects-of-SAMe/Page-01

This should maybe taken with a grain of salt as Life Extension is also a supplier of supplements.

But they do cite sources at the end of their articles.

Researchers at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital gave patients 800 mg of SAMe twice daily along with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibiting drug (SSRI).

Relative to placebo, patients who received the SAMe showed a 105% higher response rate and a 121% higher remission rate.1 Said differently, add-on therapy with SAMe in patients with drug-resistant depression produced double the response rate AND remission rate compared with placebo within a 6-week period.

This study was published in the August 2010 issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry.​

I wonder how SAMe would work alone? The above was an add-on therapy with SAMe, but how about SAMe without SSRIs?

If you've tried SAMe, either alone or with an SSRI, please share your experiences.

 

[erik]

Back in my early days of T and after I quit with the SSRI's, I tried SAMe for a month or so and it did not do much for me. I then switched to 5HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) which works similarly and it was great. I took that for a few months and it really helped get me out of my funk. It helped me sleep also. I will say that with 5HTP, I had dreams nightly (I rarely do dream and never remember them normally) that were very vivid and I could always remember them the next day.

 

[undecided]

+1 5htp is great.
Makes ADs obsolete.

 

[jimH]

Being that 5htp has been previously mentioned; be advised that there are some drugs that interact unfavorably with it. So, if you're currently taking any meds you may want to check out this link before you begin taking 5htp. There are 68 drugs listed with major interactions and 21 with moderate:

http://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/5-hydroxytryptophan,5-htp.html

 

[erik]

Being that 5htp has been previously mentioned; be advised that there are some drugs that interact unfavorably with it. So, if you're currently taking any meds you may want to check out this link before you begin taking 5htp. There are 68 drugs listed with major interactions and 21 with moderate:

http://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/5-hydroxytryptophan,5-htp.html

Thanks for pointing this out. Yes, there are considerations for sure. That is mainly why I quit everything else when I took it.

 

[daybyday]

I also tried taking SAMe for about a month, based on the medical papers I saw online I had high expectations but my experience was similar to @erik. I really didn't notice it doing anything for my mood, so I stopped taking it a few weeks ago.

Sounds like I should look into 5HTP.

edit: should also note that I was taking SAMe alone, i.e. without any SSRI.

 

[valeri]

I tried it years before my tinnitus, for anxiety, both with lexapro and on its own and didn't have any benefits.

 

[Mikey Cliff]

I use it every morning with several other supplements. When I started taking SAMe and Dopaboost I no longer wanted to kill myself. I've been taking them about 6 weeks.

 

[Danny Boy]

I use it every morning with several other supplements. When I started taking SAMe and Dopaboost I no longer wanted to kill myself. I've been taking them about 6 weeks.

Possible side effects[edit]
Once SAM donates its methyl group to choline, in the formation of creatine, carnitine, DNA, tRNA, norepinephrine, and other compounds, it is transformed into S-adenosyl-homocysteine, (SAH). Under normal circumstances, homocysteine, in the presence of vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and folic acid (SAM's main cofactors), will eventually be converted back into methionine, SAM, or cysteine, glutathione, and other useful substances. However, if adequate amounts of these vitamins are not present, SAM may not break down properly. As a consequence, its full benefits will not be obtained, and homocysteine may increase to unsafe levels. Small studies have not shown a consistent effect of SAM on homocysteine levels, but more research is needed.[27][28]

High levels of homocysteine have been associated with atherosclerosis (hardening and narrowing of the arteries), as well as an increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, liver damage, and possibly Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, vitamin B supplements are often taken along with SAM. These vitamins help metabolize the homocysteine into other useful compounds.[29]

Another reported side effect of SAM is insomnia; therefore, the supplement is often taken in the morning. Other reports of mild side effects include lack of appetite, constipation, nausea, dry mouth, sweating, and anxiety/nervousness, but in placebo-controlled studies, these side effects occur at about the same incidence in the placebo groups.

Therapeutic doses range from 400 mg/day to 1600 mg/day, although higher doses are used in some cases.[21][30]

Induction of mania[edit]
In an extensive MEDLINE search on SAM, Kagan found induction of mania in one patient out of 15 treated with parenteral SAM. In the same review, Lipinski found the apparent induction of mania in two patients with bipolar disorder (total of nine depressed patients studied).[31] Both depression and mania can be life-threatening conditions that may cause cognitive dysfunction even after remission.[32] There is concern that antidepressants in general can induce mania or hypomania in bipolar persons.[33]

Interactions and contraindications[edit]
Taking SAM at the same time as some drugs may increase the risk of serotonin syndrome, a potentially dangerous condition caused by having too much serotonin.[34] These drugs includedextromethorphan (Robitussin), meperidine (Demerol), pentazocine (Talwin), and tramadol (Ultram).[34] SAM may also interact with antidepressant medications increasing the potential for their side effects and reduce the effectiveness of levodopa for Parkinson's disease.

 

[Mikey Cliff]

Well, I'm seeing a Naturapath and getting injected with all of those vitamins so I should be fine. All I know is that I am no longer suicidal and extremely depressed. This is why I try to spend less time on this site. Every time someone says something worked for them, 10 other people come along and argue that its terrible for you or great for you, saying things like its a sham, trobalt is God, autifony is the resurection of Christ yada yada yada.... I assure you, that study didn't come up in the 10 articles I read before starting to take SAMe, and it seems inconclusive.

 

[Danny Boy]

Well, I'm seeing a Naturapath and getting injected with all of those vitamins so I should be fine. All I know is that I am no longer suicidal and extremely depressed. This is why I try to spend less time on this site. Every time someone says something worked for them, 10 other people come along and argue that its terrible for you or great for you, saying things like its a sham, trobalt is God, autifony is the resurection of Christ yada yada yada.... I assure you, that study didn't come up in the 10 articles I read before starting to take SAMe, and it seems inconclusive.

I wasn't trying to dismiss anything, just thought anyone reading this considering it should know what they can or cannot take. I may try it even. I try everything haha.

 

[Cheza]

@Markku Ray Sahelian, M.D. has some good information on SAM-e. He's a reliable source.
http://www.raysahelian.com/sam-e.html

My 15-year-old dog isn't depressed, but last year I gave her 200mg SAM-e twice a day, with milk thistle, for liver problems. It made a significant difference in her liver enzyme levels. My veterinarian has advised that she continue to take it, but I've dropped her dose down to once a day now and will see how it goes. SAM-e is a powerful supplement.

 

[Markku]

Thanks guys for the experiences! Keep them coming

5-HTP seems more promising based on these anecdotes then...

 

[SoulStation]

I don't know those studies were pretty cool @Markku .
Just ordered doctors best SAM-e and I'm already on an SSRI so it may really work.
Here's to hope.
Ben

 

[Jason W.]

I took Sam-e for 1 month but sadly because of the tinnitus making me a light sleeper I came off it as it can disturb sleep, but its great for arthritis. If you take it for 2 weeks at 400mg then for two weeks at 800 mg and can endure sleepless nights for at least some of that time then you should be almost completely pain free at the end of it then come off it. You don't need to take Sam-e permanently for helping your arthritis.

After that length of time on Sam-e I went onto Wellman vitamin complex by Vitabiotics and I'm still almost completely pain free of my arthritis. I think this is because the Wellman supplement still has amino acids in it, which as some or all of you will know is what Sam-e is.

I only get a dull ache in the base of my neck in the morning after a nights sleep. I also get a dull ache in my neck if I'm led the wrong way which obviously I avoid doing unless I'm feeling really tired.

I would have to say that my Arthritis compared to some was mild so it may not work for more severe arthritis. Unfortunately, I can't say how severe the pain would have to be before it doesn't work, but my movement pain was about 8 out of ten but my pain in the background was probably 6 out of 10.

This site is American I take it so I'm not sure if you get Wellman over there (you probably do) if you want to give it a go. My friend did this and he is now pain free from Arthritis and he had it in the elbow because he is a chef and is constantly applying pressure with it to chop up food.

This is off subject I know but with suffering with Depression and Tinnitus myself anything that makes you feel better helps. I'm sure you could order Vitabiotics off Amazon or find out its ingredients and find something the same or very similar.

You would probably have to stay on Wellman permanently like myself but you could use it every day for 6 months then cut it down to 5 days a week after that and this probably works with Wellwoman as well. Don't worry I don't profit from this at all and am not a director of Vitabiotics lol just hope this will help anyway.

As always do your research as best you can if you'r ealready on meds I know you can't take it when your already on anti-depressants as it can cause serotonin syndrome and it may not suit everyone anyway. Also research on how to take it (usually 1/2 hour before a meal to absorb and with a vitamin complex at the same time to aid absorption) and ask your doctor but you must take it correctly, essentially. Lastly, I can only say it worked well for my friend and I, and should be safe if you use it properly and for the time specified above - hope this helps.

 

[blissaliss]

Yes it helps greatly with my mood and energy. I take them early. I use the SAM-e melts... as the big coated ones upset my stomach. I use it with a Vitamin B complex and I am through the roof pleased. I was so depressed, had tinnitus, then a hystorectomy which caused a hormonal crash on top of it.

I have baclofen and melatonin to help me sleep. They say baclofen helps tinnitus, but I find no difference. I've been taking it way before tinnitus started, then I stopped because I thought maybe it caused it. Then I went back on it because I sleep so well on it and I never saw a difference in my tinnitus level on or off. But sleep is just as priceless as no depression.

My tinnitus rings on and on but I'm dealing fine.... lot of factors in my life I'm not going to list on and on, but SAM-e has been good to me (with Vitamin B I heard makes all the difference)

 

[DebInAustralia]

I took Sam-e for 1 month but sadly because of the tinnitus making me a light sleeper I came off it as it can disturb sleep, but its great for arthritis. If you take it for 2 weeks at 400mg then for two weeks at 800 mg and can endure sleepless nights for at least some of that time then you should be almost completely pain free at the end of it then come off it. You don't need to take Sam-e permanently for helping your arthritis.

After that length of time on Sam-e I went onto Wellman vitamin complex by Vitabiotics and I'm still almost completely pain free of my arthritis. I think this is because the Wellman supplement still has amino acids in it, which as some or all of you will know is what Sam-e is.

I only get a dull ache in the base of my neck in the morning after a nights sleep. I also get a dull ache in my neck if I'm led the wrong way which obviously I avoid doing unless I'm feeling really tired.

I would have to say that my Arthritis compared to some was mild so it may not work for more severe arthritis. Unfortunately, I can't say how severe the pain would have to be before it doesn't work, but my movement pain was about 8 out of ten but my pain in the background was probably 6 out of 10.

This site is American I take it so I'm not sure if you get Wellman over there (you probably do) if you want to give it a go. My friend did this and he is now pain free from Arthritis and he had it in the elbow because he is a chef and is constantly applying pressure with it to chop up food.

This is off subject I know but with suffering with Depression and Tinnitus myself anything that makes you feel better helps. I'm sure you could order Vitabiotics off Amazon or find out its ingredients and find something the same or very similar.

You would probably have to stay on Wellman permanently like myself but you could use it every day for 6 months then cut it down to 5 days a week after that and this probably works with Wellwoman as well. Don't worry I don't profit from this at all and am not a director of Vitabiotics lol just hope this will help anyway.

As always do your research as best you can if you'r ealready on meds I know you can't take it when your already on anti-depressants as it can cause serotonin syndrome and it may not suit everyone anyway. Also research on how to take it (usually 1/2 hour before a meal to absorb and with a vitamin complex at the same time to aid absorption) and ask your doctor but you must take it correctly, essentially. Lastly, I can only say it worked well for my friend and I, and should be safe if you use it properly and for the time specified above - hope this helps.

Do you feel that the SAMe exacerbated your tinnitus?

 

[DebInAustralia]

Yes it helps greatly with my mood and energy. I take them early. I use the SAM-e melts... as the big coated ones upset my stomach. I use it with a Vitamin B complex and I am through the roof pleased. I was so depressed, had tinnitus, then a hystorectomy which caused a hormonal crash on top of it.

I have baclofen and melatonin to help me sleep. They say baclofen helps tinnitus, but I find no difference. I've been taking it way before tinnitus started, then I stopped because I thought maybe it caused it. Then I went back on it because I sleep so well on it and I never saw a difference in my tinnitus level on or off. But sleep is just as priceless as no depression.

My tinnitus rings on and on but I'm dealing fine.... lot of factors in my life I'm not going to list on and on, but SAM-e has been good to me (with Vitamin B I heard makes all the difference)

Hi there,

A little confused here... regarding SAMe.

I've read other posts of yours stating SAMe worsened your tinnitus spikes.

Would you mind clarifying if this is still the case?

 

[DebInAustralia]

Has anybody here tried SAMe as a natural alternative to the regular SSRIs and such?

http://www.lifeextension.com/Magazi...Potent-Antidepressant-Effects-of-SAMe/Page-01

This should maybe taken with a grain of salt as Life Extension is also a supplier of supplements.

But they do cite sources at the end of their articles.

Researchers at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital gave patients 800 mg of SAMe twice daily along with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibiting drug (SSRI).

Relative to placebo, patients who received the SAMe showed a 105% higher response rate and a 121% higher remission rate.1 Said differently, add-on therapy with SAMe in patients with drug-resistant depression produced double the response rate AND remission rate compared with placebo within a 6-week period.

This study was published in the August 2010 issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry.​

I wonder how SAMe would work alone? The above was an add-on therapy with SAMe, but how about SAMe without SSRIs?

If you've tried SAMe, either alone or with an SSRI, please share your experiences.

Hi Markku,

Did you ever get around to taking SAMe? If so, any adverse effects?

 

[DebInAustralia]

I don't know those studies were pretty cool @Markku .
Just ordered doctors best SAM-e and I'm already on an SSRI so it may really work.
Here's to hope.
Ben

Hi Ben,

How did you get on with the SAMe? Any adverse effects?

 

[Markku]

Hi Markku,

Did you ever get around to taking SAMe? If so, any adverse effects?

Hey Deb,

I did take SAMe back in 2015/2016 for about half a year. I did not notice any notable effect, positive or negative.