Curcumin

What is it?

Curcumin is a compound found in plants. It is found in high levels in turmeric, and is also present in ginger. It is responsible for the bright yellow colour of turmeric and can be used as a food colouring. Curcumin can also be purchased as a herbal supplement.

How does it work?

Curcumin is thought to increase the levels of serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine in the brain. These are chemical messengers which are thought to be imbalanced in people who have depression.  Curcumin can also influence the HPA axis, which is series of processes in the body that are involved in stress and mood regulation.

Is it effective?

There is some scientific evidence on curcumin for the treatment of depression. Several reviews of studies have found that curcumin supplements have been more effective than placebo treatment in adults diagnosed with depression. In most studies all participants were also taking traditional antidepressant medication. However, no benefit of taking curcumin for depression symptoms was found for people who did not have depression.

While curcumin seems to be a promising treatment, more large scale, placebo-controlled studies are needed to better understand its effectiveness, especially for people who are not also taking regular antidepressant medication.

Are there any disadvantages?

Curcumin may cause some side effects, such as nausea, bloating, mild diarrhea and headaches, but is generally well tolerated. However, dietary supplements, including curcumin, may have negative interactions with prescribed medications or other supplements. They should always be taken under the supervision of a health care professional. 

Where do you get it?

Curcumin supplements can be purchased online and from health food shops. Turmeric, a spice which contains curcumin, is available in supermarkets.