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Evidence Based Longevity (EBL)
Check what I take
Metabolic

Mood, Depression & Anxiety

The window before HbA1c A blood test that reflects average blood sugar over the previous two to three months. crosses 5.7%.

Evidence last reviewed May 2026

At a glance

The letters on this page

Four interventions on this page. Every one carries a letter.

How it is measured

Endpoints The outcome a trial measures to decide whether the treatment worked, such as heart attacks, blood pressure or a symptom score. the trials measured
Depression symptom scales
No target value is set.
Acute stress/cognition
No target value is set.

What has been graded

Interventions · evidence-graded
B
Saffron (Crocus sativus)
C
5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan)
C
L-Tyrosine (acute stress)
C
GABA (acute stress)

Cautions

Cautions
  • •Clinical depression calls for professional evaluation. Evidence-based treatment may include psychotherapy, antidepressant medication, or both, depending on severity and individual circumstances.
  • •5-HTP combined with SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs, tricyclics, triptans, tramadol or St John's wort raises the risk of serotonin syndrome. Combining them belongs under medical supervision.
When to consult your physician

Anything in this page is educational only. Whether to start, stop or change a supplement for this condition, and how it fits with any medication you take, is a decision for your clinician. The Drug-Nutrient Depletion tool and the Contraindications Search are designed to help you prepare that conversation.

Disclosure

Medical disclaimer

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Any grade on this page describes the strength of published human trial evidence in the populations studied. It is not a recommendation for any individual and is not medical advice. Starting, stopping or changing any supplement or medication is a decision for your physician.