Our brains have a \u201cblood-brain-barrier\u201d that protects us from ingested toxins. This barrier may intercept the supplements we consume. L-tryptophan may also cause drug interactions with antidepressants<\/a>, Maroney added.\n<\/p>\n 2. Magnesium <\/p>\n Magnesium is involved in serotonin synthesis<\/a>, Samantha Dieras, DCN, RD, CDN<\/a>, director of ambulatory nutrition services at Mount Sinai Health System, told Verywell.\n<\/p>\n Some research suggests that magnesium may have a synergistic effect with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors<\/a> (SSRIs). But it\u2019s crucial to speak with a provider before experimenting with supplements, particularly if you take other medications.\n<\/p>\n 3. Folic Acid <\/p>\n \u201cFolic acid is another supplement that plays a big role in serotonin production<\/a>, but some people may not be able to convert the folic acid from our diet or vitamin supplements into the active form that is needed to cross the blood-brain-barrier and have this function,\u201d Maroney said.\n<\/p>\n One type, called L-methylfolate, \u201cmay bypass this and may be beneficial for certain individuals with depression,\u201d she added.\n<\/p>\n 4. St. John\u2019s Wort <\/p>\n While St. John\u2019s Wort<\/a> has been shown to increase serotonin, it\u2019s important to note it can cause multiple drug interactions, potentially making those medications less effective, Maroney said.\n<\/p>\n “I typically don\u2019t recommend it for patients who are on other medications due to this risk,” Maroney added.\n<\/p>\n Taking St. John\u2019s Wort with antidepressants could cause serotonin syndrome. This serious side effect can lead to altered mental status and can even be fatal.<\/p>\n 5. Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids <\/p>\n In some studies, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids<\/a> have been shown to help with depression.\n<\/p>\n However, Maroney said, \u201cWe don\u2019t know if that is due to the effects of serotonin or other neurotransmitters or perhaps due to their anti-inflammatory effects.\u201d\n<\/p>\n Why You Should Be Careful With These Supplements <\/p>\n “There are many supplements that may play a role in maintaining healthy serotonin levels<\/a>, but it\u2019s sometimes unclear if their mood and anxiety benefits are due to their effects on serotonin or some other mechanism,\u201d Maroney said.\n<\/p>\n Supplements<\/a> can also be unpredictable because we don\u2019t always know what\u2019s in them.\n<\/p>\n \u201cThe biggest concern I have with supplements is that they are not regulated as closely as medications,\u201d Maroney said. This means they may contain different or inconsistent amounts of active ingredients than what the label says or hidden ingredients that could be harmful.\n<\/p>\n If you want to improve your mood, speak with your doctor before adding any supplements to your regimen. There are also many other safe ways to boost serotonin naturally.\n<\/p>\n “Mindfulness, meditation, socialization, even hugging your pets\u2014these are 100% safe and play a big role in mental wellness and maintaining healthy levels of serotonin,” Maroney said.\n<\/p>\n What This Means For You<\/p>\n Many supplements have been linked with increased serotonin, but it’s important to speak with a physician before trying them. Some can cause harmful interactions with other medications, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).<\/p>\n Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process<\/a> to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.<\/p>\n Botturi A, Ciappolino V, Delvecchio G, Boscutti A, Viscardi B, Brambilla P. The role and the effect of magnesium in mental disorders: a systematic review<\/a>.\u00a0Nutrients. 2020;12(6):1661.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Simon LV, Torrico TJ, Keenaghan M. Serotonin syndrome<\/a>. In:\u00a0StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2025.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Mehdi S, Manohar K, Shariff A, Kinattingal N, Wani SUD, Alshehri S, Imam MT, Shakeel F, Krishna KL. Omega-3 Fatty Acids Supplementation in the Treatment of Depression: An Observational Study<\/a>. J Pers Med. 2023 Jan 27;13(2):224. doi: 10.3390\/jpm13020224.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n
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