It's inevitable - even the happiest person sometimes has bad days and moods. Regardless of whether it's due to a stressful workday or an argument in a relationship, many people use natural mood enhancers to get out of the slump.
In this article, we'll show you what natural mood enhancers are available and how they can help you on bad days. We'll also show you what to consider when choosing and using these remedies. This way, you'll know in the future what the best natural mood enhancer is for your needs and how to get through difficult times well.
Since there are numerous different natural mood enhancers and each can have different effects and side effects, this is a multifaceted and complex topic. To nevertheless offer you a clear insight into the topic, we have divided this article into several chapters. This also allows you to quickly find the information you are looking for:
Table of Contents:
What are natural mood enhancers?
Before we look at the most well-known natural mood enhancers, we want to show you which remedies are actually subsumed under this term. The precise meaning is already hidden in the name: natural mood enhancers are remedies that can help improve your mood but are of natural origin. This means that medicines or other synthetic substances do not count as natural mood enhancers. Instead, they are usually of plant origin.
What natural mood enhancers are there?
If you're looking for natural mood enhancers, you'll quickly find what you need. It might surprise you, but there are also numerous home remedies that help against sadness and can be used to a limited extent as natural antidepressants. To give you an insight into your options, we would like to present various natural mood enhancers below. Some are often already available at home, and others are less obvious but offer great potential.
Everyday home remedies for sadness
First, let's consider the natural home remedies that can be found in every household or purchased over-the-counter at any pharmacy. The most well-known remedy is lavender. This plant has been known for its healing effects for centuries. And indeed, the flowers of lavender contain essential oils with various active ingredients that can have diverse effects on the body and mind.
Generally, the effect of lavender is described as relaxing and anxiolytic. This means it can also be used as a natural antidepressant. The active ingredients suppress the central nervous system and ensure tranquility. This makes it possible to counteract obsessive thoughts and find restful sleep.
Lavender is also very low-risk and usually shows no side effects. Exceptions are infants and particularly sensitive people. In these individuals, the essential oils can cause skin irritation or other allergic reactions.
It's also practical that lavender can be used in many different ways. For example, dried lavender blossoms can be used as a bath additive. Alternatively, it can be consumed in a tea or the essential oils can be applied as drops.
Another well-known home remedy for sadness is lemon balm. This herb has a noticeable calming effect on the nerves. Muscle relaxation is also observed, which can help against physical cramps. The common way to use lemon balm is to prepare it as a tea. It is often used before bedtime, which helps with falling asleep and promotes restful sleep.
For the tea, dried leaves of the herb or fresh twigs should be used. Two teaspoons of lemon balm leaves per cup are recommended to achieve the necessary concentration. To ensure that the essential oils remain intact, the hot water should only be poured when it is no longer boiling.
Prescription natural antidepressants
Some natural mood enhancers are prescription-only. However, these often come from the same plants as the over-the-counter remedies. The difference is that they are present in a high concentration and therefore require a doctor's prescription. This is often the case with St. John's wort.
This herb is often used as a natural antidepressant, and rightly so. A meta-analysis of studies from 1979 to 1994 showed that St. John's wort actually alleviates the symptoms of a depressive mood. A relief of symptoms was observed in 55% of cases, compared to a 20% success rate in placebo groups.
Due to its high dosage, this variant of St. John's wort is not free of side effects, which justifies the prescription requirement. It has been shown that users' skin was more photosensitive and they were more prone to redness and rash. In addition, interactions with other medications are known.
These include some medical antidepressants and blood thinners. Some studies also suggest that St. John's wort negatively affects the effectiveness of birth control pills. So, if you are taking any of these medications, you should avoid St. John's wort as a natural mood enhancer.
Alternative natural mood enhancers
In addition to these more or less well-known plant species, there are also many alternative herbal mood enhancers. These are natural mood enhancers that are less known and are often based on exotic plants. Often, these natural mood enhancers can only be bought in a smart shop and are mainly known in the psychedelic community. In these stores, for example, it is possible to buy Kanna .
Kanna, or Sceletium tortuosum, is a plant native to South Africa. It contains numerous different alkaloids such as mesembrine, mesembrenine, and tortuosamine, which is why the plant can cause a whole range of positive effects that make it an excellent natural mood enhancer. Among indigenous population groups, such as the Khoikhoi, the plant is chewed. In small amounts, it releases a relaxing effect, while higher amounts can have an euphoric effect.
In our online specialist shop, you can order Kanna powder, which can have a mood-lifting effect and thus represents an excellent natural mood enhancer. This not only helps to lift the mood but can also fundamentally increase emotional well-being and support the resolution of social anxieties.
Why do simple home remedies work against sadness?
Many people are surprised that everyday home remedies like lavender can help with sadness and that strong medications aren't necessarily needed. However, they are often underestimated; for example, the essential oils contained in lavender act on the central nervous system and relax the psyche and body. Other remedies stimulate the release of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, colloquially known as "happiness hormones."
However, it's important to realize that natural mood enhancers are not miracle cures. It usually takes several days for the treatment to prove effective. But regular use should, in most cases, lead to an alleviation of symptoms.
Natural mood enhancers: useful home remedies for bad days
So there are many natural mood enhancers that can help you overcome psychological low phases. These include many home remedies, so most can be used without worry. However, it is advisable to always be careful not to use them too frequently and only for a limited time. As long as you keep that in mind, you are well equipped - even for bad days.
Frequently asked questions about natural mood enhancers
If you still have questions about natural mood enhancers, you'll find answers here. We've collected the most common questions from the psychedelic community and other interested parties and answered them clearly for you. This way, you can find not only specific answers but also fundamental information:
Are natural mood enhancers prescription-only?
That depends entirely on the remedy. While home remedies that help with sadness, like lavender, don't require a prescription, high-dose St. John's wort requires a doctor's visit.
Are natural mood enhancers really effective?
Yes, the natural mood enhancers we presented in this article are indeed effective. Of course, the intensity and speed of their onset of action depend on individual conditions. Furthermore, they should not be expected to have the same effect as synthetic medications.
