LittleDrum asked
Hi, I was wondering if you knew about any side effects, or negative feedback about the OTC medication called Mood Booster X. It's supposed to help with enhancing the mood, and decreasing anxiety. Please let me know. Thank you!
Answer
I had not heard of Mood Booster X before so I looked it up and found the product available on Amazon.com. I did get a list of ingredients contained in the supplement so I can certainly give you advice based on the listed ingredients:
- Vitamin B-1
- Vitamin B-2
- Niacinamide
- Vitamin B-6
- Folic Acid
- Vitamin B-12
- Calcium Carbonate
- Magnesium Oxide
- Ashwagandha
- GABA
- Chamomile
- 5-HTP
- DMAE
The first 9 ingredients are vitamins and minerals that you would consume on a daily basis. There really isn't any risk regarding those ingredients. Starting with ashwagandha, we get into some herbal products I can give you information about:
Ashwagandha
It's effects however have been shown to help our bodies resist both physiological and psychological stress as well as restoring and increasing energy levels. Several studies have supported it's use and demonstrated the ability of ashwagandha to not only promote increased mental cognition and physical endurance, but to also enhance the ability of our immune system. For physical endurance, more than one study had findings showing a significant improvement in both cardiovascular and respiratory endurance. More still, it appears that ashwagandha may be a potent antioxidant and can fight off free radicals to reduce the signs of aging although this has not been proven in studies. There have not been many reported side effects with ashwagandha. It cause slight dizziness/drowsiness and could possibly lower blood sugar levels. Aside from those, it appears to be fairly well tolerated.
GABA
GABA is a natural inhibitory neurotransmitter that is found in our bodies. Supplementing with it can cause sedation and a generalized relaxed feeling. It may interact with certain anxiety/antidepressant medications but it appears to be fairly well tolerated.
Chamomile
Chamomile is a common ingredient is many different anxiety and stress relief products and it a often used in tea and other beverages. There aren't too many negative effects associated with it.
5-HTP
5-HTP is another name for serotonin, a neurotransmitter that is found naturally in the body. It is thought to have a side range of effects and it is the primary neurotransmitter on which many different antidepressants (e.g. Zoloft, Paxil) act upon. Supplementing with serotonin been associated with sensations of calm and sleepiness. Unfortunately, the neuropharmacology of serotonin is exceedingly complex and it is tough to say how it will affect people. It can cause dizziness, stomach nausea, blurred vision and can interact with many different medications. It should be said that historically supplementation with 5-HTP does appear to be safe. It is classified by the FDA as a "Generally Recognized As Safe".
DMAE
DMAE is also known as Deanol or dimethylethanolamine. This supplement has not be exceedingly well studied but ithas been suggested that taking DMAE in supplement form may boost brain health and the feeling of emotional well being. It is thought that this is achieved by increasing acetylcholine levels in the body. While there is not really any specific information regarding adverse reactions of DMAE, an increase in acetylcholine can cause stomach problems, excess salivation, increase blood pressure among other things.
I wish I could give you a more concrete answer on what you could expect taking Mood Booster X, but there really isn't that much data regarding it. All we can go on is the individual ingredients and what we know about them.
