Can Folic Acid Reduce Depression and Improve Mood?

Why Folic Acid helps reduce Depression:

Supplying the brain with sufficient amounts of folic acid (vitamin B9) is necessary for the synthesis of norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine that help balance the brain’s functions and reduce depression symptoms.

Furthermore, vitamin B9 reduces the levels of homocysteine in the plasma which decreases the chances of neurotransmitter deficiency and limits the toxicity on neuronal cells. This reduces mood fluctuations and the chances of depression.

Additionally, folic acid supplementation could compensate for the reduced MTHFR enzyme activity leading to proper synthesis of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. This also reduces to some extent the risk of depression.

How Folic Acid works for Depression:

When folic acid (vitamin B9) is consumed, it is converted by the body into folate which is capable of crossing the blood brain barrier to stimulate the production of neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin. This helps improve the cognitive function of the brain and decreases the chances of depression.

Moreover, vitamin B9 plays an important role in breaking down the homocysteine amino acid in the plasma. By doing so, useful chemicals of this amino acid are properly utilized by the body, hence reducing any toxic effects on neuronal cells and regulating neurotransmitter levels. As a result, this decreases the risk of depression.

Also, folic acid compensates to a certain extent for the reduced MTHFR activity by supplying normal levels of active folate to the body. This regulates the synthesis of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, thus decreasing chances of depression.

Folic Acid Dosage for Depression:

Folic acid is mostly available in capsules or tablets. However, it can also be present in liquid form. It can be administered either intravenously through the vein, or through the muscle or skin based on what the doctor suggests.

The exact dosage of folic acid for depression is yet to be determined. However, the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) recommends that men and women older than 19 years old should take an oral dose of at least 400mcg on a daily basis. In addition, the injectable dose of liquid folic acid is set at 5mg/ml daily.

Dosages should always be consulted by the doctor in order to revise each person’s personal case according to age and medical condition, if any.

Folic Acid for Depression: precautions

1.  People with certain medical conditions:

People with the following conditions should be careful and always check before taking folic acid:

• Allergies: It is possible to have a reaction to folic acid which might lead to skin rash, itching, difficulty breathing, redness. 
• Alcoholism: you need to avoid drinking alcohol as it could interfere with the absorption of folic acid in the body. Alcohol increases the rate of breakdown of the vitamin allowing it to be discharged faster from the body.
• Digestive disorders: people with digestive disorders such as celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease, should pay attention when they consume folic acid because their conditions could interfere with the absorption of folic acid and decrease it.
• Genetic variants: people who acquire genetic mutations can impact folate transport into the cell and brain.

2.  Interaction with different Medications

Folic acid may interact with different medications and exacerbate certain conditions. Consult your doctor or healthcare provider before taking folic acid supplements if you take the following medication: 

• Anticonvulsants medication: such as cerebyx, phenytoin, and primidone- could decrease the concentration of the supplement in your blood.
• Barbiturates, methotrexate, and pyrimethamine medications: could decrease the drug’s effectiveness

Folic Acid for Depression: side effects

If you take folic acid, some side effects can take place such as nausea, loss of appetite, irritability, and bad breath.