SAD and SAM-E

I moved to the PNW about 15 years ago. For the first three to five years the long rainy winters were a bit of a novelty. I enjoyed all the green and it kind of felt like a refreshing reprieve from my manic summer activity pace.

At some point I began to notice a definitive shift in mood through winter. Not quite as motivated and maybe a little bit withdrawn. The interesting thing here is it felt like it compounded year over year. Where it might have been a subtle effect and I questioned whether there was a seasonal relationship/normal to where I clearly knew I wasn't going to enjoy myself as much over winter. In addition to the lack of motivation came maybe a bit of insomnia but definitely a ramp up in irritability and anxiousness dealing with life stresses. Especially at work, traffic, dealing with people etc. Not to the point where it was overbearing in any way whatsoever but DEFINITELY present.

I'm a big proponent of supplements and have been using them for 3O years now. Over that time I half ass tried a couple of things. Here's a small list

5-HTP-
If I took this before I went to sleep I definitely woke up feeling like I was in a better mood. However it seemed to wear off through the day. Furthermore if I stacked up many days using this in a row I started to feel antsy like over caffeinated or something. I didn't like it.

St John's Wort-
I bought this specifically in hopes that it would improve my mood. It didn't. In fact it made me feel weird. Reading thoroughly on it I tried several different brands including brands that were supposed to be high quality and the effect was the exact same every time. I didn't like it.

SAM-E
I've known about SAM-E for a long time (as I said, long time supplement user). I've been curious about it but I've never consumed it. I actually lumped it into my last supplement stack based off a study I read about liver and bile benefits. I often rotate things in and out of my supplement stack based on such readings, just to see if I notice anything. On the first day I thought I felt a little calmer. I'm about two and a half weeks into using it daily now and the effects are undeniable. I'm WAY less anxious. Those work stressors don't spin my head in 50 different directions. I can focus on them and pick them apart one at a time without feeling overwhelmed. I have a slight euphoric feeling in the morning for several hours after I've taken it. I often feel like this when things are going well in my life and I'm keeping myself really healthy. This stuff works.

Side note, I often look forward to the after work beer or three through the winter. I'm sure it's triggering the dopamine I'm lacking that summer activity and sunshine give me. This all but completely removed that desire.

I've maybe felt motivated enough here to write about one or two other supplements. This is one that definitely works for me.

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