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Natural Medications in Psychiatry David Mischoulon, MD, PhD Director, Depression Clinical and Research Program Massachusetts General Hospital Professor of Psychiatry Harvard Medical School

General Remarks: Natural and Complementary Therapies >70% People not responding to standard therapies  will try them Easily obtained over the counter Well tolerated Few side effects Mischoulon, D. (2009). Update and critique of natural remedies as antidepressant treatments. Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North America, 36(4), 789–807.

Less research compared to approved medications Effectiveness unclear; how they compare to approved therapies or placebos  Concerns about toxic reactions, adverse effects, and interactions with other drugs  Variation in regard to preparation, purity, and active ingredients Not covered by medical insurance plans Mischoulon, D. (2009). Update and critique of natural remedies as antidepressant treatments. Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North America, 36(4), 789–807.

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