An investigation into the safety and therapeutic efficacy of herbal products for anxiety and depression

Abstract

12% of the Irish population is believed to be suffering from depression, whilst 800,000 deaths are reported annually worldwide. Depression will, therefore, be the largest contributor to disease burden by 2030 and there is an urgent need to develop improved treatments. Current pharmacotherapies are based upon the monoamine theory of depression. Conventional antidepressants can induce unpleasant side-effects, resulting in low patient compliance and a high failure response rate.