Mental health is defined by your emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Your mental health affects your thoughts, emotions, and ability to cope with life’s normal stresses and anxieties.
An important aspect of supporting your mental health is daily nutrition. Nutritional supplements can be a great consideration to fill any gaps in the daily diet. In addition to nutrition, the endocannabinoid system– a complex cell-signaling system in the body that helps regulate various physiological processes, including mood, sleep, and pain– has been a recent target for mental health supplementation. So, which supplements for mental health support should you consider?
Endocannabinoids are endogenous lipid-based neurotransmitters (such as anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol) produced naturally within the body, acting on cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) to regulate physiological processes including mood, stress response, and synaptic plasticity.
In contrast, cannabinoids is a broader term that includes phytocannabinoids (plant-derived, e.g., THC and CBD from Cannabis sativa), synthetic cannabinoids, and endocannabinoids. Phytocannabinoids and synthetic cannabinoids are exogenous compounds that can activate or modulate the same receptors but have distinct pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and side effect profiles compared to endogenous endocannabinoids.
Get the answers to common questions about mental health supplements, including the role of endocannabinoids and the benefits of including advanced supplement formulations in your routine. Use the links below to jump ahead to different topics on the page.
Neurological Health: An Overview
Neurological health is defined as the healthy functioning of the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nervous system (the nerves).
Your neurological system accounts for your:
- Intelligence
- Thoughts
- Memory
- Learning
- Emotions
- Perception
- Sensations
- Physical movement
- Autonomic body functions
Mental health refers to the state of an individual’s emotional, psychological, and social well-being.
Mental health is greatly dependent on the health of the nervous system, in addition to overall physical health.
Emerging research has highlighted the correlation between nutrient deficiencies and adverse neurological conditions.1 Several studies highlight the potential impact of diet on mood disorders, including depression and anxiety.2,3
Both macronutrients (carbohydrates, protein, and fat) and micronutrients (vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants) play vital roles in the proper functioning of the nervous system and promote mental well-being.
Neurological and Gastrointestinal Health: The Relationship
A growing body of research suggests that disturbances in the gut-brain axis (the communication system that connects the gut and the brain) can contribute to mental health disorders. We know that the gastrointestinal tract is lined with trillions of beneficial microbes (like bacteria, fungi, and viruses) collectively known as the gut microbiome. These microbes are necessary for many essential functions, including digesting food, producing vitamins, regulating the immune system, protecting against harmful pathogens, metabolizing drugs, maintaining gut health, regulating metabolism, and influencing mood and mental health.4
Dysfunction in the gut microbiome is associated with poor cognitive performance.5 Conversely, certain neurological conditions can adversely affect gut function and cause imbalanced inflammatory responses in the gastrointestinal environment6. Micronutrients, as well as prebiotic and probiotic supplements, have been shown to support a healthy gut microbiome, indicating their potential beneficial role for promoting mental health.7,8
Food Sources That Promote Neurological Health
Food sources rich in vitamins (such as folic acid, vitamin D), minerals (such as zinc and magnesium), polyunsaturated fatty acids (such as omega-3 fatty acids), amino acids (such as glycine and N-acetylcysteine), and probiotics (as well as postbiotics) are known to promote mental health. The following table highlights food sources that promote good neurological health:
| Foods that Promote Healthy Brain Function | |
|---|---|
| Vegetables and fruits |
Vegetables and fruits contain kaempferol, a flavonoid with antioxidant and neuroprotective effects.9 Examples of vegetables containing kaempferol include cruciferous, yellow, and green leafy vegetables, such as kale, cabbage, green beans, cucumber, squash, tomatoes, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts. Examples of fruits containing kaempferol include berries (gooseberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries), apples, grapes, citrus fruits, peaches, and grapefruit. |
| Proteins | Meat, fish, seafood, and eggs are rich sources of arachidonic acid — an essential polyunsaturated fatty acid that displays immuno-modulating properties and plays a critical role in neurodevelopment.10 |
| Spices and herbs |
Spices, such as black pepper and long pepper, contain a novel plant compound, guineensine, that can help maintain normal inflammatory responses in the nervous system.11 Herbs like dill, chives, saffron, and tarragon contain kaempferol. |
| Beverages | Beverages like tea — particularly green and black Kenyan tea — also contain kaempferol. |
| Chocolates and Truffles | The mood-boosting effects of unprocessed chocolate are attributed to cacao beans or nibs, which contain various beneficial compounds, including anandamide (an endocannabinoid neurotransmitter produced in the body). Truffles are underground mushrooms that contain endocannabinoid metabolic enzymes that enhance the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the body (a system that regulates neurotransmitters, immune function, metabolism, pain and sensory perception, and protection of the nervous system). |
| Probiotics & Postbiotics | Foods rich in probiotics, like yogurt, cheese, and kombucha, support the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut microbiome, indirectly promoting mental wellness. Certain microbiome imbalances can lead to low levels of butyric acid, a short-chain fatty acid produced by certain bacteria in the gut when they break down fiber. Butyric acid plays an important role in keeping the gut healthy by providing energy to the cells lining the intestines and by helping to maintain a strong barrier against harmful substances. Supplementation can be useful in conditions where levels are low. Postbiotic nutrients, such as butyric acid, support brain health by countering gastrointestinal disturbance caused by microbiome imbalances. |
Endocannabinoids: What is Their Role in the Body?
You may have heard of cannabinoids. Cannabinoids are a class of compounds with psychoactive properties (substances that affect your mind, mood, emotions, and behavior) that exert an overall modulatory effect on the brain reward circuitry, thereby supporting mental and emotional health.12 Cannabinoids can be derived both from plants and are also produced by our bodies (referred to as ‘endocannabinoids’). Examples of plant-derived cannabinoids include Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). Anandamide and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol are two endocannabinoids produced in the body.
The plant-derived cannabinoid THC interacts directly with the body’s endocannabinoid receptors to mimic the functions of endocannabinoids. CBD, on the other hand, works indirectly with endocannabinoid receptors to enhance endogenous anandamide signaling.
It should be noted that the use of cannabinoids THC and CBD products as nutritional supplements or food additives is much debated. In contrast, anandamide supplements are a suitable alternative to THC/CBD to promote mental health.*
Anandamide: The Endocannabinoid Produced by the Body
Let’s understand what anandamide is before considering its beneficial effects. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the body consists of a group of neuro-modulatory lipids that influence emotional processing. The key components of the ECS are —
- Endocannabinoids: Anandamide and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol
- Endocannabinoid receptors: Including the CB1 and CB2 receptors
- Associated enzymes: Including fatty acid amide hydrolase and monoacylglycerol acid lipase
Chemically, anandamide is arachidonyl-ethanolamide, a lipid-based neurotransmitter that binds to the cannabinoid receptors in different regions of the body and brain. The following table highlights the potential benefits of anandamide on brain health:
| How Does Anandamide Promote Mental Health? | |
|---|---|
| Anandamide binds to CB1 receptors that induce dopamine release in the brain, resulting in a sense of temporary pleasure.*13Anandamide participates in maintaining serotonin levels, which beneficially influences stress-related behaviors.*14Anandamide modulates vigilance states and benefits sleep cycles.*15,16Anandamide supports the release of endorphins, thereby promoting a sense of well-being.*15 |
Tesseract’s Advanced Mental Health Support Supplement Formulations
Tesseract Medical Research’s AnaQuell® is an innovative nutritional supplement formulation that supports the body’s natural response to stress.* The proprietary complex contains a combination of anandamide and L-citrulline to promote mental health. The addition of L-citrulline to the formula supports nitric oxide (NO) production, which helps maintain healthy blood flow and promotes good cardiovascular health4.
AuRx® is a gold-standard medical food (designed or formulated) to support those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), featuring a stabilized butyric acid complex delivered in a palatable powder to ensure user compliance, especially in children.
Tesseract’s proprietary and innovative CyLoc® – DexKey® technology enhances the solubility and absorption of the active nutrients in the above two formulations to achieve their health-promoting benefits. This nanomolecular nutrient delivery system maintains the integrity of nutrient molecules during transit through the stomach, thereby enabling their targeted delivery at the desired point in the intestinal tract for optimal absorption.
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions About Mental Health Support Supplements
Why should you consider taking a mental health support supplement?
You should consider a mental health support supplement to:
- Complement an inadequate diet or support low plasma levels of a specific nutrient.
- Fill common nutritional gaps of specific nutrients lacking in the typical Western diet.
- Enhance the bioavailability and absorption of nutrients to achieve their health benefits.
Are there side effects to taking a mental health support supplement?
Mental health support supplements are generally safe. However, research shows that the overstimulation of CB1 receptors can disrupt the brain’s reward circuitry*. Hence, it is always best to consult your health-care provider before starting a new supplement for mental health support.
Can I take a mental health support supplement with a prescription medicine?
There can be interactions between mental health support supplements and prescription medications. Limited data exist on the use of these supplements with prescription medications and on the prolonged intake of these supplements with prescription medications. Therefore, consult your healthcare provider before taking a mental health support supplement with a prescription medication.
What are the features of an advanced mental health support supplement?
When considering an advanced mental health support supplement, you should look for the following features:
- Optimal absorption: Formulations with advanced nutrient delivery systems enhance the bioavailability of the supplement’s active nutrients, resulting in optimal absorption.
- Targeted delivery: Targeted delivery of the supplement’s active nutrients at the desired point in the intestinal tract enables the controlled release of the nutrient molecules.
- Micro-dosing: Micro-dosing refers to achieving the desired health benefits of an active nutrient in a lower dose than previously required. Micro-dosing allows for multiple nutrients to be highly efficacious via a single capsule.
Tesseract’s mental health support supplement formulations have these three features to achieve the benefits of active nutrients to promote emotional and mental well-being.*
The power of Tesseract supplements lies in enhancing palatability, maximizing solubility, absorption, and bioavailability, and micro-dosing multiple nutrients in a single, highly effective capsule. Shop products on our website and learn more about how they support your neurological health and well-being.*
References:
1Tsalamandris G, et al. The role of nutrition in neurological disorders. Nutrients vol. 15,22 4713. 7 Nov. 2023, doi:10.3390/nu15224713
2Carabotti M, et al. The gut-brain axis: interactions between enteric microbiota, central and enteric nervous systems. Annals of Gastroenterology vol. 28,2 (2015):203-209.
3Scherma M, et al. Brain activity of anandamide: a rewarding bliss? Acta Pharmacologica Sinica vol. 40,3 (2019):309-323. doi:10.1038/s41401-018-0075-x
4Ahmad, Ashfaq et al. International journal of molecular sciences vol. 19,9 2605. 3 Sep. 2018, doi:10.3390/ijms19092605
