Evidence brief · Supplement
Curcumin (Turmeric) for Depressive symptoms
Evidence grade C — Modest adjunct
- Overall grade
- Grade C
- Last revised
- 1
- graded outcome
- 0
- references listed
Assembled by the app from other entries in this library. It adds no evidence of its own — follow the links to the entries it draws on.
1 at grade C — 1 graded row
What is known
Each outcome with its grade (how strong the evidence is, A to D), the size of the effect where the entry records one, and how often studies agree.
- Depressive symptomsEvidence grade C
Modest adjunct
Smallmixed
What is uncertain
Read off the same rows as above. Nothing here is added that the entry does not itself record.
- Thin evidence: Depressive symptoms (grade C).
The evidence in words
The verdict
For depressive symptoms, Curcumin (Turmeric) earns evidence grade C (small effect, mixed consistency) — the evidence is limited or mixed. Modest adjunct
How it might work
Curcumin dampens NF-κB and other inflammatory signaling and has antioxidant activity, which underlies its joint and metabolic effects.
How to use it
500–1,000 mg/day of curcuminoids from an absorption-enhanced product (with piperine, or a phospholipid/nano form). Plain turmeric powder is largely wasted.
Safety & cautions
Well tolerated; high doses can cause GI upset. It has mild antiplatelet action (additive with anticoagulants) and, via piperine, can raise levels of other drugs.
Bottom line
One of the better anti-inflammatory botanicals for joints and mood — but only in a bioavailable form. Skip if you're on blood thinners without clearing it.
How it is used
As the entry records it, from the studies it summarises. Not a recommendation for you — doses that suit a trial population may not suit you.
- Standard
- 500–1,000 mg curcuminoids in an absorption-enhanced form.
Goes with
- Curcumin (Turmeric)Read the full Curcumin (Turmeric) monographEvidence grade B
Related reading
Entries that share this one's tags or conditions.
- Curcumin (Turmeric) for Metabolic markersEvidence grade C — Small improvementsEvidence grade C
- Curcumin (Turmeric) for OsteoarthritisEvidence grade B — Bioavailable formsEvidence grade B
- Curcumin (Turmeric) for Osteoarthritis painEvidence grade B — NSAID-comparable in trialsEvidence grade B
- Boswellia for OsteoarthritisEvidence grade B — Reasonable RCT supportEvidence grade B
Sources
This entry lists no references of its own — it is assembled from the entries it links to, whose sources are on their pages.
Last revised . A grade is this entry's reading of the evidence, not medical advice.