Does Licorice Treat Depression

Licorice is a plant product, it is the root of a bean like plant called Glycrrhiza glabra. Due to the slight sweetish flavor it imparts, it is used in a wide range of candies and soft drinks.

Licorice information

It also has medical properties and in specific it is known to affect the enzyme which causes stress. Licorice contains a substance called Carbonoxolone. This substance stops the enzymes which releases stress related hormones, same herbal supplement. Which is why it is used as a natural antidepressant against depression as well as age related mental health decline.

Overdose of this substance leads to Licorice side effects which can be very serious. Which is why one needs to be careful about how much licorice you consume every day.

The drug ecstasy is believed to have licorice in it, it seems to be a debatable whether it actually does or not. Which is why you need to check with your doctor before you self medicate yourself on licorice or any related product.     Licorice Ecstasy is also known as licorice MDMA. MDMA is short for 3,4 Methylenedioxymethamphetamine. While this drug has been used popularly as a recreational drug, its effect on depression is currently being researched.

They have found that Ecstasy can help reduce anxiety, when to avoid b12 vitamins and curb depression, however this drug is far from a natural antidepressant. Another good news about Ecstasy is the fact that it could be used to treat post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and even anxiety which is common in people suffering from terminal illnesses. Ecstasy, one of MDMA drugs has been known to have a sweetish smell like that of licorice. While some people believe this may be due to the presence of Licorice which is why it is called licorice MDMA, others feel that it is the presence of a bi product called 3,4-methylenedioxyphenylpropan-2-ol which gives it that smell.

Licorice Side Effects

Licorice information suggests that overdose of licorice can have some very bad side effects. It can cause a lot of damage to the liver, it can cause heart problems and it can even cause high blood pressure levels.  Other lesser yet significant licorice side effects include headaches, general weakness, fatigue, muscle weakness and low testosterone levels. Licorice is also very bad for pregnant women as overdose can result in children who have low intelligence levels as well as other behavioral disorders.

The good thing though, is that these conditions will completely go away once you reduce the intake of licorice. The recommended intake of licorice per day is about 100 grams only.

Ultimately does Licorice treat depression

In conclusion, Licorice information suggests that depression can be treated with licorice. However, whether it can actually completely cure depression or help severe cases of depression is not known. So, if you are looking for a natural antidepressant to help you feel better and less anxious, it is a good idea to try out licorice as unless you overdose, it will do you more good than harm.On the other hand licorice ecstasy or licorice MDMA can do more harm than good as these are drugs may not even contain licorice in them and just go by the name because they smell like licorice.