Posted by shadowtom2 on August 1, 2016, at 21:27:35
In reply to fish oil.., posted by Christ_empowered on August 1, 2016, at 20:28:23
I've taken fish oil and other omega-3 supplements at a few different points since my symptoms of clinical depression first emerged more than 15 years ago, and also since I started to experience some symptoms that would be considered to be on the schizophrenia spectrum nine years ago. I seem to recall having noticed the soothing calm feeling that you described on at least some of the occasions when I tried fish oil, but I don't recall noticing any benefits beyond that with regular fish oil softgels. I also took a high-EPA omega-3 supplement several years ago and noticed something similar to what I had experienced with regular fish oil, but I also noticed a bit of an increased tendency toward ideas of reference, so I stopped taking it. Another omega-3 supplement that I've taken was one that contains only DHA (without EPA) from plant-based algae. I definitely recall having noticed some short-lived improvements in energy from having taken the supplement with DHA from plant-based algae at some points, but that supplement seemed to increase my irritability more than anything else the last time that I took it, so I haven't taken that supplement since then.
So, that sums up the experiences that I've had with fish oil and other omega-3 supplements over the course of the last several years. I hope that you'll continue to find the fish oil that you're taking to be of some benefit. Regarding blood pressure, there seems to be some evidence (from what I've seen) that supplementing with fish oil might lower blood pressure to an extent, but I haven't looked at the evidence in that area in enough detail to say much more beyond what I just said. And as far as mood is concerned, it's my understanding that some studies that have produced evidence that would support the idea that fish oil might help to alleviate depressive symptoms in those with mood disorders. I don't think that any published review articles to date have concluded that fish oil is indeed an effective treatment for mood disorders (although it's possible that I might have missed something), but at the same time, there are some reasons to think that fish oil might help to boost mood in some individuals. At any rate, I hope that you'll get some good long-term results from fish oil if you do keep taking it.
Tom (the former Tomatheus)
"Maybe someday
We'll figure all this out
We'll put an end to all our doubt
Try to find a way to just feel better now"- Rob Thomas
poster:shadowtom2
thread:1091067
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20160713/msgs/1091068.html