How Hedonia Works

Scientifically Proven to be Effective

For over 20 years, clinical trials have shown that the three nutrients contained in Hedonia work with your antidepressant by providing nutritional requirements to manage depression.

The nutrients (Omega-3, SAMe, and L-methylfolate) occur naturally in your body but may be out of balance in your brain if you suffer from depression. Hedonia works by raising the levels of these critical nutrients to normal, healthy levels.

Not only are the nutrients in Hedonia proven to be highly effective, but because they occur naturally in your body, there are no medically significant side effects.

Hedonia favicon

If you’ve heard about or taken some of the nutrients listed above, you may be wondering what’s so special about Hedonia.

Mature man with golden retriever dog

Start Feeling Like Yourself Again

View ingredients, pricing, and try Hedonia today.

There are several reasons why nutritional management of depression with Hedonia makes sense.

  • Low levels of the omega-3 fatty acid EPA can result in chronic inflammation in the brain.
  • Low folate levels can be involved in depression, but taking supplemental folate, by itself doesn’t always help.
  • L-Methylfolate and SAMe work together to synthesize serotonin and other neurotransmitters that impact depression.

Hedonia may maintain a normal, healthy brain by blending the above nutrients in a way that makes them more effective than taking them individually or in random doses.

Dig Deeper into the Science

The role of nutrients has been extensively researched but only 3 nutrients are consistently recommended by nutritional guidelines for mental health, and these have been brought together in Hedonia for the nutritional management of depression.

Hedonia consists of 470mg omega-3 (400mg EPA), 300mg S-adenosyl methionine, and 5mg of L-methylfolate. Daily intake of 4 capsules provides the levels of nutrients commonly recommended by a number of clinical guidelines.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Numerous studies confirm the association between low levels of omega-3 and depression. These findings are demonstrated in a meta-analysis of 14 studies published in 2010 showing low plasma levels of EPA and DHA in depression.

The National Academy of Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine) recommends 160mg/day for men and 110mg/day for women for the combined intake of both fatty acids. The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) recommends levels of seafood intake giving approximately 250mg of EPA and DHA daily, it seems that those with depression may have a specific need for more omega-3 fatty acids.

EPA in particular has a role in regulating neuroinflammation known to be a component of depression, and higher levels of EPA intake are associated with the normalization of depression. International guidelines are consistent in their recommendations of higher levels of EPA than recommended for the general population. Those with depression should be taking 1-2g of EPA with an oil where EPA is at least in a 2:1 ratio with DHA.

Hedonia provides 400mg of EPA per capsule and with a 4-capsule daily recommendation, meets the nutritional needs of those with depression.

The average consumption of omega-3 (EPA and DHA) in food is well below the recommended value. Guidelines for depression recommend increased intake of EPA from 1-2g daily.

Hedonia corrects OMEGA-3 deficiency

The average consumption of omega-3 (EPA and DHA) in food is well below the recommended value. Guidelines for depression recommend increased intake of EPA from 1-2g daily.

Data from Bottiglieri, et al (1990). J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry, 53(12), 1096-1098.

L-Methylfolate

Folate is an important nutrient acting as the starting point for several neurotransmitters in the brain. Research into folate has shown mixed results and this is due to many people having an error in the enzyme system that metabolizes folate.

This enzyme is called MTHFR which is the short name for the enzyme methyleneltetrahydrofolate reductase. Natural variations in the DNA coding for the protein, called polymorphisms, can lead to less activity in the protein.

MTHFR converts folate to L-methylfolate which is important since only L-methylfolate can enter the brain.

MTHFR gene in depression

*Gilbody, S., Lewis, S., & Lightfoot, T. (2007). Am J Epidemiol, 165(1), 1-13.

MTHFR is a protein that converts folate to L-methylfolate. Natural variations in the protein MTHFR can lead to reduced protein activity[1] and less conversion of folate to L-methylfolate. People with certain variations in the MTHFR have a higher risk of depression [2]. L-Methylfolate has important activity in the brain including the generation of neurotransmitters [3]. Taking L-methylfolate orally can help re-address this imbalance and or deficiency created by the MTHFR variant and nutritional studies support the role of supplementation in depression.

Some polymorphisms of MTFHR lead to less conversion of folate to L-methylfolate, which means less enters the brain leading to a deficiency. Studies have confirmed that people with polymorphisms in the MTFHR gene have a higher risk of depression. L-Methylfolate has a number of actions in the brain including the generation of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine. A deficiency in folate and L-methylfolate can therefore contribute to depression. Numerous studies support this.

Taking L-methylfolate orally can help re-address this dietary imbalance and or deficiency which has been clinically demonstrated to be important for depression.

Hedonia provides 20mg of L-methylfolate in accordance with guideline recommendations.

SAMe - S-adenosyl Methionine

S-adenosyl methionine, also known as SAMe, is an amino acid produced by the body. It plays an essential role in a number of biological pathways. One important action is in the generation of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin, which play a vital role in mood and depression. SAMe is produced during folate metabolism and low levels of the enzyme that makes SAMe is associated with depression. Lower levels of SAMe have also been demonstrated in people with depression. Importantly, giving SAMe orally increases the levels of SAMe in the cerebrospinal fluid back to normal levels.

Separate studies have shown that depression is associated with a decrease in SAMe, which can be restored by supplementation up to 1600mg SAMe daily.

Supplementation with SAMe has been demonstrated to be associated with normalisation of depression. Hedonia provides 1600mg of SAMe to correct the deficiency of SAMe associated with depression.

Supplemental SAMe is recommended for people with depression in an international clinical guideline: Clinician guidelines for the treatment of psychiatric disorders with nutraceuticals and phytoceuticals: The World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (WFSBP) and Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) Taskforce

8 studies since 2010 show the efficacy of SAMe in people with depression.

Hedonia corrects SAMe deficiency

SAMe levels in healthy and depressive adults.
In a separate study supplementation with SAMe restores levels to those seen in healthy individuals

Data from Bottiglieri, et al (1990). J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry, 53(12), 1096-1098.

Hedonia® is classified (and regulated) in the USA as a medical food product.

Hedonia is intended to be used under medical supervision alongside an individual’s physician-directed treatment.

Each gel-capsule contains a total omega-3 triglyceride content of 640mg of which EPA is 400mg, 400mg of Adonat® Premium SAMe Stabilized PowdeR, and 3.75mg of Quatrefolic® ((6S)-5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid).

Ingredients:

Mono and diglycerides of fatty acids, Lemon natural flavor, sunflower lecithin, gelatin, Firming agent: glycerol, colorant: Titanium dioxide, Coloring: allura red, yellow-orange, and brilliant blue FCF