NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University
AUSTRALIA, Sydney – March 22, 2022 – New findings from a major international review examining the ‘best of the best’ available scientific evidence reveals which nutraceuticals (nutrient-based natural products) and phytoceuticals (plant-based natural products) are beneficial in the management of a range of mental health disorders.
The review and new clinical guidelines focused on studies involving common and severe mental disorders: mood disorders such as major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder; anxiety disorders such as generalised anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and trichotillomania (hair-pulling disorder); psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia; and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Commissioned by The World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (WFSBP) and Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) and published today in World Journal of Biological Psychiatry, the latest clinical guidelines are the evidence-based recommendations of an expert taskforce involving 30 leading academics and clinicians from 15 countries, including Western Sydney University, University of British Columbia, Harvard University, University of Arizona College, Deakin University, University of Melbourne, The University of Tokyo, University of Toronto/the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, China Medical University, and University of Canterbury.
The chair of the taskforce, Jerome Sarris, Professor of Integrative Mental Health at NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, said the review and new clinical guidelines are a significant piece of work that help address the current guideline gaps and assist clinicians in an evidence-informed approach to decision-making around the growing interest and use of supplements for major psychiatric disorders.
“Clinicians and the public often aren’t sure of what is effective and isn’t. Our research and guidelines provide much more assurance based on the evidence, giving firmer guidance on effectiveness, dosage, population base for use, conditions, and special considerations,” said Professor Sarris.
“Despite what some people may say or believe, there is actually a lot of high-quality evidence out there, and the purpose of these guidelines were to provide a synthesis of this evidence as well as clinician input to provide definitive practice guidelines.
“In this most recent research, we have included our initial meta-reviews from 2019 and 2020, supplemented with a current additional literature search – it is the world’s largest meta-synthesis in this field analysing top-tier evidence, from clinical trials and data worldwide, in over 10,000 individuals treated for psychiatric disorders,” Professor Sarris said.
Patients often ask clinicians about the utility of various nutrient or plant based natural products in the treatment of various psychiatric illnesses says Dr Lakshmi Yatham, President of the World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry.
“The WFSBP/CANMAT guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations for use of these products and thus are extremely helpful for clinicians in advising patients about the role of these agents and in choosing the most appropriate agents for managing various psychiatric illnesses,” he said.
Several key findings from the review:
The review also provides detail on safety and tolerability issues, and clinical advice regarding prescription and consideration for use in specialised populations.
Senior leadership team member of the taskforce and co-author Dr Arun Ravindran, Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto and Clinician Scientist at CAMH added: “The use of alternative and complementary therapies by the public has grown exponentially in recent years. Patients often expect physicians to prescribe them appropriately and safely. These guidelines from a global panel of opinion leaders will serve as a user-friendly resource for both physicians and consumers.”
Harvard Medical School Professor of Psychiatry, Director of Depression Clinical Research Program at Massachusetts General Hospital and co-author Dr David Mischoulon further added: “I prescribe several of these therapies in my practice, which includes many people who have not obtained benefit from approved treatments. But I always make sure to have a careful discussion with the patient about the known and potentially unknown risks and benefits. I also advise that individuals with more serious psychiatric conditions who are interested in using these natural remedies preferably do so under the supervision of a qualified clinician.”
The review and clinical guidelines can be accessed online at https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15622975.2021.2013041
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10.1080/15622975.2021.2013041
Systematic review
People
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
21-Mar-2022
Please see paper.
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Media Contacts
Natalie Connor for spokesperson Professor Jerome Sarris
Western Sydney University, NICM Health Research Institute
n.connor@westernsydney.edu.au
Cell: +61-417-259-054
Margaret Koshi for spokesperson Dr Lakshmi Yatham
The World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry Media Manager
Margaret.koshi@ubc.ca
Cell: +1-604-822-2142
Hayley Chazan for spokesperson Dr Arun Ravindran
University of Toronto, The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Media Manager
Hayley.Chazan@camh.ca
Cell: +1-416-452-6530
Expert Contact
Dr David Mischoulon via Noah Brown, Public Affairs Manager
Massachusetts General Hospital
nbrown9@partners.org
Cell: +1-617-643-3907
NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University
Copyright © 2022 by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Copyright © 2022 by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)