The use of the natural supplement Uridine for depression is growing as research shows that it can have a positive impact on mood regulation and brain health, without a high risk of side effects.
Starting in the 1950s, the idea of medicating severe depression with pharmaceuticals began to gain in popularity. Prior to that, even light cases of depression had been treated with opiates, if they had been treated at all.
But the mid-century development of chemical drugs like Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and Monoamime Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOIs) kicked off an era wherein depression began to be seen as a treatable condition.
However, the heavy side effects and lifestyle adjustments required for daily users of those drugs has been extreme.
Uridine, a naturally occurring nucleoside component of RNA, could be a key regulator of the neurochemicals which contribute to mental health. Uridine and depression symptoms may prove to be worthy opponents.



- Increases dopamine & choline in the brain
- Supports cognition, memory & mood
- Protects the brain & promotes synapse growth
Brain Plasticity and Depression
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One of the hottest topic in gerontology, the study of aging, is neuroplasticity.
Plasticity describes the ability of the brain’s structures to adapt, evolve, and grow over time.
It may be hard to imagine, but every thought pattern we have, every way of doing things, and every bit of wisdom we hold about life are all represented by physical structures in our minds.
Our neurons send messages to one another, making little channels of connection called synapses. These connections are the basis for all of our thoughts, memories, and associations between concepts.
If the brain becomes inflexible and unable to easily grow these connections, we quite literally get “set in our ways.” It happens over time when we age, but for many, these habitual patterns occur much earlier.
For depression sufferers, negative thought patterns have been so ingrained that they are actually supported by dense synaptic networks in the brain. Lacking in key neurochemicals to grow new connections, people living with depression literally cannot devise new patterns of thought, new ways of looking at life.
The use of supplements like Uridine is aimed at enhancing and nurturing this neural environment, so that new thoughts and positive patterns can literally grow.
Why Prescribe Uridine For Depression?
Uridine is a precursor to CDP Choline. This is a form of the nutrient Choline that is able to cross the blood brain barrier, and once it does, it is used to make vital neurochemicals.
This begins a positive chain of events leading to greater brain plasticity, more neural connections, and improved communication among neurons.
These compounds are used to sythesize Acetylcholine and Phosphatidylcholine (PC) in the brain. The net effect is a higher rate of neurite growth and synaptogenesis, which means more new connections are formed between neurons in the brain.
According to reviews, taking Uridine for depression will result fairly quickly in a sensation of clear-headedness and mental focus. Thoughts will come easily and without resistance. The sluggish feelings that accompany procrastination and lethargy will lift.
Dopamine will be released, creating feelings of peacefulness, confidence, and joy. Depression suffers will find themselves suddenly more able to handle basic stresses, and find the clarity of mind to address the issues of their lives without feeling overwhelmed.
While Uridine powder may not eliminate depression symptoms, it can promote brain health and support the regulatory systems that help keep mood disorders in check.
Uridine Youth Depression Studies
Is prescribing Uridine for depression safe for kids? It’s not only safe but it may prove a very promising therapy for childhood neurological disorders.
One study recently published in the Journal of Adolescent Psychopharmacology demonstrated that Uridine was effective at treating depressed children with bipolar disorder, and produced no notable side effects.
Side Effects and Contraindications
Taking Uridine for depression has almost no known side effects. Some people who are sensitive to vitamins and supplements in general may experience some light stomach upset, but for the most part there are no significant negative effects reported by users or in clinical trial.
This may be partially due to Uridine’s ubiquity in our own bodies. It is also contained in common foods such as sugar cane, beets, tomatoes, and some meats. Because of this, our bodies have evolved over countless thousands of years to tolerate the substance.
If you have been diagnosed with adrenal fatigue or diabetes, consult with a doctor before taking any supplement which boosts choline, as this may tax the endocrine system over time.
Combine Uridine with Omega-3 and Omega-6
Another study at Harvard University is looking into the benefits of combining Uridine with EPA/DHA omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids as a treatment for depression. In this breakthrough study, it was determined that Uridine was a highly effective adjunct therapy for depression.
In fact, it matched the performance of Prozac, one of the most widely used, and abused, pharmaceutical drugs that doctors prescribe for depression. In this study, Uridine was found to improve chemical reactions in brain cells, once Omega-3 had been taken to support energy metabolism in the mitochondria. To use this stack on your own, it is recommended to take Red Krill Oil as the best source of natural Omega 3’s.
Uridine has been shown in research studies to improve symptoms for depression patients in a natural way. With no real side effects, and a host of benefits including mood enhancement, memory-boosting, and greater brain plasticity, using Uridine for depression is a natural and effective solution for a common, debilitating condition.
- Holguin S, Martinez J, Chow C, Wurtman R. Dietary uridine enhances the improvement in learning and memory produced by administering DHA to gerbils. FASEB J. 2008
- Martiniova L, Field MS, Finkelstein JL, Perry CA, Stover PJ. Maternal dietary uridine causes, and deoxyuridine prevents, neural tube closure defects in a mouse model of folate-responsive neural tube defects. Am J Clin Nutr. 2015
- Cansev M, Minbay Z, Goren B, Yaylagul EO, Cetinkaya M, Koksal N, Alkan T. Neuroprotective effects of uridine in a rat model of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Neurosci Lett. 2013
- Yamamoto T, Koyama H, Kurajoh M, Shoji T, Tsutsumi Z, Moriwaki Y. Biochemistry of uridine in plasma. Clin Chim Acta. 2011
Article last updated on: March 20th, 2018 by Nootriment