Supplements That Can Support Your Mood and Reduce Irritability in MS

🌩️ Why MS Can Affect Your Mood

Multiple sclerosis is not just a disease of the nerves—it’s a whole-body, whole-life condition. And one of its most disruptive symptoms often goes unseen: emotional dysregulation.

Common mood-related symptoms in MS include:

  • 😣 Irritability and anger outbursts
  • 😢 Depression and low motivation
  • 😰 Anxiety and racing thoughts
  • 😐 Emotional numbness or flat affect
  • 😭 Pseudobulbar affect (uncontrolled crying/laughter)

These emotional challenges can arise due to:

  • Lesions in mood-regulating brain areas
  • Chronic inflammation and immune activation
  • Hormonal and neurotransmitter imbalances
  • Nutrient deficiencies caused by medication or gut issues
  • Stress from daily disease management

The good news? Certain natural supplements may help. Let's look at science-backed options.

Looking for supplements for people with MS? Click here.

🧠 1. Omega-3 Fatty Acids (EPA & DHA)

Why it helps:

Omega-3s—especially EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)—are powerful anti-inflammatory fats that also support brain function and neurotransmitter balance.

Studies have shown that low omega-3 levels are linked to:

  • Increased depression and anxiety
  • Poorer mood regulation
  • Reduced resilience to stress

What the research says:

A 2020 review in Frontiers in Psychiatry found omega-3 supplementation, particularly EPA-dominant formulas, significantly improved depressive symptoms in people with neurological disorders.

How to take:

✅ Choose a high-quality triglyceride-form omega-3 supplement with at least 1,000 mg EPA + DHA combined daily.

🧘 2. Magnesium

Why it helps:

Magnesium is known as the “relaxation mineral.” It regulates GABA (a calming neurotransmitter), supports sleep, and buffers stress response.

  • Magnesium deficiency is extremely common in MS and can contribute to:
  • Muscle tightness and spasms
  • Irritability and anxiety
  • Poor sleep quality

What the research says:

A 2017 review in Nutrients linked magnesium supplementation with reduced symptoms of depression, especially in people with inflammation-related mood disorders.

Best forms for mood:

  • Magnesium glycinate (calming and gut-friendly)
  • Magnesium L-threonate (crosses blood-brain barrier)

Looking for supplements for people with MS? Click here.

🌿 3. L-Theanine

Why it helps:

L-Theanine is a calming amino acid found in green tea that promotes alpha brain wave activity—associated with relaxation without drowsiness.

It helps reduce:

  • Restlessness
  • Mental fatigue
  • Overstimulation from chronic stress

What the research says:

Studies show that L-theanine increases dopamine, GABA, and serotonin levels—key mood regulators often impaired in MS.

How to take:

✅ 100–400 mg per day, especially effective when taken with caffeine or before high-stress situations.

💊 4. Vitamin B Complex (Especially B6, B9, B12)

Why it helps:

B vitamins are essential for:

  • Neurotransmitter production (serotonin, dopamine)
  • Methylation (brain detox and repair)
  • Energy metabolism in the brain

People with MS often have difficulty absorbing B vitamins, leading to:

  • Brain fog
  • Fatigue
  • Mood instability

What the research says:

Low B12 and folate (B9) levels are strongly associated with depression and cognitive dysfunction in MS.

Best tip:

✅ Choose a methylated B-complex (with methylcobalamin and methylfolate) for optimal absorption.

🧘5. Ashwagandha (Adaptogen)

Why it helps:

Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb that helps balance cortisol—the stress hormone. It can also reduce systemic inflammation, which contributes to emotional instability.

It’s particularly helpful for:

  • MS-related anxiety
  • Chronic fatigue
  • Irritability triggered by physical stressors

What the research says:

A study published in Medicine (Baltimore) in 2021 found that ashwagandha significantly reduced stress, anxiety, and serum cortisol in people with chronic conditions.

How to take:

✅ 300–600 mg daily of standardized extract (5% withanolides).

🌸 6. Rhodiola Rosea

Why it helps:

Rhodiola is another adaptogen that boosts energy, sharpens focus, and promotes emotional resilience under pressure.

It enhances mood by:

  • Supporting serotonin and dopamine pathways
  • Reducing stress-induced fatigue
  • Improving physical stamina

What the research says:

Several clinical trials show that Rhodiola reduces symptoms of burnout, emotional fatigue, and mild depression—even after just a few days of use.

How to take:

✅ Start with 200 mg daily and increase gradually. Take in the morning to avoid sleep disruption.

🍄 7. Lion’s Mane Mushroom

Why it helps:

Lion’s Mane is a nootropic mushroom that stimulates Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), essential for brain repair and plasticity.

It may:

  • Support emotional regulation through improved brain signaling
  • Help with cognitive mood symptoms (brain fog, memory lapses)
  • Reduce neuroinflammation, a driver of irritability in MS

What the research says:

A Japanese study found that people who took Lion’s Mane for 4 weeks experienced significantly less anxiety and depression compared to the placebo group.

🌿 8. Saffron Extract

Why it helps:

Saffron is a potent natural antidepressant that works similarly to SSRIs—by increasing serotonin availability—but without the pharmaceutical side effects.

In MS, it may:

  • Lift low mood
  • Ease mental fatigue
  • Calm irritability linked to hormonal and neurotransmitter dysregulation

What the research says:

A meta-analysis in Human Psychopharmacology found saffron extract (30 mg/day) just as effective as fluoxetine (Prozac) in treating mild-to-moderate depression.

Looking for supplements for people with MS? Click here.

🌙 9. Melatonin

Why it helps:

Sleep disruptions in MS are common and can worsen mood dramatically. Melatonin helps reset your circadian rhythm, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.

It also acts as:

  • An antioxidant in the brain
  • A modulator of inflammation and neurodegeneration

What the research says:

A 2022 study in Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders showed that melatonin improved sleep quality and indirectly enhanced emotional well-being in people with MS.

How to take:

✅ 0.5–3 mg taken 30–60 minutes before bed. Use low doses to avoid grogginess.

🌞 10. Vitamin D3

Why it helps:

Vitamin D is crucial for immune balance and mood regulation. Low levels are common in MS and linked to higher rates of:

  • Depression
  • Seasonal mood changes
  • Autoimmune flares

What the research says:

A 2020 study in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that correcting vitamin D deficiency significantly improved mood and vitality in people with MS.

Best tip:

✅ Test your levels first. Many people with MS require 4,000–10,000 IU/day under medical supervision.

💡 How to Stack These Supplements Safely

You don’t need to take every supplement on this list. Instead, build your “Mood Support Stack” based on your most pressing symptoms.

Supplement Dose Benefit
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA) 1,000–2,000 mg/day Brain & mood regulation
Magnesium glycinate 300–400 mg/day Calming, anti-anxiety
B-Complex (methylated) 1 daily Energy, neurotransmitters
Ashwagandha 300–600 mg/day Cortisol control, stress relief
Vitamin D3 2,000–5,000 IU/day Mood & immune support
Optional: Lion’s Mane, L-theanine, Melatonin, Saffron As needed For extra emotional balance

💬 Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re on medication for MS, depression, or anxiety.

🧬 What to Avoid: Overstimulants and Pro-Inflammatory Additives

People with MS can be especially sensitive to certain ingredients that worsen mood or increase neuroinflammation, such as:

❌ Excess caffeine

❌ Artificial dyes and sweeteners

❌ MSG and processed food preservatives

❌ Pro-inflammatory seed oils (soy, corn, canola)

Focus on clean, third-party tested supplements free from fillers, gluten, and allergens.

🧭 Final Thoughts: Supplements Are Tools, Not Cures

Living with MS means managing a constantly shifting set of physical and emotional symptoms. While no supplement is a magic bullet, certain nutrients and herbs can significantly support your mood, reduce irritability, and help you feel more like yourself.

Whether you're managing emotional ups and downs or trying to lift brain fog and energy, the right combination of mood-supporting supplements—along with a healthy diet, good sleep, and stress-reduction practices—can make a powerful difference.

Looking for supplements for people with MS? Click here.

📚 References 

Grosso G, et al. Role of omega-3 fatty acids in the treatment of depressive disorders: a comprehensive meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. PLoS One. 2014;9(5):e96905.

Tarleton EK, et al. Role of magnesium supplementation in treatment of depression: a randomized clinical trial. PLoS One. 2017;12(6):e0180067.

Mischoulon D, et al. Saffron as an antidepressant: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Hum Psychopharmacol. 2014;29(6):517–527.

Mohammadi M, et al. The effects of Lion's Mane mushroom on symptoms of anxiety and depression. Biomed Pharmacother. 2019;110:244–249.

Choudhary D, et al. Efficacy and safety of Ashwagandha root extract in reducing stress and anxiety: a randomized, double-blind study. Medicine (Baltimore). 2021;100(30):e26529.

Torkildsen Ø, et al. Vitamin D and multiple sclerosis. Acta Neurol Scand Suppl. 2012;(195):34–42.

Reiter RJ, et al. Melatonin as a therapeutic agent for neurological disorders. Neurotox Res. 2022;40(3):347–365.

Related Posts

Back to blog