I, too, had difficulties with St. John’s Wort, and with 5-HTP as well. So much so that it was a real possibility the cops were going to make a personal visit with a disturbing the peace greeting card (marked agitation during the ramp-on period with both) and this happened also with one SSRI. Problems during down-titration as well. No such problems noted with SAM-e over several administration regimens and in my experience efficacy was about equal to the SSRIs, like in the studies. What I am curious to find out is if Sammy “poops out” after a year like the SSRIs do for me. I have never taken it that long continuously. Some people don’t know you really need SAM-e in an enteric coated capsule and those purchasing SAM-e bulk powder are wasting their money (way too reactive with water and subject to degradation to even make it out of the manufacturing facility with full potency).
Incidentally, GABA works well as a mood stabilizer for me but I am still experimenting with the dosage (500mg/day for now).
Found enteric-coated SAM-e capsules for $0.33 each. 400 mg. That’s a big help. Appears legit and normal quality.