This is just me talking; a personal experience. Hearsay.
I fought depression for many, many years and did not know what it was or why it was. This was due to the fact I would never acknowledge it was depression. I was just "moody."
But, I wanted to take a run at a wall with my head. That's exactly what I fantasized doing.
Anyway. . .
It finally grew to such serious proportion I wondered where it would all end? (Or where I would end.)
One day, I was listening to the radio and there was a discussion (I think it was on NPR) about St.John's Wort. I decided I would try it because it was over-the-counter and I have a phobia (almost) about drugs (prescription) although I have taken antibiotics on rare occasions.
Cut to the chase.
I ended up trying 4 different brands and only one of those brands "worked" for me.
My symptoms simply went away.
If I couldn't get that particular brand, they symptoms would come back.
I skeptically assumed I was experiencing a placebo effect. Yet--that one brand did work and the others didn't. So--I dunno.
Here is the bottom line.
This may sound a bit fuzzy.
But--I learned where that feeling of "normal" was inside my head. I sort of staked it out and memorized it so I could find my way back.
Then, I dropped the pills and did just that.
It has been about 18 years. The depression has not returned (and that without pills.)
I seem to always (well 97%) be in a jovial mood--even when I 1st wake up.
Make of it what you will.
It is just a testimonial and not evidence of any sort.
I'd tell you the brand of St.John's Wort but I won't.
Validate your own experiment.