In this article, we aim to answer the use of Tongkat Ali as an antidepressant natural supplement to reduce your depression or sadness. Additionally, we shall find out whether it is an effective alternative natural remedy that can help reduce your depression or conditions that allow you to take it when you are sad.
Depression is often a complex subject. In medicine, when you are depressed, your brain and body undergo complex hormonal and chemical changes that disrupt emotional balance. And taking natural supplements that regulate your hormone may offer a mild or gradual improvements in mood.
Key neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine are often reduced, leading to symptoms like persistent sadness, lack of motivation, fatigue, poor concentration, and an inability to feel pleasure. Those symptoms and early warning signs may lead to depression, which are often addressed through antidepressant drugs such as SSRI.
At the same time, cortisol, the primary stress hormone, tends to rise—especially in chronic stress or trauma-related depression—causing further emotional instability.
According to experts, high cortisol levels are associated with depression, a constant feeling of sadness coupled with lack of motivation, desire and enthusiasm. And Tongkat Ali may be taken as a herbal remedy for mild conditions.
In women, imbalances in estrogen and progesterone can trigger depression during PMS, postpartum, or menopause, due to their direct interaction with mood-regulating brain chemicals. In men and women alike, low testosterone levels can result in low energy, irritability, and emotional numbness.
Additionally, an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) can mimic or worsen depression through symptoms such as brain fog, lethargy, and low mood.
Even oxytocin, the hormone tied to bonding and emotional connection, can be suppressed—leading to social withdrawal and loneliness. Ultimately, depression is not just a mental or emotional condition, but a multidimensional disorder involving hormonal imbalances, brain chemistry disruptions, and physiological changes driven by genetics, trauma, chronic stress, or life transitions.
The short answer is, Tongkat Ali is not classified as an SSRI, SNRI, or MAOI and thus it is not an antidepressant drug of supplement. Additionally, it does not work by increasing serotonin, dopamine, or norepinephrine directly in the way pharmaceutical antidepressants do.
However, early studies showed significant regulation of cortisol (lowering of stress hormone) in mildly stressed patients and it does increase dopamine levels in your brain.
On this note, scientists conclude that taking Tongkat Ali may reduce mild depression symptoms associated with high stress, although the effectiveness may vary considerably due to lack of studies on its efficacy and dose.
Tongkat Ali a powerful adaptogen, not a sedative — meaning it helps your body rebalance under stress without “numbing” your emotions the way SSRI drugs or Ashwagandha sometimes do.
However, Tongkat Ali it can have antidepressant-like effects, particularly in cases of:
So if your low mood or sadness is linked to physical or hormonal factors, Tongkat Ali might help as some studies support this.
It is worth trying Tongkat Ali and use it daily when you are feeling sad, particularly if your sadness is:
Then yes, Tongkat Ali (especially a standardized hot water root extract like AKARALI) could be a safe and natural first-line adaptogen herb to support:
For first time users, start with a low 200 mg daily, monitor for improvements in energy, stress, and mood within 2–4 weeks. It is best to consume in the morning, or before bed, accompanied with 30 minutes of cardio exercises (eg: brisk walk, running, or even swimming)
But remember this – Tongkat Ali is not a quick emotional fix. Whilst some consumers reported feeling happier after taking Tongkat Ali (typically after 24 to 72 hours), it does not mean that it can cure long-term depression or sadness.
Tongkat Ali remains a dietary supplement, an adaptogenic herb that may be used as a biological tool (enabler) to regulate or uplift your mood and not a psychological solution to chronic depression.
You should not take Tongkat Ali as a mood supplement under the following conditions:
Tongkat Ali may help elevate mood in individuals experiencing stress or hormonal imbalance, but it will not treat or significantly improve conditions related to Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), such as persistent sadness, suicidal thoughts, feelings of worthlessness, loss of interest in daily activities, or severe fatigue unrelated to physical exertion.
According to health experts and medical professionals, Tongkat Ali may help support mood as a complementary intervention, but it should not replace clinical care in these situations. Tongkat Ali may not work if you are diagnosed with hypothyroidism-induced depression, or depression symptoms caused by PTSD, childhood trauma and other psychiatric conditions.
Tongkat Ali isn’t a drug that can cure depression, but this century-old herb it’s one of the most scientifically validated adaptogens that can enhance mood, lower stress, and indirectly improve depressive symptoms caused by hormone imbalance or chronic fatigue.
It is however not a cure for clinical or major chronic depression, but it can be taken as a supplementary diet as part of a stress recovery toolkit, especially for men.
Alex Kua leads AKARALI’s Global Partnership Community to help athletes, sports communities, and thousand of others optimize their well-being through evidence-based research that enables them to make better informed decisions. His legal and business consulting background underpins the rigorous data-driven approach in his writing – from hours of interviews, real-world performance data, and firsthand experiences of real people – offering actionable insights that connects clinical research, emerging health trends, and real-world applications. He is also an experienced researcher in herbal nutrition, with years of deep technical knowledge on Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia), including quality standards, industry benchmarks, lab tests, clinical trials, and the use of natural herbs by collaborating with top scientists, herbal experts, and nutritionists. As part of the core team behind AKARALI’s knowledge portal, he empowers people worldwide to access the benefits of high-quality herbal nutrition in a way that is effective, sustainable, and safe. He is also an avid runner, with regular participation in local sports communities and running events.
Our articles are third party reviewed by our panel of experts and medical advisors to ensure the facts are accurate and credible. These are validated against multiple source references which include but not limited to research studies, peer-reviewed journals, pre-clinical studies, clinical tests and other credible publications.
Our panel of medical advisors and experts are highly experienced in their individual fields. However, they do not provide any medical advice or recommendations arising from content published in this article.
Disclaimer:
The content published on this website is for educational purposes and should not be viewed, read, or seen as a prescription or constitute any form of medical advice. We recommend you consult your nearest GP or doctors before consuming Tongkat Ali or any products which contain Tongkat Ali. For further information, kindly refer to our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for more information.
