Gamma Linoleic Acid (GLA) found in Evening Primrose Oil is converted in the body into a powerful antidepressant called Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) as noted in this video of a speech given by Joan Mathews Larson, PhD.

She notes that even though Borage Oil seems like a cheaper source of GLA, Evening Primrose Oil is much better than Borage Oil because it is taken up by the brain much better than Borage Oil.

Dr. Larson gives a "loading dose" of one capsule with each meal in other words, 3 capsules per day and then backs off to 1-2 capsules per day according to an email I got from her office.

I've been taking Evening Primrose Oil for the past few months and I do like the effects.

I started off with 3 capsules per day each containing 1300 mg of Evening Primrose Oil.

I noticed lots of energy immediately.

But then after several days I felt a little anxious and had a little trouble sleeping, so I stopped for a couple days, then started with 1 capsule.

And after a couple of weeks, I increased it to 2 capsules per day and I feel great.

My muscles also feel better when I exercise.

Here is a video clip of Joan Mathews Larson, PhD speaking at a conference in San Francisco in Sept 2007.

For 30 years, Joan Mathews Larson, PhD has been treating addiction, anxiety and depression with natural supplements in order to correct the underlying biochemical problems which cause these conditions.

Dr. Larson is the author of "7 Weeks to Sobriety", "Depression Free", and "7 Weeks to Emotional Healing". Read the entire article | Email this article

Gamma Linoleic Acid (GLA) found in Evening Primrose Oil is converted in the body into a powerful antidepressant called Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1), however, it should NOT be given to people with schizophrenia because it will make them worse.

Here is a video clip of Joan Mathews Larson, PhD talking about this in a speech she gave in September 2007.

For 30 years, Joan Mathews Larson, PhD has been treating addiction, anxiety and depression with natural supplements in order to correct the underlying biochemical problems which cause these conditions.

Dr. Larson is the author of "7 Weeks to Sobriety", "Depression Free", and "7 Weeks to Emotional Healing". Read the entire article | Email this article

Probably not. Here's why. GLA (gamma linolenic acid) is the first metabolite produced from the essential omega-6 fatty acid linoleic acid. In genetically obese rats GLA has been shown to reduce food intake, weight gain and percent body fat. However, these rats have an extreme form of fatty acid metabolism disturbance. Their livers become depleted of arachidonic acid. GLA works because arachidonic acid is made from GLA. In lean rats GLA has no effect. Read the entire article | Email this article