Noni Alleviates Mental Disorder

Psychiatric or mental disorder is an anomaly in mental or behavioural pattern that impairs the ability to function normally in ordinary life. Mental disorder alters the particular function of brain, in other words it affects how a person feels, acts, thinks or perceives. It hampers the quality of life and has emerged as a major public health concern.

Noni, Morinda citrifolia belonging to Rubiaceae family is one such plant that is known for its multiple uses and undoubted abilities. As accepted by modern science, it has been reported to heal a number of health problems when consumed in form of dietary supplement.

A research study conducted to evaluate the antipsychotic effect of noni fruits using mouse models demonstrated the antidopaminergic effect of M. Citrifolia suggesting it useful in treatment of psychiatric disorders. Dopamine is a hormone that acts a neuro transmitter in brain. It regulates the movements of the body at the same time controls the emotions such as pain, excitement etc. Antidopaminergic substance such as noni blocks the dopamine from adhering to receptors and takes control over the receptors that could have led to unwanted reactions or behaviour.

The difference between Noni and other drugs exhibiting antidopaminergic effect is that these drugs tend to interact with other medications leading to adverse reactions but noni on the other hand is safe and effective and does not show any major adverse reactions. In addition to the antidopaminergic effect, noni fruit also exhibits analgesics properties. When noni juice was fed to rats, they had greater pain tolerance as compared to rats fed with placebo. 

Noni is used in many neuro protective herbal preparations for its effectiveness against central nervous systems, in managing sleep disorder, depression, stress and boosting energy level.