In a head to head comparison between a standardized dose of curcumin (88% curcuminoids) and a 2o mg dose of Prozac in patients with major depression, 500 mg of curcumin twice a day was as effective as Prozac in improving patients symptoms. This was a randomized double blind study. There is increasing evidence linking depression and chronic, systemic inflammation.  Curcumin has, in multiple studies, been shown to decrease systemic inflammation. Patients treated with both curcumin and Prozac had an even greater improvement in symptoms. Live Well.