Anxiety and Depression Supplements

[chainsaw]

Trying to go the natural route before medication. Going through a tough time. Would like to see if I can go natural first. Thanks

 

[Chops89]

L-Theanine promotes relaxation and may up your mood a bit. A not-so-natural choice is Phenibut. I've had great success with eliminating anxiety and boosting my mood considerably with Phenibut.

 

[IRON4LIFE]

i hear ya bro...im on a low dose of zoloft and klonopin and it seems to be helping...much respect for trying the natural route first...im sure its much healthier in the long run...best of luck to ya man

 

[andrew732]

L-theanine is good stuff, look into bacopa monnieri, rhidiola rosea, ashwagandha, and holy basil.

 

[justreading]

phenibut, Axcite seems to help... Those are the best legal ones

 

[ambulldog]

just be careful with the herbal supps for those disorders. you can very easily take something that will make you far worse. go to a reputable psych and you can discuss natural products with them. self diagnosing is dangerous. good luck

 

[MK9]

I have been there done that, bought the t-shirt.. No fun at all..THis is what I would suggest first Ok:
1. Add "happy" foods to your diet such as almonds, kelp, sesame seeds, tofu.
**NOTE: The estrogen content of tofu is void and null if the tofu is fermented, so look at buying Tempeh. Go to a Japanese or Asian market for this.
2. Grab some 5-HTP & SAM-E. Start with 50mg's of 5-HTP before bed, and take SAM-E first thing in the morning.
3. If and when you experience anxiety remember it is only temporary, and it will pass.
4. Try and reconnect to what you use to like doing i.e. if you liked building model cars, go to the hobby store and do that. The idea is to reward yourself cause you do deserve it.
5. Exercise and get plenty of fresh air... Not enough can be said about that.
6. Make changes that are high stress markers i.e. If you feel like puking every time you walk into your current job, its time to look elsewhere, and remember its always easier to look for a job while you have one .
7. Read at night, not only is this a good distraction, it exercises your eyes and you will get sleepy. I would suggest reading the Bible for some spiritual strength.. Lots of examples of people pulling through some rough times. Just breathe in and out and relax...

Don't forget you are not alone.. Its a rough battle and look at the good qualities you have and focus on that, we all have bad ones, but the good ones is what makes us all unique.

When I face a bad situation whether in real life or the anxiety gets so big in my mind, I just say "Let the storm pass through you". You will remain standing, and come out on top.. I can say lots on this topic as I have had to battle a marriage that fell apart, I survived the hit with no family while I was in another country, and did alot of praying. I was never alone.
Don't hesitate to ask..
MK9

 

[ohiostate2827]

self talk helps...holybasil,high energy and test seem to work also...zma and gaba help me sleep

 

[Delita420]

I'm going to offer some good advice:

Use L-Tyrosine and PEA. I'm not sure about the long term effects, but it sure makes me feel good! Euphoria central baby...

Here's some useful info:

Your mood can be manipulated by neurotransmitters like epinephrine, norepinephrine, seratonin, and dopamine. Your body naturally has MAOs, which degrade neurotransmitters and decrease their activity. Doctors prescribe MAO Inhibitor medicine for depression, but there are natural MAOIs. Tyrosine can ferment in the gut, producing Tyramine. Tyramine is a strong MAOI. You can take an L-Tyrosine supplement, or eat aged cheeses. Cheese syndrome was found when someone was using MAOI medicine and eating aged cheeses together. This inhibited MAO activity to the point of a headache and can actually be quite dangerous. The good news: You can use L-Tyrosine (which can ferment in the gut and produce Tyramine), or aged cheeses (because the aged cheeses are rich in Tyramine due to fermentation of naturally occurring L-Tyrosine) to boost your mood and neurotransmitter activity. You can find other natural MAOIs and certain precursors to further boost your mood. I like to add a little 5HTP (Seratonin precursor) to my stack, I'm not sure how well it works though. My favorite pair are L-Tyrosine and PEA.

 

[MK9]

Good info Delita420!
Whats your dosage like for L-Tyrosine and PEA? How long do the effects last?
MK9

 

[kae171]

All the posts so far are great suggestions, especially the l-theanine, 5-htp, and SamE. If i could add a suggestion i would also say St. John's Wort. St. John's Wart is a great natural herb for Depression. It has the similar efficiency as some of the antidepressants. I would highly recommend trying it. You can get it at most supplement stores.

 

[Delita420]

Good info Delita420!
Whats your dosage like for L-Tyrosine and PEA? How long do the effects last?
MK9

I enjoy 1500mg L-Tyrosine about an hour before I dose the PEA, but it's effective at 750mg too... This increases the duration of the PEA, as well as the effects. The dose of PEA can be anywhere from 50mg-250mg, depending on my mood and what I'm about to do. This all works best on an empty stomach. Warning: It will most likely decrease your appetite. I find it's pretty strong for a few hours, and gets weaker over the next few hours.

Another natural MAOI to look into is yohimbine.

 

[MK9]

By all means do find a good Psychologist, someone who specializes in CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy). They can provide you more tools and be able to work with you through your situation. My previous therapist was all about going natural.. I was given a Rx for Effexor and after reading the side effects I decided to not go that route.
One size does not fit all when it comes to antidepressants, different parts of the brain may be affected so for example effexor might work the frontal lobes when the target is suppose to be the rear.. Just using that as an analogy as to how prescription meds target certain parts of the brain.

My wakey wakey morning happy stack consists of 750 Mg's of aniracetam, 2.8 grams of Piracetam, Orange juice, and a healthy walk to work.. I come in kicking a$$ and taking names

My anxiety is knocked out, plus I do lots of training during the week.. You're gonna beat this one my friend!
MK9

 

[Delita420]

Doctors tried to prescribe me some anti-depressants, that **** made me go whacko lol! I'd pass them out to my friends and everyone would get cheese syndrome (I'm assuming we didn't need the medication), including me! I found the best cure is exercising 3-5 times per week, and eating a balanced diet. Note: My condition is anxiety, not depression. Umm, but the doctors know what they are doing... Right?

 

[ohiostate2827]

i think paxil has caused my test levels to be low..and i havent taken paxil for over 2 yrs

 

[ohiostate2827]

anxiety is fear....find out what your fear is and you should be able to get ahold and control your anxiety..

 

[Delita420]

Phenylethylamine has been shown at least indirectly to satisfy the four main criteria required to demonstrate that a neuroamine sustains mood and that its deficit can be responsible for depression. Antidepressant drug therapy is an indirect (pharmacological) "replacement" of brain phenylethylamine.

Infusion of phenylethylamine increases extracellular levels of dopamine while at the same time inhibiting DA neuron firings. It also modulates noradrenergic transmission. Phenylethylamine, along with tyramine, reversibly depresses the slow GABAB receptor inhibitory post-synaptic potential in midbrain dopaminergic cells.

Low levels are found in those suffering from attention deficit disorder and often in depression, while levels are elevated in schizophrenia. This is associated with low dopamine in ADHD and depression and high dopamine in schizophrenia.

 

[Delita420]

anxiety is fear....find out what your fear is and you should be able to get ahold and control your anxiety..

My anxiety is easily controlled by exercise... Anxiety doesn't control my life, I control my anxiety... It's my slave! :twisted:

 

[ohiostate2827]

my gf has adhd and her dad has schizophrenia. interesting

 

[ohiostate2827]

My anxiety is easily controlled by exercise... Anxiety doesn't control my life, I control my anxiety... It's my slave! :twisted:

i have fear of being sick and exercise,handwashing,eating right controls my fears..

 

[z28man]

By all means do find a good Psychologist, someone who specializes in CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy). They can provide you more tools and be able to work with you through your situation. My previous therapist was all about going natural.. I was given a Rx for Effexor and after reading the side effects I decided to not go that route.
One size does not fit all when it comes to antidepressants, different parts of the brain may be affected so for example effexor might work the frontal lobes when the target is suppose to be the rear.. Just using that as an analogy as to how prescription meds target certain parts of the brain.

My wakey wakey morning happy stack consists of 750 Mg's of aniracetam, 2.8 grams of Piracetam, Orange juice, and a healthy walk to work.. I come in kicking a$$ and taking names

My anxiety is knocked out, plus I do lots of training during the week.. You're gonna beat this one my friend!
MK9

Lots of good info in this thread, especially from the above poster. I've struggled with this same stuff since I was a teen and was always embarressed about it, kind of eats at your confidence if you let it. Having hypoglycemia doesnt help things either. Finally at the age of 28, I've begun taking hold of the negative internal dialogue that comes from my social anxiety/depression and found ways to handle these thoughts positively or atleast nuetrally.

Ive tried Paxil, Zoloft, and another I forget the name of. Zoloft helped the most, but all screw with your libido and really only numb things to an extent. This could be helpful I suppose for short periods of time when the anxiety/depression one experiences seems unbearable at the time.

I like most of the adaptagen herbs, Rhodiola and Shizandra especially. Careful with stim use, quite a few out there can make things worse for people like us. A couple unexpected natural tools Ive found are Sustain Alpha from PP and Supersap from USP , I get more at ease and talkative using these, but I assume this helps hormone balance for me which very well might not be an issue for others and their anxiety/depression. But needless to say an unbalanced hormone profile can only makes things worse.Good luck.

 

[Delita420]

Lots of good info in this thread, especially from the above poster. I've struggled with this same stuff since I was a teen and was always embarressed about it, kind of eats at your confidence if you let it. Having hypoglycemia doesnt help things either. Finally at the age of 28, I've begun taking hold of the negative internal dialogue that comes from my social anxiety/depression and found ways to handle these thoughts positively or atleast nuetrally.

Ive tried Paxil, Zoloft, and another I forget the name of. Zoloft helped the most, but all screw with your libido and really only numb things to an extent. This could be helpful I suppose for short periods of time when the anxiety/depression one experiences seems unbearable at the time.

I like most of the adaptagen herbs, Rhodiola and Shizandra especially. Careful with stim use, quite a few out there can make things worse for people like us. A couple unexpected natural tools Ive found are Sustain Alpha from PP and Supersap from USP , I get more at ease and talkative using these, but I assume this helps hormone balance for me which very well might not be an issue for others and their anxiety/depression. But needless to say an unbalanced hormone profile can only makes things worse.Good luck.

The one I tried was Lexapro, it would only take a small sliver of the pill to induce the cheese syndrome. I would clench my jaw and grind my teeth. My body would get stiff as a board. I could have s3x for hours and not cum. I DC'ed that med a couple weeks into it, realizing it wasn't supposed to make me feel like that. LOL! This was about 7-8 years ago.

 

[ohiostate2827]

right now i take klonopin 0.5mg in the moring and again at 3pm 0.5.. that really helps the social anxiety...i also have low test levels. im below 200 i have tried everything natural and nothing works

 

[Delita420]

right now i take klonopin 0.5mg in the moring and again at 3pm 0.5.. that really helps the social anxiety...i also have low test levels. im below 200 i have tried everything natural and nothing works

You could give Divanil a shot...

 

[ohiostate2827]

women respond better to paxil,lexapro,etc...docs told me not to take klonopin cuz ill be hooked... i have stopped it many times and had no probs. its one of the better meds for men..

 

[ohiostate2827]

You could give Divanil a shot...

im having the works done tomorrow.. i have to have blood taken and they are checking everything this time round...right off the bat they wanted to put me on androgel...i know nothing about androgel on how well it works if at all and the sides. this is the fourth opion i have gotten on the test issues.

 

[Delita420]

im having the works done tomorrow.. i have to have blood taken and they are checking everything this time round...right off the bat they wanted to put me on androgel...i know nothing about androgel on how well it works if at all and the sides. this is the fourth opion i have gotten on the test issues.

How old are you?

 

[ohiostate2827]

29 be 30 in aug

 

[ohiostate2827]

i took paxil from when i was 19yrs to 27yrs it was a b1tch to quit..

 

[Delita420]

29 be 30 in aug

Hormone replacement therapy does not fix anything, but it will replace what you are lacking. HRT is usually a one way trip, and will lower your natural test production further. I'd save it for the last resort.

Try the nettle extract Divanil or Divanex. Other herbs to try are longjack 100:1 and the horny goat weed extract Icariin 50%. I notice them working at age 24, so I'm sure you'll notice something too.

You could also try an AI (aromatase inhibitor). This would be much safer than HRT if it works. Research AI if you are interested. There are a few you can purchase legally. I like 6-bromo, found in Hyperdrol X2. The other AI you can try is Formestane in a topical cream.

 

[ohiostate2827]

Hormone replacement therapy does not fix anything, but it will replace what you are lacking. HRT is usually a one way trip, and will lower your natural test production further. I'd save it for the last resort.

Try the nettle extract Divanil or Divanex. Other herbs to try are longjack 100:1 and the horny goat weed extract Icariin 50%. I notice them working at age 24, so I'm sure you'll notice something too.

You could also try an AI (aromatase inhibitor). This would be much safer than HRT if it works. Research AI if you are interested. There are a few you can purchase legally. I like 6-bromo, found in Hyperdrol X2. The other AI you can try is Formestane in a topical cream.

yeah i dont wanna do HRT if i dont have to..ppl in columbus do the bioidentical thing cost alot

 

[Delita420]

yeah i dont wanna do HRT if i dont have to..ppl in columbus do the bioidentical thing cost alot

My parents do the HRT bio-identical thing... They won't be able to afford it when they retire. What's worse is that they are being treated for being old. It's natural for people there age to have hormonal changes. Who knows what will happen to them when they have to discontinue therapy. It's marketed around here as a way to maintain your youth and slow the aging process. Might work, as long as you can take it the rest of your life. The doctors don't even know what they are doing though. Took about 3 months for them to figure out the correct dosages and hormones. Jacked my step-fathers test up to 800+ and he got all red faced and puffy.

 

[ohiostate2827]

My parents do the HRT bio-identical thing... They won't be able to afford it when they retire. What's worse is that they are being treated for being old. It's natural for people there age to have hormonal changes. Who knows what will happen to them when they have to discontinue therapy. It's marketed around here as a way to maintain your youth and slow the aging process. Might work, as long as you can take it the rest of your life. The doctors don't even know what they are doing though. Took about 3 months for them to figure out the correct dosages and hormones. Jacked my step-fathers test up to 800+ and he got all red faced and puffy.

i have taken blue up,t-911,TNT stack,nettle by now foods,and a few others..seemed to boost the libido for awhile and alittle strength,but once i stopped everything came back.

 

[Delita420]

i have taken blue up,t-911,TNT stack,nettle by now foods,and a few others..seemed to boost the libido for awhile and alittle strength,but once i stopped everything came back.

It may not continue working after you stop taking it, but it won't have any negative long term effects like HRT. You are using general herbal extracts. You need to use ones that are extracted for more of the active constituents. For instance, NOW offers good extracts... Like 10% Icariin, but you cant get 50% Icariin. Which is much stronger. The nettle is weak on its own, but you can get a 95% pure version of this, and you will notice it working much better. The key is to find the strongest extracts, and never purchase an herbal product that doesn't list how strong the extract is... I'm not saying it won't work to use normal extracts, but you will be very pleased with the strongest extracts.

Longjack 100:1 potency is pretty strong. It will increase LH and also lower SHBG. Icariin 50% will help you get strong erections often. It works through the same pathway as viagra. The nettle extract needs to be the 95% strength, it lowers SHBG and blocks DHT from the prostate.

Herbal is the way to go, it won't lower your natural test production. Tell your doctor you want to try some new herbal extracts, and have the dr setup routine blood drawings while you use them. You'll be able to determine how well they are working this way. Also, I'm sure you'll feel better with the herbs than without. A good stack is Stoked and Mass FX. You can take Acetyl L-Carnitine to increase test activity, I'm not sure how well it works... I haven't experimented with it but everyone loves it. If your estrogen levels go up while using these herbs (You'll see it on the blood tests) then you may be aromatizing your test. At that point you could try an AI. Total and free test are important to look at, if the divanil (nettle extract) is working you'll see the free test go up. Even with low test levels, the icariin will help with erections.

What do you think?

 

[ohiostate2827]

thanks for the info...ill try your advice

 

[orangejuice07]

I had a bad run with some clenbuterol and thought my heart was gona explode and for the last month and a half i have had severe anxiety everyday. im fine as long as im doing something but when im not i think im going to have a heart attack and die. the doctor has me taking 30mg of buspirone but it doesnt really help. basically just makes me dizzy and tired as ****.

 

[Whacked]

L-Theanine make you "sleepy/lethargic/malaised" at all?

 

[Delita420]

L-Theanine make you "sleepy/lethargic/malaised" at all?

Yes.

 

[elabor]

Complementary and alternative medicine in the treatment of anxiety and depression.
van der Watt G, Laugharne J, Janca A.
Curr Opin Psychiatry. 2008 Jan;21(1):37-42.

School of Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: There is well documented evidence for the increasing widespread use of complementary and alternative medicine in the treatment of physical and psychiatric symptoms and disorders within Western populations. Here we provide a review of the recent literature on evidence for using such interventions in the treatment of anxiety and depression. RECENT FINDINGS: With regard to herbal treatments, kava is effective in reducing anxiety symptoms and St John's wort in treating mild to moderate depression. The association of kava with hepatotoxicity, however, is a significant concern. Promising data continue to emerge for the use of omega-3 fatty acids in managing depression. Evidence for the use of acupuncture in treating anxiety disorders is becoming stronger, although there is currently minimal empirical evidence for the use of aromatherapy or mindfulness-based meditation. SUMMARY: The evidence base for the efficacy of the majority of complementary and alternative interventions used to treat anxiety and depression remains poor. Recent systematic reviews all point to a significant lack of methodologically rigorous studies within the field. This lack of evidence does not diminish the popularity of such interventions within the general Western population.

---------
J Psychopharmacol. 2005 Jan;19(1):59-65.

Treatment of depression: time to consider folic acid and vitamin B12.
Coppen A, Bolander-Gouaille C.

MRC Neuropsychiatric Research Laboratory, Epsom, Surrey, UK.

We review the findings in major depression of a low plasma and particularly red cell folate, but also of low vitamin B12 status. Both low folate and low vitamin B12 status have been found in studies of depressive patients, and an association between depression and low levels of the two vitamins is found in studies of the general population. Low plasma or serum folate has also been found in patients with recurrent mood disorders treated by lithium. A link between depression and low folate has similarly been found in patients with alcoholism. It is interesting to note that Hong Kong and Taiwan populations with traditional Chinese diets (rich in folate), including patients with major depression, have high serum folate concentrations. However, these countries have very low life time rates of major depression. Low folate levels are furthermore linked to a poor response to antidepressants, and treatment with folic acid is shown to improve response to antidepressants. A recent study also suggests that high vitamin B12 status may be associated with better treatment outcome. Folate and vitamin B12 are major determinants of one-carbon metabolism, in which S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) is formed. SAM donates methyl groups that are crucial for neurological function. Increased plasma homocysteine is a functional marker of both folate and vitamin B12 deficiency. Increased homocysteine levels are found in depressive patients. In a large population study from Norway increased plasma homocysteine was associated with increased risk of depression but not anxiety. There is now substantial evidence of a common decrease in serum/red blood cell folate, serum vitamin B12 and an increase in plasma homocysteine in depression. Furthermore, the MTHFR C677T polymorphism that impairs the homocysteine metabolism is shown to be overrepresented among depressive patients, which strengthens the association. On the basis of current data, we suggest that oral doses of both folic acid (800 microg daily) and vitamin B12 (1 mg daily) should be tried to improve treatment outcome in depression.

________________
Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2003 Dec;5(6):460-6.
S-adenosyl-methionine in depression: a comprehensive review of the literature.
Papakostas GI, Alpert JE, Fava M.

Depression Clinical and Research Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, 15 Parkman Street, WACC 812, Boston, MA 02114, USA.

As many as 29% to 46% of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) show only partial or no response to an adequate course of an antidepressant. The current practice is to increase the dose, switch to another antidepressant, or to combine the initial antidepressant with an antidepressant of a different class or a non-antidepressant agent. A growing number of studies have also been directed toward exploring the potential use of augmenting traditional antidepressants with nonpharmaceutic supplements, or even using such supplements as monotherapy for depression. S-adenosyl-methionine (SAMe) is one such compound. Compared with many other nonpharmaceutic supplements, SAMe has been extensively studied, and impressive literature extending back three decades suggests the antidepressant efficacy of SAMe. In the present work, the authors summarize the literature, focusing on the potential role of SAMe and its precursors in the pathophysiology of MDD, followed by a review of studies examining the use of SAMe for the treatment of MDD. Finally, the authors propose a model that would explain the actions of SAMe in the central nervous system.

-------------------------

 

[BigManDon]

Try Lexapro. The only side I notice is it takes me a while to achive ultimate pleasure. The wife doesn't mind. There are no other sides I experience and the blood work I get back is completly normal. Since I've been on Lexapro (9 years) I haven't had one panic attack. Instead of trying to constantly distract yourself from having an attack, and just plain out worrying about having an attack all the time, just take the Lexapro and life will be normal again. It's worked for me. Just my 2 cents.

BTW, I take tons of supplements and even a cycle of Epi with no interactions. The doc said only thing that you should not take is another
anti-D or Alcohol. I drink once in a while and still no effects though.

 

[Ubiyca]

Weight training is the best natural antidepressant.

Add in some adaptogens, eat clean, lots of veggies and fruit, lots of protein.

Get plenty of sleep.

Masturbate only once every 14 days or so.

The only antidepressant I would advise if you really think you need it, is Wellbutrin SR.. 150mg pills. Or if you feel like going the stimulant route, Dexedrine is basically happiness, in pill form. STAY AWAY FROM ANY SORT OF SSRI's including the new type like Lexapro and etc.

As far as increasing test.. CLOMID 25mg ED for 2 months, with a low dose AI because it will bring your estradiol levels up too. The AI will further complement the clomid and add in some divanil too if you want, it's great stuff.

You can also get Icariin and all that stuff, but clomid just WORKS...

 

[justreading]

STAY AWAY FROM ANY SORT OF SSRI's including the new type like Lexapro and etc.

Can you explain this? Lexapro has helped reframe my entire mindset. It has stabilized a life long depressive tendency and removed repeated severe depression attacks. I don't get how you can say stay away without any kind of explanation.

 

[Ubiyca]

Can you explain this? Lexapro has helped reframe my entire mindset. It has stabilized a life long depressive tendency and removed repeated severe depression attacks. I don't get how you can say stay away without any kind of explanation.

It's well known Lexapro withdrawal is extremely tough for many many people. Even when you try tappering down slowly.. most likely the withdrawal effects will haunt you. Dizziness, tingling sensation/electric shock sensation in your brain/face, headaches, concentration difficulties, sleep disturbance, etcetc are very common withdrawal symptoms. So let's sum it up... brain shivers, Insomnia, horrible vivid dreams, waves of nausea, headache, dry eyes, dizziness, zapping shock feeling in the brain/head and lips, sadness, feelings of unreality, etc.

All in all.. not good.
So in short, why is Lexapro bad? because the withdrawal is HELL.

NOTE: Some people can quit and they're fine, but they are in the minority by far.

 

[Delita420]

It's well known Lexapro withdrawal is extremely tough for many many people. Even when you try tappering down slowly.. most likely the withdrawal effects will haunt you. Dizziness, tingling sensation/electric shock sensation in your brain/face, headaches, concentration difficulties, sleep disturbance, etcetc are very common withdrawal symptoms. So let's sum it up... brain shivers, Insomnia, horrible vivid dreams, waves of nausea, headache, dry eyes, dizziness, zapping shock feeling in the brain/head and lips, sadness, feelings of unreality, etc.

All in all.. not good.
So in short, why is Lexapro bad? because the withdrawal is HELL.

NOTE: Some people can quit and they're fine, but they are in the minority by far.

Sounds like it has to do with seratonin.