In my experience it's been quite the opposite. With rhodiola I ussually get very aggressive/anxious after a couple days of use. In fact this seems to be the case with most adaptogenic herbs I have tried, with the exception of ashwagandha. I typically dose ~250mg 8% once a day in the morning time. I had to bring my initial dosage down in order to get the desired effects. Lately I have been using this dose in combination with phosphatidyl serine, which has been quite pleasant to say the least.
Everyones brain chemistry is different though.
Ashwagandha such a rad word...
You make some of the most pointess comments on this forum.
yes you are right, the brain chemistery is a big thing with such herbs.
.
I'm in my 30s. I wanted to add adaptogens to lower stress, anxiety from job, relationships. etc I have no problems with energy/testosterone.
I"ve always had high testosterone, aggressive and angry personality since childhood. I thought maybe the adaptogens are causing a surge in my hormones dht, testosterone, and the brain doesn't know how to handle it.
For the two years of experimenting with rhodiola, gotu kola, gingko biloba, I've found;
Rhodiola was giving me amazing mental power, really good focus at work(night shifts). Good workouts. I first started with 1x500mg pill, and it felt like someone gave me a shot of adrenalin right in my heart. it was great but I was wired all day. So I only took it early morning.
increased to 2x500mg.3% pills a day. same thing, lots of energy, fat loss(but not much belly fat loss as I wanted) but noticed I was getting irritated easily, anxious, always on fight mode. Libido was through the roof, just wanted sex with my gf all the time.
I felt everything Russian scientists had claimed.
gingko biloba and rhodiola together gave me bad insomnia.
decided to add gotu kola, 2x 450mg NOW pills; libido was at 200% , fast facial, body+head hair growth, started gaining fat around midsection(read somewhere it increases blood sugar and cholesterol). But it made me really calm no anxiety(loud/sudden noises won't startle me), memory recall was just astonishing. I had to stop taking it because I was gaining belly fat and was becoming really hairy.
2 x 500mg now rhodiola, 1x250mg eleuthero root , 1x 450mg NOW gotu kola, 1x450mg now ashwagandha 2.5%.
this stack turned me into a monster. in below minus weather I could wear a tshirt shorts,body was burning up, couldn't even sleep(max 4hrs at nights), later 2hour naps(segemented sleep) because I felt like my blood is boiling. fast weight loss, awkward/anxious in public places, racing thoughts all the time, always defensive, started having social issues, arguments with my friends.
I'm investigation the NOW brand that I bought online from one of the big online supplement sites...took photo of it, its dark green in color. from pics of others brands online, organic and some from india...the powder is light brown with a hint of green.
I don't know if its a bad batch or maybe accidently mixed with some other herb.
Waiting for Himalaya brand 2.6%(light brown). I will try it for 1 or 2 weeks, early morning dose without the rhodiola. If I become anxious, aggressive/ocd negative thoughts, the way I did with NOW brand. I'll stop taking it.
thank you for the input
