Introversion/Social Anxiety - not just Ser...
agwoodliffe 21 Feb 2014
However, elevating dopamine alone does not appear to be the answer: it seems to also be rooted in raising GABA.
I've done a fair bit of research around this topic, and my findings are that substances which positively affect the benzodiazepine receptors of the GABA complex, appears to be quite unique in causing behavioural disinhibition. Interestingly, Ginkgo Biloba which was found to inhibit some of the GABA-A receptors, was found to decrease social contact when administered alone.
So, if you're a ''person of few words'', and haven't responded greatly to SSRI's or dopaminergic substances (Rhodiola, Chaenomeles), then it may be worth looking at substances which positively affect GABA signalling.
BUT, that does not mean going straight for classic benzo drugs, as their effects quickly disappear and tolerance builds. My first guesses would be instead to try the amino acid ''GABA'', or ''Picamilon'' which may have a better chance of reaching the brain.
This might all be a load of rubbish, but I am no expert. This is simply a theory.
Edited by agwoodliffe, 21 February 2014 - 12:48 PM.
Dolph 21 Feb 2014
Dolph 21 Feb 2014
Yeah, vote me down if you never realized there is something called blood-brain barrier... Orally ingested GABA doesn't do anything. That's a fact I'm not responsible for.
Sciencyst 21 Feb 2014
Dolph 21 Feb 2014
I mean come on. I can take broccoli together with alprazolam and I WILL feel something. But I couldn't ever tell how much of that was caused by the broccoli...
Edited by Dolph, 21 February 2014 - 08:51 PM.
Sciencyst 21 Feb 2014
If you want to find out GABAs effects for yourself, take like 3g sublingually and you will understand.
Duchykins 22 Feb 2014
The only weird thing was that it always takes a few hours for the gabapentin to 'kick in'. Since then, I have been reading extensively about GABA and I'm really saddened by the lack of available (acceptable) OTC drugs.
Phenibut and picamilon I'm sure would help in the short term but do harm in the long term. GABA doses do work but only a small portion of doses make it to the brain. Effects have been observed in autistic children that cannot be explained by placebo since they are not aware of being dosed. However I'm not sure it wouldn't downregulate GABA like all the others.
At the moment I'm trying precursors of GABA and other things to help boost my own GABA production, this is just the beginning so I can't comment to efficacy just yet.
Something interesting that I just realized about 5 minutes ago: I recently significantly reduced my daily lysine dose and this coincided with increase in episodes of apathy, social withdrawal, irritability, and nonmigraine headaches. I went from about 1g of lysine a day to about 200-300mg. The original purpose of the lysine was migraine prophylaxis - and it works for that in my migraine stack. I'll go back to my old 1g, but I don't think lysine is the lone answer because I was still socially withdrawn, closed-mouthed and apathetic at inappropriate times - just less than usual.
protoject 27 Feb 2014
I am not saying that, no. Anecdotally, GABA synergizes with alprazolam though.
If you want to find out GABAs effects for yourself, take like 3g sublingually and you will understand.
I think I felt something but it didn't feel 'gabaergic', sadly. I think I used to do 5 g sublingually, for like 20 mins and then swallow it.
Sciencyst 28 Feb 2014
GABA as a supplement feels NOTHING like benzodiazepines. Not at all. It makes you sleepy and itchy. But yes it doesnt feel GABAergic in the sense of benzos.
It does help slightly with anxiety but its best for sleep and supposed HGH (according to bodybuilding forums). Its not worthless as a supplement but its uses are limited.
And it tastes like shit
Galaxyshock 28 Feb 2014
Edited by Galaxyshock, 28 February 2014 - 01:31 PM.
agwoodliffe 01 Mar 2014
Sciencyst 02 Mar 2014
Gotu Kola would be good here, it increases the conversion of glutamate to GABA, and is a selective GABA-B agonist but doesn't cause withdrawals. It's also a CCK-B antagonist, cholecystokinin (CCK) is known to induce panic, and antagonism has similar anti-depressant-like effect as opioid agonism. Gotu Kola also affects monoamines and cAMP, increases blood flow, neuroregeneration. Simply wonderful herb.
Edited by katuskoti, 02 March 2014 - 01:28 AM.
doublenickels 02 Mar 2014
Gotu Kola would be good here, it increases the conversion of glutamate to GABA, and is a selective GABA-B agonist but doesn't cause withdrawals. It's also a CCK-B antagonist, cholecystokinin (CCK) is known to induce panic, and antagonism has similar anti-depressant-like effect as opioid agonism. Gotu Kola also affects monoamines and cAMP, increases blood flow, neuroregeneration. Simply wonderful herb.
How much, and when to take?
Any preferred suppliers?
Thanks!
machete234 04 Mar 2014
For the more acute social things I take ashwagandha which is also an Indan herb that works like valerian only stronger and faster.