15 replies to this topic

[Galaxyshock]

Ok I decided to give this medication a try for general anxiety. I was prescribed 10 mg of Buspirone twice a day and started taking it two days ago. To my understanding it takes 2-4 weeks for full effects. I feel some mild lightheadedness after taking it but no other side effects yet.

 

Something to watch out for with this medication? Successful anecdotes?

 

I did a quick search and it seems some take it up to 60 mg a day. I may ask for dose increase after few weeks if it doesn't seem to work?

[Galaxyshock]

Update:

 

Day 12 now on Buspirone. It seems surprisingly effective for anxiety but I've started experiencing mood lability. I seem to switch between feeling good and then somewhat miserable? I kinda feel like I should tough it out since Buspirone seems way better choice than benzos for anxiety, but I've also read that this side effect may not disappear even in long term use of this medication. Not sure yet what I'm going to do.

[Galaxyshock]

Update:

 

Day 17 now on Buspirone. I decided to up the dose to 10 mg three times a day as adviced by doctor. The emotional lability signficantly decreased when I stopped taking Ashwagandha, I think there's some interaction with Buspar. Always check possible interactions with your supplements etc. when starting new medication fellas 

[Galaxyshock]

Update:

 

Been on Buspirone for over two months now. It's decent anxiolytic medication for general anxiety, but does have some issues. Tolerance doesn't seem to build much, but sometimes I feel as if it lacks efficiency - sort of a fluctuation in terms of anxiolysis. I also notice mild withdrawal-like feeling if I miss a dose and mood swings. Not sure how long I will stay on it, my prescription was refilled for 6 months but I don't quite like the idea on staying it for long-term as it might be harder to quit at some point and it's also pretty expensive.

[gamesguru]

Not a bad choice. Buspar is relatively well-tolerated IMO compared to a lot of other medicines (in terms of gene expression changes, drug interactions, incidence of life-threatening reactions, and long-term influence on brain chemistry), but if it's making you dizzy and giving you brain fog, it might be best to lower your dose or quit entirely.

CBD is difficult to attain in Finland, but there is ample promising research into its benefits on anxiety. It works by the exact mechanism as Buspar (5-HT1A agonism), and it potentially has a few others, too (GABAergic regulation^[1][2] and mild FAAH modulation^[3]); similar to Kava, it has mild persistent or long-term benefits even after the medication has worn off. It is generally well-tolerated and has substantially fewer side effects or risks compared to most anxiety medicines available on the pharmaceutical market. CBD also has zero addiction potential or dependency liability; rodents do not self-administer it in an addiction model, and it does not substitute for any drug of abuse in a drug discrimination study. It does not affect cognition, cause brain fog, impact one's mood, or have any withdrawal effects.

Therapy, meditation, reading, self-acceptance, exposure, and abstaining from substance use can also help reduce anxiety. Kava and Magnesium have a growing body of research in the treatment of anxiety.


References

[1] A GABA-A receptor response to CBD following status epilepticus in the medial entorhinal cortex of the rat | bioRxiv. <https://www.biorxiv....816v1.abstract>

[2] GABAergic Neurotransmission in Human Tissues Is Modulated by Cannabidiol. <https://www.mdpi.com...729/12/12/2042>

[3] Diversity of molecular targets and signaling pathways for CBD - Almeida - 2020 - Pharmacology Research & Perspectives - Wiley Online Library. <https://bpspubs.onli....1002/prp2.682>

[Galaxyshock]

I stopped the Buspar, the cog fog and dizziness weren't worth it. Some fluctuating anxiety and dysphoria seem to occur as possible withdrawal symptoms, but nothing unmanageable.

 

Thanks for the tip Gamesguru, CBD might be a good anxiolytic supplement that I haven't really given a proper trial. It is expensive in Finland but maybe I'll figure something out. 

 

 

[bullGenteel]

I took buspar for about 2 years, so many years ago. I also did some therapy as well I thought it helped me with relationships in my life. I've taken Reuteri yougart religiously for like 3 years. I would say the yougart helped me feel actually interested in socializing, instead of just pretending to be interested because I know that's how I'd like to be more naturally. Still had some anxiety but lessened a lot.

About a year ago I decided to try lavender. However, It dropped my cortisol too low with other supplements I was on at tht time. Whether this is from reading and placebo, or not, I did feel like it anthethtized me to social jabs and from even negative self talk was lessened. I could all that roll off more I felt. I felt like I had some more of an idea whst it feels like to feel chummy with people and perhaps have more interested in connecting with people. Instead of just going thru the motions. I switched to Relora because I thought thier might be less estrogenic properties to it.

For this last year l alo added cbd every day, or as often as I remembered. I just dropped cbd this last couple months because supposedly Marijuana and cbd can shorten your telomeres, according to Google.

Maybe I could add it back in and take astralgous or gotu kola and few times a week. I wonder if I felt a bit more motivated to socialize while on combination of cbd and relora. I know I got some personal growth to do.

Buspar was the only drug I thought of going back onto. Or maybe combined with low dose celexa like an old post by scienceguy seemed like had some good advice.

I've always been an introvert, but I also have had a serious concussion. I heard a theory that SSRI's may only work by inducing inflammation in brain that upregulates neurogenesis. I already have enough inflammation. I have stuck to anti-inflammatories stacks with better results for my over-all functioning. I thought an ssri helped with some of the symptoms of concussion but not as well as homeopathic stacks I've tried.

[bullGenteel]

I meant to post to this topic. I posted in to another thread I had open. Just sharing what I am trying for supplement replacement for buspar. I forgot to add I also take agamtine at about 750mg.Here is the post

[Galaxyshock]

Thanks for sharing your experiences bullGenteel!

 

I recently took Bacopa for few weeks and it seemed to wipe my general anxiety pretty effectively, and the anxiety hasn't returned despite coming off Bacopa. I did also start exercise regimen recently which has done a lot of good for my mood and general well being. Also taking Naltrexone 25-50 mg to prevent drinking alcohol and decrease cravings. Things are looking pretty good going towards the summer 

 

 

[bullGenteel]

I forgot to mention one other component I have found beneficial in combating anxiety and push to be more pro social. I find taking collagen on an empty stomach does lessen some of the sides from serotonin. Kelvin came up with a protocl based off some posts by Area1255. I do find 1.5g is the sweet spot for still having anxiety relief while lessening side effects. You can go higher if you want even less side effects if you can with stand more anxiety. You likely still get some other benefits I imagine from certain substance besides serotonin like bdnf/ngf or anti inflammatory.

I use to do a 36 hour fast once a week. For general health and to reduce inflammation. I also read how this can reset your neurotrans receptors for serotonin. I thought I got relief somewhat from the rebound anxiety and brain fog you can get from serotonin stimulation. I have found by taking the collagen I do not feel any need to do a fast. I don't really get any rebound anxiety or brain fog much at all. I sometimes have to watch my cortisol I am thinking because I have added low dose nicotine may be why.

I used to take Bacopa to try and improve my memory. I remember you take it for 6 - 8 weeks, if I recall, after a loading phase. I remember mention that even if it improves memory it might end up being a wash because of brain fog from the serotonin. I have experimented a little with other agents that are sertogenic.

Without knowing any science, I have just figured you could take something like bacopa to jumpstart neurogenesis, whilest at same time cutting off the serotonin and bad side effects but still keep the neurological benefits in the process. You could experiment and take Bacopa first, or time it differently by taking collagen first. I have taken up to 6g of collagen on an empty stomach to try to block the upregulation of serotonin and think I still get beneficial neurogenesis or NGF.

I'm doing other protocols at the moment. I haven't used bacopa in almost 2 years.

[bullGenteel]

I thought I would add a quick update. I have been feeling a little better after doing a few protocols found on this site. So I am not certain that my anxiety and overall wellbeing seems improved from that alone or from a slight change to my anxiety supplement.

When I recently restarted magnolia bark, in addition I added around 100mg of tongkat Ali, that I take sublingually in olive oil. I may have incorrectly believed before that relora and magnolia bark do not causes effects to estrogen receptors. But Google seems to think they do.

Not basing this off studies, mostly off reddit, oh no. I'm not very knowledgeable on brain chemistry. But supposedly tongkat ali may lower estrogen and it seems to compliment the magnolia. I think I feel more anxiety relief and pro social augmentation from this combination.

I read that women have had succes taking 100mg of tongkat Ali to slightly boost testosterone, without too much of an effect on estrogen. I gathered from user questforlife that high doses of tongkat Ali can be a roc inhibitor. Most people cycle it, but it is good to know any unintended consequences could be hopefully avoided at a low dose.

It feels like the half life is good enough to dose once a day. CBD needs to be dosed every few hours and it may be a little more expensive, but you may not need to counter any potential hormone effects. Perhaps a lot of green tea could be paired wirh magnolia as well, since last I read on this site that it may lower estrogen as well.

[bullGenteel]

I also mentioned nicotine in one of my replies. I know a researcher who believed it could help with OCD. Some user's here may use it for enhanced focus and concentration.

I saw some posts discuss ultra low doses: 0.2mg up to several milligrams or a low dose patch. I know questforlife has a metabolic enhancement theory I am interested in, which he breifly added nicotine. Doriangrey has an alkinizing theory. There is challenges faced with blood pressure and Vasoconstriction.

So these protocols perhaps would be hindered by adding any agents to try and address vasoconstriction. But if it is just being used theraputically, I imagine that wouldnt be a problem. I think I read an older 7 page thread on the adverse side effects of nicotine. I wasn't thinking at my best when I read thru this, I'm a bit better now.

Base off the fact that if the sides are caused by neroepinehriene and resulting noradrenlin; then, it follows that it might be a very same issue cuased by stimulants.

I saw some threads on how to lower norepinephrine: You yourself mentioned Dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) inhibitors; Guanfacine was mentioned; Green tea may with longterm use might lower norepinephrine. Theanine and EgcG address vasoconstriction as well. Reversatrol may as well, but Questforlife is iffy about it in regards to telomeres.

I haven't experimented with nicotine lately. I thought I would throw this out there. This is based off the belief that the negative sides are from epinephrine. I also read that nicotine receptors can upregulate, so you could possibly take breaks in case your dopamine receptors down regulate and to avoid building tolerance.

[Galaxyshock]

Nicotine is indeed pretty effective tool, but due to my addictive tendencies even chewing Nicotine gum seems to turn into a habit that isn't easy to cease for me  .

 

I'm currently not taking any direct anxiolytic medications or supplements. My mood has been pretty bad this winter though, but at the same time my anxiety levels have also gone down. Maybe I've simply stopped caring about things or I've run out of excitatory neurochemicals. Not sure what my plan is to be honest, I have considered asking for Bupropion to treat depressive symptoms and lack of drive, it could work for that. Interestingly Bupropion is nachr antagonist and also used for smoking cessation, perhaps it will upregulate the receptor over time?

[bullGenteel]

I did a long like 3 day fast and 5 day mimicking fast. Then I got busy, so I didn't have time to reply. I also had complated a 2 month protocols of QuestforLife. I feel it made me smarter, which would paradoxically make me less confidant my merit to contribute to threads, based on the line of thinking: the more you know the more you know you don't know, but I digress. Because I have been pretty much off any nootrophics the past 2 weeks, now that would place me back to the same intelligence level I was at before making some legitimate improvements. I have an imbalanced IQ so this probably a little vacuous sounding.

To your post, it is kinda a little funny ha ha because I have two relations that have long term taken an SSRI with wellbutrin. I guess for them it is the best of both worlds, since I always thought it would increase both serotonin and dopamine. I even said conciliatory to my one relation that I would consider taking busperone and wellbutrin, since they have urged me to drop my self prescribing supplements and take the medicine combo that should work for me having similar genetic and chemical makeup. I wasn't that serious in my conscilliation, since I have felt 100 times better taking supplement stakes vs when I used to take psychiatric meds. I readily admit I take like 3 steps forward and 2 steps back going my own way with naturopathy. I don't know if busperone and wellbutrin would be a good combo, I uave no expertise in tese fields, I espcially dont know neuro transimitters especially not in any detailed way . But as I said before I feel best with oxytocin and perhaps the FAAH inhibitors for my mental health problems. The OCD perhaps I just love with it or rely on therapy for now. I am sure the treatment I do alleviates my problems well enough for now.

It does sound like wellbutrin would work quite well for addictive impulses. I don't have that much of a need in that area. There is only a limited breadth I take in studying diverse topics. I forgot or I guess I don't fully understood the muscarinic choline receptors and nicotine receptors are tied in with each other. I read a month back, if I can barley recall somehow that the receptors that releases nicotine may somehow expel epinephrine and adrenelin (the problematic elements that lead to high blood pressure and Vasoconstriction); while, simultaneously the recieving end of the neuron releases dopamine that may or may not be so problematic. But I am drawing a half baked conclusion that it would therefore be impossible to agonize nicotine without the negative side effects. But Welbutrin apparently atagonizes nicotine receptors while still increasing dopamine, don't know about epinephrine. I was getting the impression that the only possible way to agonize nicotine safely would be with some pharmaceutical new drug. But then drug companies would have to admit serotonin isn't most ideal for OCD, considering some serious cases turn to anti-psychotics or in worser scenario lobotomy, still even in our modern times? Yeah psychiatry is dark if you don't turn a blind eye. I don't dwell on it, but it is good to be aware of hard truths. Psychiatry and pharmacology are a business where they market a solution that is in the best interests of thier system, but the whole world and science is like that now a days I have read.

I know with my one male familial relation that anxiery is one of the side effects of welbutrin, since I myself have never been on it. I know a researcher I respect a lot who I came thru another medical academics blog that I followed long term. I know this researcher suggested stimulants for autism or aspergers. Since the dopamine can push the person to have the reward system activated to be pull them into social situations. But one of the side effects is anxiety that accompanies being pushed out of your comfort zone.

I similarly found ginseng to make me much more interested in others than I had been previously. Especially likely in light of the fact of my brain trauma I suffered made even more introverted and isolated. I really had bad anxiety in more one on one social situations. I was thinking at the time that it was the estrogenic effects as well. I was also too early in my recovery of brain trauma to finction very well. Probably, I still am low functioning. However, It felt way more natural and seemed to erase a lot of anxiety, while promoting social connectedness when I tried reuteri yougart with oxytocin. Then trying lavender or magnolia seemed to enhance the effect even more. I did have some anxiety that may have been improved now by taking alow dose of tonkat ali to presumably lower estrogen or keep hormones at normal balanced levels. I think this approach would be superior to dopamine for any disorder that lowers social functioning, but what do I know.

I don't really understand my other relation that well. I would imagine by antagonizing nicotine you may subtle lower your drive, but if welbutrin increases dopamine that would compensate somewhat. Nothing is perfect with such stacks. Welbutrin does the opposite of what I wanted to upregulate nicotine receptors but they can also be desensitized, so who knows. But it may be good for addictions and some motivation and depression.

There may be no way to safely take nicotine. I don't plan on experimenting because I am concerned about my cancer risks from experimenting too much the past year while also letting any anti-cancer safe guards down. Vasoconstriction would lower oxygen in cells which would be anti-oxident and bad in respect to cancer formation.

I still have to look at my other post to an anti-cancer thread. I have some ideas to combine it with some research questforlife promoted, that is if I wouldnt be stepping on any toes. But that theory I am working on sounds like their can be a lot of risks to give one self a mitochondria disease, I surmised. Also death possibly but you would have to keep the protocol short. I am not skillfull enough to carefully craft together a protocol in that thread, I know.

I was going to suggest that questforlife has an interesting metabolic protocol. I am trying that right now, but combined with a few personal supplemtns like magnolia. I am also introducing back in high dose vitamin c and some sodium citrate as an ultra fission element to weakly address anit-cancer considerations. That cancer thead I may approach as an amateur-above my head, so lightly theorize a bit. Even if I fully restore my natural potential for intelligence that would be better, but not good enough I know.

I do think that taking short term protocols would be best. So you do not drain stem cell pools or hit homeostasis. Quest states that his metabolic protocol could put brakes on resource expenditures that can allow the body to maintain or even repair cells keep them optimal longer, in turn could allow stem cell pools to refill naturally. I do believe that taking this approach in some way somehow may allow you to maintain perhaps bdnf or ngf factors, while also intermittently doing other protocols or taking neurogenetsting supplements to address some genetic anomalies. I do think fasting and some of the protocols on this site would be synergistic with what we want to achieve. I have allowed me to make more improvements in myself now than compared to taking regular psych drugs longterm. I also failed to address brain aggregates over the previous years, so perhaps in theory if I had upregulated bdnf and NGF thru fasting and such, and had combined it with everything I know now I could have been completely recovered with my brain injury and mental health. Ha ha, I can be a little nieve optimistic.
I do feel some of the protocols like quest's and turnbickles could be combined and slightly augmented to make an easier replacement for hard-core fasting and such. Maybe a cancer protocol could be useful compared to the kitchen sink approach that is only viable method that works, but which isn't doable by most mere mortals.

I will probably post that researcher I mentioned. His work is really impressive with regards to his integrity and smarts. He has been limited in his funding, I imagine, since he doesn't kow tow to pharma. He has branded out to covering mrna vaccines as well.

I may in future post some things i have learned about self therapy that is almost in opposition to status quo of current therapy. I didn't come up with any of it. I was lucky or unlucky, how ever you look at it to discover it from a couple sources in the last 8 years or so, closest to middle age. I probably didn't understand it well enough to make use of it in light of a serious brain injury handicap to address first or concurrently.

Probably a lot of what I write is like the emperors clothes parable. I have an imbalanced IQ. I also got a lot of personal work and recovery work left to do. Perhaps I'll be more effectual in future. Just the way it is for my situation.

[bullGenteel]

I sometimes hijack threads. I know your thread wasn't particularly about nicotine. I know questforlife and Doriangrey have threads involving nicotine. Maybe sodium citrate in low doses might help with vasodilation, but not enough sounds like.I did find this through AI by looking at nitric oxide and sodium nitrite.

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.Nicotine-SNO complexes (S-nitrosothiols) are compounds designed for controlled nitric oxide (NO) release, often in the context of advanced vaping formulations, tobacco-free products, or pharmacological research. They act as nitric oxide donors (R-SNO) combined with nicotine, utilizing the vasodilator properties of NO to potentially counter the vasoconstrictive effects of nicotine

Edited by bullGenteel, 20 February 2026 - 06:49 AM.

[Galaxyshock]

To my understanding Bupropion when taken orally doesn't have much effect on dopamine despite the common assumption of it being DNRI. It's actually just noradrenaline releasing agent and re-uptake inhibitor, and nicotine acetylcholine receptor antagonist. But many find it beneficial for depression, noradrenaline like many other neurochemicals can have beneficial effect of depressive states although some find it anxiogenic. There's also reported a phenomena that Bupropion works well for the first two weeks, but then the effects disappear but come back again at 6-8 week mark. No idea what causes that, some kind of neuroadaptations I assume.

 

I started taking Cordyceps recently, it seems to tackle my depression pretty well at the moment. Cordyceps has effects of dopamine and noradrenaline, and also works as AMPAkine. There's also speculation of Cordyceps having pro-androgenic effects. I do get bit of a manly feeling and stronger erections from it, so it's possible. 

 

No problem about hijacking the thread a bit, discussions here on LongeCity have quieted down a lot but I'm glad that smart people still visit here and share their ideas and experiences.