6 replies to this topic

[alexd]

I take a drug called Deplin (there is a website). It is the fianl result of what the body converts folic acid into. It is claimed to and does enhance the effects of antidepressants in many people who have had marginal responses to anti depressants. It is a glaxo product. I am trying to source it in bulk since it is a bit expensive for what it is. It is l-methylfolate. If any one has a source for this please post it.

It has allowed me to dramaticly reduce the dosage of drugs I take.

On the psychoactive side I take 50 mg Provigl, 400mg of Piracetam divided into 3 parts and 150mg of Wellbutrin xl. These does are about 1/2 or less of the standard dose. The Piracetam noticeably enhanced the effects of the Provigil. My Dr. also said the wellbutrin and Provigil had a synergistic effect.

This regime has improved my memory and has made me calmer. Big boost in concentration.

Please keep in mind that I am Bipolar type 2 and my Dr. and I have been looking for something that would decrease depression without affecting the hypomanic aspect which is a desirable state to be in. (as opposed to manic which is over the top). I have had atypical responses to some drugs. My favorite was the anti epilepsy drug Lamictal. It made be exceedingly calm and my memory was aa deep as the Marinas trench. Unfortunatly I turned out to be allergic and if that is the case this is NOT a drug to mess with. I had to permantly give it up.

The current regime is as close as I can get to it.

If I do not take the Deplin all the effects are noticably diminshed. I will reduce the intake of Deplin to see if there is a threshold for me. Each pill is 7.5 mg. There are otc pills containing 800 mcg but there is not effective savings there unless a smaller dosage is effective.

If you know someone taking anti depressents with limited results they might talk to their Dr. about Deplin. Most MDs don't have a clue about it. I was the first person my Dr tried it on. Now he has had good results with others which is unfortunate since my supply of free samples was dramaticly reduced!

[4eva]

Those who benefit from methyl folate are a specific type. There are several ways of looking at this type depending on the nutritional approach you use.

They are undermethylators, histadelics or have the methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFr) SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism).

Not everyone should take methyl folate. Some people overmethylate or have no methylation problems.

This type can also benefit from other supplements that boost methylation like SAMe (or methionine), calcium, magnesium, vitamin C and TMG if homocysteine levels are high. Calcium, magnesium and vitamin C help lower histamine levels. High histamine types can experience hyperkinetic energy levels and bouts of fatigue. Adrenaline helps lower histamine so adrenaline levels can fluctuate widely.

The body gets rid of histamine through methylation.

I think Deplin has higher doses of methyl folate than supplements sold OTC. But most people who treat this condition with a mostly nutritional approach take OTC supplements. I think Source Naturals makes a methyl folate supplement.

[alexd]

Thanks for the info. I certainly am not suggesting that anything I might ingest (out side of resveratrol) is appropriate for another. I think you are correct in your statements. I found sam-e to cause agitation and it also raised my blood pressure. That goes back to different people having different responses.

I'm afraid your knowledge is way over my head. What is TMG?

Thanks again.

Those who benefit from methyl folate are a specific type. There are several ways of looking at this type depending on the nutritional approach you use.

They are undermethylators, histadelics or have the methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFr) SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism).

Not everyone should take methyl folate. Some people overmethylate or have no methylation problems.

This type can also benefit from other supplements that boost methylation like SAMe (or methionine), calcium, magnesium, vitamin C and TMG if homocysteine levels are high. Calcium, magnesium and vitamin C help lower histamine levels. High histamine types can experience hyperkinetic energy levels and bouts of fatigue. Adrenaline helps lower histamine so adrenaline levels can fluctuate widely.

The body gets rid of histamine through methylation.

I think Deplin has higher doses of methyl folate than supplements sold OTC. But most people who treat this condition with a mostly nutritional approach take OTC supplements. I think Source Naturals makes a methyl folate supplement.

[4eva]

Thanks for the info. I certainly am not suggesting that anything I might ingest (out side of resveratrol) is appropriate for another. I think you are correct in your statements. I found sam-e to cause agitation and it also raised my blood pressure. That goes back to different people having different responses. I'm afraid your knowledge is way over my head. What is TMG? Thanks again.

TriMethylGlycine is a methyl donor. It helps those who have high homocysteine levels, and those who undermethylate because its a methyl donor.

I wouldn't expect SAMe to cause you agitation or high BP. Were you taking any meds at the time you tried SAMe?

If methyl folate helps you then SAMe should also make you feel good.

[steelsky]

It has allowed me to dramaticly reduce the dosage of drugs I take.

On the psychoactive side I take 50 mg Provigl, 400mg of Piracetam divided into 3 parts and 150mg of Wellbutrin xl. These does are about 1/2 or less of the standard dose. The Piracetam noticeably enhanced the effects of the Provigil. My Dr. also said the wellbutrin and Provigil had a synergistic effect.

Interesting. I've never heard about Piracetam being synergistic with Provigil. I take 750mg Pramiracetam daily and 100-200mg Provigil semi-daily, I also take some Oxiracetam semi-daily. Didn't notice a boost in the Provigil action. However, there are days when it has a stronger effect than others. I might try to notice more carefully if there's a connection.

I also haven't heard that Wellbutrin and Provigil are synergistic, although it does makes some sense (more like maybe "complete each other") because their mechanism of action is different but achieve similar results in some aspects... might mean that they attack two fronts at once for increased results.

[yowza]

Metagenics has a few supplements with the methylated version of folate (5mthf) as well known as Folapro and Intrinsic B12 (these are sold over the counter). I've never heard of depin before though... This could be synergistic with methylcobalamin (Methylb12) cause I definitely know that 5mthf (methyl form of folate) is synergistic with methylcobalamine...

Edited by yowza, 08 April 2009 - 05:10 AM.

[alexd]

Thanks Yowza. Do you know if the Metagenics products are likely to pass through the blood brain barrier? That is the point of the l methylfolate. I am going to halve the dose of Deplin in order to see if the benefits are still apparent. The pills are a one size fits all approach so effective dosage is indeterminate for any one individual. I will post my experiance.

I received a bottle of choline chloride yesterday. I had used it over 20 years ago and found at that time that it gave a positive although limited change in perception and thinking. I ingested one teaspoon of it and have found that it put me in a state where it seemed excessive. After about 3 hours I found it to have increased the levels of concentration. Today I will take half the amount to see if that dosage is more appropriate.

Metagenics has a few supplements with the methylated version of folate (5mthf) as well known as Folapro and Intrinsic B12 (these are sold over the counter). I've never heard of depin before though... This could be synergistic with methylcobalamin (Methylb12) cause I definitely know that 5mthf (methyl form of folate) is synergistic with methylcobalamine...