12 replies to this topic

[arvcondor]

That's it. Which one is ideal? My main concern is, can I take either one of these basically for the rest of my life? Would be adding onto a stack of rigorous exercise, b-complex, magnesium and fish oil. I feel that there's still something serotonergic missing here.

[mealz13]

       A precaution with 5htp that I've been told about from a psychiatrist is that it should be taken with another supplement-- can't remember which--- to make sure enough gets to the brain.  It's not like 5htp can't cross the blood brain barrier-- it does-- it is just that a lot of it ends up in the 5ht receptors in the gut, not the brain, leading to less of an effect.  I'm in the same boat as you-- coming off ssris and wishing to take supplements instead of psychiatric drugs for my issues.  If I find out what that supplement is that goes with 5htp, I will let you know.

[arvcondor]

Is it thamine? I think i heard something about it being best absorbed with one of the b-vitamins, now that you mention it. But that could be confabulation.

[mealz13]

Hmmm, it may be... I know thiamine increase serotonin levels anyway, so it would be a good supplement to take regardless.

[magniloquentc0unt]

Hi, ive been a great fan of the "post ssri induced cognitive decline" theory, but i dont believe it much anymore. I think the brain just works better when theres more serotonin available, and one gets used to it. But i do believe SSRI can create lasting side effects, for me its anorgasmia and, probably, emotional blunting. I am a great fan of bacopa and for me it works miles better than any dopaminergic, in terms of cognitive disfunction. I think you might be interested in Aurorix (moclobemide), a reversible mao-a inhibitor. Raises Serotonin and Norepinephrine (and also dopamine to a smaller extent)

[Bonee]

you should take the 5htp with a DOPA decarboxylase inhibitor, the only good natural inhibitor of it is EGCG (green tea extract)

the problem is that too much peripheral serotonin causes heart valve fibrosis on the long term

 

the best pharmacological inhibitor is carbidopa, I plan to buy some in the future if you are interested.

[mealz13]

Ah, that's it.  Thanks so much for the info; I'm definitely interested in taking some of that.

[arvcondor]

magniloquent, what dose of bacopa do you take, brand, and for how long?

you should take the 5htp with a DOPA decarboxylase inhibitor, the only good natural inhibitor of it is EGCG (green tea extract)

the problem is that too much peripheral serotonin causes heart valve fibrosis on the long term

 

the best pharmacological inhibitor is carbidopa, I plan to buy some in the future if you are interested.

and thanks for this info, too

[magniloquentc0unt]

I have tried planetary herbals, himalaya usa and himalaya india. I am skeptic about himalaya india but the other two worked. Allthou at around 150% suggested dosage and togerher with gotu kola. I took it multiple times, the longest being 5-6 months.

[arvcondor]

Thanks. A couple more questions:

 

Have you found any problems when you stopped taking either bacopa or gotu?

 

What was your specific history with SSRIs/other psych meds?

[magniloquentc0unt]

No problems over stopping, but i think bacopa is tricky with the stomach, at least for someone that has IBS problems already like me, so maybe take with food or experiment in that area.

My history with SSRI was simple, i have had life long dysthimia and was a very creative and imaginative type. then i had a more serious depression crawling up that i would define as almost melancholic, went to the GP, got fluoxetine, took it 8 months with good improvement of depression, vivid colours, cognition amped up, but i was impotent and ever since then i have had a lingering genital anaesthesia and delayed eyaculation + a medium (it has improved!) emotional blunting, avolition, anhedonia. I would say stay away from ssri, period. Over time my situation has improved and ive been trying other things, ritalin, provigil, stablon, aurorix. listed in worst - best order.

[arvcondor]

Has bacopa helped with the avoltion/anhedionia/emotional blunting stuff at all? And do you still take it? Why'd you stop, if not because of the IBS?

[magniloquentc0unt]

it has helped, just not to the extent id liked. i still take it from time to time for its supposed neuroregenerative properties, but i am now trying moclobemide for depression