Late last year I did a gene test and apparently I have some issues with serotonin processing but what I found more interesting is that there were many genes listed that are implicated in ADHD. I now believe I was never diagnosed as a child and ADHD contributed to my depression when I entered adulthood. I was hyperfocused on my selfemployment / work for years and did quite quite well for myself but that probably also contributed to my depression (social withdrawal). Those two factors may have played a huge role.
Please note I also suffer(ered) from Hashimoto / thyroid disease which can also cause issues similar to depression but I am on a gluten-free diet now and managed to fix those issues and I also managed to repair my gut with whey protein to some degree (still working on it).
Anyway, despite fixing my gut I was still having problems with depression or lets say an incapability to focus. Recently I discovered DMAE. A year before that I tried Choline and Alpha GPC and although they did work at the beginning they are now causing me to be depressed, which means I avoid it. I also avoid eggs and ANY dairy or gluten because they really hurt my health. Which is why I was so surprised about DMAE which is a Choline source.
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So here's how DMAE works:
"DMAE probably works by accelerating the brain's synthesis and turnover of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which in turn plays a key role in maintaining mental ability as well as supporting healthy memory in aging adults. It has also been suggested that DMAE may work, in part, by inhibiting choline metabolism in peripheral tissues, causing free choline to accumulate in blood, enter the brain, and stimulate cholinergic receptors" Source: http://www.life-enha...-smart-nutrient
DMAE may work fundamentally different from AlphaGPC (Acetylcholine-booster) and Choline and may stimulate different parts of the brain. I also believe it is the best supplement to eradicate free radicals in the brain which may be causing your ADHD and depression.
At this point its purely speculation. I just know it works for me. I'm also impressed by how well it works for many others
"People who use DMAE supplements report that after 3-4 weeks of DMAE use, they notice a continual mild stimulation of their CNS without side effects and a possible boost energy."
http://www.diagnose-...atment/DMAE.php
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I believe a lot of people on this board read this post http://www.longecity...e-it-sparingly/ - I believe this post to be damaging. Yes, DMAE may be bad for bipolar people, those should stay away from it, but depressed people should give this a serious consideration, especially if they are so called "undermethylators" and need more methyl-donators.
I have severe methylation issues (some obvious body signs are: one leg longer than other or tongue tie) and when I started taking betaine I noticed a considerable boost in well-being. Now with DMAE I'm just perfect, it's balancing me out very well. As pointed out by the OP in the other thread, DMAE is a methyl-donator and can increase the NOS enzyme, making more NOS and citrulline. I am taking arginine for this particular reason already to increase NOS production. NOS is very important.
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My conclusion is that depression not only has to do with neuro-transmitters such as serotonin and dopamine (particular in medial preoptic area) but also with the amount of methyl-donators you consume on a daily basis. A lot of people have gene defects they are unaware of (so called MTHFR mutation) and consequently dont know that they have methylation issues and that they need to take more methyl-donators including betaine.
I also believe that mainstream researchers are not doing any research on that because of the possibly wrong assumption that it ALL has to do with neurotransmitters. I agree NTs are important, but I can tell you that SSRIs will be considered a scam in 50 years from now. A blatant scam by the pharma industry, a drug to keep people dependent on a damaging and harmful substance. I am glad and grateful that I never went to those pseudo-scientists that hand out those drugs like candies. I cant believe they still get away with this.
Please note: Any of this is speculation and I am a laymen, not a professional researcher and dont take DMAE without consulting a doctor.
Just so you can understand what an impact methyl-donators such as betaine had on me: I can do almost all daily tasks I couldnt do before like grocery shopping and doing actual work not just procrastinating. I also have feelings of gratitude, empathy towards others which was a serious issue before because I was a selfcentered asshole. I am even happy at times (WTH!!) and my humor is returning. All signs that my depression is lifting. I really hope you guys figure this shit out too, I know its hard, just dont give up, there's stuff worth fighting for.
Edited by farware, 26 February 2016 - 03:10 AM.
