Posted by Jamie Baulsch on May 24, 2004, at 4:38:39
In reply to Re: withdrawal from Klonopin, posted by Ole Olsen on May 22, 2004, at 12:13:58
Hi Ole,
I can't comment on several issues you raised and will leave that for Laura. However, I have some comments on GABA.
It seems that Laura is not the only one to use GABA successfully for benzo withdrawal (see Dr.Bob post by Gabbix2 pasted in below). I have also found that Julia Ross (author of The Mood Cure) has used GABA along with taurine (which you recommended), inositol, and glycine for Klonopin detox of a client of hers along with careful monitoring by a physician (The Mood Cure, pg.220-21). She recommends that use of aminos be accompanied by monitoring by a physician. I also discovered that Dr.Eric Braverman (PATHMED) uses GABA along with other aminos (e.g. tarurine & Glycine)for benzo withdrawal and theanine (used by Laura) was recommended to me by one of his nutritionists in a telephone consultation. It's important to note that Dr.Braverman also uses the drugs Depakote or Gabapentin as adjuncts in withdrawal.
I don't know if this answers your question about the "mechanism of action" re GABA and Klonopin but GABA does seem to work for a number of people. I have begun using it in my own tapering/withdrawal initiative.
Good luck!
Jamie
p.s. Below is the post last year by Gabbix2 re use of GABA with aminos and inositol.[ Thread | Post follow-up | Start new thread | Psycho-Babble Alternative | Framed | FAQ ]
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Re: natural alternative to a benzo? « Gabbix2
Posted by Dr. Bob on September 4, 2003, at 22:47:23In reply to Re: Viridis, Re: Is there a natural alternative to a , posted by Gabbix2 on September 4, 2003, at 20:29:46
> Taking gaba with B complex, 1200mgs inositol and a free form amino acid complex helps increase its absorption.
> I used it last year when withdrawing from Klonopin, it did have a noticeable effect;
> Certainly far moreso than anything else I tried like Kava Kava, or valerian.
> Inositol is contraindicated though if you are bi-polar as apparently it can induce mania.
>
> I don't know what using the gaba combination is like on an ongoing basis for anxiety, it was too difficult for me to get, I can't buy it in Canada.
> I found my benzo fears to be unfounded
> so I'm back on them, but the gaba it did help.
> I just thought I'd pass that along.
> Good luck
>
poster:Jamie Baulsch
thread:253823
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040521/msgs/350058.html