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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by daizy on March 7, 2003, at 12:04:49
Anyone who knows! what is GABA the suppliment? how does it work? Could be used for anxiety? Also would Enada NADH work for anxiety, or is it likely to cause agitation? Thanx :-)
Posted by Ron Hill on March 7, 2003, at 12:33:12
In reply to Anyone who knows about suppliments................, posted by daizy on March 7, 2003, at 12:04:49
Hi Daizy,
> Anyone who knows! what is GABA the suppliment? how does it work? Could be used for anxiety?
I tried it once for irritability and it did not seem to do much for me. I've been told that GABA does not cross the blood-brain barrier, but I don't know a lot about this supplement. Ask Larry Hoover if he is available.
>Also would Enada NADH work for anxiety, or is it likely to cause agitation?
It might cause agitation; what is your dx and what meds are you taking?
This is only the sixth week of my Enada NADH trial, so it is too early to predict its long term effectiveness. So far, however, it's working remarkably well in treating my bipolar II atypical depression (lack of motivation, low energy, anhedonia, hypersomnia) and my irritable mood states. At the correct dose, Enada NADH greatly reduces my irritability (dysphoric mood states) but, ironically, a higher dose actually causes irritability. But I'm not sure what it would do for anxiety.
FYI, I also take 600 mg/day of Lithobid for the hypomanic phase of my BP II disorder.
-- Ron
Posted by Larry Hoover on March 7, 2003, at 14:06:45
In reply to Anyone who knows about suppliments................, posted by daizy on March 7, 2003, at 12:04:49
> Anyone who knows! what is GABA the suppliment? how does it work? Could be used for anxiety?
It's generally accepted that GABA does not pass from the bloodstream into the brain, but it's really that it is quite poorly transported. It might require a substantial dose (I really don't know how much, honestly) to really increase brain and cerbrospinal fluid concentrations of GABA. However, uptake is enhanced by taking the amino acid L-arginine along with the GABA. Apart from central nervous system effects, GABA may also reduce peripheral nervous system activity, so even if the brain doesn't take much up, there may still be effects.
The rave drug GHB, and its precursor 1,4-butanediol, are quite effective at agonizing GABA receptors. I'm not suggesting you give that a try, but the very fact that drug "abusers" (alternative users?) employ other substances seems to argue against the use of oral GABA. Your brain may vary.
Kava kava is quite effective at reducing anxiety in some people, but toxic effects can creep up following long-term or high-dose exposure.
You could also try lecithin, and the lecithin derivative phosphatidyl-serine. Both can have anti-anxiety effects.
>Also would Enada NADH work for anxiety, or is it likely to cause agitation? Thanx :-)
I doubt a dopaminergic agent like NADH would be anti-anxiety, but one could argue that stimulants should not help in the treatment of hyperactivity disorders. Perhaps those with experience taking NADH would like to comment?
Lar
Posted by exbenzouser on March 7, 2003, at 14:09:56
In reply to Anyone who knows about suppliments................, posted by daizy on March 7, 2003, at 12:04:49
> Anyone who knows! what is GABA the suppliment? how does it work? Could be used for anxiety? Also would Enada NADH work for anxiety, or is it likely to cause agitation? Thanx :-)
GABA is an amino acid that is supposed to act as an inhibitory neurotransmitter. In fact it is the GABA receptors that benzodiazepines act upon. However GABA never helped my anxiety, it only gave me a tingling sensation and a metallic taste in my mouth. Taurine and glycine are also amino acids that are supposed to be calming. I tried taurine recently without much success, but then I was also going through klonopin withdrawal. Maybe it would have helped at other times. I haven't tried glycine. I'm on Nardil now which works well for anxiety.
Larry
Posted by daizy on March 8, 2003, at 9:48:50
In reply to Re: Anyone who knows about suppliments................, posted by Larry Hoover on March 7, 2003, at 14:06:45
Thankx for the replies! I did think that the GABA thing might be too good to be true! Never mind eh?! I was doing a search and also came across 'healthy mind' suppliments, that contain Ginkgo Biloba, Phosphatidyl Serine,B vitamins and Omega 3 fatty acids (EPA & DHA). Might replace my fish oil with these and see what the effects are!
Posted by exbenzouser on March 8, 2003, at 23:19:11
In reply to Re: Anyone who knows about suppliments................, posted by daizy on March 8, 2003, at 9:48:50
> Thankx for the replies! I did think that the GABA thing might be too good to be true! Never mind eh?! I was doing a search and also came across 'healthy mind' suppliments, that contain Ginkgo Biloba, Phosphatidyl Serine,B vitamins and Omega 3 fatty acids (EPA & DHA). Might replace my fish oil with these and see what the effects are!
--------------------------------------------------
Regardless of the effects, you can't go wrong with vitamins or essential fatty acids since they are essential nutrients that your body has to have to function properly anyway. Just a note about fish oil, it contains both EPA and DHA. Some brands even list the amounts of these that are in their product. Like any thing else, some brands are better than others. When it comes to nutritional supplements, consumers need to be educated about the quality of the products they are buying as it can vary widely.Larry
Posted by male34 on March 9, 2003, at 9:40:56
In reply to Anyone who knows about suppliments................, posted by daizy on March 7, 2003, at 12:04:49
i know a lot about supplements and yes gaba is good for staying calm,anxiety,but hers what i take for anxiety (NO! 5HTP hydroxytrytophan if on ssri)i take ssriLex with daily few times a day, stress b-complex w/extra b-6 b-1(antianxiety,b1),calcium magnesium ,magnese,zinc,potasium,omega fish oils,flax seed oil ,L-tyrosine at p.m. only, L-glutamine 2 x's a day,the key word here is SYNERGISTICALY,they all work better together,
i hope i helped im anxiety panic person not depressed, but i do avoid all caffiene and sugar, especially chocolate and dark chocolate, good cheap books earl mindells-vitamion bible and supplement bible,like $5,paperbacks,good luck !
Posted by male34 on March 9, 2003, at 9:48:48
In reply to Re: Anyone who knows about suppliments................, posted by male34 on March 9, 2003, at 9:40:56
one more thing i forgot get a stress b complex like twinlabs brands that has CHOLINE & INOSITOL they pass the blood brain barrier and ,i do not take gaba so cant help you with that,good luck
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