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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by daorlando on November 9, 2007, at 6:10:31
I'm always looking into natural/herbal alternatives to pharmaceutical solutions and here's what I found that I thought might be of interest to others here too.
On Biopsychiatry.org page (1) it says that "recently, valproate has emerged as a drug of primary choice for the treatment of acute mania, especially mixed mania and, partially, rapid cycling."
A similar information is found on Psychedecution.org (2) where valproate (Depakote) is listed as being especially useful for strong, fast, rapid cycling bipolar episodes with significant symptoms of mania, anxiety, agitation, anger and/or insomnia. (3).
Now the main active ingredient of valproate (Depakote) is Valpronic acid, which was first synthesized in 1882 as an analogue of valeric acid, which is found naturally in the Valerian herb (4). As most of you probably know Valerian is available OTC and has been used since the times of ancient Greece for anxiety, agitation, insomnia and related emotional issues - basically the same issues that valproate (Depakote) is subscribed for.
Since the use of this herb is generally acceptable as safe it might be possible to use it as a "natural mood stabilizer" for those who prefer not to use pharmaceutical medication.
1. http://www.psycheducation.org/depression/meds/moodstabilizers.htm
2. http://www.biopsychiatry.com/valman.htm
3. http://www.psycheducation.org/depression/meds/valproate.htm
4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valproic_acid
Posted by nolvas on November 9, 2007, at 8:11:19
In reply to Valerian as a mood stabilizer (like Depakote?), posted by daorlando on November 9, 2007, at 6:10:31
It's possible I suppose. My experience of Valerian is that it mostly just stinks :(
Posted by bleauberry on November 10, 2007, at 19:04:59
In reply to Valerian as a mood stabilizer (like Depakote?), posted by daorlando on November 9, 2007, at 6:10:31
I have used valerian on an as needed basis, never more than one night at a time. I was on depakote for a couple months. Now that you mention it, I can say valerian and depakote do feel quite similar, with the exception that for me valerian works much faster. Depakote actually increased my nervousness and insomnia for a week or so before calming things down. Valerian for me does in about 2 hours what it takes depakote to do in a week.
I have never had a bad experience with valerian, unlike probably a hundred other herbs or supplements I have had bad experiences with. It makes me wonder why I haven't relied on it more than I have. I think I'm just gunshy of anything dealing with the gaba/benzo circuits, ever since having to wean off xanax and zyprexa.
If they ever prove more conclusively that valerian and depakote have similarities, it would not surprise me.
Along the same lines, I saw in an abstract at pubmed that kava kava is similar to lamictal in many ways. They have disctinct differences of course, but they said the herb most like lamictal was kava kava.
Posted by bleauberry on November 10, 2007, at 19:11:55
In reply to Re: Valerian as a mood stabilizer (like Depakote?), posted by nolvas on November 9, 2007, at 8:11:19
> It's possible I suppose. My experience of Valerian is that it mostly just stinks :(
>
The random times I have used valerian I liked it. It did what I wanted. Anxiety. Wired. Sleep. Calm down an agitation. Stuff like that. Unlike scientific studies where it took a week or two to work, it works for me in hours.But yes, you are so correct, valerian stinks like a horse with diarrhea. I used to wonder why they don't make a pure valerian tea. Duhh. :-)
In the same vein of herbs, one I like better than valerian is passionflower. And if one needs a little extra synergistic punch to either of them, skullcap does that. On the milder side, chamomile is similar but more subtle. Hops is popular, but that stuff makes me so depressed it is ridiculous.
back to your post....valerian is darn smelly stuff
Posted by daorlando on November 14, 2007, at 9:37:10
In reply to Re: Valerian as a mood stabilizer (like Depakote?), posted by bleauberry on November 10, 2007, at 19:04:59
Thanks for your input bleauberry. I haven't used Depakote myself but find Valerian useful (although it makes me lethargic after a while).
Posted by Mistermindmasta on November 14, 2007, at 21:49:41
In reply to Valerian as a mood stabilizer (like Depakote?), posted by daorlando on November 9, 2007, at 6:10:31
Actually, it's interesting you ask this question. I've never found valerian to be too good of an anti-anxiety medicine. It really doesn't FEEL like an anti-anxiety medicine. However, in low doses, I find it DEFINITELY seems to level my mood. When I drink too much caffeine, I tend to get a little stressed feeling and tired and disinterested. Taking valerian in situations where I feel anxious (like a public speech) doesn't seem to help - but when I've messed myself up from too much caffeine - it levels me nicely. Or a day after alcohol - it helps as well. And so I was thinking, even before anyone posted about this, that valerian seems to level my mood more than directly help with anxiety.
Posted by nolvas on November 15, 2007, at 19:30:49
In reply to Re: Valerian as a mood stabilizer (like Depakote?), posted by Mistermindmasta on November 14, 2007, at 21:49:41
Yeah I agree. Valerian for me is totally useless as an anxiolytic, it does seem to help with caffiene jitters though, although I find L-Theanine is better for that.
Posted by linkadge on December 16, 2007, at 20:55:34
In reply to Re: Valerian as a mood stabilizer (like Depakote?), posted by nolvas on November 15, 2007, at 19:30:49
Valerian helps my anxiety somewhat but makes me really depressed.
Linkadge
Posted by okydoky on January 18, 2008, at 19:11:54
In reply to Re: Valerian as a mood stabilizer (like Depakote?), posted by linkadge on December 16, 2007, at 20:55:34
I've used several different brands of Valarian. Some are significantly more potent than others. I used it for a muscle relaxer but it makes me tired.
I have become somewhat resistant to it but I take a couple with my valium 5-10mg at night and it really helps me sleep. Not so much anymore though. My urologist who prescribes the valium strongly told me not to mix valarian with other drugs
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