Rhodiola Rebound?

[bdougher]

I'm thinking of giving the old RR another go since I'm off all my meds finally (quite a feat!), and I'm doing pretty well, but I still get extremely irritable and moody at times and some fear/anxiety, especially in social situations. I think the RR would work great for this according to what I have read, but I haven't had much luck with it in the past- if anything it made me feel worse. I thinking it may have just not mixed well with the ADs, that's why I want to try it again.

I never seem to read anything bad about RR, but I noticed something while taking it- I seem to have definite rebound depression when the dose wears off. Almost like a caffeine or ritalin "crash". But I have never heard anyone mention this- could it just be me? I could re-dose but then I don't want to be up all night. Also, does anyone else's eyes get really dry?

[txmt]

My money's on an interaction with your antidepressants. I haven't had the side effects you mentioned. From what I'm reading, though, the brand is very important also, with some brands much better than others.

[Meri-Tuuli]

Hey,

Yes, you should get a good brand like New Chapter or Ameriden. You should check out the Rhodiola Revolution (search for it in amazon). Its packed with tons of useful into about this herb by to knowledgeable MDs.

I have heard someone describe RR as half anti-depressant, and half stimulant, and I would say that is about right, IMHO.

I would give it a go on its own. And I would be too scared to mix it with other anti-depressants (I'm curious, which ones did you take?) because there might be some serious interactions (like sertonin syndrome for example).

I think the things you describe would be rarely accurate for other users as well. What about SJW? I would think that SJW would be better for anxiety. I tend to find that RR was, if anything against it, worsened my anxiety symtoms.

Good luck and let us know what you try!

Meri

[bdougher]

Well, after experimenting with it some more, and different brands including New Chapter, I've decided I just don't like the stuff. It's really inconsistent and unpredictable, and usually makes me spacy and irritable. Maybe I'm not giving it enough time, but to me it's not worth waiting for. Anyway, I found MACA. Why doesn't anyone talk about this magic root?!? It's good for mental clarity, depression, libido, energy, sleep, and just makes you feel so warm and good, like an atomic sunflower :flower2:

[echelon]

I take 5htp and RR together and have no problems.