l-tryptophan - http://www.sjwinfo.org Forums
Topic Title: l-tryptophan
| |  "l-tryptophan"
, Wed 5 May 19:59:
Anyone out there taking l-tryptophan? I've been taking this supplement for about a month, and it really helps with making me fall asleep at night. I have yet to feel any other positive effects apart from the stuff just making me feel drowsy.
L-tryptophan seems to be a lot more powerful than 5-htp, but I'm taking about 3 grams of l-tryptophan a time. I guess I'm wondering if l-tryptophan works like SJW in that it takes several weeks before the antidepressant effects kick in.
[this message was edited by wolkig on Mon 24 May 20:33]
Posts: 84 | | Registered: Thu 3 Apr 2003 5:33 |
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| | "Re(1):l-tryptophan" , Wed 5 May 21:59
Try taking L-Tyrosine some time during the day 500-1500mg,away from the Tryptophan so they don't compete with each other.Let me know if this works.
This is assuming that you are on no other antidepressants,especially an MAOI.
Posts: 38 | | Registered: Tue 27 May 2003 9:43 |
| | | "Re(2):l-tryptophan" , Thu 6 May 07:57
L-tyrosine used to work for me (cleared up my mudhead), but it no longer does anything! I was at the vitamin store yesterday, and noticed a new formulation containing B6 and C (supposedly to help absorption). Maybe I will try it, since I used to love the effects I got from this amino acid in the past. Recently, I tried DL-phenylaline, and that did nothing (even at 1500 mg on an empty stomach in the morning).
Thanks for the tip. I have heard that l-tyrosine is supposed to work well with l-tryptophan. Maybe the l-tyrosine will work now that I'm on the l-tryptophan.
Posts: 78 | | Registered: Thu 3 Apr 2003 5:33 |
| | | "Re(3):l-tryptophan" , Sat 8 May 23:54
Has anyone got any suggestions about taking L-tryptophan together with St John's Wort? I have been doing this for about 3 weeks now- (1g Tryptophan + ~ 1g equivalent St Johns Wort standardised) I realise it's not recommended taking SSRI drugs with L-tryptophan due to the risk of Serotonin Sydrome, but I read somewhere St John's Wort is OK in combination. Any thoughts?
Also what were the effects of L-Tyrosine with anxiety, if anybody knows.
Thanks!
Posts: 12 | | Registered: Wed 14 Apr 2004 23:27 |
| | | "Re(4):l-tryptophan" , Sun 9 May 05:45
When l-tyrosine worked for me, it gave me alertness, without the anxious edge that coffee gives me. If I exceeded the 500 mg that I took, it seemed that the l-tyrosine made me more nervous. L-tyrosine helped my anxiety, in that it would clear my head up within about 45 minutes after taking it, and I could actually get some work done. Before taking my pill, I would be so overwhelmed by the concentration and work I had ahead of me at my job, and like a little miracle, the l-tyrosine would make it so I could concentrate, and stuff would "click" in my head. I would then no longer be anxious about not being able to perform my job, even though the l-tyrosine was a stimulant.
Posts: 80 | | Registered: Thu 3 Apr 2003 5:33 |
| | | "Re(5):l-tryptophan" , Mon 24 May 04:38
Hi Guys,
Hey, I didn't know that you could even purchase tryptophan. I thought it had been pulled from the market. Is it back on the market???
Surfingramma
Posts: 14 | | Registered: Thu 8 Apr 2004 5:6 |
| | | "Re(6):l-tryptophan" , Mon 24 May 23:54
Yeah,it's back on the market,as of March,but with the popularity of 5htp,not many people are carrying it or haven't realized the ban has been lifted for over the counter sale.It's highly unlikely you'll find it at your local health food store,you'll probably have to order it off the net.
Posts: 40 | | Registered: Tue 27 May 2003 9:43 |
| | | "l-tryptophan" , Mon 24 May 15:36
Hey everybody -
i'm on l-tryptophan and I have to say this stuff has beaten everything else hands down I have tried. I went through a whole host of natural stuff, including SJW (see my earlier posts about a year back), which did improve things, but made me anxious at first, and then nothing.
Right now I take tryptophan, inositol, fish oil, B vits, ginkgo and a few other things occasionally like kava and gotu kola.
I had also tried 5-htp numerous times, once with a trial lasting for 8 months. I have insomnia, intermittent depression, low self-esteem, chronic anxiety - you get the pic.
The tryptophan just hit the nail on the head for me. I am keeping it at around 3g per day, divided into about 4 doses. However I also take B3 niacinamide (1,500mg per day). This is because it takes your brain a lot of B3 to make serotonin. Also B3 stops the liver enzyme activating which destroys tryptophan. Cortisol can also activate this tryptophan destroying enzyme, so keeping cortisol down (ginkgo biloba is good for this) can be very useful.
I don't find that tryptophan makes me so tired and crotchety as 5-htp, as the brain is in control over how much serotonin goes round the brain. It is just providing the raw materials for the system to do its work.
Very occasionally I will take a very small amount of N-acetyl-l-tyrosine if I start to go 'the other way' and get too mellowed out. This is basically because as tryptophan is the precursor for serotonin, tyrosine is the precursor for dopamine, which is oppositional in relation to serotonin. Balancing the act this way is preferable as I am in control about how I will feel in the day - i.e. mellow or more energy. Also it is important to balance amino acids when supplementing or you end up with imbalanced brain chemistry.
I don't think these two aminos would work so well without the B-vitamins. The fish oil and inositol are also great, one for concentration, the other for sleep.
By the way, in case anyone is worried about cost, it IS possible to get very cheap pure tryptophan.
Loops
Posts: 97 | | Registered: Tue 15 Apr 2003 8:24 |
| | |  "Re(1):l-tryptophan"
, Thu 3 Jun 11:41
I read your 2003 message and wondered what you think now. I have just begun to experience symptoms in the past 6 months and am curently introducing L-Tryptophan to way lay these panic attacks. Not much sucess as yet. wondering about the dosage. the directions say it should be taken at bed time yet your post said you take it 4 times a day. thanks
Posts: 0 | | Registered: Thu 3 Jun 2004 11:26 |
| | | "Re(1):l-tryptophan" , Tue 25 May 19:25
Loops, this is very interesting.
I've just upped my dose of L-tryptophan to 1g due to the cost (70 USD for 120 X 500mg) but if I can get it cheaper safely I'll try. I've read some articles which suggest less is more when it comes to tryptophan, partly to do with the problem of getting the tryptophan to the brain where it's needed, but then I've also read it's been used clinically in much higher doses. Did you have any side effects at 3g? I mainly want it to work better with anxiety, so far it's been mostly helping with sleep but not a lot else...
Also how much inositol are you taking? I've been experimenting with quite large doses (5-10g) after reading this can help with panic. Any suggestions?
Thanks!
Posts: 24 | | Registered: Wed 14 Apr 2004 23:27 |
| | |  "Re(2):l-tryptophan"
, Tue 25 May 22:56:
Hey is serotonin syndrome a concern with tryptophan? I wasn't able to tolerate 5htp because I was experiencing some serotonin syndrome like symptoms. I don't know if I will take tryptophan because I am doing great with rhodiola. But it never hurts to be informed
Surfingramma
[this message was edited by surfingramma on Tue 25 May 22:57]
Posts: 16 | | Registered: Thu 8 Apr 2004 5:6 |
| | | "l-tryptophan" , Wed 26 May 10:43
Hello -
I did up my dose the other day to around 4 grams, but then woke up in the middle of the night with 'buzzing' sensations in my hands, so brought the dose back down again. Yes I think there is a worry of serotonin syndrome, although even if this happened that night with me, it wasn't very strong.
I will say, though, l-tryptophan seems to increase my appetite, whereas 5htp reduces it, which is odd, as they are both doing much the same thing I guess.
The inositol dosage varies a lot. I'm not sure how much I'm really taking - it's probably about 5-6g a day in total, sometimes less though. The first time I took 500mg (this was before I started taking the tryptophan) I felt a definite strong lift in my mood, but also a slight increase in anxiety. When I started the l-tryptophan, this mellowed out the anxiety, and allowed me to take more inositol.
Right now I'm backing down to taking niacinamide in doses of 250mg instead of 500mg, just because I think less might now be just as effective. 500mg doses are pushing the boundaries a bit as I probably have a dodgy liver from previous drinking too much.
Loops
Posts: 98 | | Registered: Tue 15 Apr 2003 8:24 |
| | | "l-tryptophan" , Thu 3 Jun 14:42
hello people -
I've been doing some research and found out 100mg 5-htp equals about 500mg l-tryptophan.
However I must say I have various brands of 5-htp in my cupboard, and their effect varies tremendously.
Recently, I found myself back on the 5-htp, but this time combining it with the niacinamide, extra B-vitamin complex, inositol, GABA, ginkgo biloba and DMAE (small dosage), plus fish oil and vitamin C.
The reason I changed back from the tryptophan, is it dramatically *stopped working* for my sleep after about a month. I was very annoyed as it was much cheaper than 5-htp. So I reinstated 300-400mg of a brand of 5-htp I like, and this time round, it is working (along with the other stuff) without making me angry.
I did try taking l-glutamine and l-taurine instead of the GABA, but I WILL NOT PLAY WITH THAT FIRE again. The first day was great, then I felt awful with these aminos. Sure, glutamine is a precursor to GABA, but it is also excitory. L-taurine gets depleted if you just take glutamine as well. Too much l-taurine, and I felt too flat.
So I dropped these and kept going with the other things. It's all going quite smoothly at the moment. I added in the ginkgo biloba because this gives me the energy and concentration I was missing from dropping my 'neuroclear' tablets which contained l-tyrosine/l-phenylalanine. I dropped them because having experienced taking tyrosine and finding it 'dodgy' what with my anxiety, decided another route might be preferable to antagonizing the norepinephrine in my brain.
Ginkgo has slight mood elevation properties for me (50:1 extract that is), and in addition doesn't aggravate my insomnia. There is a possibility it *might* act as a weak MAO-I. Having had previous success with picamilon, which also acts as a weak MAO-I, this might be the reason.
The other day I did take 500mg total of 5-htp, and felt fine. I don't really want to take this much though - a) it's expensive and b)no-one really knows if high dosages like this might cause damage. It is really helping with the insomnia though.
The combination of the GABA, inositol and niacinamide, supported by the B-complex is really helping me out as well with anxiety, and it doesn't seem to be affecting my concentration.
I may give the tryptophan another shot during the day and take 5-htp at night. However I will have to make sure of dosages before I do this, with my previous *buzzing* experience in mind.
I would now never drop the B-vits, niacinamide or inositol.
Loops
Posts: 99 | | Registered: Tue 15 Apr 2003 8:24 |
| | | "Re(1):l-tryptophan" , Fri 18 Jun 20:56
Hmmm. The L-Tryptophan is not really helping my sleep these days either and I've been on it for a couple of months now (1g per day) in combination with SJW. Not sure if I'm just not taking enough Tryptophan or whether it's just not working for me...It's mainly for anxiety but unfortunately I can't go back to 5-HTP (which seemed to help more) because I got pretty bad gastro from it :(
Agreed about the B vitamins & Inositol, what is/does Niacinamide do??
Posts: 28 | | Registered: Wed 14 Apr 2004 23:27 |
| | | "niacinamide" , Sat 19 Jun 08:23
Niacinamide is a form of B-3. When you combine it with inositol and GABA the theory is it blocks some of the benzo receptor sites in your brain. I have had more success taking B-3 with GABA/inositol than with Gaba alone.
Your body uses the tryptophan to make B-3 first, before serotonin. If you have a lot of B-3 going round your body/brain first, tryptophan can be used for serotonin. That's the theory anyway.
I recently added back in SJW and lithium orotate, and took out the daytime inositol/gaba/gotu kola. I still take about 400mg chelated magnesium, fish oil, about 100mg B complex, 1000mg niacinamide, 100-200mg B-1 (thiamin), ~2g vitamin C, calcium orotate, 1 muti-vitamin, 100mg 5-htp (before bed), dong quai with siberian ginseng every day - um, think that's it.
Last time I tried SJW I got very anxious and had elevated heartbeat/bad insomnia. This time round the effects have been very different, and I'm wondering if it's due to the lithium orotate, B vitamins and magnesium I'm taking. I feel much calmer than last time around, and I am sleeping a lot better (still have a slight amount of insomnia, but nowhere near as bad as last year when I started the Wort).
I don't know why the tryptophan just stopped working (for sleep) suddenly. It makes me think there is more than just serotonin precursor problems. However I will say it did still help me during the day as an anti-depressant. What brand of 5-htp were you taking? Did you take it with food?
Loops
Posts: 108 | | Registered: Tue 15 Apr 2003 8:24 |
| | | "Re(1):niacinamide" , Sat 19 Jun 23:40
Loops, I was taking Nature's Way 50mg (once daily without food)
I took it for a few months but after a while I developed stomach problems, which I didn't realise were connected with the 5-htp until re-reading the fine print on the bottle. I confirmed it was the 5-HTP by cutting it out for a few weeks (with no stomach problems whatsoever as the result) and then taking one tablet again- which caused 24 hrs of gastro :( It didn't seem to make a difference taking it with food... it's almost as if my body just couldn't tolerate it anymore.
Anyway I'm currently taking a B complex which has B3 in it, so hopefully that will make the Tryptophan more effective as a precursor to Serotonin. I also take St John's Wort as liquid ~5ml, 5g Vit c, 5g Inositol, Selenium, Flaxseed Oil & a Multivitamin per day.
Posts: 30 | | Registered: Wed 14 Apr 2004 23:27 |
| | | "Re(1):niacinamide" , Sat 19 Jun 23:39
Loops, I was taking Nature's Way 50mg (once daily without food)
I took it for a few months but after a while I developed stomach problems, which I didn't realise were connected with the 5-htp until re-reading the fine print on the bottle. I confirmed it was the 5-HTP by cutting it out for a few weeks (with no stomach problems whatsoever as the result) and then taking one tablet again- which caused 24 hrs of gastro :( It didn't seem to make a difference taking it with food... it's almost as if my body just couldn't tolerate it anymore.
Anyway I'm currently taking a B complex which has B3 in it, so hopefully that will make the Tryptophan more effective as a precursor to Serotonin. I also take St John's Wort as liquid ~5ml, 5g Vit c, 5g Inositol, Selenium, Flaxseed Oil & a Multivitamin per day.
Posts: 29 | | Registered: Wed 14 Apr 2004 23:27 |
| | | "liquid sjw" , Sun 20 Jun 08:53
Hi -
how do you find the liquid sjw? I am asking because I have compared two brands of pills, both standardized to hypericin, but one with added whole ground leaf. The one with whole ground leaf added does much better than the other. I read that the hyperforin (which is supposed to 'shield' the nervous system whatever that means) will always turn up at around 4% in the leaf portion of the plant. I have no idea what the other brand contains in the way of hyperforin - but this one makes me more anxious - and it is only standardized to hypericin.
I am thinking that a liquid tincture (that is not standardized) will contain everything, and have more bioavailibility. Then again, I guess it depends on the batch of flowers used right? Also the liquid doesn't contain all the other filler crap you can sometimes get in pills.
With the B-3, I needed a lot more than I was getting in the B-complex to make a difference, but that's just me. I think I have an absorption problem dating back to my bulimia, so I have no qualms about taking megavitamins now.
Did you know you can get liquid 5-htp now as well?? Just an idea, but what else was in the capsules? And did you take the 5-htp with food? It used to make me nauseous if I took it without food.
Loops
Posts: 109 | | Registered: Tue 15 Apr 2003 8:24 |
| | | "Re(1):liquid sjw" , Tue 22 Jun 20:26
Loops, I did try taking HTP with food- it didn't seem to make much difference...the SJW liquid seems to work OK, more cost effective, and I guess less filler as you say.
Posts: 31 | | Registered: Wed 14 Apr 2004 23:27 |
| | | "Re(2):liquid sjw" , Tue 22 Jun 20:27
Interesting about the 5-htp liquid. Maybe it was what else was in the pills that caused it but I don't want to risk it!
Apparently it's a well known side effect of 5-htp to cause gastro.
Posts: 32 | | Registered: Wed 14 Apr 2004 23:27 |
| | | "Re(3):liquid sjw" , Mon 28 Jun 19:57
Seriously considering stopping the l-tryptophan as it doesn't appear to be reducing anxiety, if anything the opposite, especially after I've taken it! And it's pretty expensive. Tempted to give the 5-HTP liquid another go but not keen to re-experience stomach problems again :(
Posts: 37 | | Registered: Wed 14 Apr 2004 23:27 |
| | | "serotonin" , Fri 9 Jul 05:34
You know that raising serotonin can initially produce anxiety? Does the anxiety get less after the initial time after the dose? Also I heard tolerance with l-tryptophan, as with 5htp is a possibility. Have you tried going with high dose B complex for awhile?
I was a bit peed off as I now have a huge tub of l-tryptophan - maybe I will go back to it at some point.
Anxiety is a tough one - hope you find something.
Loops
Posts: 116 | | Registered: Tue 15 Apr 2003 8:24 |
| | | "Re(3):liquid sjw" , Mon 28 Jun 19:55
Posts: 36 | | Registered: Wed 14 Apr 2004 23:27 |
| | | "Re(4):liquid sjw" , Sun 11 Jul 21:03
Thanks for the advice Loops. It's hard to say whether the L-tryptophan reduces anxiety after taking it- I'm sure I've experienced both more and less on different days. I'm taking 1g of tryptophan powder with a Microgenics Mega B complex (2X per day) Apparently it contains 100 mg of B3 so that would mean I'm getting about 200mg a day + whatever is in my Multivitamin (not much I guess)- do you think this is enough to see the benefits of the Tryptophan?
You're sure right about anxiety being tough! I'm just about at my wits end with it. Mine is mainly social, so I'm trying L-tyrosine which is supposed to help with Dopamine levels, which I read are important in relation to social anxiety...
Posts: 41 | | Registered: Wed 14 Apr 2004 23:27 |
| | | "B vitamins" , Fri 16 Jul 06:16
Hi -
I'd stick with the B-complex and maybe add in a couple of shots of 500mg niacinamide per day. From what I've read and experienced, it is ok to supplement more of one B vitamin, as long as you are still supplementing with B complex as well. Note - niacinamide not niacin for anxiety.
Personally I don't take more than 50mg B complex at a time, and sometimes break the tablets in half, but everyone's different. There was a time when I thought taking even 50mg B complex was causing me anxiety (why I broke the tablets), but this seems to have worn off now (??!). I noted that my tabs had choline in them, and I don't react too well to choline supplements. Also, your body excretes what you don't need, so frequency is more important with B vitamins than quantity (apart from when you want to flood your body/brain with a specific vitamin like B3 to produce more serotonin).
I never had a problem with B-3 causing anxiety - the opposite - I am more rational when taking large amounts of this vitamin. However I take the dose down to 250mg if I start to feel depressed/too calm.
Right. Now for some other info I have been given (by my darling over-worried mother) regarding vitamins, in case you're interested.
Vit C - large doses good in short term (grams-wise- can be used as sedative), but in long-term may cause deficiency/excretion of B12 (not good eh?)
magnesium without calcium - may cause calcium deficiency - you need more calcium than magnesium in the supplement.
More than 50mg supplemented zinc causes iron deficiency (zinc is great for mental disorders, and most people these days have an unbalanced copper to zinc ratio like too much copper - both of these compete for absorption, and it's hard to get the right balance from food alone). By the way zinc is a calming mineral, copper an excitory one.
However B-complex is fine as is a complex (regarding B vitamins).
Best source for B vitamins/inositol, some minerals, is brewer's yeast. Also contains amino acids.
Also apparently supplementing may make your body lazy in using/producing it's own supply in food/made in the body, so stopping supplementing suddenly may cause a deficiency greater than that previous to taking the supplement.
There was a woman who was taking cal/mag, then stopped and 2 weeks later landed in hospital with severe muscle spasms (magnesium deficiency). Once she restarted the supplement she was fine (just to illustrate point).
By the way, I once tried a B complex made up of co-enzyme B vitamins. Not good. Made me very anxious. I don't think anyone really knows how co-enzymes really work and as they pass the blood brain barrier easily, the brain can't regulate them.
Hope that was helpful.
Loops
Posts: 117 | | Registered: Tue 15 Apr 2003 8:24 |
| | | "milk" , Fri 16 Jul 06:31
Hello.
Just would like to add - lecithin is great natural source for choline/inositol if you like this stuff. Also if you take lith orotate can redress the balance between inositol and lithium.
Also I started drinking milk again (I was vegan). Milk contains a fair amount of tryptophan, plus calcium/magnesium, and also is a good source of iodine which is needed for thyroid hormones. I do feel better since doing this.
Just another couple of thoughts.
Loops
Posts: 118 | | Registered: Tue 15 Apr 2003 8:24 |
| | | "Re(1):milk" , Sun 18 Jul 16:57
I'll have to look into taking B3 as well as my B complex...
Interesting about the magnesium/calcium point- that's the second place I've read that. I am taking a Magnesium tablet but no calcium (except what's in the multi) Something else I'll have to read up on.
Anyway I've come to the conclusion that inositol is cricital- I just ran out the other day, stopped taking it for about 5 days, had lots of anxiety. Then when I started it again at a higher dose (about 8g a day) it had a pretty big effect on mood & anxiety problems.
Posts: 43 | | Registered: Wed 14 Apr 2004 23:27 |
| | | "inositol" , Mon 19 Jul 06:38
Hi -
if you find inositol very helpful for anxiety, then I reckon you will find combining it with gaba and niacinamide very good, if not better. There is a brand which combines these three, but whether or not it works out cheaper depends on how much of each vitamin you want to take/find helpful (twinlabs - called Gaba Plus). However I always found I needed at least 500mg gaba to get a good effect.
I really have to rave about the brewer's yeast right now. I started taking it a week ago (3 tablespoons a day) and boy has it made a difference. Along with apple cider vinegar, for the first time in my life my horrible acne on my chin is clearing. Actually, that might have to also do with taking Dong Quai as well which is supposed to balance female hormones.
Also my eczema is not so bad right now. I feel more relaxed, and whether or not that is to do with the brewer's yeast is debatable, as I am on 1200mg sjw extract, (around 5th week this week). I am wondering if my body is absorbing the brewer's yeast better than the vitamin B complex I am taking. It also contains tryptophan and tyrosine, but again, in a 'natural' form, not manmade, so again maybe my body recognises it easier. And there's the milk thing as well. I have actually lost some weight since drinking milk in tea again. And maybe it has had an effect on acne as well - despite the fact most people claim dairy products can exacerbate acne/asthma/eczema.
I want to get hold of some black-strap molasses, but unfortunately you can't buy it here in Chile. It is supposed to be very good for stress and debilitation.
Where do you get your inositol from?
Loops
Posts: 119 | | Registered: Tue 15 Apr 2003 8:24 |
| | | "Re(1):inositol" , Sat 7 Aug 23:32
Hi Guys!
I've been gone for a while. But now I'm back reading your posts. They are really informative! Hey Loops, what are you doing in Chile. Is that your home country?
Surfingramma
Posts: 17 | | Registered: Thu 8 Apr 2004 5:6 |
| | | "Chile" , Sun 8 Aug 08:58
nah -
I'm English but moved out to Chile 3 years ago - got 2 years left here and then hope to stay longer if possible (husband's an astronomer and has a 5 year contract with one of the telescopes here). I just teach the piano and 'fart around' playing tennis and attempting to make a portfolio of compositions for my *future* PhD.
Luckily we have GNC brand stuff at the pharmacy, but not much choice, so I have to order a lot of stuff from the internet.
Really must get a handle on these late Chilean weekend nights though - parties and going out doesn't get going until at least 1am when I'm usually beyond my best-before date. Difficult though if you want to maintain any kind of social life! Sigh.
Loops
Posts: 131 | | Registered: Tue 15 Apr 2003 8:24 |
| | | "Re(1):Chile" , Sun 8 Aug 14:23
Loops,
Isn't the language Spanish there? Can you speak it?
Surfingramma
Posts: 18 | | Registered: Thu 8 Apr 2004 5:6 |
| | | "Chile" , Mon 9 Aug 07:44
Yes, if you can call it Spanish! It's more 'Chilean' as no self-respecting Spaniard could probably ever understand what comes out of a Chilean's mouth. It's basically Spanish but with lots of words native to Chile (and that also changes with each region of Chile). I didn't speak any Spanish when we came out - I taught myself the basics, then I had some private lessons out here, then I made Chilean friends and taught myself some more. Right now I am fluent but still have some problems with understanding people if a)they are drunk, or b)they just don't speak clearly anyway (which is very common!). I still try to learn more words every day, and read Chilean novels (this is slooooow though).
I love languages though, so it's been easier for me than for most 'gringos' that come out.
Loops
Posts: 132 | | Registered: Tue 15 Apr 2003 8:24 |
| | | "Re(1):Chile" , Mon 9 Aug 19:45
Wow! good for you! My husband's native tongue is Spanish so I have learned to speak it too. Well we'd better get back to the topic in this forum before we get our knuckles rapped 
Surfingramma
Posts: 19 | | Registered: Thu 8 Apr 2004 5:6 |
| | | "Chile" , Tue 10 Aug 09:25
yeah, probably a good idea. Umm - what were we talking about?
Loops
Posts: 133 | | Registered: Tue 15 Apr 2003 8:24 |
| | | "Re(1):inositol" , Mon 19 Jul 20:43
Hi Loops,
Still yet to try Niacinamide on its own (or Nicotinamide as it's listed on my B complex tablets- another name for it apparently, just to keep things confusing) Inositol is good stuff, I was getting the musashi brand (75g)locally (Australia) but it's too expensive ($20 AUD) so I've just ordered some of the optimum brand 227g for about $10 USD on the net...
Posts: 44 | | Registered: Wed 14 Apr 2004 23:27 |
| | | "Vitamin b3" , Fri 6 Aug 21:28
OK I'm a bit confused here. Loops, I notice you emphasised Niacinamide as opposed to Niacin, but the B3 in my complex and in the one I've started taking as an additional supplement is Nicotinamide, which I gather is a different form of B3:
http://www.supplementwatch.com/supatoz/supplement.asp?supplementId=334
Should I try and find Niacinamide specifically, or do you think Nicotinamide is alright????
Also, I read B6 is cricital in the absorption of Tryptophan so I'm taking that as well...seems to be doing good so far.
Posts: 49 | | Registered: Wed 14 Apr 2004 23:27 |
| | | "b3" , Sat 7 Aug 08:06
hello -
nicotinamide IS the same thing as niacinamide, so don't worry.
Loops
Posts: 129 | | Registered: Tue 15 Apr 2003 8:24 |
| | | "Re(1):b3" , Tue 17 Aug 11:38
Hi Loops,
Whatever happened with you taking picamilon? Did it stop working for you? I used to take niacinamide and gaba and found it stopped working after about 3 months. I do wonder if taking picamilon would produce the exact same effect as taking the supplements (niacinamide and gaba) separately or if for some rason, it makes a difference in actually taking picamilon.
I have been taking ginkgo, ginseng, theanine, a multi vitamin, fish oil and vitamin c and have gotten some good results. I have been finding myself agiatated/frustrated,irritable, though recently. I bought some picamilon but have not started taking it yet - your experience? Oh, I also saw your posts on Dr. Bob's site - I must say, you are very knowledgable! I have similar symptoms as you, so I am interested in what you have to say.
Thanks in advance,
Missreddog
Posts: 25 | | Registered: Tue 8 Jul 2003 7:35 |
| | | "picamilon" , Tue 17 Aug 12:34
Hiya -
yes it's all a bit of trial and error with me, but I am so glad there are things available to try which do help, even if it is for the short term. Basically at least to not end up at the doctors begging for chemical help is, in my opinion, very positive.
Picamilon did work for me quite well for quite a long while - I don't know why it stopped, but then also I think I had an underlying problem with serotonin which was not being addressed through the other things I was taking at the time.
Ok, so I was taking 50mg 3 x daily. When I was under a lot of stress and feeling tired I would take 100mg, but note, this WAS more activating and I never did this normally. I would say this is powerful stuff - I mean the gaba goes straight to your brain, and if your diet/absorption is less than optimal for B3, the difference felt can be very big (it was for me). Picamilon definitely stopped me wigging out, and although I've never taken a daytime benzo, my guess is it would be as strong, but without any mental impairment.
If you have a tendency for anxiety /irritability, even for no obvious reason (like me) this stuff may be of great help to you.
Also, regarding depression, this stuff did seem to work for me. For the whole period I was taking it (about 6 months I think), I have no recollection of breaking down in tears or getting depressed about my life, although it wasn't the kind of uplift I always get when I restart SJW. In fact, I don't have much recollection at all of my emotions then, as every day I was quite focused on the task in hand - whatever I was doing. It did seem to level me out quite a lot.
I still have a couple of bottles and may use it again. I don't know if you've read but there is a theory that this stuff can slowly build up in your system, which means that even if you're taking 50mg two or three times daily, eventually you may end up a bit too activated unless you lower the dose. This may also mean having a 'back-up' for anxiety - something you can take if taking a short break from the picamilon (just my thought).
It's such an odd substance - it's nootropic, anti-anxiety and yet enhances brain power; I don't think any other thing I've tried does this so much. Also, if you find you have a tendency to get very bored and unmotivated about things, the nootropic effects can be very welcome.
I spent a lot of time taking supplements that would enhance brain power (I spend a lot of time at home composing and playing the piano), but actually didn't really address the underlying problem of anxiety and depression. The SJW is working quite well, but still not enough for me, and I still have a tendency to get anxious and stressed over pretty much anything (runs in my family).
I agree about the niacinamide and GABA - it just wasn't strong enough for me in the end. Right now I've cut supplements to half a B complex whenever needed, the SJW, some relora I found in the back of the cupboard, magnesium, vit C and lithium orotate. If I start to have problems concentrating again, I will give the picamilon another shot, but at a low dose. The last few days I have been quite anxious for no apparent reason, which is frustrating as I thought I was calming down with the SJW.
The picamilon is also very useful if you want to cut down on alcohol consumption (I drink to calm myself down in the evenings and have been trying to give this up for some time now - best thing I found was take the B complex if I drink - still, managed to get it down to a glass of wine in the evening now!).
Anyway, if you have anything else you want to ask about picamilon, fire away! As there is precious little anecdotal evidence on the web.
By the way, what sort of effect does l-theanine have on you? I used to use this at one time, then recently I tried it and it made me feel quite crap - something to do with the dopamine rise probably. I'm tentative to try it again - maybe now I've cut out most other 'brain' stuff it will have a positive effect on me.
You know I found one other herbal type supplement which brings my anxiety right down, but I save it for emergencies as it's expensive and only works for a couple of weeks - it's called Bupleurum and Dragon Bone formula - it's very effective for anxiety, but to get good quality stuff you have to shell out the cash, which I'm trying to save!
Loops
Posts: 134 | | Registered: Tue 15 Apr 2003 8:24 |
| | | "Re(1):picamilon" , Thu 19 Aug 13:40
I wrote you this long message - and then suddenly, it wasn't there on the page and I have had to start over! And, I have to go in a fwe minutes. So, sorry to make this shorter than my original reply to you, and I will try to recreate the main points.
Ummm..let's see - I did start taking picamilon and so far, so good. I have noticed a flatness, a matter of factness to me that is somewhat unlike my usual reactionary self. Does this sound familiar to you? And, that is a welcome thing these days due to two young kids, a new house and a struggling marriage. I did take two 100 mg the first day and that was just waaay too much ( I don't think I slept a wink that night!) - and now have been taking 50 mg twice a day, which seems to be a good dose. It is allowing me to get along much better with other people. I am pretty inept socially, but this is allowing me to calm down inside and listen to others, and ask questions. When it stopped working for you, was it a gradual thing or just a bam! When the niacinamide stopped working , it was basically an overnight thing with me.
The theanine has treated me well. It balances me out somewhat. I started taking it about a month ago and only noticed recently that I was getting more anxious/irritable for no good reason and knew I had to throw something else into my mixing pot. Thus, the picamilon. Iwonder if I will need the theanine while taking picamilon - I am currently taking them together.
Weirdly enough, I find that the b-complex aggravates my irritablity/anxiety. My multi vit has some b vitamins, so I figure that they are taking care of the balance that the amino acids require to function.
I was taking holy basil for a while with some good results - it is just too expensive and the theanine seems to have the same/similar results for me.
Anyways, I need to head off. I truly like reading your posts - you articulate yourself well and respond to others in a kind manner. You seem like a nice person.
Take care now,
missreddog
Posts: 27 | | Registered: Tue 8 Jul 2003 7:35 |
| | | "picamilon" , Thu 19 Aug 17:30
Hi -
thanks! I probably overdo the posts, but I figure my own experience might be of use.
Funny, I have the same thing with the B complex. I'm thinking maybe this is to do with excess noradrenaline production and not enough serotonin, as the B vits are needed to produce noradrenaline (as well as serotoinin). Lower dose seems to cut the anxiety a bit though.
About the picamilon - yes, it did seem to just stop working one day. For a few days afterwards I did seem more anxious than usual, but I overcame this by using niacinamide, GABA and inositol. I think I was back to normal within a week.
No way with the inositol, regretfully, in the long term, as it was beginning to produce some manic mood swings with me, despite mixing it with GABA.
Theanine is supposed to mix very well with picamilon - in the 100mg theanine to 50mg picamilon. I've used this combination once with good results - then I ran out of l-theanine and at the time was going to embark on sjw once more anyway. Well good luck witht the picamilon - it's pretty harmless in my experience, even if it does stop working after awhile - maybe you'll get lucky!
Well I am very tired right now - I've just upped my protein/fat intake, despite people saying excess protein is bad for eczema - I need it for anxiety!
Keep well
Loops
Posts: 137 | | Registered: Tue 15 Apr 2003 8:24 |
| | | "Re(1):b3" , Sat 7 Aug 22:57
Ok, thanks for clearing that up :)
Posts: 50 | | Registered: Wed 14 Apr 2004 23:27 |
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