Topic Title: Cortisol/depression/New chapter/success
| |  "Cortisol/depression/New chapter/success"
, Mon 17 May 18:28:
I always thought that as a community of posters, if we ever come across an herb that helps, that we should post our progress, in hope that someone else out there can also feel better. Sometimes, when your feeling good, you just want to do other stuff, besides post a message, but I am going to make a point to post right now!
Well, about 3 weeks ago or so, I began taking a product called Stress Advantage, by New Chapter. The reason I started taking this was that I realized alot of my problems are probably cortisol/stress related. The cool thing about this product, is they put a bunch of different herbs into one capsule, basically hitting up all those receptors and taking a multidirectional approach to tackling stress.
To be honest, it was after maybe one or two days that I noticed something different. I remember sitting on my computer, and going into a worry. I was able to recognize this, because instead of just diving into the worry and stress, I was able to "pull out" of it. It was REALLY cool to actually be aware of this happening. I remember thinking about something, or worrying about it, and instead of diving into it, I probably got about 5 seconds into it before I pulled up again. At this point I knew something good was happening..
Since then, I have not really worried about anything. Its almost like there is no "struggle" in my brain. Its strange, because I'm not used to this. Normally I feel stressed, struggling, anxious, and its such a part of me that to be honest, without it, I haven't felt quite right. Its almost like, there is nothing to stress about anymore, so I don't know what to think about. I don't have that anxiety pushing me around anymore. Also, I don't have that heart pounding, or just general body anxiety that I'm also used to. I don't feel that huge need to go run or lift weights, to "get out" that energy.
I have two issues I think, stress/anxiety and depression. Interestingly, the first few weeks I was on the stress advantage I still felt apathetic. But the "stress" wasn't there. But the good news, is that in the last week I would say, I've slowly started to feel better and better. My social anxiety is also starting to fade. In fact, I'm starting to sleep better, have a better appetite, and everything.
I just wanted to post this. I'm still trying to logically figure out why I'm tranforming, but I do have theories.
Something similar happened with Paxil, in that the stress was taken away, and I just felt stressless....but it was only after I didn't have the anxiety for a few weeks, that my body was finally able to repair itself.
If cortisol is the issue, then this stuff is taking away the cortisol, and finally my brain is repairing itself, essentially repairing the depression. I think depression is a natural emotional state. Because my body was always in stress, which affected my thoughts and everything, I just couldn't be who I wanted to be. Always being stressed is no fun to be around, and because of that you can never really have fun, or enjoy things, because your always stressed/anxious/worried. So, naturally if this condition exists for a long time, your going to get depressed and for me, also be isolated socially, which causes social anxiety. And depression and social anxiety just produce MORE stress, so its a bad downward cycle.
To be fair, I have also been taking a product called Holy Basil from new chapter at the same time. Its an ayurvedic herb that supposedly is helping people with anxiety/depression. I started taking it a week before the stress advantage, but did not notice anything. But, when I started taking the stress advantage, that is when I started noticing something different.
I can't rule out which one is helping, and I'm not going to "experiment" at this point to find out, since something is going right here and I don't want to mess it up.
Here are some links to these products. New chapter also has a few videos on the Holy Basil.
STress Advantage: http://www.newchapter.info/product/supercritical.lasso?-database=NC_Products&-layout=Product&-response=%2fproduct%2fproduct.lasso&-recordID=32780&-search
Holy Basil:
http://www.newchapter.info/product/supercritical.lasso?-database=NC_Products&-layout=Product&-response=%2fproduct%2fproduct.lasso&-recordID=32779&-search
I hope that this information here can help someone, even 1 person. I take about 2 pills of each per day. I took more in the beginning, but now I just take it when I feel things starting to get different. This is all I'm taking right now. I was experimenting earlier in the week with the Gotu Kola, but found it did not really do anything for me, so I stopped. I also stopped using the marijuana capsules I was using for awhile. The capsules did not help with stress, but instead gave me a buzz of some sort that helped me feel better, but overall I think they were starting to make me think slower. Since I've been off of them, my thoughts are also starting to become quicker.
I have a feeling, that from the lack of stress, I will slowly start to feel even better. To be fair though, I'm at a point in my life where I'm changing jobs, and entering a field that is more in line with my passions in life, not just the money. Who knows how much this has a factor in things. But I do know that if I don't take these pills the cortisol starts rising again, and the corresponding bodily feelings and thoughts start being affected.
Well, I'm going to stop before I write a book. Feel free to ask any questions, and I'll try to answer them.
-soar
[this message was edited by soar2thaclouds on Mon 17 May 18:33]
Posts: 73 | | Registered: Tue 11 Feb 2003 10:6 |
| Replies:
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| | "Re(1):Cortisol/depression/New chapter/success" , Tue 18 May 09:40
Hi Soar,
Thank you for posting your experience. I can really relate when you mentione how you're so used to worrying and being stressed that you it's odd not feeling that way any longer, and,like you, I'm stressed and worried all the time. I do have some questions for you and apologize for asking them in the experience section.
Why do you think you're problem is cortisol?
Aside from the beneficial side effects, have you experienced any negative side effects like weight gain or acne?
I think my problem might also be cortisol which might explain why the gotu kola isn't working. They say that when you have a problem with cortisol, your body tends to demonstrate this by gathering weight around the abdomen, thighs and buttocks, and no matter how much I work out (I bike a lot!) I can't seem to get rid of the fat around that area.
Thanks for the info and I'm definitely going to look into these herbs.
Posts: 13 | | Registered: Thu 29 Apr 2004 7:11 |
| | | "Re(2):Cortisol/depression/New chapter/success" , Tue 18 May 12:57
Hi,
No,I do not have any side effects at all. I have never really had problems with fat or anything, but I've always been skinny. But, I don't really eat a lot of carbs, mainly vegetables, fruits, meats, dairy..stuff like that.
I guess I think my problems are cortisol related, because I went through something that could be similar to adrenal fatigue syndrome, and cortisol is implicated in that condiiton.
Today has been another good day. Relaxed, not tired, just feel good and productive.
-soar
Posts: 73 | | Registered: Tue 11 Feb 2003 10:6 |
| | | "Re(3):Cortisol/depression/New chapter/success" , Wed 2 Jun 07:22
My order of Stress Advantage just came in at the vitamin store. Is this supplement still working out for you?
Posts: 84 | | Registered: Thu 3 Apr 2003 5:33 |
| | | "Re(4):Cortisol/depression/New chapter/success" , Mon 7 Jun 00:28
Hi,
Actually, for whatever reason I started taking less and less of the pills. I was pretty dumb for doing that. Its amazing how fast you want to think your just perfect and don't have problems and you don't need pills.
My anxiety is starting to come back. I'm going back to taking the stress advantage and holy basil 3 times a day, and also going to exercise everyday. We'll see how long it takes me to get back to normal.
Also since I've come off the pills, my sleep isn't as refreshing.
I'll let you know how I feel again here soon.
Posts: 74 | | Registered: Tue 11 Feb 2003 10:6 |
| | | "Re(5):Cortisol/depression/New chapter/success" , Mon 7 Jun 21:40:
Today, I made sure to take the pills with a lot of food (as it says in the directions). I don't usually eat much until dinner, and I was originally afraid to take it too close to bedtime, in case it kept me awake. Well, I seem more relaxed today. I feel like how I felt when I started taking just rhodiola. The three days before when I took the supplement with not so much food, I felt really hyped up and hungry. I think that the American ginseng might lower blood sugar too much (which I have a problem with), so maybe taking it with more food helps with this. I was ready to give up on the stuff, but I will see how the next few days go.
Because Stress Advantage has ginseng in it, I'm wondering if a break from the supplement is required every 6 weeks or so.
[this message was edited by wolkig on Tue 8 Jun 17:15]
Posts: 86 | | Registered: Thu 3 Apr 2003 5:33 |
| | | "Re(6):Cortisol/depression/New chapter/success" , Tue 8 Jun 23:02
Actually, I got my father taking this stuff too. He's been taking it for probably 2 months now. There seems to be a buildup effect, so if your consistent it will start to work. He said he doesn't get that anxiety feeling he had all his life anymore. Its strange, he said he never knew what it was until it was gone.
Since I've been using this stuff, I've been more productive, and just more active. Instead of sitting around thinking about doing something, I tend to just do it.
Hopefully things will keep getting better and better too. Lets keep updating.
Posts: 75 | | Registered: Tue 11 Feb 2003 10:6 |
| | | "Re(7):Cortisol/depression/New chapter/success" , Wed 9 Jun 14:49
Thanks for your response.
I'm not getting any effects after my dose today at lunch, but I will stick it out. It is encouraging to see that your father is feeling better, too, and that the effects are cumulative. My main issue is anxiety and the effects of numerous traumatic stress events occurring over my lifetime. I am really hoping this supplement will help, since the type of effect I felt yesterday is the best out of any vitamin or herb I have tried so far (except for rhodiola alone).
I will give this at least a month or two, and report my progress as time goes on.
Posts: 86 | | Registered: Thu 3 Apr 2003 5:33 |
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