Posted by nolvas on April 8, 2009, at 10:20:13
In reply to Is GABA supplement worthless?, posted by qbsbrown on April 7, 2009, at 17:29:29
Niacinamide can help wean you off Valium.
"The book I have is called "Depression Free Naturally" by Joan Mathews Larson, Ph.D.
Niaciamide is mentioned several times, but on page 156 its says:
In 1979, shortly after the original Valium patent expired, Hoffmann LaRoche, the drug company that made Valium, published an article entitled: "Nicotinamide is a brain-sonstituent with benzodiazepine-like actions.: What that means is niaciamide (nictinamide is the British name for niacinamide) acts like Valium and the entire group of benzoldiazepines in the brain--with the difference, of course, that niacinamide is not addictive. The reason niacinamide is not widely used as a tranquilizer is simple: it isn't patentable! Drs. Abram Hoffer and Humphry Osmond, an orthomolecular psychiatrist who worked with Dr. Hoffer extensively, found that a possible genetic deficiency exists in some people that requires them to need larger daily quantities of niacinamide to produce a normal state of calm. Since it is water-soluable, niacinamide is not stored long term in the body. One to 3 grams in divided daily doses have been used successfully by many.
WARNING: If you persistently experience nausea from taking niacinamide, it means your liver is unable to handle the amount of B3. Immediately stop taking it for a while, and if you resume again, cust the dose in half.Dr. Mensah at Pfeiffer has her taking 500 mg of Niacinamide twice a day (total of 1 gram). "
Source : http://www.websitetoolbox.com/tool/post/laura/vpost?id=2659938&goto=nextnewest
Some people have used L-Theanine as well to reduce their dosage of Valium. In my experience L-Theanine is no where near as potent as Valium, some people respond very well to L-Theanine.There is a support website for withdrawing from Valium >
My experience with Valium is that it works really well and I used to take it as and when I need it. Since I won't get it illegally and my doctor won't prescribe it me (unless I have a particular crisis) then I haven't got addicted to it.
I wish you well in coming off the Valium, it is possible but you need to do it with the guidance of a professional.
Some studies, taken from the excellent Hyperhealth 5 CD-ROM >Peer-Reviewed Professional Medical Journals
·Akhundov, R. A. [Nootropic and anxiolytic properties of endogenous ligands of benzodiazepine receptors and their structural analogs]. Biull Eksp Biol Med. 97(2):174-177, 1984.
Experiments on mice and rats were made to study the nootropic and anxiolytic properties of endogenous ligands of benzodiazepine receptors of nicotinamide and inosine and of their new structural analogs - NMF and AZN. They were shown to have overt antihypoxic and anxiolytic effects. NMF and AZN given in 10-fold lower doses than endogenous benzodiazepine ligands appeared more active than these compounds and almost similar to diazepam as regards the activity. The data obtained point to the possibility of a purposeful search for new efficacious psychotropic and nootropic substances in the series of compounds structurally related to endogenous ligand of benzodiazepine receptors.
·Akhundov, R. A., et al. [Psychoregulating role of nicotinamide.] Biull Eksp Biol Med. 115(5):487-491, 1993.
In the experiment and clinics, psychotropic effect of nicotinamide (tranquilized and nootropic activity) has been established. It has been shown that nicotinamide in conflict situations has an anxiolytic effect, increases aggressive reaction threshold, and decreasse the quantity of induced fights during interspecies' incompatibility modelling.
·Meletis, C. D., et al. Mental health: not all in the mind - really a matter of cellular biochemistry. Alternative & Complementary Therapies. February 2004:39-42.
The niacinamiude form of vitamin B3 exerts effects similar to benzodiazepines in the brain. It stimulates GABA receptors, thereby exerting calming effects. Niacinamide supplementation may thereby reduce anxiety symptoms. Suggested dosage is 300 mg per day.
·Mohler, H., et al. Nicotinamide is a brain constituent with benzodiazepine-like actions. Nature. 278(5704):563-565, 1979.[no abstract available].
·Wright, J. Treatment of chronic anxiety and associated physical complaints with niacinamide and essential fatty acids: two cases. Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine. 7(3):182-185, 1992.
Laypersons Publications
·Bourassa, D. J. Silencing the aging gene: another look at clinical uses for niacinamide, the other B3. Vitamin Research News. May 2000.
Niacinamide has been found to be effective for reducing anxiety. It may be an effective alternative to benzodiazepines for the treatment of anxiety as niacinamide has demonstrated benzodiazepine-like actions. Niacinamide is likely to be an endogenous ligand for the benzodiazepine-GABA receptor complex.
·Vayda, W. Tranquillizers: is the remedy worse than the disease? Nature & Health. 5(1):44-48, 1984.
The author advocates the use of 1,000 - 6,000 mg of the niacinamide form of vitamin B3 per day for the treatment of anxiety on the basis of its ability to exert benzodiazepine-like activity within the brain.
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URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20090204/msgs/889439.html