![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 22 of 22. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Gabbi on July 31, 2002, at 19:44:16
I think its Gaba-amino-butyric- acid. It is available as a supplement in the U.S.
I read in a book that has been accurate (for me) in all its other alternate medicine advice, that G.A.B A is a non-addictive tranquilizer.
It also said it can be used to withdraw from Benzodiazepines, because our brains' G.A.B.A. receptors are what the benzo's attach themselves to causing the tranquilizing effect
I've not tried it as its not legal in Canada
but if its effective I'd be willing to travel across the border.
Posted by velaguff on July 31, 2002, at 20:48:53
In reply to Has anyone tried G.A.B.A.., posted by Gabbi on July 31, 2002, at 19:44:16
I've tried it. The trouble is, GABA doesn't pass that #$%&*# blood brain barrier. Some people think it has an effect, but I think it's the placebo effect. I tried a product from Russia called "Picamilone", that claimed to have a special formula in which GABA was bonded with some other molecule so that it WOULD pass the blood-brain barrier, but it did nothing for me. I've recently ordered (hasn't arrived yet from Europe) a product called "Gamalate", which makes similar claims. I'll let us all know if it works. I'm not really into "tranks", but most of us need something to relax sometimes, and "Demon Rum" is about all the Gov't allows us to have. Surely, there's something better? Besides, some people need a relaxant on a more sustained basis. Benzos are scheduled and addictive. More alternatives would be nice. I'm always looking!
> I read in a book that has been accurate (for me) in all its other alternate medicine advice, that G.A.B A is a non-addictive tranquilizer.
> It also said it can be used to withdraw from Benzodiazepines, because our brains' G.A.B.A. receptors are what the benzo's attach themselves to causing the tranquilizing effect
> I've not tried it as its not legal in Canada
> but if its effective I'd be willing to travel across the border.
Posted by Gabbi on July 31, 2002, at 21:13:47
In reply to Re: Has anyone tried G.A.B.A.., posted by velaguff on July 31, 2002, at 20:48:53
I appreciate your answer, and please do post about the one you've ordered. I have an awful problem with Benzo's --the only thing that help me literally survive an acute Depression/anxiety episode, but then the rebound effect, withdrawl HORROR... exacerbated depression, there must be something else. Tried every natural alternative I've heard of and my brain laughed at my attempt, I swear.
Posted by Jaynee on August 1, 2002, at 0:23:37
In reply to Re: Has anyone tried G.A.B.A.., posted by velaguff on July 31, 2002, at 20:48:53
I too am looking for the perfect chill pill. I would have put my money on Pagoclone, but that doesn't seem to be panning out. Apparently pregabalin is to be the next anxiety cure. Right now though I would just settle for that 2 hour eurphoria I get from major amounts of booze. I stopped taking my celexa and I am feeling pumped, wild almost. Not anxious just really up. I've never been manic, but whatever the hell this is, I like it. I want to go higher though, high, high, higher. How high can we fly. My husband said I'm freakin him out. It's like I'm playing x-treme games with my mind, screwing around with these mental pills. Weird.
Posted by jay on August 1, 2002, at 1:16:06
In reply to Has anyone tried G.A.B.A.., posted by Gabbi on July 31, 2002, at 19:44:16
> I think its Gaba-amino-butyric- acid. It is available as a supplement in the U.S.
> I read in a book that has been accurate (for me) in all its other alternate medicine advice, that G.A.B A is a non-addictive tranquilizer.
> It also said it can be used to withdraw from Benzodiazepines, because our brains' G.A.B.A. receptors are what the benzo's attach themselves to causing the tranquilizing effect
> I've not tried it as its not legal in Canada
> but if its effective I'd be willing to travel across the border.Gabbi it is available in Canada, even though you are right, as they are considered 'illegal' for people to sell in a store. (But not illegal to have for your own possesion.) You have to go to one of your best healthfood stores and ask for it. (Try the one that has the most variety and range of suppliments.) I get things like melatonin, DHEA, trytophan, etc. Depending on where you live, you may have to search a bit.
I am in near Toronto, if you need any 'refferals'.Good luck..
Jay
Posted by Mr. Scott on August 1, 2002, at 1:50:00
In reply to Where or where is that perfect CHILL PILL, posted by Jaynee on August 1, 2002, at 0:23:37
I have only theories on why, but every time I drop the dose on any antidepressant I feel great for a few days. In fact the best I've ever felt! Inevitably it goes away and you feel like shit again. I think we're feeling the brain readjusting and eventually going back to its normal state.
Posted by d. miller on August 1, 2002, at 10:37:59
In reply to Re: Where or where is that perfect CHILL PILL » Jaynee, posted by Mr. Scott on August 1, 2002, at 1:50:00
I have tried the GABA it was in a form called anxiety control. It actually made me feel more anxious. I called the company and they said for some people this happens. So for me it did not work. I have tried many health alternative things out there and I have not notice any effect with them. It's very discouraging as you spend so much money on them.
d.miller
Posted by Kari on August 1, 2002, at 13:02:14
In reply to Has anyone tried G.A.B.A.., posted by Gabbi on July 31, 2002, at 19:44:16
Is it possibly harmful in any way?
Posted by Gabbi on August 1, 2002, at 13:07:32
In reply to Re: Where or where is that perfect CHILL PILL » Jaynee, posted by Mr. Scott on August 1, 2002, at 1:50:00
> I have only theories on why, but every time I drop the dose on any antidepressant I feel great for a few days. In fact the best I've ever felt! Inevitably it goes away
My Psychopharmacologist told me that that is a very common phenomonenon, and thats why its hard for a doctor to say to someone with serious depression,
"Great no medication and you feel terrific" I've had it happen to me as well, I think finally I can count on my own brain, and then 'crash.'Its such a cruel joke.There are only theories as to why it happens, so you are as on top of it as anyone. Dare I say I think most of us are.
Posted by inertia on August 1, 2002, at 13:21:28
In reply to Re: Where or where is that perfect CHILL PILL » Mr. Scott, posted by Gabbi on August 1, 2002, at 13:07:32
> > I have only theories on why, but every time I drop the dose on any antidepressant I feel great for a few days. In fact the best I've ever felt! Inevitably it goes away
>
>
> My Psychopharmacologist told me that that is a very common phenomonenon, and thats why its hard for a doctor to say to someone with serious depression,
> "Great no medication and you feel terrific" I've had it happen to me as well, I think finally I can count on my own brain, and then 'crash.'Its such a cruel joke.
>
> There are only theories as to why it happens, so you are as on top of it as anyone. Dare I say I think most of us are.
>
It's so amazing to learn that I am not the only one who has a paradoxical improvement when we lower the dose of the antidepressant! I share the same demoralizing frustration the rest of you have when the brief period of "normalcy" disappears. I have a hunch that this happens more commonly with SSRIs or SNARs (Effexor) than with other antidepressants. For me, it happens with Effexor. What about you guys?I've always thought that perhaps we can increase our period of wellness by alternating between a high and low dose of the medication every couple of weeks, to sort of outwit the depression. I never tried it though.
Posted by Gabbi on August 1, 2002, at 14:11:19
In reply to Why is GABA illegal?, posted by Kari on August 1, 2002, at 13:02:14
Pardon my cynicism but could it be that the pharmaceutical companies don't make money from it?
Its legal to sell in the U.S. but not to sell, in Canada, however you can posess it.
Okay, broad generalization, but so far after researching many medications and illegal drugs, I've not been able to find any consistant reason why some are labelled legal and others illegal.
Seems absololutely arbitrary, especially seeing nothing is completely safe all the time, not even water.There haven't as far as I know concerning G.A.B.A. been even any consistant similar reported ill-effects.
Posted by Gabbi on August 1, 2002, at 14:13:00
In reply to Re: Has anyone tried G.A.B.A.. » Gabbi, posted by jay on August 1, 2002, at 1:16:06
Thanks Jay,
Coincidentally I found a "dealer" yesterday, at a health food store. I appreciate the referral offer though.
Posted by Gabbi on August 1, 2002, at 14:39:18
In reply to Re: Where or where is that perfect CHILL PILL, posted by d. miller on August 1, 2002, at 10:37:59
If G.A.B.A does actually pass the blood/ brain barrier, and obviously there is some doubt about that, it would make sense that it could increase anxiety in some people.
Tranquilizers are generally depressants, and if your depression symptoms include anxiety than they will make you more anxious. Its so tricky... It took me 5 pdocs before I found one who knew about that paradox and why the 'calming antidepressants were making me more depressed more anxious and inevitably suicidal. The other doctors outright told me my reaction was not possible.
Through during an acute period of depression I do need a "light" short acting benzodiazepine. Other times I need dexedrine to "lift" the depression and God help me if I pick the wrong one its back to the psych ward. I can't believe there was a time when I only took tylenol.
Posted by djmmm on August 1, 2002, at 18:45:30
In reply to Re: Has anyone tried G.A.B.A.., posted by velaguff on July 31, 2002, at 20:48:53
GABA is perfectly legal in the United States. It *does* pass the Blood Brain Barrier; this fact has been well established.
Posted by utopizen on August 1, 2002, at 19:59:02
In reply to Has anyone tried G.A.B.A.., posted by Gabbi on July 31, 2002, at 19:44:16
Benzos -were- marketed specifically for the treatment of depression.
View such an ad for Elavil:
Posted by Gabbi on August 2, 2002, at 15:53:38
In reply to Re: Has anyone tried G.A.B.A.., posted by utopizen on August 1, 2002, at 19:59:02
I've viewed that ad twice, and still don't know if its serious, or a "Simpsonesque" parody.
Posted by Gabbi on August 2, 2002, at 19:50:35
In reply to Re: Has anyone tried G.A.B.A.., posted by djmmm on August 1, 2002, at 18:45:30
This is a completely non-confrontational question, I haven't been able to find any infromation at all about G.A.B.A. being able to pass the blood/ brain barrier, I don't expect you to give me a bibliography, but if you know offhand where I could find some research information on the web, I'd appreciate it.
If its one of those things you read in a few places but can't remember where exactly, don't worry about it.
Thanks
Gabbi
Posted by Mr.Scott on August 4, 2002, at 4:14:05
In reply to Re: Why is GABA illegal?, posted by Gabbi on August 1, 2002, at 14:11:19
Doesn't Canada have socialized medicine? Thats the price you pay for cheaper drugs...loss of freedom. They can give you Effexor for half the cost of it in the U.S., and in exchange they make it impossible to get herbal supplements that compete for the business. In the end maybe the sustem isn't such a bargain afterall.
Posted by Gabbi on August 4, 2002, at 12:59:35
In reply to Re: Why is GABA illegal? » Gabbi, posted by Mr.Scott on August 4, 2002, at 4:14:05
That seems to be true, there have been a few times that I've "settled" for prescriptions because I can't afford the herbal equivilent. Or course their aren't herbal equivilants for everything at least not well known ones.
But more than them not being available here, what seems ridiculous to me is the arbitrary way things are designated legal or illegal. Tryptophan is legal here, as is Sam-e I think, but those are illegal in the U.S from what I've heard.
Well if I go on any longer this will be a Psycho-social babble post. But I must say
"Hell is a place with no reason"
Gabbi
Posted by Mr.Scott on August 4, 2002, at 15:05:07
In reply to Re: Why is GABA illegal? » Mr.Scott, posted by Gabbi on August 4, 2002, at 12:59:35
"Hell is a place with no reason"
I haven't heard that quote before but I love it!
Should you desire to more privately discuss via email what supplements are available across the America's and how they can be made equally available, let me know. I have always wanted to try Tryptophan myself.
Be well,
Scott
Posted by Gabbi on August 4, 2002, at 15:53:57
In reply to Re: Why is GABA illegal? » Gabbi, posted by Mr.Scott on August 4, 2002, at 15:05:07
I love the way that one quote encompasses so many situations. I wish I knew where its from, so I could give due credit.
Email is Princessdirt hotmail.com
I'd be happy and grateful to discuss'
Posted by .tabi.T.ha. on August 7, 2002, at 2:57:31
In reply to Re: Why is GABA illegal? » Mr.Scott, posted by Gabbi on August 4, 2002, at 12:59:35
Well fancy meeting you over here, Gabbi!
I have a couple of factoids to throw in here...
Sam-e is now legal in the US (I've tried it briefly but couldn't tolerate the stomach upset.) L-tryptophan is not actually illegal now, just not generally available due to some contamination in the manufacturing process in the late 80's that made a bunch of people sick. I read that you can still get it safely by Rx, but it might not be so easy to find a doc to provide it. Some folks who liked L-tryptophan switched to 5-HTP, which is a precursor to serotonin. I tried that one too, no noticeable effect on depression.
-Tabitha
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.