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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Hitman60 on May 5, 2008, at 10:01:32
I am starting to taper from .5 mg of Klonopin one time a day. I am taking the taper rather slowly. Is GABA safe to use while on the taper. Any other supplements recommended. I eat well, run 3 miles a day and workout.
hitman60
Posted by dbc on May 5, 2008, at 17:43:40
In reply to Klonopin and GABA, posted by Hitman60 on May 5, 2008, at 10:01:32
GABA does not pass through the blood brain barrier in supplementary form.
Posted by bleauberry on May 5, 2008, at 18:47:42
In reply to Klonopin and GABA, posted by Hitman60 on May 5, 2008, at 10:01:32
Many websites claim GABA does not cross the bloodbrain barrier. Those claims are based on tests with rats, whose brain barriers are not the same as humans. Some alternative doctors prescribe GABA and it does indeed benefit some people. Some alternative doctors say it doesn't cross the barrier. The jury is still out. There is no proof either way. There are entire books written by respected authors and physicians on using oral GABA instead of benzos, so someone must be getting results.
All I know is that when I took GABA, it sure felt like it got into the brain to me. I could definitely feel it. Dosing is tricky though. Take too much and it can do weird things like stimulate instead of calm, or cause tingling numbing feelings, weird stuff. You gotta respect GABA and step into it cautiously until you know how it feels to you personally. With a benzo in the works, my guess is a tiny bit a GABA would go a long way and be greatly amplified, so be careful on dosing if you try it. You would be wise to empty capsules or break pills and take just tiny custom amounts if you try it.
Another possibility would be to use some benzo-like or gaba-like herbs. Those would be Valerian root, Passionflower, Lemon Balm, and Skullcap. Of them all, I found Lemon Balm to be the weakest, Skullcap the strongest. Valerian is the most common. It was good for me. Feels like a benzo to me, though not as powerful. Passionflower is quickly calming, but wears off in about 3 to 4 hours.
Posted by hitman60 on May 6, 2008, at 4:11:06
In reply to Re: Klonopin and GABA, posted by bleauberry on May 5, 2008, at 18:47:42
So maybe as i am weaning off my .50 mg of Klonopin, going down about 20% every 14 days, I should avoid GABA?
My reason for taking it is to help my benzo withdrawal symptoms if I have any.
Posted by undopaminergic on May 6, 2008, at 22:58:56
In reply to Klonopin and GABA, posted by Hitman60 on May 5, 2008, at 10:01:32
Theanine (L-theanine) has definite GABAergic effects at higher doses.
Posted by bleauberry on May 7, 2008, at 17:41:12
In reply to Re: Klonopin and GABA, posted by hitman60 on May 6, 2008, at 4:11:06
> So maybe as i am weaning off my .50 mg of Klonopin, going down about 20% every 14 days, I should avoid GABA?
> My reason for taking it is to help my benzo withdrawal symptoms if I have any.
I am not saying avoid GABA. I am saying approach it with respect and caution. Make the initial dose 1/8th or at most 1/4 of the pill or capsule size. Don't do more than one a day for a few days. Get to know how it feels before increasing dose or frequency. Klonopin is going to magnify it a lot.
Posted by francineus on May 8, 2008, at 19:08:09
In reply to Re: Klonopin and GABA, posted by bleauberry on May 7, 2008, at 17:41:12
kava kava is also an herb that has a calming effect.
This is the end of the thread.
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