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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 18 of 18. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dr. Bob on September 4, 2003, at 22:47:23
In reply to Re: Viridis, Re: Is there a natural alternative to a , posted by Gabbix2 on September 4, 2003, at 20:29:46
> Taking gaba with B complex, 1200mgs inositol and a free form amino acid complex helps increase its absorption.
> I used it last year when withdrawing from Klonopin, it did have a noticeable effect;
> Certainly far moreso than anything else I tried like Kava Kava, or valerian.
> Inositol is contraindicated though if you are bi-polar as apparently it can induce mania.
>
> I don't know what using the gaba combination is like on an ongoing basis for anxiety, it was too difficult for me to get, I can't buy it in Canada.
> I found my benzo fears to be unfounded
> so I'm back on them, but the gaba it did help.
> I just thought I'd pass that along.
> Good luck
>
>
>
>
Posted by Questionmark on September 6, 2003, at 0:49:27
In reply to Re: natural alternative to a benzo? « Gabbix2, posted by Dr. Bob on September 4, 2003, at 22:47:23
Valerian root is believed to contain chemicals that are benzodiazapine receptor agonists. For me personally, however, it is very mild compared to actual benzos.
Posted by McPac on September 6, 2003, at 12:33:47
In reply to Re: natural alternative to a benzo?, posted by Questionmark on September 6, 2003, at 0:49:27
"it is very mild"
>>>>>>>>> That's the problem with just about ANY natural product I've tried...they ALL seem mild, too mild, lol.
Posted by Larry Hoover on September 6, 2003, at 22:39:16
In reply to Re: natural alternative to a benzo?, posted by McPac on September 6, 2003, at 12:33:47
> "it is very mild"
>
> >>>>>>>>> That's the problem with just about ANY natural product I've tried...they ALL seem mild, too mild, lol.Just to show that medical science acknowledges some anxiolytic effect from kava:
http://www.update-software.com/abstracts/AB003383.htm
The Cochrane Review is the most unbiased and rigorous meta-analysis available. They only consider data that arise from well-designed and controlled studies. If you'd like to search their database, go to:
http://www.update-software.com/abstracts/crgindex.htm
Lar
Posted by McPac on September 6, 2003, at 23:33:12
In reply to Re: natural alternative to a benzo? » McPac, posted by Larry Hoover on September 6, 2003, at 22:39:16
Good info Lar! Thanks....I wonder about kava's safety for long-term usage? Also, Ame mentioned that most brands sold are crap and that he buys the real thing from Hawaii.....I wish these natural products were truly ensured to contain what they claim....I wouldn't mind paying more as long as I knew I was getting the real, effective substance.
Posted by Gabbix2 on September 7, 2003, at 20:23:35
In reply to Lar, Re: natural alternative to a benzo?, posted by McPac on September 6, 2003, at 23:33:12
I *thought* GABA worked for me, but now after hearing almost equal arguments about whether or not it even passes the blood brain barrier,
I'm wondering if it was just what I was told to take with it that actually helped me relax.
Is there any definitive research on that?
Thanks
Posted by Gabbix2 on September 7, 2003, at 20:27:52
In reply to Lar, Re: Gaba, Blood brain barrier, posted by Gabbix2 on September 7, 2003, at 20:23:35
Larry, but I just don't have your brain. I can spot something completely groundless, but most of the arguments were by Dr's and they all sounded plausible to me..
Posted by Larry Hoover on September 21, 2003, at 5:37:33
In reply to Lar, Re: Gaba, Blood brain barrier, posted by Gabbix2 on September 7, 2003, at 20:23:35
> I *thought* GABA worked for me, but now after hearing almost equal arguments about whether or not it even passes the blood brain barrier,
> I'm wondering if it was just what I was told to take with it that actually helped me relax.
> Is there any definitive research on that?
> ThanksSorry, Gab, but I missed this post.
Oral GABA will have peripheral effects (i.e. outside the central nervous system), without doubt. There is fairly strong evidence that GABA does not cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in substantial amounts, but that doesn't mean that none gets across, or that you aren't getting more than the average uptake across *your* BBB. There's no reason to try and convince yourself that you were having a placebo response. Frankly, I don't think it matters, one way or the other. What works works, non?
Lar
Posted by Jamie Baulsch on November 4, 2003, at 16:19:33
In reply to Re: Lar, Re: Gaba, Blood brain barrier » Gabbix2, posted by Larry Hoover on September 21, 2003, at 5:37:33
Re Gabbix2's post, my questions for Gabbix2 are as follows: 1) Is it correct to assume that all of the supplements you mentioned be taken simultaneously or should, for example, GABA be taken a half hour before the amino acid complex? 2) When using the supplements for withdrawing from Klonopin, did you follow a tapering schedule (such as the schedule in Professor C. Heather Ashton's Benzodiazepines - How They Work & How to Withdraw, www.benzo.org.uk) to gradually reduce the Klonopin dosage, and, if so, for how long did you follow this schedule (e.g. 4 months?); 3) Could you kindly clarify what you mean by GABA and the other nutrients having a "noticeable effect" - e.g. do you mean in alleviating completely or partially the withdrawal symptoms and/or creating a better pattern of sleep, less anxiety, etc?
I ask these questions because I am very interested in using your strategy to tackle my withdrawal from Valium.
Best regards,
Jamie
Posted by DSCH on November 4, 2003, at 17:25:05
In reply to Re: Lar, Re: Gaba, Blood brain barrier » Larry Hoover, posted by Jamie Baulsch on November 4, 2003, at 16:19:33
Niacin + GABA = Picamilon? It's available OTC in the US now. I'm not overly interested in it, but it might be something to look into if your looking for an alternative to benzos.
Posted by Franz on November 9, 2003, at 17:48:27
In reply to Stimulating axiolytic? Picamilon?, posted by DSCH on November 4, 2003, at 17:25:05
> Niacin + GABA = Picamilon? It's available OTC in the US now. I'm not overly interested in it, but it might be something to look into if your looking for an alternative to benzos.
not exactly, it is a new molecule and not a mix of the two
Posted by DSCH on November 9, 2003, at 18:46:16
In reply to Re: Stimulating axiolytic? Picamilon? » DSCH, posted by Franz on November 9, 2003, at 17:48:27
> > Niacin + GABA = Picamilon? It's available OTC in the US now. I'm not overly interested in it, but it might be something to look into if your looking for an alternative to benzos.
>
> not exactly, it is a new molecule and not a mix of the twoI didn't mean a mixture. They are bonded.
Posted by Sabina on November 21, 2003, at 20:51:40
In reply to Re: Lar, Re: Gaba, Blood brain barrier » Larry Hoover, posted by Jamie Baulsch on November 4, 2003, at 16:19:33
I regret to inform you that Gabbix2 is currently blocked from posting but should hopefully be returning mid-December. Please check back then. You are not being purposely ignored, I feel certain.
Posted by Larry Hoover on November 21, 2003, at 20:53:22
In reply to Re: Lar, Re: Gaba, Blood brain barrier » Larry Hoover, posted by Jamie Baulsch on November 4, 2003, at 16:19:33
> Re Gabbix2's post, my questions for Gabbix2 are as follows: 1) Is it correct to assume that all of the supplements you mentioned be taken simultaneously or should, for example, GABA be taken a half hour before the amino acid complex? 2) When using the supplements for withdrawing from Klonopin, did you follow a tapering schedule (such as the schedule in Professor C. Heather Ashton's Benzodiazepines - How They Work & How to Withdraw, www.benzo.org.uk) to gradually reduce the Klonopin dosage, and, if so, for how long did you follow this schedule (e.g. 4 months?); 3) Could you kindly clarify what you mean by GABA and the other nutrients having a "noticeable effect" - e.g. do you mean in alleviating completely or partially the withdrawal symptoms and/or creating a better pattern of sleep, less anxiety, etc?
>
> I ask these questions because I am very interested in using your strategy to tackle my withdrawal from Valium.
>
> Best regards,
>
> Jamie
Sorry, Jamie. Gabbix can't post right now. She's been blocked by Dr. Bob.
Posted by Jamie Baulsch on November 23, 2003, at 5:55:54
In reply to Re: Lar, Re: Gaba, Blood brain barrier » Jamie Baulsch, posted by Larry Hoover on November 21, 2003, at 20:53:22
> Sorry, Jamie. Gabbix can't post right now. She's been blocked by Dr. Bob.Thanks for letting me know, Larry. I had given up and assumed she never saw my post.
Jamie
Posted by Jamie Baulsch on November 23, 2003, at 5:57:01
In reply to Re: Lar, Re: Gaba, Blood brain barrier » Jamie Baulsch, posted by Sabina on November 21, 2003, at 20:51:40
> I regret to inform you that Gabbix2 is currently blocked from posting but should hopefully be returning mid-December. Please check back then. You are not being purposely ignored, I feel certain.
Thanks for the update.
Jamie
Posted by DSCH on November 23, 2003, at 12:48:09
In reply to Re: Lar, Re: Gaba, Blood brain barrier » Gabbix2, posted by Larry Hoover on September 21, 2003, at 5:37:33
...then what building block(s) for GABA do so?
Posted by DSCH on November 25, 2003, at 14:40:57
In reply to So if GABA doesn't cross over the BBB readily... » Larry Hoover, posted by DSCH on November 23, 2003, at 12:48:09
> ...then what building block(s) for GABA do so?
It's glutamate. B6 is needed for synthesis of GABA from glutamate. Ironically, glutamate is itself the chief excitory neurotransmitter in the brain.
This is the end of the thread.
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