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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by lostforwards on December 29, 2005, at 16:55:54
What are the most potent alternatives available for symptoms of depression.. or just general blahs?
Posted by linkadge on December 29, 2005, at 17:08:44
In reply to potent alternatives, posted by lostforwards on December 29, 2005, at 16:55:54
Probably SJW, fish oil, or SAMe, are the biggies.
There can of course be the combination of the three.
Linkadge
Posted by ghuber on December 29, 2005, at 21:28:17
In reply to Re: potent alternatives, posted by linkadge on December 29, 2005, at 17:08:44
I think L-Tryptophan or 5-HTP, combined with L-Tyrosine and of course a good multi-V.
I personally don't think SAMe is a good anti-D. I'm just starting to experiment with Fish Oil, so I really can't comment about that, but they're seems to be a decent amount of evidence that shows it helps some people.
Posted by blueberry on December 30, 2005, at 4:55:15
In reply to potent alternatives, posted by lostforwards on December 29, 2005, at 16:55:54
From my own personal experiences, the most potent alternative for the blah type depression was st johns wort..a good brand like either Kira LI160 or HBC Protocols.
Amino acid therapy for the blahs would probably include a base of 5htp, and then add in a stimulatory amino acid, beginning with tyrosine. Others would include l-phenylalanine, dl-phenylalanine, or d-phenylalanine. Only a personal trial for a couple days on each would give you a clue as to which is the right direction. Any of the phenylalanines can be combined with tyrosine. Some claim that the addition of l-glutamine is stimulatory and can enhance any of the others.
Other options...
Ginkgo biloba.
Ginseng, experiment with the 3 different kinds. Rhodiola rosea.
SAMe is stimulatory for most people.
Pycnogenol, enhances norepinephrine and domamine function in addition to its radical scavenging action.
Omega3 fish oil, some claim high EPA is best, doses are 1000mg to 2000mg a day (total EP+DHA, not the total mg of the capsule stated on the bottle). Complaints of anxiety and insomnia at too high of a dose or if taken too late in the day, indicative of its norepinephrine and dopamine supporting effects.
Vinpocetine, the periwinkle plant extract, viagra for the brain, vasodialator with norepinephrine releasing action.Just like the heavy duty meds, alternatives unfortunately require a lot of trial and error and money.
Posted by declan on December 30, 2005, at 21:06:38
In reply to Re: potent alternatives, posted by blueberry on December 30, 2005, at 4:55:15
I've been taking mucana pruriens for a bit. It's like DLPA but better. Grommit described it as being like a dip in cool pool on a hot day (see thread above).
Declan
Posted by lostforwards on December 31, 2005, at 17:57:30
In reply to Re: potent alternatives, posted by declan on December 30, 2005, at 21:06:38
has anybody tried yohimbe?
Posted by ghuber on January 2, 2006, at 22:20:36
In reply to Re: potent alternatives, posted by lostforwards on December 31, 2005, at 17:57:30
Don't mess with Yohmibe if you have a mental problem like anxiety, or panic attacks or even if you don't like feeling 'weird'.
It does give great erections though. :)
Posted by fairywings on January 15, 2006, at 21:31:52
In reply to potent alternatives, posted by lostforwards on December 29, 2005, at 16:55:54
I think it depends on what your short on. I"ve tried 5 HTP, which worked really well for me. I've tried SAM-e, and found that it worked pretty well, but only the very best brands (some did nothing), and it's expensive. I've also tried Enada which helped with energy but not depression, and stopped working after about 3 mos., and the only brand that worked for me was Menuco.
I've tried St. John's Wort, fish oils, natural thyroid hormone(prescription), magnesium, ginseng, L-tyrosine, L-phenylalanine, various vitamins, and some of the other things, and they didn't do anything for me.
I think everyone's a bit different, and you have to find what works for you.
fw
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