![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
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 mat0106 on October 2, 2007, at 8:04:22
A while ago I read about a study which found a Gingko extract effective in treating Anxiety disorder. There had been previous lab animal research suggesting this. So, I tried it - started about 5 months ago and there has been a definite decrease in my level of anxiety. It probably took about 2 to 3 months of consistent use for me to begin to notice an effect, and I believe the effect has gradually increased over time.
I have seen this before with complementary substance use - that it can take a good 3 months of "consistent" use to start to feel a measurable effect, sometimes longer to be sure of the effect. One of the problems, I believe, with many studies is that they don't last long enough. I would suggest anyone trying these commit to 3 to 6 months before making their minds up. I would be interested in hearing of others experiences with this herb.
Posted by nolvas on October 2, 2007, at 17:20:33
In reply to Ginkgo effective for Anxiety, posted by mat0106 on October 2, 2007, at 8:04:22
Here are two studies on Gingko the positive one done in 2007 and the negative one done in 2005. Gingko can have both fear extinction and fear conditioning properties! I hope someone here can make some sense of these two studies.
Extract of Ginkgo biloba EGb761 facilitates extinction of conditioned fear measured by fear-potentiated startle.Extract of Ginkgo biloba EGb 761 facilitates fear conditioning measured by fear-potentiated startle.
Posted by linkadge on October 3, 2007, at 11:12:29
In reply to Ginkgo effective for Anxiety, posted by mat0106 on October 2, 2007, at 8:04:22
Yeah, there are a number of possable mechanisms for its anxiety effect.
5-ht1a agonism
5-ht2a antagonism
cortisol modulation
increase in 5-ht1a receptor expression
enhancement of serotonin uptake (aka tianeptine)
Linkadge
Posted by bleauberry on October 4, 2007, at 16:27:51
In reply to Ginkgo effective for Anxiety, posted by mat0106 on October 2, 2007, at 8:04:22
Ginkgo has a variety of effects as Link pointed out. Others include action on norepinphrine and gaba. Maybe even a hint of MAOI.
No matter. I believe the thing that is overlooked is the dose. I believe people get a wide variety of effects depending on the size of the dose and their own biology.
One person at a forum got zero results from the most common alternatives for depression such as SJW, SAMe, 5htp, ginseng, but found a complete cure with a dosing schedule that went like this: low dose ginkgo in morning, followed up by smaller doses every 3 hours, for a total of 60mg per day. Must of been a pain to customize those tabs or caps. And 200mg valerian at bedtime.
I think studies are partially flawed in that they give everyone the same dose as if everyone has the same biology.
Posted by nolvas on October 4, 2007, at 19:59:14
In reply to Re: Ginkgo effective for Anxiety, posted by bleauberry on October 4, 2007, at 16:27:51
Thats how studies work though. Also it's currently impossible to match the dosage to a persons biology.
Posted by mat0106 on October 10, 2007, at 21:27:19
In reply to Re: Ginkgo effective for Anxiety, posted by nolvas on October 4, 2007, at 19:59:14
Here's a link to one of the studies I mentioned. They tested a special extract of Ginkgo, based on earlier positive results with elderly subjects, on 107 patients with generalized anxiety disorder. The duration was only 4 weeks, which, as discussed, in my opinion may not generally be long enough to ascertain efficacy for a herbal product. However, they demonstrated clinically significant positive results. This "special" extract may be more potent than the typical Ginkgo supplements generally available.
Posted by elanor roosevelt on October 15, 2007, at 10:20:17
In reply to Re: Ginkgo effective for Anxiety, posted by bleauberry on October 4, 2007, at 16:27:51
bleauberry
what do you define as a low dosage of gingko
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Alternative | 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.