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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 Justin Fernandez on August 22, 2008, at 17:22:50
Does anyone have any suggestions for increasing GABA and Dopamine together? Thanks in advance, Justin F.
Posted by Justin Fernandez on August 25, 2008, at 21:59:53
In reply to GABA and Dopamine, posted by Justin Fernandez on August 22, 2008, at 17:22:50
A little background info may be helpful. I have used L-Theanine in the past with some success, as well as Lithium Orotate. I am currently using Valerian root as a GABA agonist, but it seems as though tolerance develops rather quickly. I have difficulty with motivation and concentration on academic and personal tasks. I also struggle with symptoms of social phobia and what appears to be Bipolar Spectrum characterized by mixed states of irritability and fatigue with low mood. I am also prone to addictive/ compulsive behaviors.
Some stimulants improve my concentration and low mood, but often leave me feeling overstimulated. GABA potentiators help to stabilize my mood but many times cause apathy in me. I think my symptoms may be related to an imbalance in my GABA and Dopamine levels. Any thoughts?
Posted by Lao Tzu on August 31, 2008, at 16:11:37
In reply to GABA and Dopamine, posted by Justin Fernandez on August 22, 2008, at 17:22:50
I have to ask, what exactly are you suffering from? Unipolar depression, anxiety, Bipolar depression? It could be very complicated and wanting to increase GABA and dopamine could either harm you or help you. If you suffer from a mood disorder, then increasing GABA is one way to go. Medicines that do this include Depakote, Gabitril, and maybe Topamax. They are mood stabilizers and are used for epilepsy, mood disorders, and they are used in depression along with antidepressants. If you are clinically depressed, a natural supplement you can try is SAM-E. This supposedly helps increase dopamine, but if you have problems with dopamine, like say bipolars and schizophrenics do, then SAM-E won't really help. It may even make you more anxious if you have severe anxiety. A medication called Wellbutrin XL is for depression and it increases dopamine. It is a dopamine re-uptake inhibitor. It does help a lot of people with depression when serotonin drugs don't work for them, but doctors usually try serotonin drugs first. Another class of drugs that also increases dopamine as well as serotonin and norepinephrine is called MAO (monoamine oxidase) inhibitors. Examples are Parnate and Nardil. I suggest that if you are really going through a rough time and you can't function well in your daily life, to at least go talk to a doctor and get some information about medications that can help you. It's not always as simple as just increasing GABA and dopamine. Good luck and hope you find what you're looking for. :)
Posted by Lao Tzu on August 31, 2008, at 16:25:32
In reply to Background Info., posted by Justin Fernandez on August 25, 2008, at 21:59:53
antipsychotics are used for dopamine imbalances as seen in bipolar and schizophrenia. I use risperdal. It can help with anxiety, but it depends on the dosage, meaning that bipolars and schizophrenics need higher dosages for it to make a dent in the anxiety factor. And also, it can take three months or more to see a lot of improvement. Usually, bipolars take higher dosages and people with just anxiety disorders take lower dosages. When I was increasing my dose of risperdal, I absolutely hated it. Many times, I wouldn't take my meds because of how I felt. The doctor put me on risperdal injections and that was a smoother transition than the pills. Are stimulants helping you with attention and focus? I've never tried them. Find out your diagnosis. Are you ADD or bipolar or what? Do you have mania and periods of high energy followed by periods of depression and low energy. Do you do weird things and have weird thoughts all the time? Do you go on shopping sprees? If you have a lot of anxiety, especially social anxiety, and serotonin antidepressants don't really do anything for you, then you might have problems with your dopamine. I would really get a diagnosis from your doctor and make sure he or she is treating you correctly. Otherwise, get as many opinions as you have to until they figure you out. Good luck.
Posted by Justin Fernandez on September 7, 2008, at 22:01:37
In reply to Re: GABA and Dopamine, posted by Lao Tzu on August 31, 2008, at 16:11:37
I appreciate your feedback. You brought up some important points to consider. I have never received an official diagnosis from a psychiatrist. However, about six years ago a GP told me I had GAD and prescribed an SSRI (Lexapro). I had a rough start with this med (increased anxiety, dizziness, rapid pulse) and was switched to Zoloft. Zoloft stopped the anxiety, but killed my motivation. I discontinued the Zoloft on my own after about 8 months. Since then I have not used any other Rx meds, but have experimented with practically every supplement on the market. Some products worked short-term, but burned out after awhile. My primary symptoms are negativity, anxiety, irritability, low self-esteem, lack of focus and low motivation. Ocassionally I have increased feelings of helplessness, fatigue, and social avoidance. I have never experienced mania, delusions, or hallucinations. However, I have at times had some mild paranoia and Hypochondriasis. I have always been content to remain in the background and have been told all my life I am not living up to my potential. There is a constant struggle to remain focused on what I am supposed to be doing. Though these symptoms minimally affect my performance at work, they are often debilitating at home and in my academic and social responsibilities. When my level of responsibility increases, or I have impending deadlines, my symptoms are exacerbated. I am wondering if I have an overfocused type of ADD (Daniel Amen, M.D.)or something in the Bipolar Spectrum. It is sometimes very difficult to differentiate between GAD, ADHD, and Bipolar Spectrum disorders. Each of these disorders uniquely impact the different regions of the brain and neurochemical systems, and require different types of medications. I would like to avoid trial and error with meds as much as possible. Thank you in advance for your response.
Posted by mbluett on November 11, 2008, at 14:24:53
In reply to GABA and Dopamine, posted by Justin Fernandez on August 22, 2008, at 17:22:50
GHB/Xyrem will increase both, although not simultaneously. Very effective.
Posted by dock on November 12, 2008, at 5:28:53
In reply to Re: GABA and Dopamine, posted by Lao Tzu on August 31, 2008, at 16:11:37
> Another class of drugs that also increases dopamine as well as serotonin and norepinephrine is called MAO (monoamine oxidase) inhibitors. Examples are Parnate and Nardil.
Be very careful with MAOI drugs. There are very strict dietary restrictions that MUST be followed when using them. For example, easting any kind of fermented soy or certain cheeses while taking Nardil will send your blood pressure so high that you are likely to stroke out. No joking.
Posted by FluxusPlus on January 29, 2009, at 10:10:33
In reply to Background Info., posted by Justin Fernandez on August 25, 2008, at 21:59:53
Hi
I had been having exactly same symptoms with perhaps a little more of inattention.Benzoes make me feel better but ht effect is merely transient. Currently on a SNRI and SSRI but its not working. Tho some help with increased pleasure or interest. Modafinil does help but has negative impact on cognitive performance for me.
I write my diary a blog (recently started) so that I do not lose track of whihc medicine does what to me. That may be important when I go for a revision of RX with the doc this week
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