Supplements for Depression

[suzanne marie gordon]

I just started taking St. John's Wort for my depression. I had taken it one time before but got anxious about it because I was having very vivid and whacked out dreams. Now I'm trying it with a very small dosage (just one capsule in the morning and one after lunch). I hope it does help. I really don't want to go to a shrink. Anybody else have luck with this or any other herbal supplement?

[DANA]

Hi Suzanne!

Several years ago, I had wanted to use a natural alternative for depression so I decided to try St. John's Wort. For eight solid months, I consistently took St. John's Wort. I do not recall whether I took it 2 or 3 times each day, but I know that I was very consistent.

I wanted more than ever for an alternative method to be successful for treating depression because I did not want to take traditional antidepressants, due to the negative side effects. After eight months of taking St. John's Wort, I was able to determine whether the alternative remedy was successful in treating depression or not.

In my eight month experience with St. John Wort, I sincerely believed that it was not helping the depression to the degree that I needed it. Everyone is different in how they respond to herbs and traditional medication so I am sure that there have been individuals who have had a positive response to St. John's Wort. I wish that it would have worked out better for me, but in reality, there was still depression.

You are not the first individual to state that herbs have caused you to have some very vivid and whacky dreams. I have tried many different herbs and supplements in my lifetime and previously experienced horrible nightmares and crazy dreams with blue green algae.

The one supplement that I have had good results with is L-Theanine. Whenever I experience anxiety, increased stress or PMS, it works wonders to calm me, but without sedating me. Here is some information about L-Theanine:

L-Theanine is the amino acid that takes the edge off caffeine in green tea. It also takes the edge off stress, anxiety, and insomnia. Theanine readily crosses the blood brain-barrier where it increases alpha-waves and GABA, a brain chemical known for its calming effect. Unlike tranquilizing drugs, Theanine does not induce stupor, rather it soothes the mind into a relaxing state without affecting the ability to concentrate and remember. Theanine also increases levels of dopamine in the brain and thereby has mood-enhancing effects. Theanine may also lower blood pressure and decrease the symptoms of PMS.

Theanine is a "feel good" supplement. It has been found to induce relaxation without causing sedation or drowsiness. Theanine is a unique amino acid that is the active component of Green Tea which has been used medicinally in the Orient to induce relaxation for more than 1000 years. It has not been shown to cause any adverse reactions. Studies have shown that supplementing with theanine increases alpha-brain waves, the brain waves associated with a relaxed feeling of well-being. It has also been shown to diminish normal symptoms of PMS, improve learning ability and memory and reduce the stimulatory effects of caffeine.

NOTE: THIS IS NOT MEDICAL ADVICE. KEEP IN MIND THAT YOU SHOULD DISCUSS YOUR HEALTH WITH YOUR PHYSICIAN AS WELL AS THE NATURAL REMEDIES THAT YOU ARE INTERESTED IN TAKING. When taking St. John's Wort or any supplement, gain as much educational information about it in advance because everyone may respond differently and may experience side effects. St. John's Wort does cause photo-sensitivity so be aware to NOT spend time in the sun.

[DistractedByShinyThings]

I've been taking a combination of L-Phenylalanine, L-Glutamine and SAMe for a while now, with very good results. I also take a good B-Complex supplement, and magnesium, as well as a good multi-vitamin and antioxidants. I have gotten off-schedule a half-dozen or so times in the last couple years and wound up going for a couple days each time without my supplements, and every single time, without fail, my symptoms were worse without the supplements. This is why I'm so convinced they are helping, even though I do still have occasional bouts with depression. They are not as severe or as long-lived as they used to be.

I learned a lot a few years ago by reading this: http://www.drmurphreestore.com/brainfunc.html . Hope it helps!

[DANA]

Hello DistractedByShinyThings! (Love that name!)

I am curious how many milligrams you are taking for the SAMe and how long have you been taking it? I had tried several times to take SAMe and I even tried different brands to see if there would be a difference, but each time, I did not have positive results.

I had good results with the D, L-Phenylalanine. It is for both depression and for reducing pain. I wanted to mention one important factor about this supplement. A few years ago, when I decided to discontinue D, L-Phenylalanine, I did not wean off of it. I did not think that it would bother me to simply discontinue this supplement so I abruptly stopped.

However, I actually experienced a very negative side effect. The effect was as if it were an antidepressant. I literally started to experience an increase in depression, sadness, lack of concentration and an overall negative feeling. After several days of experiencing these negative side effects, I realized that it was due to the sudden discontinuation of D, L-Phenylalanine.

Once I figured it out, I immediately purchased another bottle and started taking it. Suddenly, I was feeling much better! Live and learn!

Even though this is not an antidepressant, it is probably safest to slowly wean off of it and decrease your dosage gradually, rather than go "cold turkey" off of it. I discovered the hard way, but I wanted to pass this information on.

One last question that I have for you is what are the benefits that you have experienced by taking L-Glutamine? How does this make you feel and improve your health?

[EOG]

I have found a book that was very helpful. It is called the Ultra Mind Solution. The premise of the book is how healing your body will help heal your mind. The author, a physician, discusses the effect of inflamation and unhealthy gut on your functioning brain. If you have inflammation going on, it is pretty difficult for it not toeffect your mind/brain. Everything is connected!. Also, the author addresses the fact that 70% of your immune system is in your gut and if your gut is not balanced re good v bad bugs there can be a cascading series of things that can make you feel bad, think slow and generally be unable to live your life in a positive way.

Now, I'm a "prove it" type of person so I purchased some pharmceutical grade fish oil and upscale probiootics. I proceeded to faithfully take 1000mg fish oil 3x a day and 2 capsules of PB8 probiotics 2x a day. It worked! I felt more centered,could concentrate better, my hair got glossy and I haven't had an upper respiratory infection in over 11 months ! Now, this is going to sound wacky but, if I get a scratchy throat and my eyes are burning ( generally early signs of a cold for me), I pop an extra probiotic right then and take another when I go to bed and when I wake up the symptoms are gone ! Now maybe something else it at work here but I have never heard of anyone having a life threatening response to probioticS. Now ,I AM NOT A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL AND THIS IS NOT MEDICAL ADVICE!!! I am just sharing my experience. I will tell you that I have been advised that large amounts of fish oil can thin the blood and should not be taken if you have a blood condition or aleady taking blood thinning medication.

[DANA]

This book the Ultra Mind Solution sounds fascinating and I want to check it out! I have done much reading on the body/mind connection and I do believe that there is a real connection between the two.

That is good to hear that the extra probiotics and quality fish oil is so helpful for you in maintaining better thinking and health! I take both of those, too!

Another condition that can promote intense health conditions is yeast infections or intestinal yeast. Many of the negative side effects of yeast infections is similar to ADHD, such as foggy thinking, distraction, lack of concentration and depression.