Natural stuff/anxiety and depression

[Deleted member 37474]

My T doesn't want to medicate me. She wants me to try natural stuff. I am trying Saint John's Wort and L-theanine. Has anyone tried these? not sure if I like them. I felt pretty depressed before trying it. I am just so off. And I smoked pot last night and it made everything worse when normally it relaxes me or makes me not care.

 

[The Albatross]

If she doesn't want you to try anything then why are you considering supplements?

"I smoked pot last night and it made everything worse when normally it relaxes me or makes me not care."

You have a first hand experience that ingesting a substance to relax or not care isn't reliable. It is a crutch. I expect your shrink's trying to encourage you to face your core disturbance(s).

 

[DharmaGirl]

I know that some of the natural stuff works, which is probably why your T suggested them. One of my Ts suggested MJ since it helps with PTSD when taken orally. I didn't like it, and St. John's Wort wasn't strong enough for me so I am on meds. If you think these aren't working, you could tell her and say you are trying meds if that's what you want. You are in charge of your recovery. I would be interested in seeing if these work out for you.

 

[Deleted member 37474]

I

I know that some of the natural stuff works, which is probably why your T suggested them. One of my...

I don't really want meds if I can avoid them. The natural supplements were suggested by my therapist to help the edge off while I am dealt my with this stuff. Yoga and tea was also suggested. I already exercise and breath a lot since I am a clarinet player.

 

[joeylittle]

My T doesn't want to medicate me. She wants me to try natural stuff. I am trying Saint John's Wort and L-theanine. Has anyone tried these?

Yeah...those are also drugs.

'Natural' stuff isn't different from 'drugs' - the only real diffference is that there's stringent control over what goes into 'medication', and no control over what goes into 'supplements'.

Many psychotropics - lithium is the most common example - occur in nature.

Your T is misinformed.

Now, if you want to go the homeopathic (i.e. unregulated) route - research which suppliers are reliable. Treat them just as you would any other medication.

 

[EveHarrington]

My T doesn't want to medicate me. She wants me to try natural stuff. I am trying Saint John's Wort and...

Did you try these?

I just started l-theanine, 5HTP, and l-tyrosine.

L-theanine is very calming. I’m pretty amazed at how it’s helping me.

L-tyrosine and 5HTP are good for depression, when taken together (from what I’ve read), in a 10:1 ratio. I started taking these as well but it will take time before I notice a result, I am guessing.

I am really happy with my supplements so far. I’m still on one pharmaceutical, but at a very low dose. I will be adding in more supplements as time goes by.

 

[Deleted member 37474]

Did you try these?

I just started l-theanine, 5HTP, and l-tyrosine.

L-theanine is very calming...

I couldn’t tell too much of a difference. I am on pharmaceuticals now. Not opposed to natural stuff as well.

 

[joeylittle]

I am on pharmaceuticals now. Not opposed to natural stuff as well.

And always good to remember that a large number of pharmaceuticals utilize what we call 'natural', and a lot of 'natural' is, in fact, just as chemical as the pharma stuff. The distinctions have more to do with what is regulated and what isn't.

I always think it's worth pointing that out, because people often don't know that pharmaceuticals and supplements are both, at bottom, chemistry. Of course there are lots of reasons why pharma is corrupt, and the meds can be major problems, financially and physically. Totally valid. But the 'natural' industry is not any less dangerous, and the pills are not harmless. Sometimes they are rather potent. So, researching what you're going to put into your body matters, either way.

/soapbox

 

[Deleted member 37474]

And always good to remember that a large number of pharmaceuticals utilize what we call 'natural', a...

I totally agree with you on this. My t offered me the number of a normal p-doc and a p-doc that approaches it with food science/gut health. I think down the road, I may be interested in the healthy mental wellness food/herb connection, but for now, it is hard enough to function and even make food that I am used to making and the mood stabilizer might be working. He tells me to take more than I am. I am working on it.

 

[EveHarrington]

There is a difference between “natural” and NATURAL.

Things like vitamin c? We get that in food anyway.

Things like MJ? We don’t ingest that on a daily basis so it’s more in the drug category.

 

[Sideways]

@EveHarrington - I’m not sure I understand that distinction, can you elaborate? Because it seems to me that for a lot of people on this planet, MJ is more a part of their daily diet than the fruits and veges that contain vit C...??

 

[EveHarrington]

@EveHarrington - I’m not sure I understand that distinction, can you elabor...

I’m kind of not understanding how you don’t know the difference between vitamins and minerals our body requires and things like M.J.

Does your country not have a government agency that determines the RDA (recommended daily allowances)? Our RDA stares at us on every food item we buy. It’s hard to not know that we need minimum intake of things like calcium and magnesium and vitamins B, C, D, etc.