Experimenting With Vitamin Powders

[Powder]

Has anyone found a 'natural' supplement to work better for you?

I've read for OCD that studies show Inositol to be more effective than SSRIs (not surprised though since SSRIs have so many side effects and so little beyond placebo to offer scientifically). (My husband is taking Inositol for his OCD, and it's amazing. That's another thread. To me, that stuff, and Melatonin, just make me feel over-sedated for too long.)

I've read that Theanine increases GABA and with caffeine leads to better memory and calm balancing of thoughts, alpha brain waves. It can also help with sleep. Taken with coffee or tea caffeine, there is a balancing effect that is a "smart drug" effect to optimize memory and mental functioning (at work/school is the 8 hour promise, I suppose).

I've ordered some pure powder to supplement at night to see if this helps me sleep without the constant waking up feeling unrested, a common problem with PTSD.

Theanine is the natural substance of Green Tea. But you'd have to drink a lot of very expensive, shade grown green tea to get the boost. And the caffeine from the tea counteracts the sleep aid.

It lasts 8 hours. So many take some with their morning Joe and then maybe another dose with water or juice before bed for sleep.

It's effective on anxiety, social and generalized. It's recommended for OCD anxiety.

I'll let you know what I find. Please share your experiences.

I'm tapering off of meds because they seem to have too many side effects and drawbacks long-term for me, but I know I need to do something to help balance me with PTSD.

 

[Deleted member 20978]

I'm tempted to respond about pot, which is right on-topic and something I'm asking myself similar questions about as I ask about psych meds. But too big a topic and too controversial. Long story short, it has far more benefits and fewer negative side-effects than any prescribed med I've taken.

So more in spirit of the question -- Kava Kava worked well for me during a period of my life I was weaning off benzos. It is a natural supplement that iirc is a GABA agonist. Only problem is trying to get well-regulated dosage so your mileage can and will vary. But works to reduce anxiety and helped reduce benzo withdrawal effects for me.

 

[Powder]

I've totally avoided all traces of pot and this may be why I am the only member of my family who doesn't have Bipolar on the Dx list. They were told it can trigger bipolar if its already in the genetic cards, even one use will do the trick. I don't want to find out for myself if this is true. My instincts have always told me to totally avoid it, so I trust my gut on that--even though I'm aware that its the answer for many folks with several medicinal uses and see no issue with that. I don't see it as a 'gateway' drug at all, but I am afraid it could be a gateway to bipolar for me since everyone else has it, one person in addition to PTSD diagnosis.

 

[QuietNow]

Hi Muse,
I started a thread here about Memory Issues and Vitamins. But, what I've got in that post is basically the template I use. I've been off all meds except an occasional benadryl at night to sleep for about 2.5 years. There are moments when it is desperately hard, and I can't stop crying --mainly when I get a personal shock.

However, I've made some really significant lifestyle changes. I mention the vitamins in enough detail there. But the diet --I really changed that. I hinted at it there in the post. It isn't something crazy, just cut back on starch/sugar and my meat is more fish than meat these days. More veggies and fruit than bagels and pasta. I do that green smoothie thing in the morning.

It's the exercise that seems to make me more human. I spend a certain amount of time outdoors walking. I also do some heavy cardio 2-3x per week. It helps.

The people side is important. I haven't found a perfect balance with that. I like people, I just don't feel comfortable around them. But having people relationships is important.

I needed the meds for a long time. I probably still need them occasionally. But the flashbacks and very intrusive stuff is dying back a bit. I've been in intensive therapy for over 5 years now to minimize the pain. And, as my therapist is retiring, I'm considering ending the therapy now too.

It will never be perfect. But, I'm happy most of the time. (as long as you don't plop me in a cubicle in a workplace)

I do Not Suggest pot. I think it does not really help. I DO Suggest Yoga and meditation. Both of those have been very helpful to me. That centered, mindfulness thing is important. I sometimes have these panicky points during the day where I have to do deep breathing for a moment. Hey, nobody is perfect. I am decluttering my life and I spend some time daily on things that are just stupidly pretty and maybe not all that useful. (crafts, writing)

I gave up a lot of sugar --cut out cola at last. I drink a lot of water. Pretty much, water is almost all I drink.

The big key to this is my people support side. I have a devoted spouse and a friendly family, and I think that's how I've managed to get to this much joy. I have a couple of friends to hang out with. A couple of cats to hang out with too.

If it's time to give up the meds and you aren't dealing with any severe psychological issue like bi-polar or schizophrenia, then first make some attempts to normalize your life/diet/exercise/people. After that, try. If it doesn't work, you can always go back to the meds. I would not, however, suggest giving up meds if you have a severe psychological issue.

 

[Powder]

I think working full time keeps me in a high activation mode. I have not found a way to deal with the stress levels, even changing jobs to a simpler one.

I like your ideas @QuietNow. I have tried many and found them very helpful in the past, especially when I was less busy. If I could, I would take a year off from work to recover a sense of calm, if possible, now.

 

[Riddle]

Hi,

Please look into "methylation" and the "MTHFR" gene, of which almost half of the population has genetic errors that affect processes involving methylation in the cells of the body.

In my case, I have found that foods fortified with synthetic vitamins should be avoided, that's most grain products.

Most cheap over-the-counter supplements, especially the B vitamin group, were in the wrong form.

It is known that the nervous system of affected people can deteriorate slowly over many years. Psychological symptoms tend to develop long before physical ones; the main exception of this being chronic gastrointestinal complaints.

Folate and cobalamin (vitamin B12) are the two vitamins that must be taken in the right form for your genetic status.

I am not at all an expert; all I can say is I have experienced a considerable and lasting improvement for what I thought was c-ptsd symptoms, by experimenting with this aspect of nutrition, purely by researching on the internet over the past few years.

I apologise if this has already been discussed elsewhere on this forum, which is why I've kept my response brief, but I hope it may help some of you!

Riddle

 

[Adrian2016]

To me pot is the mother of natural medicine. That is to say it is highly medicinal for many ailments and for me that includes ptsd. I currently only take vistaril for anxiety. I was taking Paxil but experinced terrible side effects and felt that my brain was not my own. Just saying in my opinion pot can sometimes be a great option for some folks. Others not so much, or not at all. But regardless, I believe we will see much more about pot and it's true medicinal values in the near future as studies and legalization continues across the country and world. As my T put it, if it works, it works. Also want to thank you for posting about other natural ways to heal because I cannot anticipate my doctor convincing me to try another ssri and benzos are a no go for me. Same thing with zolpodiem. So I have limited options to begin with due to my past abuse issues. Sorry if that was rambling....