Any of you on or ever been on anti-depressants?

[Van_Bilderass]

This article below is just an example from  a Dr. Whitcomb. If you search the net, you will find many others that share a similar philosophy.

Anxiety and depression may be the result of shortages of key brain chemicals that can be restored naturally. Give the brain the amino acids it needs and feel your mind start to glow again.

If you're one of the millions who suffer from anxiety or depression, the next time you reach for the Valium or Prozac, consider amino acids as an alternative instead. these protein building blocks may be the key to reversing long-standing anxiety and depression, according to Harold Whitcomb, M.D., and biochemical nutritionist Phyllis Bronson. They regularly prescribe amino acids for their clients at the Aspen (Colorado) Clinic for Preventive and Environmental Medicine.

Mood, behavior, and brain biochemistry are intricately linked. Depression and anxiety may be the result of flawed message-sending in the biochemical brain, flawed because key brain chemicals called neurotransmitters are in short supply. They're short because the body's amino acid pool (from which they're made) is itself low. 

Shore up the amino acid pool with the deficient or missing elements   and you start seeing dramatic improvements in both depression and anxiety, report Whitcomb and Bronson. "By using supplements of the amino acids that make up specific neurotransmitters, you can actually change the nature and intensity of the brain messages they carry and thus the emotions they affect."

Even better, you don't get the roster of serious side effects commonly associated with standard medications. These can typically include blurred vision, increased heart rate, low blood pressure, nausea, headaches, constipation, memory loss, impaired concentration, and fogginess. In contrast, the clinical use of amino acids produces no side effects or health risks and generates better, more lasting healing results, says Bronson.

Yes but singular aminos used in significant quantities are drugs. They can also have side effects. Take someone with panic anxiety and load him up with phenylalanine and watch what happens.

Vitamins can also be drugs. Take Niaspan for example. Even fish oil can be seen as a drug. See Lovaza. Both of them can cause side effects also.

[The ChemistV2]

More:

A 24 hour urine amino acid test is one of the best tests to evaluate nutritional factors contributing to depression. If this is not feasible, a first morning urine collection or a plasma amino acid done fasting in the AM would be alternatives. The urine amino acid will reflect digestive issues in the gut that are interfering with proper digestion of protein and the absorption and assimilation of amino acids. “Comprehensive stool analysis and parasitology” is a good companion test when digestive problems become apparent by an abnormal urine amino acid pattern.  The finding of other abnormal amino acid patterns can be a guide to the identification and treatment of vitamin and mineral deficiencies, which can be causal to metabolic and cellular biochemistry impairments.

Looking for deficiencies in amino acid precursors of neurotransmitters can be of great value, such as L-Tryptophan, which makes 5-HTP, which in turn makes the important neurotransmitter Serotonin.  Common signs of Serotonin deficiencies are restless or impaired sleep, depressed mood most of day, reduced pleasure in activities, fatigue, negative and obsessive thoughts, irritability, anxiety, difficulty concentrating and making decisions, feelings of worthlessness and guilt, suicidal thoughts, and carbohydrate craving.  L-Tyrosine can also be measured.  This forms the Catecholamines (Dopamine, Nor-Epinephrine and Epinephrine) and thyroid hormone.  Common signs of Catecholamine deficiencies are feeling easily bored, apathetic, low energy most of time, difficulty focusing and poor concentration, tendency to put on weight easily, drawn to uppers as caffeine for energy, loss of enthusiasm, and depressed mood.  

The amino acid analysis report comes with a suggested amino acid replacement formula that can be compounded for the patient by using easily absorbed crystalline amino acids.  If levels of amino acids fall in the normal range, but the patient presents with evidence of Serotonin or Catecholamine deficiencies, one can add additional amounts of L-Tyrosine or 5-HTP to the formula.  A larger percentage of 5-HTP gets to the brain and is converted to Serotonin; where as the larger percentage of L-Tryptophan is utilized outside of the brain. As there appears to be a reciprocal relationship between neurotransmitters in maintaining a balance and equilibrium, to help build up Serotonin you may need to also add Catecholamine precursors as they seem to be needed to help the body retain Serotonin.  Adequate Serotonin levels are also needed to regulated Catecholamine levels.  Much depends on the patient’s symptoms and presentation in making these decisions.  If signs of catecholamine excess, as increased anxiety, sleep difficulties or excessive stimulation, GABA enhancers as Taurine and Glutamine, along with necessary vitamin and mineral co-factors can be added.

Other tests, currently in research and development, measure the amount of excreted neurotransmitter levels in the urine.  This is felt to be an indirect indicator of systemic and brain levels, and also a possible guide to amino acid replacement.  Organic acids testing will measure the metabolites of neurotransmitters in the urine, but it is hard to relate this to what the actual brain levels might be as most Serotonin for example is made in the gut.  Correcting neurotransmitter imbalances with amino acids – alone, or in combination with the correction of other identified contributing factors or sometimes in conjunction with medication – has the potential for relief of other conditions in addition to anxiety and depression such as obesity, migraines, insomnia, obsessive-compulsive problems, PMS, attention deficit disorder (ADD), fatigue and fibromyalgia.  

 

Cool. I thought I was the only one on here that was into this stuff. I think to answer the question of what's the difference between a drug and a nutrient is...that nutrients provide pre-cursors or building blocks for certain bodily processes (such as tryptophan producing serotonin) where as most prescription drugs substitute or replace a bodily process (anti-depresant inhibiting re-uptake of serotonin).

[The ChemistV2]

Yes but singular aminos used in significant quantities are drugs. They can also have side effects. Take someone with panic anxiety and load him up with phenylalanine and watch what happens.
Vitamins can also be drugs. Take Niaspan for example. Even fish oil can be seen as a drug. See Lovaza. Both of them can cause side effects also.

You're correct about that..even tiny amounts of phenylalanine make me edgy and hyper. You have to start with a small dose to gauge your sensitivity.

[65stew]

More:

A 24 hour urine amino acid test is one of the best tests to evaluate nutritional factors contributing to depression. If this is not feasible, a first morning urine collection or a plasma amino acid done fasting in the AM would be alternatives. The urine amino acid will reflect digestive issues in the gut that are interfering with proper digestion of protein and the absorption and assimilation of amino acids. “Comprehensive stool analysis and parasitology” is a good companion test when digestive problems become apparent by an abnormal urine amino acid pattern.  The finding of other abnormal amino acid patterns can be a guide to the identification and treatment of vitamin and mineral deficiencies, which can be causal to metabolic and cellular biochemistry impairments.

Looking for deficiencies in amino acid precursors of neurotransmitters can be of great value, such as L-Tryptophan, which makes 5-HTP, which in turn makes the important neurotransmitter Serotonin.  Common signs of Serotonin deficiencies are restless or impaired sleep, depressed mood most of day, reduced pleasure in activities, fatigue, negative and obsessive thoughts, irritability, anxiety, difficulty concentrating and making decisions, feelings of worthlessness and guilt, suicidal thoughts, and carbohydrate craving.  L-Tyrosine can also be measured.  This forms the Catecholamines (Dopamine, Nor-Epinephrine and Epinephrine) and thyroid hormone.  Common signs of Catecholamine deficiencies are feeling easily bored, apathetic, low energy most of time, difficulty focusing and poor concentration, tendency to put on weight easily, drawn to uppers as caffeine for energy, loss of enthusiasm, and depressed mood.  

The amino acid analysis report comes with a suggested amino acid replacement formula that can be compounded for the patient by using easily absorbed crystalline amino acids.  If levels of amino acids fall in the normal range, but the patient presents with evidence of Serotonin or Catecholamine deficiencies, one can add additional amounts of L-Tyrosine or 5-HTP to the formula.  A larger percentage of 5-HTP gets to the brain and is converted to Serotonin; where as the larger percentage of L-Tryptophan is utilized outside of the brain. As there appears to be a reciprocal relationship between neurotransmitters in maintaining a balance and equilibrium, to help build up Serotonin you may need to also add Catecholamine precursors as they seem to be needed to help the body retain Serotonin.  Adequate Serotonin levels are also needed to regulated Catecholamine levels.  Much depends on the patient’s symptoms and presentation in making these decisions.  If signs of catecholamine excess, as increased anxiety, sleep difficulties or excessive stimulation, GABA enhancers as Taurine and Glutamine, along with necessary vitamin and mineral co-factors can be added.

Other tests, currently in research and development, measure the amount of excreted neurotransmitter levels in the urine.  This is felt to be an indirect indicator of systemic and brain levels, and also a possible guide to amino acid replacement.  Organic acids testing will measure the metabolites of neurotransmitters in the urine, but it is hard to relate this to what the actual brain levels might be as most Serotonin for example is made in the gut.  Correcting neurotransmitter imbalances with amino acids – alone, or in combination with the correction of other identified contributing factors or sometimes in conjunction with medication – has the potential for relief of other conditions in addition to anxiety and depression such as obesity, migraines, insomnia, obsessive-compulsive problems, PMS, attention deficit disorder (ADD), fatigue and fibromyalgia.  

 

Do you know on any products that have all the amino acids in them that were mentioned in the study?

[IrishMuscle84]

Yes but singular aminos used in significant quantities are drugs. They can also have side effects. Take someone with panic anxiety and load him up with phenylalanine and watch what happens.Vitamins can also be drugs. Take Niaspan for example. Even fish oil can be seen as a drug. See Lovaza. Both of them can cause side effects also.

I have both anxiety/panic disorders, i take medications and i also take Pre-workout supplements. Yes, they also make me a little edgy and shaky. If i were have never to have gotten on medication and started taking Pre-workout supplements.......... i probably would have gone nuts!

Not only Workout supplements BUT Highly Caffeinated Drinks. Probably the same year i started taking medication, was when my anxiety/panic disorder started getting bad, i was a MOUNTAIN DEW JUNKIE!! I drank probably 5 or more cans A DAY and that made my anxiety/panic disorder worse!! I remember when i finally went to a crisis center one morning from having a bad panic attack, the physciatrist actually asked me if i drank MOUNTAIN DEW, weird shit. But nowadays, 5 years later, i still have issues with anxiety/panic attacks BUT alot better with medication to where nowadays, i drink energy drinks/ take pre-workout supplements.

[MP]

So I guess you're not feeling up to opening your big pot-selling store?

[stuntmovie]

I know absolutely nothing about this subject and can’t ever recall being depressed except on those few occasions when close friends pass away unexpectedly.

So I’ve never experienced adverse depression myself  but I’ve witnessed friends go through sever forms of depression from mere anxiety attacks through life threatening days of depression in which one such case ended in suicide.

I have to admit that this intelligent discussion you guys are posting on this GetBig Board has been a  real educational eye-opener.

I never realized that severe depression is a problem that affects so many people (as shown on this Board.)

And this ‘education’ is somewhat appreciated right now because one family member is presently suffering from severe depression requiring a lot of professional care and a long, involved process of determining what ‘meds’ will be best  to alleviate (not cure) the problem

 A month or so ago while talking to this family member on the phone, my advice was, “Get over it! Go on a five mile run!”

Needless to say, my advice didn’t produce beneficial results.

But I got to admit that I tend to see some value with what Devilsmile and some of you other GetBiggers are saying ….. The cure will not come until the root of the prolem is addressed.

I am probably stepping out of line due to my ignorance in the field, but I tend to think that drugs are useless unless there is some form of physical, chemical unbalance in the
subject’s mind.

Sorry to f ---k up this intelligent conversation, but “Thanks!”

It arrived at the right time. and is greatly appreciated.

[IrishMuscle84]

I know absolutely nothing about this subject and can’t ever recall being depressed except on those few occasions when close friends pass away unexpectedly.

So I’ve never experienced adverse depression myself  but I’ve witnessed friends go through sever forms of depression from mere anxiety attacks through life threatening days of depression in which one such case ended in suicide.

I have to admit that this intelligent discussion you guys are posting on this GetBig Board has been a  real educational eye-opener.

I never realized that severe depression is a problem that affects so many people (as shown on this Board.)

And this ‘education’ is somewhat appreciated right now because one family member is presently suffering from severe depression requiring a lot of professional care and a long, involved process of determining what ‘meds’ will be best  to alleviate (not cure) the problem

 A month or so ago while talking to this family member on the phone, my advice was, “Get over it! Go on a five mile run!”

Needless to say, my advice didn’t produce beneficial results.

But I got to admit that I tend to see some value with what Devilsmile and some of you other GetBiggers are saying ….. The cure will not come until the root of the prolem is addressed.

I am probably stepping out of line due to my ignorance in the field, but I tend to think that drugs are useless unless there is some form of physical, chemical unbalance in the
subject’s mind.

Sorry to f ---k up this intelligent conversation, but “Thanks!”

It arrived at the right time. and is greatly appreciated.

Exactly. MEDICATION does not " FULLY CURE" mental illness' BUT they ABSOLUTELY DO HELP, like you said, they alleviate/"lessen" symptoms, and as far as " getting over it", 10000000X EASIER SAID THAN DONE.

[DK II]

Exactly. MEDICATION does not " FULLY CURE" mental illness' BUT they ABSOLUTELY DO HELP, like you said, they alleviate/"lessen" symptoms, and as far as " getting over it", 10000000X EASIER SAID THAN DONE.

I have never suffered from depression, but have used certain supps like Rhodiola Rosea or 2-3g of L-Tyrosene with Green Tea Extract for mood elevation some times, and i can only guess that this will help a lot with easing the "pain" a bit, but you will have to go to the root of the problem to solve it.

[Parker]

Go to a homeless shelter, spend some time or volunteer, gauranteed you won't need any anti-depressants...When you realize that none of your problems are as bad as their's, you not only feel happy, you'll feel downright thankful...

Wiggs, serious question. The major decisions in your life, like the military, getting married, etc, are you truly happy with them? Can you you look at your life now and say, I am happy with the decisions I have made...if not, I can point you to a homeless man who worked for ________, and lost it all due to a divorce, and then went crazy...when sober, he can tell you the exact temperature by listening to crickets, and your tire pressure...

[devilsmile]

Go to a homeless shelter, spend some time or volunteer, gauranteed you won't need any anti-depressants...When you realize that none of your problems are as bad as their's, you not only feel happy, you'll feel downright thankful...

Wiggs, serious question. The major decisions in your life, like the military, getting married, etc, are you truly happy with them? Can you you look at your life now and say, I am happy with the decisions I have made...if not, I can point you to a homeless man who worked for ________, and lost it all due to a divorce, and then went crazy...when sober, he can tell you the exact temperature by listening to crickets, and your tire pressure...

I know... that's what I said, people need a good ass whooping.

My cusine was a healthy young blood and when he was 20, he fell in a ditch with his bicycle, slippery road or something and you know what happent? He can't move his legs, and he can barely use his arms... he has to have his wife help him when he goes in a bathroom or take a shower.... think about that. he's 30 now.
And he got married at his present state of condition at 25 and his wife is very intuitive, smart and prety. And they are happy.

One month ago I was in my other cusines weding and even I'm a hard ass I didn't want to go dancing because my cusine was siting there watching as others had fun... but he's still happy.

So you guys have no problems rly... no problems. Shut up allready. And drugs ain't gonna help none to your social depression, especially anti depressants. UNLESS your brain rly has some sort of chemical mutation fuckery going on as stated, but if you take drugs just because you didn't go to college or you're black and your dick isn't 10"'s then you should just shut up

 

[GetItOnNY]

The Natural cures: Rhidiola Rosea like DK said.PEA which is phenylalanine its found in chocolate.Why d you think women love chocolate during there period? The PEA ort phenylalanine enhances mood.I also seen SAM'e work for sepression.
Beleive it or not GHB and Suboxone have been used in Europe to treat depression.
I have alos soo a good ECA stack work well because its fights mnetal fatiique.
You can also try B-12 or a good B-Complex.Green tea and Ginseng can also help you beat the blues.Once you get up and out of the house you will have energy to do things.Then as far as Amino acids go you got Gaba L-Glutamine, phenylalanineTyrsosine L-Tryptophan which can make you very tired.
I personally would pop 2 ECAs do 30 minutres of cardio or havw 30 minutes of good sex to get my addrenal glands get all frired up.
Usually people who are depressed is be ause they have to much free timed on there hands.
Smoking Weed is the worsrt thing you can do for depression.It makes you lazy tired so you feel like shit about yourself.
Weed is a drug that sucks the life right out of you.
From what I read on this post.Are you jobless you skmoke weed and are on test? If so therte is your answer.Get a job dont smoke weed and get off your ass and start living.
If you have severe depression there are drugs like Prsique that have no sexual side effects try taking 50 then maybe 100 mg.


You might also try stacking the Pristiq with only 2-5 mg max of Abilify.Remeber less is more when it comes to antideprresants.I have seen people were on Lamicatal Cymbalta Prozac Xanax and Ambien so he could sleep.I saw that and told him how do you feel he said panicky and he sweated badly all the time.Nowe he is down to 50 mg of prstiq and 2 mg of Abilify.I think adding be-12 or a Meyers cocktail make the anti-dpreresent work better
What ever you dont self medicate with pot or Loritabs it will onluy make msatters worse

[Necrosis]

I know... that's what I said, people need a good ass whooping.

My cusine was a healthy young blood and when he was 20, he fell in a ditch with his bicycle, slippery road or something and you know what happent? He can't move his legs, and he can barely use his arms... he has to have his wife help him when he goes in a bathroom or take a shower.... think about that. he's 30 now.
And he got married at his present state of condition at 25 and his wife is very intuitive, smart and prety. And they are happy.

One month ago I was in my other cusines weding and even I'm a hard ass I didn't want to go dancing because my cusine was siting there watching as others had fun... but he's still happy.

So you guys have no problems rly... no problems. Shut up allready. And drugs ain't gonna help none to your social depression, especially anti depressants. UNLESS your brain rly has some sort of chemical mutation fuckery going on as stated, but if you take drugs just because you didn't go to college or you're black and your dick isn't 10"'s then you should just shut up

 

your cusine?

seriously dude you have no idea what your talking about, a plethora of studies show polymorphisms, structural changes and the chronic nature and degeneration caused by such illnesses. There is no such thing as "social depression" its social anxiety, the fact that you can't get this correct indicates you have no knowledge worth mentioning in the area. The fact is that just simple reductionism to serotonin or dopamine is stupid, certain receptors have differing effects when bound. The brain is very complex and twin studies show that things like OCD etc have genetic traits and can be devestating. The worst thing you could do for someone with MDD is say to get over it, it just shows a lack of empathy and ignorance on your behalf. Why does everyone thing organic brain disorders cannot cause pathology? diabetes is accepted because we can see it and measure it, however the brain is much more complex making the task harder, thus morons tend to avoid the situation and go the dumb dumb route.

I wasn't going to comment but if anyone is suffering from anxiety or depression, avoid this advice and get proper help.

[devilsmile]

your cusine?

seriously dude you have no idea what your talking about, a plethora of studies show polymorphisms, structural changes and the chronic nature and degeneration caused by such illnesses. There is no such thing as "social depression" its social anxiety, the fact that you can't get this correct indicates you have no knowledge worth mentioning in the area. The fact is that just simple reductionism to serotonin or dopamine is stupid, certain receptors have differing effects when bound. The brain is very complex and twin studies show that things like OCD etc have genetic traits and can be devestating. The worst thing you could do for someone with MDD is say to get over it, it just shows a lack of empathy and ignorance on your behalf. Why does everyone thing organic brain disorders cannot cause pathology? diabetes is accepted because we can see it and measure it, however the brain is much more complex making the task harder, thus morons tend to avoid the situation and go the dumb dumb route.

I wasn't going to comment but if anyone is suffering from anxiety or depression, avoid this advice and get proper help.

In most cases depression is caused because somebody said you look ugly... then you feel self pity and you get shy and you start to become anti social and you start pondering about things that isn't even there, you even might say that all the people are the same and whatever... and you get very depressed and sad...

... because someone said you're ugly, LOL GIVE ME a breake! These things can be cured by thinking it twice lol, and then laugh it off. In most cases people have just believed they are depressed over something very little, whatever it might be because they think the world is fairys & flowers- when they cause all that "insert proper scienteific explanation of brains chemical function here"....


But then there's the unfortunate ones who truly are sick and can't help it, and then the medication comes in to play.

[Necrosis]

In most cases depression is caused because somebody said you look ugly... then you feel self pity and you get shy and you start to become anti social and you start pondering about things that isn't even there, you even might say that all the people are the same and whatever... and you get very depressed and sad...

... because someone said you're ugly, LOL GIVE ME a breake! These things can be cured by thinking it twice lol, and then laugh it off. In most cases people have just believed they are depressed over something very little, whatever it might be because they think the world is fairys & flowers- when they cause all that "insert proper scienteific explanation of brains chemical function here"....


But then there's the unfortunate ones who truly are sick and can't help it, and then the medication comes in to play.

sure that is not depression though, depression has specific criteria, being sensitive is not the same as being depressed. Being stressed is not the same as GAD, ocd, panic etc..

looks like we may be talking about different things here.

[devilsmile]

sure that is not depression though, depression has specific criteria, being sensitive is not the same as being depressed. Being stressed is not the same as GAD, ocd, panic etc..

looks like we may be talking about different things here.

not necessarily ... people like to throw the word depression around as easily as doctors prescribe anti depression medication.

What you are spesificly describing truly is the serious depression and it's very bad, and can be dangerous and should be dealt with some medication, therapy and guidance.

But really, this is the "spineless internet" era we live in, so many people would never want to deal with their subconscious or even their everyday mistakes they do, they don't want to admit that sometimes they SUCK ASS because they did a mistake... and then they want to escape it by saying they are so depressed and whatever.

But what you say is a very bad sittuation to be in and should be cured with the help of medication.
Are we on the same page now?

[disco_stu]

once again another thread on GB involving people who know absolutely nothing about the topic.

depression is real, and it isnt a matter of talking oneself out of it.

the worst advice u can give to someone is to "talk yourself out of it".

if they could, they sure would, and the fact they cant, makes them feel even more depressed.

its only sometimes to do with what you own, or how your life has gone- the poorest people can be happy and the richest can be debilitatingly depressed.

some people try every treatment known without success, others find relief from the first SSRI they try.

also, if you are using other drugs- test is a big culprit- they will alter your mind and can and often will cause depression.

hormones have been linked conclusively to mental illness and its well known that steroids can cause depression, as well as be used to combat depression in those with low test.

leave the thinking to the professionals..theyve studied the topic for a dozen years or more. GB members dont have a clue.

[IrishMuscle84]

once again another thread on GB involving people who know absolutely nothing about the topic.

depression is real, and it isnt a matter of talking oneself out of it.

the worst advice u can give to someone is to "talk yourself out of it".

if they could, they sure would, and the fact they cant, makes them feel even more depressed.

its only sometimes to do with what you own, or how your life has gone- the poorest people can be happy and the richest can be debilitatingly depressed.

some people try every treatment known without success, others find relief from the first SSRI they try.

also, if you are using other drugs- test is a big culprit- they will alter your mind and can and often will cause depression.

hormones have been linked conclusively to mental illness and its well known that steroids can cause depression, as well as be used to combat depression in those with low test.

leave the thinking to the professionals..theyve studied the topic for a dozen years or more. GB members dont have a clue.

" GB members dont have a clue"...........Iam not a Phycolosgist BUT i live with mental illness', i know what its like being " DEPRESSED". You simply loose interest in " living". Lay in bed and sleep day after day after day.

[Wiggs]

This is why I abandoned the thread gents...but thanks for bringing in some truth....

[Hunter86]

I've never been on anti-depressants but I do smoke meth

[devilsmile]

once again another thread on GB involving people who know absolutely nothing about the topic.

you read between the lines... this topic has been concluded in above posts, mr."balbalablablab I'm right you are wrong I cant hear you"