Posted by Viridis on June 29, 2003, at 17:21:02
In reply to V,Re: Picamilon, Re: The Age Old Benzo Question, posted by McPac on June 29, 2003, at 0:35:35
Hi McPac,
Benzos seem to be unique; I've tried various "natural" remedies for anxiety, and the ones that are legal never seem to have quite the same mellowing effects without side effects. I got some relief from Kava (only high-strength root preparations), but it's pretty disgusting to drink such concoctions, and there are concerns about liver damage etc. Picamilon (which is sort of natural, I guess) is OK, as I mentioned, but isn't the same for me. Valerian makes me a bit sleepy, but that's it. Things like chamomile, passionflower, etc. don't seem to do much. GABA alone didn't work (very little crosses the blood-brain barrier). Alcohol has some positive effects, but a lot of obvious negatives too, and I don't find it compares to benzos nor would I want to use it regularly for anxiety relief. I do find L-theanine (an amino acid found in tea) somewhat helpful, but again, not comparable to a benzo.
Among meds, the closest I've experienced is Neurontin, the first couple of times I took it. Now it does nothing. Actually, I'm finding Strattera (which I just started) quite relaxing, but then I'm taking Klonopin along with it. The standard ADs that are supposed to be anxiolytic (SSRIs etc.) I've tried have been awful for me, although I haven't tried them all.
So, benzos seem to be unique, for me at least.
poster:Viridis
thread:236694
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030624/msgs/237951.html