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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by bleauberry on July 26, 2009, at 18:24:16
This might get transferred to the alternative forum, but I wanted to be sure you saw it first, so I am posting it here instead.
I was brainstorming yesterday and came across the idea of Curcumin. Serotonin, dopamine, anti-inflammatory, 5htia, anti-biotic/fungal/viral. The only drawbacks I see are its high sulfur content which could cause me problems, and possible Herx reactions if it really does kill bugs.
In a google search I came across an old pbabble page from 2007. It was a thread on Curcumin where you had a post saying it was one of the best mood enhancers you had tried at that time.
I was just wondering if you could tell me more about your experiences with that. Why you started, how long on it, what you liked, what you didn't like, side effects, and the reason for stopping.
Thanks.
Posted by linkadge on July 26, 2009, at 19:37:48
In reply to Linkadge....question., posted by bleauberry on July 26, 2009, at 18:24:16
I have used turmeric for its mood enhancing / adaptogenic effects. It has several possible targets for mood disorders. MAO-A inhibition, TN-Alpha inhibition, COX-2 inhibition. It increases 5-ht1a receptor mRNA, BDNF, NGF, enhances neurogenesis, induces heat shock proteins, you name it. It appears to actually reverse alzheimer's plaque formation and enhance the incorperation of DHA into brain cells.
I generally use about 5 grams a day, if I am using it for mood, but I can notice as little as 1/4tsp. I'm not sure about how much MAO inhibition one would get at this dose, however I read a study suggesting substantial MAO inhibition at about 100mg / kg.
The main effects I notice are strong reduction in physical anxiety, and elimination of feelings of worthlessness and lack of capability. I notice an almost immediate desire to tackle the things that are bothering me the most. It can however be a little agitating (increase mental anxiety), I do notice it can interfere with sleep (as do other MAO inhibitors).
I don't really like to take it consistently because it really does seem to interfere with sleep and because it can produce an unsettled feeling.
It seems to work best for stress induced depression, or when you've got a big mountain to climb (so to speak). It worked excellent in university for tackling the forced swim.
Linkadge
Posted by Zana on July 28, 2009, at 16:32:14
In reply to Re: Linkadge....question., posted by linkadge on July 26, 2009, at 19:37:48
Tumeric does all that?? I knew it was a good anti-inflammatory agent but I have never heard anything about mood effects. From what you experienced it sounds like it would be a good augmentation suppliment. What do you think? What else were you taking with it?
Zana
Posted by linkadge on July 30, 2009, at 16:55:12
In reply to Re: Linkadge....question., posted by Zana on July 28, 2009, at 16:32:14
I would personally not take it with SSRI's. I had reacitons that seemed a lot like serotonin syndrome.
Turmeric is actually a highly studied spice. Its antiepressant effect is well documented (at least in animal models of depression). In animal models it appears to work more robustly that fluoxetine.
Linkadge
This is the end of the thread.
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