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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jauggy on November 16, 2008, at 7:07:22
Caffeine increases dopamine but also increases cortisol. (Cortisol is known to be connected with stress). If I want to increase dopamine but not increase cortisol - could I take caffeine along with a supplement that reduces cortisol? Anybody tried this?
Posted by nolvas on November 16, 2008, at 16:13:15
In reply to Caffeine plus reduction of cortisol, posted by jauggy on November 16, 2008, at 7:07:22
Caffeine is very bad for anxiety disorders. Here's a detailed description of it's effects on the body.
I guess if I was taking Caffeine then I would supplement with L-Theanine. L-Theanine enhances dopamine release but negates the negative stress effects of Caffeine and apparently reduces Cortisol levels, although I haven't found any studies in my brief search on l-Theanine that supports it's Cortisol reducing effect.
Posted by Jimmyboy on November 16, 2008, at 21:23:31
In reply to Re: Caffeine plus reduction of cortisol, posted by nolvas on November 16, 2008, at 16:13:15
Maybe try 7-keto DHEA instead.. it wakes you up, makes you very alert and reduces cortisol.
Posted by jauggy on November 17, 2008, at 2:38:52
In reply to Re: Caffeine plus reduction of cortisol, posted by Jimmyboy on November 16, 2008, at 21:23:31
@Nolvas:
I read an article talking about the effects of tea - which has both caffeine and theanine. Based on the study, cortisol levels lowered faster after stressful events for the tea drinkers versus placebo. Its strange, since you'd expect the caffeine in the tea to offset the effects of the theanine.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/53353.phpFrom my own experience, tea makes me feel good at the start, but gives me the jitters a bit later on.
@Jimmyboy:
Why did you mention 7-keto and not regular DHEA? Is there a big difference?
Posted by Jimmyboy on November 17, 2008, at 9:15:54
In reply to Re: Caffeine plus reduction of cortisol, posted by jauggy on November 17, 2008, at 2:38:52
Yeah, regular DHEA can metabolize into certain hormones, like testosterone and estrogen and cause unwanted fluctuations and problems. It seems a bit unpredictable in that way.
7-keto is a metabilite of DHEA and does not turn into hormones downstream, therefor you can get the benefits ( mental clarity, energy, cortisol reduction) without the potential hormone problems.
PS- 7-keto is alot stronger than regula DHEA so you don;t need as high of a dose.
Posted by toduar on November 18, 2008, at 13:08:20
In reply to Re: Caffeine plus reduction of cortisol, posted by Jimmyboy on November 17, 2008, at 9:15:54
look into phosphatidyl serine.
it lowers cortisol, and i find that it is a nice combo with caffeine.
Posted by Sigismund on November 18, 2008, at 17:38:16
In reply to Re: Caffeine plus reduction of cortisol, posted by toduar on November 18, 2008, at 13:08:20
Did you notice any other effects from phosphatidyl serine?
Posted by jauggy on November 24, 2008, at 21:02:59
In reply to Re: Caffeine plus reduction of cortisol, posted by jauggy on November 17, 2008, at 2:38:52
> @Nolvas:
> I read an article talking about the effects of tea - which has both caffeine and theanine. Based on the study, cortisol levels lowered faster after stressful events for the tea drinkers versus placebo. Its strange, since you'd expect the caffeine in the tea to offset the effects of the theanine.
> http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/53353.php
>
>I've just realised that the study I posted was extremely flawed. Their control group was given a caffeinated drink - so even though the tea drinkers recordered lower cortisol than the placebo group, it doesn't mean that black tea can reduce cortisol. The conclusion you can draw is that it is just better than plain caffeine. The study should have had a control group that is given plain water, and compare the tea drinkers to that group.
Posted by bulldog2 on November 26, 2008, at 17:16:12
In reply to Caffeine plus reduction of cortisol, posted by jauggy on November 16, 2008, at 7:07:22
> Caffeine increases dopamine but also increases cortisol. (Cortisol is known to be connected with stress). If I want to increase dopamine but not increase cortisol - could I take caffeine along with a supplement that reduces cortisol? Anybody tried this?
Add dhea and your set to rock and roll!!
This is the end of the thread.
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