Posted by jay on March 2, 2003, at 0:31:42
In reply to L-theanine » Michael Bell, posted by viridis on March 1, 2003, at 19:16:51
> I've tried a lot of supplements, and most don't do much for me in terms of anxiety relief. L-theanine (an amino acid found in green tea) actually does seem to have a calming, focusing effect. It's used extensively in Japan, in both the natural (tea) and synthetic forms. I don't find it as potent as prescription meds (which I continue to take), but I was pleasantly surprised that theanine actually seems to help. So, I can second the previous post in this respect (I haven't tried picamilon).
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>I have been doing tons of reading on supplements, vitamins, and mental health. One very interesting thing I came across is that there are many people, especially with hyper-anxiety, who don't respond well and actually become irritated and agitated with even just a tiny bit of excessive amount of a certain group of vitamins/supplements.
I don't recall the *name* they gave to this group, but it included the more 'activating' vitamins/supplements, from Sam-e, l-theanine, Vit B-12 (in excess), Folic Acid (in excess amounts), l-phenlalynine(sp?), l-tyrosine, and there where others. I *think* they where part of a group of something to do with "methyl donor" or something like that. I know B-12, Folic Acid work synergistically with Sam-e.
I found it true because all of the named substances (in the usual bottled supplement form, which are many, many times greater than found in food) to be irritating and agitating. In fact, I found a few to possibly link to mania (Folic Acid in particular, which in VERY HIGH DOSES eg. +3000 mcg has been linked to mania.) Of course SAM-e can cause mania, and would explain why it can cause irritability, rage, etc.
For folks with bad anxiety, or BP folks, I would be very careful with using these supplements. I'd think that people who respond badly to ANY stimulant (i.e. even caffeine in a small amount can cause irritation and anger) should be deeply cautious.
I couldn't sleep for two days after ingesting a large massive quantity of B-12 extended-release tablets once, even then I had no idea of the co-relation.
This of course may or isn't true for everybody. Slightly higher than normal doses of these supplements help quite a few people. I just think we have to be cautious, and look at the flipside of the coin.
Jay
poster:jay
thread:205031
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030301/msgs/205208.html