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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dunder on May 9, 2007, at 9:18:00
Does anyone else find ibuprofen to have a mildly calming effect? I can't rule out a placebo effect but it does seem that I am calmer and sleep better when I take it intermittantly. I was wondering if it could be just a reduction in the aches and pains that are often associated with anxiety and depression. Maybe the anti-inflammatory action of ibuprofen plays a role. I know that there is some growing support for a correlation between inflammation and depression.
Basically, I just want to pick the brains of some of you psychopharmacology experts and see what you think.
Posted by Phillipa on May 9, 2007, at 10:57:21
In reply to Anyone else find ibuprofen mildly anxiolytic?, posted by Dunder on May 9, 2007, at 9:18:00
Well I'm not an expert but funny you mention that as I have noticed the same thing and thought the same that maybe it just reduced backpain with the valium? Love Phillipa
Posted by linkadge on May 9, 2007, at 11:13:45
In reply to Re: Anyone else find ibuprofen mildly anxiolytic? » Dunder, posted by Phillipa on May 9, 2007, at 10:57:21
Ibuprofen is also a mild-moderate inhibitor of FAAH. Fatty acid anandamide hydrogenase inhibitors slow the breakdown of the endocannabanoid anandamide. Anandamide is called the "bliss molecule" for its anxiolytic and serenic effects.
The degree to which clinical doses of ibuprofen increase anandamide is uncertain, but this is one possable mechanism to consider.
Linkadge
Posted by Quintal on May 9, 2007, at 11:53:01
In reply to Anyone else find ibuprofen mildly anxiolytic?, posted by Dunder on May 9, 2007, at 9:18:00
I actually find it makes me a little panicky. I saw on one of the benzo withdrawal sites that ibuprofen temporarily lowers GABA (and therefore not advised for people in benzo withdrawal). I wonder if this could be why?
Q
Posted by Quintal on May 9, 2007, at 11:56:04
In reply to Re: Anyone else find ibuprofen mildly anxiolytic?, posted by linkadge on May 9, 2007, at 11:13:45
However I do find paracetamol to be mildy anxiolytic, and I wonder if this plays a role?:
__________________________________________________A single study has shown that administration of paracetamol increases the bioavailability of serotonin (5-HT) in rats,[5] but the mechanism is unknown and untested in humans. In 2006, it was shown that paracetamol is converted to N-arachidonoylphenolamine, a compound already known (AM404) as an endogenous cannabinoid. As such, it activates the CB1 cannabinoid receptor; a CB(1) receptor antagonist completely blocks the analgesic action of paracetamol.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paracetamol#Mechanism_of_action
__________________________________________________Q
Posted by linkadge on May 9, 2007, at 13:59:49
In reply to Re: Anyone else find ibuprofen mildly anxiolytic? » linkadge, posted by Quintal on May 9, 2007, at 11:56:04
Interesting. Although this drug is toxic to the liver, so long term use is probably discouraged.
Linkadge
Posted by Quintal on May 9, 2007, at 16:21:05
In reply to Re: Anyone else find ibuprofen mildly anxiolytic? » Quintal, posted by linkadge on May 9, 2007, at 13:59:49
Posted by kaleidoscope on May 10, 2007, at 14:26:53
In reply to Re: Anyone else find ibuprofen mildly anxiolytic? » Quintal, posted by linkadge on May 9, 2007, at 13:59:49
Hi Link
>Although this drug is toxic to the liver, so long term use is probably discouraged.
Paracetamol (acetaminophen) causes significant liver damage only in overdose. Clinically apparant liver damage following the long-term use of therapeutic doses is exceptionally rare. Mildly elevated liver enzymes are occasionally observed. When taken at the recommended dose, paracetamol has an extremely good safety record (far better than almost any other drug I can think of). Long-term use is generally very safe.
Ed
Posted by Quintal on May 10, 2007, at 16:33:30
In reply to Re: Anyone else find ibuprofen mildly anxiolytic? » linkadge, posted by kaleidoscope on May 10, 2007, at 14:26:53
Yes, that's what I've read too but I didn't want to come across as being too combative. Actually one of paracetamol's metabolites is hepatoxic, the drug itself doesn't cause liver damage. I've read some reports where glutathione/N-acetylcysteine supplements are recommended with long-term use as heavy use can deplete reserves and lead to liver toxicity (in a small subset of patients). There's also a passage in my "The Allergy Bible" book claims that even occasional paracetamol use can aggravate asthma and allergies by reducing glutathione, which protects the lungs.
Q
Posted by kaleidoscope on May 10, 2007, at 16:58:05
In reply to Thank You » kaleidoscope, posted by Quintal on May 10, 2007, at 16:33:30
>Actually one of paracetamol's metabolites is hepatoxic, the drug itself doesn't cause liver damage.
That's right.
>I've read some reports where glutathione/N-acetylcysteine supplements are recommended with long-term use as heavy use can deplete reserves and lead to liver toxicity (in a small subset of patients).
Methionine has been used for this purpose but it's not recommended. The risk of serious liver toxicity following the long-term use of recommended doses is remote. The safety of excessive methionine supplementation is more questionable.
Posted by Quintal on May 10, 2007, at 17:01:57
In reply to Re: Thank You » Quintal, posted by kaleidoscope on May 10, 2007, at 16:58:05
Posted by linkadge on May 10, 2007, at 17:26:37
In reply to Re: Anyone else find ibuprofen mildly anxiolytic? » linkadge, posted by kaleidoscope on May 10, 2007, at 14:26:53
Thanks for the clarification.
Linkadge
Posted by kaleidoscope on May 11, 2007, at 14:40:36
In reply to Re: Anyone else find ibuprofen mildly anxiolytic? » kaleidoscope, posted by linkadge on May 10, 2007, at 17:26:37
You're welcome Link :)
Ed
Posted by sukarno on May 22, 2007, at 8:43:53
In reply to Re: Thank You » Quintal, posted by kaleidoscope on May 10, 2007, at 16:58:05
"Methionine has been used for this purpose but it's not recommended."
I've also read that methionine is carcinogenic. Is that really true?
Posted by kaleidoscope on May 22, 2007, at 14:30:56
In reply to methionine is carcinogenic? » kaleidoscope, posted by sukarno on May 22, 2007, at 8:43:53
Hi S,
I don't know, I've not heard that. I think I read somewhere that methionine supplementation might increase the risk of cardiovascular events by elevating homocysteine.
This is the end of the thread.
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