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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ExcellentCamper on October 16, 2006, at 21:37:31
I'm starting a trial of Rhodiola tomorrow. I am going to try 300 mg/day to start. I have some concerns after reading another post here that mine might not be a high enough potency. It is Solaray, 100 mg capsules, and the bottle says that it's only guaranteed 1 percent active ingredients (rosavins). Elsewhere I read that I should be looking for at least 4 percent. I was considering ordering it in bulk (uncapsuled) from a company called Beyond a Century but wanted to get it quickly. Here are the details there: RHODIOLA rosea, 3-5% rosavins, aka Golden or Arctic Root. Bitter taste. 500 doses, 50 grams, $10.25
Don't know how bitter it would be, but I'm willing to give it a try. What are your experiences with:
- how long rhodiola takes to work
- effect it had on your mood and energy levels
- dosage and potencyThanks in advance!
Willp.s. By the way, can anyone give direction on how to make your own capsules if I wanted to go that route?
Posted by Declan on October 16, 2006, at 23:16:21
In reply to Rhodiola, posted by ExcellentCamper on October 16, 2006, at 21:37:31
I don't think it's *that* bitter. I used to chew my caps up. It has a rose petal smell and is perhaps slightly bitter and sweet.
Quite nice, as I remember.
Posted by ExcellentCamper on October 17, 2006, at 6:34:34
In reply to Re: Rhodiola, posted by Declan on October 16, 2006, at 23:16:21
> I don't think it's *that* bitter. I used to chew my caps up. It has a rose petal smell and is perhaps slightly bitter and sweet.
> Quite nice, as I remember.Are you sure you were taking Rhodiola or sipping a nice Pinot Noir? Anyhow, I am at least game to try it. The price is definitely right if I can go with the bulk form, even if the doses might not be on the money. Thanks, Declan.
Posted by ExcellentCamper on October 17, 2006, at 6:46:04
In reply to Re: Rhodiola, posted by ExcellentCamper on October 17, 2006, at 6:34:34
I posted this on Psychobabble, but it seemed worth adding here. After reading the posts on Rhodiola above, I do have some concerns about increasing anxiety and insomnia (awoke at 4 this morning and haven't been able to get back to sleep -- this is pre-Rhodiola so I can't blame it on that) ...
I'm taking 150mg Lamictal and 150mg Wellbutrin. The Lamictal is very good for controlling rumination and obsessive thoughts, and the Wellbutrin, well, I don't know if it's doing anything at this point -- maybe keeping me more awake and less nap-prone during the day. [At higher doses, it just makes me anxious and prone to urinary retention.] I just discontinued Effexor XR due to sexual side effects (anorgasmia), and my depression remains.
I have read some good reports about Rhodiola extract and am going to start a trial of that tomorrow. At the same time, I feel like trying 5 mg of selegeline with my Wellbutrin -- I've read reports here of the two possibly potentiating each other. I have some selegeline remaining from an unsuccessful low-dose route I could use for that purpose. My psychiatrist is out of town, and I'm tempted to freestyle.
Anyhow, is it always best to only change one thing at a time? It might take a month to give the Rhodiola a full trial. Or do you find throwing a couple of things against the wall and seeing what sticks has its virtues? I guess I'm running short of patience and am looking for some rationale for the latter, more scattershot approach.
Thanks for your thoughts, and best of luck to everyone with their own searches.
Will
Posted by ExcellentCamper on October 17, 2006, at 6:48:27
In reply to Rhodiola w/ Selegeline (deseryl), posted by ExcellentCamper on October 17, 2006, at 6:46:04
Lack of sleep is making me sloppy.
Posted by Declan on October 17, 2006, at 13:33:14
In reply to Oops, I meant selegeline (Deprenyl), posted by ExcellentCamper on October 17, 2006, at 6:48:27
Rhodiola with deprenyl was an interesting combo for me. The mood effects were excellent but caused insomnia. I just felt good.
Never taken Wellbutrin.
Posted by psychobot5000 on October 17, 2006, at 14:11:29
In reply to Rhodiola, posted by ExcellentCamper on October 16, 2006, at 21:37:31
Hi,
My rhodiola experience (so far) was brief, but generally positive. It's effects were evident within an hour or so of taking it.
It gave me increased energy, like a stimulant, without affecting my heart-rate. If anything, its effects helped my sleep. Maybe a little boost in mood. It did not help my cognition, however, and I felt that it was damaging my short-term memory, an effect that carried on well-after the stimulant effects had worn off. I suspect there are several active chemicals in the substance, and that the ones effecting opiate-receptors are active much longer than the stimulants. ....This is how I explain to myself that it was a stimulant and also helped my sleep, anyway.
Whatever effects the herb had, they did not seem to carry over to the next day.
I've seen recommendations to take 1-200mg (of 3% rosavins) 3 times a day, for various issues, but for depression I saw recommendations as low as 100mg in the morning, or 300mg in the morning (same 3% concentration).
I thought the stuff had a fairly pleasant, bitter taste. The Russians evidently drink a tea made from the infused root, so it seems they have no problem with the flavor.
Hope that's helpful,
psychobot
Posted by ExcellentCamper on October 18, 2006, at 9:50:58
In reply to Re: Rhodiola » ExcellentCamper, posted by psychobot5000 on October 17, 2006, at 14:11:29
Thanks for both responses. Declan, what makes you say never take Wellbutrin? Do you mean period or with Rhodiola?
Posted by Declan on October 18, 2006, at 16:28:57
In reply to Re: Oops, I meant selegeline (Deprenyl) » ExcellentCamper, posted by Declan on October 17, 2006, at 13:33:14
I've never taken Wellbutrin. But sice you mention it (ESP?) I have my doubts about it. Apart from what I've heard here it is a relative of a pretty crappy diet tablet (diethylpropion as against bupropion).
Posted by Jlx on October 18, 2006, at 19:21:31
In reply to Rhodiola, posted by ExcellentCamper on October 16, 2006, at 21:37:31
> p.s. By the way, can anyone give direction on how to make your own capsules if I wanted to go that route?
You can fill the capsules either with a device or just by hand. I pour out the powder and just push the two halves together.
The device I have is not high tech. http://www.iherb.com/store/ProductDetails.aspx?c=Herbs&pid=SLS-02222
What I don't like about that is that it doesn't fill the capsules as much as I can if I push the two halves together.
Perhaps there are more capsule filling devices available which may be more effective.
JL
Posted by laima on October 21, 2006, at 21:51:51
In reply to Rhodiola w/ Selegeline (deseryl), posted by ExcellentCamper on October 17, 2006, at 6:46:04
I was told by several doctors that the rationale for changing "one thing at a time" is because it gives a clearer indication of what is doing what. Ie, if you make a bunch of changes all at once, how can you really be sure what did what? You could end up taking stuff you don't need, you could feel worse, or weird, or better--and not know why for sure. It gets confused. Changing one thing at a time is systematic. Make a change, observe, assess result. Proceed.
> Anyhow, is it always best to only change one thing at a time? It might take a month to give the Rhodiola a full trial. Or do you find throwing a couple of things against the wall and seeing what sticks has its virtues? I guess I'm running short of patience and am looking for some rationale for the latter, more scattershot approach.
This is the end of the thread.
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