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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 bleauberry on September 22, 2007, at 13:33:37
I would like to hear anything and everything on your experience or knowledge with St Johns Wort. Interested in things like: Brand differences; why some people do terrible on high hyperforin brands and others do great; same with hypericin low hyperforin brands; antibacterial action; side effects; effectiveness; how long you might have used it; effectiveness on anxiety; effectiveness on depression; why it kicks in during 2 weeks for some people and yet 8 weeks for others; etc etc. Anything and everything.
I've used it in the past. Did great many years ago with some el-cheapo brand I don't remember. Did fairly well on Kira though it pooped out pretty quick. Perika or HBC put me in the dumps real fast. I just would like to hear things from other people as this particular herb fascinates me.
Posted by Jamal Spelling on September 22, 2007, at 14:22:32
In reply to Open Discussion on St Johns Wort, posted by bleauberry on September 22, 2007, at 13:33:37
I'm currently using SJW. It is making me photosensitive to the point where I can't go outside without wearing glasses, because the sun hurts my eyes so bad. This is a recognised side effect of SJW. I remember reading somewhere that SJW may predispose users to cataracts, so be careful, people! Other than that, I am experiencing no side effects. I do not intend to continue using SJW once my present supply is finished.
Jamal
Posted by Sigismund on September 22, 2007, at 15:13:30
In reply to Re: Open Discussion on St Johns Wort, posted by Jamal Spelling on September 22, 2007, at 14:22:32
I got the photosensitivity thing. It was like sunburn but more temporary. I can't recall liking or disliking the effect....maybe I felt a little dulled.
Posted by TenMan on September 22, 2007, at 20:56:11
In reply to Re: Open Discussion on St Johns Wort, posted by Sigismund on September 22, 2007, at 15:13:30
I agree, SJW is a fascinating herb. I've taken it on and off over the years in varying amounts and differing brands and it consistently works to ease my depression and social anxiety better than most anything else. It's a shame since I will no longer take it due to fears of retinal damage from the photosensitizing effects hypericin has, otherwise I would take it daily. Hypericin is supposed to be the photosensitizing agent in SJW and I've looked long for a pure hyperfoin extract but the only one that I have found is no longer in production it seems. Caveat Emptor, the SC27 extract is not devoid of hypericin as the label may lead you to believe. This has been confirmed by myself and another and also by e-mail with New Chapter the makers of the that particular product.
Another benefit I have found from SJW is a pronounced and definite increase in cognition as measured by ability to concentrate, verbal fluency and abstract thought. Also, motivation for me is greatly improved.
SJW has a number of health benefits for the body beyond relief of depression, it is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory and in one study has been shown to lower LDL and raise HDL cholesterol levels.
It's a shame that it has the effect of photosensitivity in the eyes, if it were not for that SJW would be a staple for me but I am yound and it is not worth the risk to my eyes!
Best,
Ten
Posted by Netch on September 24, 2007, at 9:03:37
In reply to Re: Open Discussion on St Johns Wort, posted by TenMan on September 22, 2007, at 20:56:11
I agree with above posts about the photosensitivy... I also get more sensitive skin i general... rashes from shaving or scratching.
Allthough it helps mood SJW also makes me more agitated and irritated.
Another disadvantage is that it poops out... atleast it did for me.Netch
Posted by linkadge on September 30, 2007, at 20:45:56
In reply to Re: Open Discussion on St Johns Wort, posted by Netch on September 24, 2007, at 9:03:37
I think it is a good herb, but a little bit too "bright and happy" type of a feeling.
I'd like something a little darker and a little more personal.
It feels a bit like clomipramine, but I like other TCA's better. Clomipramine was a bit too "bright and happy".
SJW with a slightly higher catecholamine / serotonin uptake ratio would be cool.
Linkadge
Posted by linkadge on September 30, 2007, at 21:00:33
In reply to Re: Open Discussion on St Johns Wort, posted by Netch on September 24, 2007, at 9:03:37
I kind of like vitex better as an antidepressant.
I feel a bit more like myself.
Linkadge
Posted by tenman on October 1, 2007, at 16:52:09
In reply to Re: Open Discussion on St Johns Wort, posted by linkadge on September 30, 2007, at 21:00:33
> I kind of like vitex better as an antidepressant.
>
> I feel a bit more like myself.
>
>
> LinkadgeI agree. I find Vitex to give a nice boost. I take it daily.
Ten
Posted by Sigismund on October 1, 2007, at 17:35:10
In reply to Re: Open Discussion on St Johns Wort » linkadge, posted by tenman on October 1, 2007, at 16:52:09
>I find Vitex to give a nice boost. I take it daily.
So it's dopaminergic?
Does it affect your sex drive adversely?
(If not, why is it called chasteberry?)Anything else about it?
Posted by TenMan on October 1, 2007, at 20:46:52
In reply to Vitex » tenman, posted by Sigismund on October 1, 2007, at 17:35:10
> >I find Vitex to give a nice boost. I take it daily.
>
> So it's dopaminergic?
>
> Does it affect your sex drive adversely?
> (If not, why is it called chasteberry?)
>
> Anything else about it?
Vitex is a potent D2 agonist.Yes, it does positively increase my sex drive. It also greatly reduces time needed between orgasm.
Sorry if that was too graphic.
Vitex has positive effects on testosterone, if taken properly. Too low or high of a dose, or taken at the wrong time will suppress testosterone and libido, however taken properly the drug will increase male hormone levels and desire. I have verified this on my own through blood work.
Vitex also seems to bind to estrogen receptors without inducing transcription. So it functions as a weaker than estrogen agonist or an antagonist.
Vitex also shows properties that hint at it being healthy for the liver.
Posted by Sigismund on October 1, 2007, at 21:52:29
In reply to Re: Vitex, posted by TenMan on October 1, 2007, at 20:46:52
What's the best dose?
Posted by TenMan on October 1, 2007, at 22:05:35
In reply to Re: Vitex » TenMan, posted by Sigismund on October 1, 2007, at 21:52:29
> What's the best dose?
4-500mgs. once daily in the morning. The brand I take is made by Planetary Herbals.
Ten
Posted by linkadge on October 6, 2007, at 8:51:28
In reply to Re: Vitex, posted by TenMan on October 1, 2007, at 20:46:52
>Vitex also seems to bind to estrogen receptors >without inducing transcription. So it functions >as a weaker than estrogen agonist or an >antagonist.
Really, I was under the impression it had no estrogenic effect.
(Interesting)
Linkadge
Posted by alan2102 on October 11, 2007, at 15:00:47
In reply to Re: Open Discussion on St Johns Wort, posted by Netch on September 24, 2007, at 9:03:37
> I agree with above posts about the
> photosensitivy...Coadministered beta-carotene (and possibly
other vitamins) might help with the
photosensitivity:
http://www.peacehealth.org/kbase/cam/hn-1248007.htm
Posted by Questionmark on October 24, 2007, at 2:29:57
In reply to Re: Open Discussion on St Johns Wort, posted by Netch on September 24, 2007, at 9:03:37
Why is it that, although I am fairly sensitive to most psychoactive substances, after multiple trials of a number of different brands and forms of SJW (some for 6 to 8 weeks or more, and including Kira & Perika), I have never felt anything whatsoever?
Mind you I can notice 1500mg tryptophan oftentimes and like 2mg Paxil, for instance. Now my last trials were during a period of Nardil withdrawal, but still. You would think i'd notice SOMEthing, right? I usually respond pretty favorably to serotonergic substances, but with SJW, nothing.Any ideas?
Thank you.
This is the end of the thread.
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