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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by PamS on April 28, 2008, at 19:57:40
Hi all,
I was wondering if anyone has heard of Zenbev for increasing serotonin levels naturally. Apparently, it is natural Tryptophan derived from pumpkin seeds developed by Dr. Hudson, a psychiatrist in Ontario, Canada.
I am trying to decide between L-Tryptophan supplements or this Zenbev (which is quite pricey). Dr. Hudson states that Zenbev does not cause sedation, unlike L-Tryptophan, if taken during the day when melatonin is not circulating. He states that synthetic L-Tryptophan you buy in the capsules overrides the natural body chemistry producing too much serotonin which is what causes it to be more sedating than the natural Trytophan from his Zenbev product. He states that while using Zenbev, your body only uses what it needs as opposed to synthetic L-Tryptophan. This confuses me as I thought Trytpophan is Tryptophan. Wouldn't your body metabolize it the same?
Also, I would like to add that I have a pretty severe case of panic disorder which has been under control with Clonazepam for the past 12 years, although I still feel anxiety lurking in the background. I tried numerous natural products for an entire year before going on Clonazepam 12 years ago, and nothing worked, but I see there are some natural products out now that I did not know existed at that time.
I am looking for something natural so that I can slowly lower my Clonazepam dose back down to my maintenance dose of 2 mgs daily (I'm now on 2.5 mgs per day - 1.25 mgs b.i.d). I'm not sure if serotonin is an issue with me, but assuming that doctors like to prescribe SSRIs for panic disorder (which I cannot tolerate nor care to take due to nasty side effects), I thought a natural serotonin raising supplement would give the same outcome, minus the nasty side effects.
I've also heard about Niacinamide in higher doses being good for anxiety; however, I'm not sure if it would be good for panic attacks because I've heard that it only binds to GABA receptors A(1), similar to Valium, which does not have any anti-panic properties. A Chemist along with my prescribing doctor explained to me that Clonazepam and Xanax are the only two benzos that have anti-panic properties as they have a higher affinity towards GABA receptors A(2) and A(3) which are the anti-panic sites. Other benzos such as Valium and Lorazepam don't even touch my panic disorder, so I'm not sure if Niacinamide would work for panic or not as it only binds to GABA A(1), which is a sedation site mainly for nervous tension, so I was told. Anybody have experience with this?
My other concern with Niacinamide or L-Taurine to increase GABA production is that if I decide to use these during my slow wean from Clonazepam, will my brain still have a chance to produce GABA on it's own? I understand that the idea of a slow wean is to allow your brain time to create it's own GABA, but if there is something there acting similar to a benzodiazepine, is your brain still able to do this?
I would love to hear from anybody who has had any experience with this, and/or any advice on Zenbev as opposed to L-Tryptophan.
Thanks,
Pam
Posted by Sigismund on April 29, 2008, at 3:45:47
In reply to Zenbev or L-Tryptophan, posted by PamS on April 28, 2008, at 19:57:40
I take this stuff called Seroctin, which sounds similar to the pumkin thing.
I gather it's a serotonin analogue from maize.... zea mays, at any rate.
Posted by PamS on May 1, 2008, at 10:24:54
In reply to Re: Zenbev or L-Tryptophan, posted by Sigismund on April 29, 2008, at 3:45:47
Interesting. Do you find that it helps? Have you tried L-tryptophan for comparison? I'm still trying to decide between the two.
Posted by Kjuiceman on May 1, 2008, at 11:13:52
In reply to Re: Zenbev or L-Tryptophan, posted by PamS on May 1, 2008, at 10:24:54
As I understand it, the difference between ZB and l tryptophan is much like the difference between eating an orange for vitamin C and taking a Vitamin C pill. You can get it naturally, or take is artificially. The Tryptophan in ZB is NATURALLY occurring, meaning that your brain will utilize it to make as much serotonin or melatonin that it needs. As opposed to taking L-tryptphan, which artificially supplies the brain with more tryptophan than it may need. that is why you wake up feeling groggy...you have more than you need.
I wrote to dr hudson on the ZB site and he actually responded to me. Plus I have found that when I started using ZB, I was able to use it for 5 days and take a couple of days off, so the cost was actually less than a dollar a day. Hope this helps...good luck
Posted by PamS on May 1, 2008, at 12:41:02
In reply to Re: Zenbev or L-Tryptophan, posted by Kjuiceman on May 1, 2008, at 11:13:52
I also received a response from Dr. Hudson when I emailed him regarding the differences. He basically stated the same thing to me as you have learned from him along with what is on the website.
Even with this information, I was hoping to find opinions of those who have actually tried his product to see if it in fact does work as well as or better than L-tryptophan supplements, as he states it does.
Do you find that it works well, or have you been on it long enough? The idea that it is natural sounds more appealing to me as I'm nervous trying anything.
Thanks for your response.
Pam
Posted by Kjuiceman on May 1, 2008, at 17:44:51
In reply to Re: Zenbev or L-Tryptophan, posted by PamS on May 1, 2008, at 12:41:02
Yes...I have used it for a couple of months and find it works much better than the tryptophan pills. I sleep longer, fall asleep faster. I have only used it a little during the day for stress, but have some friends that use it and love it!
Posted by PamS on May 1, 2008, at 18:01:50
In reply to Re: Zenbev or L-Tryptophan, posted by Kjuiceman on May 1, 2008, at 17:44:51
This is great to know. I will purchase some tomorrow then and see how I do. Dr. Hudson told me that since I'm taking Clonazepam, Zenbev would be a good compliment to help restore my sleep architecture and then continue to keep my serotonin levels high the following day for the anxiety part of it. He said he was going to send me a sleep kit along with his book as well.
Thanks again for your response.
Posted by clipper40 on May 4, 2008, at 20:01:37
In reply to Zenbev or L-Tryptophan, posted by PamS on April 28, 2008, at 19:57:40
This sounds like a commercial... and since you are both new posters, I can't help but wonder if that's exactly what this thread is.
Posted by PamS on May 4, 2008, at 20:32:45
In reply to Re: Zenbev or L-Tryptophan » PamS, posted by clipper40 on May 4, 2008, at 20:01:37
Clipper40,
Perhaps, if you read my original posting a little more carefully, you'll see that it clearly is an honest question to which I've received someone's answer/opinion. It most certainly is not a commercial.
Posted by clipper40 on May 5, 2008, at 0:53:08
In reply to Re: Zenbev or L-Tryptophan, posted by PamS on May 4, 2008, at 20:32:45
Actually, I couldn't tell from that post. I have since read another post by you on this topic on a different board and I could tell from that one, that you were genuine. There have been many on this board trying to sell things so my radar has been up.
I sincerely apologize.
Posted by kjuiceman on May 26, 2008, at 20:00:10
In reply to Re: Zenbev or L-Tryptophan » PamS, posted by clipper40 on May 5, 2008, at 0:53:08
no commercial for me either...just someone trying to offer a suggestion...isnt that what this is for?
Posted by ksamiams on January 29, 2009, at 7:47:55
In reply to Re: Zenbev or L-Tryptophan, posted by kjuiceman on May 26, 2008, at 20:00:10
Does this work for anxiety? Can you take it while weaning from Klonopin? Does it have any side effects?
This is the end of the thread.
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