Okay I am 19 years old, I am depressed, get panic attacks and I am currently getting counseling which is helping a bit. I also take about 10 gs of Omega 3 Fish Oils a day.

After reading posts by JoePedo I started to figure that maybe there is some hope for my situation. I know hardly anything about the brain and how much of each supplement is adequate.

I have a very rough idea of what may improve things. Could people please help me if they have any ideas of what to add or modifications.

Vitamin B6 500 Mg
I know vitamin B6 is very good at helping autistic people. I have very bad anxiety and trouble communicating with others so perhaps this would work for me. I know B6 helps with serotonin, couldn't tell you exactly how. Anyone know whether this dose is too high? I read on a website that 0.2-1g is safe for autistic kids. Does the fact that I am not "autistic" make this vitamin more dangerous for me?

Magnesium 200 Mg
Magnesium plays a vital role in the brain. It is usually used with vitamin B6 for treating Autism and ADD. I couldn't explain to you why. I think this dose of Magnesium should be good as it's Recommended Daily Allowance is 400 mg and many foods also contain it.

5-HTP 1 Gram
"Tryptophan" is not sold where I am living (Canada) so I will use 5-HTP (same thing, right?). I have tried this before and I have taken even more then 1 Gram before. Thus I believe that 1 Gram should turn out to be a safe and effective dose. 5-HTP is a precursor to serotonin, and the taking of B6 and Magnesium should make this more powerful.

St. John's Wort Whatever Dose is on the bottle
St. John's Wort works similar to an SSRI in that it will keep the serotonin in my system longer. I remember JoePedo saying it was effective for cutting down on the "speediness" of that L-Phenylalanine thing he created. I guess it could probably help anxiety.

Vitamin C Double the recommended dose
The dose on the bottle is usually a little too low (they can't make it dangerous for really lite girls and I weigh 190). Vitamin C seems to be a component of everything and I am sure some more of it would be beneficial.

L-Phenylalanine 1 Gram
Based on FullMetalJacket's experience I think 1 Gram should be an adequate amount. I take it that L-Phenylalanine is to Dopamine what 5htp (or Tryptophan) is to Serotonin. I read that when you smoke cigarettes dopamine is released in your system. As an ex-Smoker I can say that I'd love to have that feeling again.

Niacin 100mg
Dosage also based on FullMetalJacket's experience. Works as an anxiolytic. Helps in other respects too.

Valerian Recommended Dose
Also works as an anxiolytic.

Folic Acid 800ug
Dosage is 200ug less then the Recommended Daily Allowance. Folic Acid deficiency is the cause of some mood disorders so I think taking it could be beneficial.

Caffeine Cup of tea when needed
If more caffeine is required then I will up the amount.

Okay guys, this is all I have for now. Any thoughts about this and experiences shared are greatly appreciated. Please help me on my quest to happiness.

I will be updating this Combo upon reflection of the replies.

As far as vitamin C goes.. no one is really sure what exactly it does, but the consensus is it benefits the immune system among other things. To add to that there's no real agreed upon dose. Some recommend the 'recommended' dosage (in the mg's..) while there are some who recommend 'megadoses' (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin_C_megadosage) of vitamin C (in the grams...)

But shit, why not? Can't hurt. ;)

I really recommend the Dl-Phenylalanine (http://www.totse.com/community/showthread.php?t=2084457) combo, I mean it's cheap, it's easy, and around page 47 a guy sums up basically a recipe on how to do it.

That + exercise is awesome for its whole range of effects and has really helped with me. Combined with sunflower oil and vitamin c for serotonin, it's sweet. I'm kind of curious if its similar to Prozac in that in about five weeks it starts making changes and starts really working. Not that I've taken Prozac.

The very least you'll be able to look forward to an hour to two hours of a real driven/warm feeling perhaps with your morning coffee. I recommend beforehand a teaspoon of sunflower oil then when you feel like it a bump more of sunflower oil to kick it back in gear.

(cont) Niacinamide has activity at the benzodiazapene receptors, and both valerian and hops potentiate the GABAergic systems to anioxylitic effect, if needed.

^^ That's for anxiety symtoms. From the good pedo himself.

*edit* Found it. Twisted_Ferret combines all the recipies in this post. (http://www.totse.com/community/showpost.php?p=9540320&postcount=464)

Thanks for the replies Kenton and thatcoolkid.

Ok Kenton, I am going to add some of the "L-Phenylalanine" ingredients to my Combo.

I will add:

L-Phenylalanine 1 Gram
Based on FullMetalJacket's experience I think 1 Gram should be an adequate amount. I take it that L-Phenylalanine is to Dopamine what 5htp (or Tryptophan) is to Serotonin. I read that when you smoke cigarettes dopamine is released in your system. As an ex-Smoker I can say that I'd love to have that feeling again.

Niacin 100mg
Dosage also based on FullMetalJacket's experience. Works as an anxiolytic. Helps in other respects too.

Valerian Recommended Dose
Also works as an anxiolytic.

Folic Acid 800ug
Dosage is 200ug less then the Recommended Daily Allowance. Folic Acid deficiency is the cause of some mood disorders so I think taking it could be beneficial.

Caffeine Cup of tea when needed
If more caffeine is required then I will up the amount.

Okay I took the Combo about an hour and a half ago. I have to admit that I do feel better. Not quite the bliss that has been suggested but there is definitely a good lift now. Perhaps counseling will have to take over the rest.

I have noticed on the back of the bottle for L-Phenylalanine that it says "not for the depressed or those taking MAO inhibitors, pregnant (obvious), Parkinson's, Phenylketonuria, Schizos". The MAO and depressed thing kind of caught my attention, but even though I am depressed I took it anyway.

Yeah, so I definitely feel somewhat better after all these pills but still not where I want to be. Perhaps I should modify the times when I take each. Anyone with any ideas please help, thanks.

alcohol+pussy+the occaisional acid/shroom trip is all you need.

it keeps me happy, im happier now sticking to the above combo than I was when I was taking opiates coke drinking and smoking weed almost everyday.

Your special

Some people (http://www.benefitsofmarijuana.com/ask/reader-questions/marijuana-therapy-dissolves-depression/) believe marijuana can help with depression.

Viewing the problem in a holistic way one can treat their physical health, emotional heath, and especially spiritual health separately. That's anoter thing that healped me: pot + meditation + reading spiritually powerful books. You don't have to believe in God either- I'm not reffering to 'spiritual' as that but more as your relationship with yourself, society, and the world. A lot of eastern spirituality sings in tune with my heart.

Just a thought :p

5HTP and B6 could possibly cause heart problems.

From - http://yarchive.net/med/5-htp.html

"5-hydroxytrytophan (5-HTP) is what's sold as a serotonin brain
precursor. It is taken up into the brain. If you could keep if from
getting converted to serotonin in the liver, you'd be in great shape.
Taking 10 mg of B6 a day, however, is going to get most of it converted
to serotonin before it has a chance to get into the brain. 50 mg a day
without carbodopa is too much, since most of it will get converted to
serotonin, and 50 mg a day of "outside the brain" serotonin or so is
about the amount associated wtih heart damage in carcinoid syndrome."


It says that levels of blood serotonin (in the range 50mg or more) can cause problems with fibrosis of the endocardium and valves in the right heart, which can cause heart failure.

Be careful with that, especially if your planning on taking a gram of 5HTP when they are saying only 50mg of 5HTP and 10mg of B6 (and your going for 500mg!) can cause heart problems.

If you dose that phenylalanine combo, don't dose the 5-HTP till hours later or they will compete for receptors, meaning less will be absorbed.

And I would definately recomend taking at least 200mg of caffeine with it, caffeine pills are cheap. Also, buy some huperzine A. It is a AchE inhibitor and pretty important in the combo. Also, green potatoes are a good source of this.

I have found the best natural supplement for depression/anxiety and other things is L-Theanine. Read about it here - http://tinyurl.com/4e4yj2. Pretty amazing supplement in my opinion... "Because it can enter the brain, theanine has psychoactive properties. Theanine has been shown to reduce mental and physical stress, may produce feelings of relaxation and improves cognition and mood when taken in combination with caffeine.
Theanine increases brain serotonin, dopamine, and GABA levels! And has affinities for NMDA receptors. Theanine also promotes alpha wave production in the brain!

"Theanine may help the body's immune response to infection by boosting the disease-fighting capacity of gamma delta T cells. The study, published in 2003 by the Brigham and Women's Hospital, included a four-week trial with 11 coffee drinkers and 10 tea drinkers, who consumed 600 milliliters of coffee or black tea daily. Blood sample analysis found that the production of anti-bacterial proteins was up to five times higher in the tea-drinkers, an indicator of a stronger immune response." (L-Theanine is extracted out of tea, hence there anti-bacterial proteins were five times higher than the coffee drinkers).

Sounds like a pretty good supplement to me!

Your special

Supplements are bullshit. Placebo, you are a weak minded fool if you think any of the supplements here help in any substantial way.


Hate to break your misplaced hopes and dreams but the truth must be told. I'm not trying to be an asshole either I'm just telling it like it is.

5HTP and B6 could possibly cause heart problems.

From - http://yarchive.net/med/5-htp.html

"5-hydroxytrytophan (5-HTP) is what's sold as a serotonin brain
precursor. It is taken up into the brain. If you could keep if from
getting converted to serotonin in the liver, you'd be in great shape.
Taking 10 mg of B6 a day, however, is going to get most of it converted
to serotonin before it has a chance to get into the brain. 50 mg a day
without carbodopa is too much, since most of it will get converted to
serotonin, and 50 mg a day of "outside the brain" serotonin or so is
about the amount associated wtih heart damage in carcinoid syndrome."


It says that levels of blood serotonin (in the range 50mg or more) can cause problems with fibrosis of the endocardium and valves in the right heart, which can cause heart failure.

Be careful with that, especially if your planning on taking a gram of 5HTP when they are saying only 50mg of 5HTP and 10mg of B6 (and your going for 500mg!) can cause heart problems.



Read this and get back to me about 5htp. http://www.vrp.com/articles.aspx?ProdID=art604&zTYPE=2

I will definitely look into Theanine though.

Be careful with that, especially if your planning on taking a gram of 5HTP when they are saying only 50mg of 5HTP and 10mg of B6 (and your going for 500mg!) can cause heart problems.
!

I am pretty sure that 1000mgs equal a gram.

I am pretty sure that 1000mgs equal a gram.

He is talking about B6, smartass. Read the link I posted too about that warning.

Just want to add that two hours in, I was feeling damn good on my combo. This really works. Today I am going to try it without 5htp at the same time. I will take 5htp later in the day to prevent competition with the dopamine.

4 hours in I remembered I forgot to take the Tomato leaves, so I took that and 2 more L-Phenyls. I will note if this still works.

He is talking about B6, smartass. Read the link I posted too about that warning.

Just want to add that two hours in, I was feeling damn good on my combo. This really works. Today I am going to try it without 5htp at the same time. I will take 5htp later in the day to prevent competition with the dopamine.

4 hours in I remembered I forgot to take the Tomato leaves, so I took that and 2 more L-Phenyls. I will note if this still works.

hey smartass was I talking to you? I obviously misread what he said. I dont give a shit about your link.

Please GTFO. You contribute nothing to this thread.

Didn't work after taking the tomato leaves late. I am doing everything this morning again with half the 5-HTP, will note the effects.

Damn, this worked the first day but now I am not getting anymore effects. JoePedo can you help me?

Heres my contribution. i took 5htp for a couple of weeks and it did nothing for me I guess it doesn't mean it wont for you though. You definetly don't need a gram of 5htp per day.

Please contribute something or leave would be nicer.


Like I said before in another thread, 5 htp is not even proven to do what they say it does.

"It has been alleged that 5-HTP can be used to treat mental disorders such as depression. Unfortunately, the studies to date are incomplete. Reviews of these studies do indicate that potential exists for 5-HTP in the treatment of depression, but further trials are stressed as necessary before arriving at any firm conclusion.[10]

Similar deficits[clarify] have been observed in long term/high dose psychostimulant users. Such deficits are especially apparent in those who have used amphetamine and methamphetamine. Amphetamines, and to a lesser extent cocaine, can damage serotonergic neurons in the CNS. Similar benefits have been seen in those with cognitive deficits resulting from psychostimulant use.[11]

Current research shows promise in using 5-HTP for treating children with night terrors. After six months of use 83.9% of the children treated with 5-HTP were free from their persistent sleep terrors. [12]

Some persons with fibromyalgia find that 5-HTP improves their symptoms.[13] Fibromyalgia sufferers report improvement in sleep, depression, pain and all major complaints related to fibromyalgia.[14] Studies are continuing to refine dosage and continued use."

Fuck 5-htp, fuck research.

Take a teaspoon of sunflower oil, much cheaper same good 'ol serotonin. 500 mg vit c too.

Like I said, a long with the Dl-Phen combo, this shit kicks ass and yes you can feel the effects.

Ugh, I lied though, depression doesn't get 100% better. :(

You don't need a list of things in little bottles to sort out your head. Sort out your life my friend, and your head will be happy. You're obviously depressed about something; even if you did manage to create chemical harmony in your brain without sorting it out it would be kinda kidding yourself, don't you think?

Yeah moby_dick I agree with you completely. I am trying to sort out my problem. But I have been down for so long that my brain just gets stuck in a pattern and I sort of need something to clear things up a bit in the meantime. Like I need to be able to get up to work, etc. But your definitely right that you must actually sort out your own problems.

Kenton: Okay, I think your on to something. 5htp isn't doing shit so I bought some sunflower oil and some sunflower seeds. I am going to consume a good amount of that and get back to you.

Ron, I don't know if my feedback will help, but I just wanted to say to please be careful with the supplements you're currrently taking. My only helpuful advice would be to take everything as consistantly (timewise) as possible, and to try and run your findings past a professional. Might not be too helpful, but also, do not take any supplements at the same time, you need to have some fatty acids in your stomach (I gues like the omega's) and you should try and get the ones that are time released

thats all I can think of right now

good luck let me know and give us updates.

Kenton: Okay, I think your on to something. 5htp isn't doing shit so I bought some sunflower oil and some sunflower seeds. I am going to consume a good amount of that and get back to you.

Cool. Hope it helps, interestingly enough in a book I'm reading says depression is basically having these beliefs: your future is hopeless, you are no good; oh shi and one other that I forgot. But basically you can write down your thoughts leading to this belief and question them until you see through how wrong they are.

Anyway, an interesting read called The Happiness Hypothesis. I'm actually not really depressed anymore, up and down sometimes. I owe a lot of it to the combo and everything else I've tried. I do reccomend the book though 'cause it is like a guide to life for any person of any mental health.

I'm going to be getting L-Phenylalanine and Huperzine A in the mail tomorrow, and I already have the rest of the ingredients for that stack. The Huperzine A works the same way as the green potato does, so I don't have to fiddle around with rotten food.

I'll let you guys know how it works out. Not really expecting anything substantial, so I won't overreact to a placebo effect, but I just enjoy experimenting with these kinds of things.

Just received my package from bodybuilding.com. They have cheap supplements and I got my package in only 2 days for standard shipping. Ordered L-Phenylalanine and L-Huperzine A from them. I had all the other ingredients. Here's what I took:
500mg L-Phenylalanine
100ug L-Huperzine A
65mg iron
Multivitamin containing vitamin B, C and niacin
500ug folic acid
100mg magnesium, dissolved in mouth
2 diet cokes for caffeine and aspartame

That seems to be all the essentials in the original thread. It's only been 10 minutes since I've taken them, so I don't feel anything yet. I also took them on a relatively empty stomach; I had a small breakfast about 8 hours ago. I'll edit this after the effects take place.

2 hours later edit: I suppose my mood is slightly lifted, but there's no substantial effects. I felt a little more talkative when my friend called, and my head feels light, but that's about it. I took 1 more huperzine and phenylalanine each... but this experiment is lackluster. I guess I'll take this combo when I'm going out and need to feel more talkative, but otherwise it doesn't have much recreational value.

Yeah it doesn't do much for me either.. I am still waiting on JoePedo to come and explain.

Weird thing is though the first time I did it I am sure it had a big effect on me.

Placebo, I'm guessing.

You don't need to take a separate source of aspartane other then L-Phen, which is part of aspartane and which is what you're trying to isolate. I think diet coke as a source of caffeine is a bad idea, for one you're only getting 2 X 45mg of caffeine, so it'd work better if you switched your source of caffeine (what works for me is 16oz cup of coffee (between 150-200 mg caffeine).

Pooter said the multivitamin would not work due to competing other regents. It's best to separate and take all the regents in powder form, you can gel cap it or parachute it.

I also heard taking vitamin B with it is bad, but I don't have much information on that.

DL-Phen is suppose to work a whole lot better than L-Phen if it still doesn't work for you.