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I take a med for anxiety, I also like to use supplements and natural aids. Thinking about 5htp?(i think that’s it anyway) Anyone tried anything natural that has helped the body, anxiety, mood etc with the ptsd?
Yes, I started taking curcumin (the active constituent in turmeric) a couple weeks ago after reading 2 clinical trials that established its effectiveness as an antidepressant. I am very sensitive to mood altering drugs and cannot tolerate SSRIs. I noticed a significant positive change in mood with the curcumin (actually a collection of compounds called curcuminoids). It’s not well absorbed from the intestine so you have to get the kind that’s combined with black pepper extract to increase absorption. Curcumin also has a host of other health benefits.
AB I will take that too, I knew it was good for heart health and have taken that before andI have some
Nap 5-htp is supposed to help with anxiety attacks and mood, though I have never tried it.It’s 5-hydroxytryptophan, a serotonin precursor. I tried it and it made me jumpy and upset my GI system. Some ppl do well on it though. Just don’t combine it with any serotonergic drugs (like SSRIs) without talking to a doctor.
I’m with Liza…. No help here…
My Grandma used to say if Chicken Soup or a shot of whiskey wouldn’t cure you then you best find your “meeting Jesus clothes”
There’s many natural supplements to strengthen, nourish, and calm the nervous system — responsible for the body’s instinctive ‘fight, flight, freeze’ survival responses, and whose functioning is changed by PTSD. Also, there’s many to support sleep quality, adrenal health, overall brain health, and relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression related to trauma. It comes down to a trial and error approach to find what works best for you, because everyone is different. Always do your research first, and make sure you check for interactions between each and obviously with prescription meds. Be very careful if on SSRIs and SNRIs.
For PTSD, I take:
Valerian root
Lemon balm
Passionflower
Skullcap
Magnesium
Zinc
B complex
Omega 3I’ve had good results with these — been effective with easing stress, hypervigilance, racing thoughts, nervousness, irritability, insomnia, and for getting the feeling of restful sleep — miraculous when you’ve been without for so long. I also drink green tea and keep my diet rich in antioxidants to support my immune system, because prolonged extreme stress and PTSD weakens it long term — opening the door to further serious health issues and physical illnesses.
Including 5-HTP, Curcumin, and the ones I mentioned, many people with PTSD that I know, also use some of the following as an adjunct to trauma therapy:
Hops
Rhodiola/Arctic Root
Holy Basil/Tulsi
Withania
St. John’s Wort
Kava Kava
Ziziphus jujuba
Melatonin
Lactium
SAM-e
L-Tyrosine
L-Theanine
GABA
TaurineI’ll be adding a couple of these tonight, changing things up a bit this month, so will keep you posted on my experience.
re: 5htp
I know that I’m usually more “even” emotionally and I think I sleep better. I don’t know how it works. I also use Rescue Remedy for anxiety attacks, but that’s a rarer thing now—maybe three this year. Hey, not bad!
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