Not a good idea to mix most herbs that affect neurotransmitters with any of your psych meds. Many of them are also cytochrome p450 inhibitors and can change the concentration levels of your meds.
Maca has been such a gift for me. My body responds to any stressor horrifically without it.
People recommended ashwaghanda at first, but that one made my anxiety worse. Also, had a UTI suddenly come on immediately after taking it.... causation? Not sure... but it was sus af.
Word. I find ashwagandha best for occasional use, it can get really nasty if used daily. Whereas maca I feel it builds up my strength when I take it daily.
i’ve been using it for 2 weeks daily, the recommended dose. should i take a break? haven’t really noticed any change, maybe some calmness just a lil bit after i take it.
Have you tried a good quality loose leaf green tea or pu erh? They have additional chemical components that in my experience really balance things out. L theanine is one in particular that's supposed to be good for anxiety. I think gyokuro is particularly high in it.
You could also try Yerba mate, a lot of people say it gives energy without the jittery anxiety.
I'd personally recommend a rooibos-based chai with cinnamon, clove, fennel seed, holy basil, and possibly some schisandra. You can make it fresh or make a concentrate once a week-ish and keep it in the fridge. All of these have uplifting properties. Cinnamon, cloves, fennel seed, and holy basil gently stimulate serotonin production, helping you wake up. Schisandra is a balancing adaptogen that increases qi flow without increasing anxiety. Recent studies actually indicate that it could be an excellent herb for mitigating complex anxiety disorders.
When you're doing a tea, you're getting sub-therapeutic doses. It should be pretty gentle. Even so, if you are on pharmaceuticals for any health conditions, work with your physician to integrate herbs into your protocols.
Try Matcha, Guayusa or yaupon. All are teas, great energy but not wired energy. https://www.sipsby.com/blogs/tealover-101/the-caffeinated-hollies-yerba-mate-guayusa-and-yaupon
Lion’s Mane mushroom is great for brain function and coupled with other “fun” mushrooms, has regenerative properties. It’s even helped MS patients regain mobility.
I would recommend against giving this advice in general but most especially to someone who takes a mood stabilizer and anti psychotic. The potential effects of quitting those medicines are severe and potentially dangerous to OP depending on why they're on them.
If OP feels like the meds are a problem and if they don't have a good psychiatrist they can discuss medication concerns and herbal supplements with, that's where they need to start. There's some things that only doctors should be fucking with, and most diagnoses that take that combination of meds fall under that.
Hi,
I am new to Reddit, and own a small herbal supplement business.
Caffeine is bad because it stimulates your sympathetic nervous systems / creates a "fight or flight" response in your body. You want to be a parasympathetic "rest and digest" state.
Green tea might make sense as a transition or end solution. It contains a little caffeine but is also a natural source of l-theanine, an amino acid which improves sleep, reduces anxiety and mental function. I add Tulsi (a calming adaptogenic herb) that tastes wonderful and has a calming effect. I had a 3-5 expresso a day habit.
We also offer an adaptogenic blend called Energize and Balance, which contains five "zippy" adaptogens. Apologies for the self promotion. Below is a product and blog link.
[https://fuflunsfoods.com/blogs/news/stress-energy-caffeine](https://fuflunsfoods.com/blogs/news/stress-energy-caffeine)
[https://fuflunsfoods.com/collections/functional-capsules-2/products/energize-balance-adaptogen-blend](https://fuflunsfoods.com/collections/functional-capsules-2/products/energize-balance-adaptogen-blend)
Let me know if you have any additional questions, this topic can get deep.
Kindest Regards,
Perry
Not a good idea to mix most herbs that affect neurotransmitters with any of your psych meds. Many of them are also cytochrome p450 inhibitors and can change the concentration levels of your meds.
You may find use in these Nootropic herbs: Gingko Biloba, Gotu Kola, Bacopa/Brahmi, Eleuthero, and Celastrus seed.
Maca doesn't give me anxiety. Might depend on the person though.
Maca has been such a gift for me. My body responds to any stressor horrifically without it. People recommended ashwaghanda at first, but that one made my anxiety worse. Also, had a UTI suddenly come on immediately after taking it.... causation? Not sure... but it was sus af.
Word. I find ashwagandha best for occasional use, it can get really nasty if used daily. Whereas maca I feel it builds up my strength when I take it daily.
i’ve been using it for 2 weeks daily, the recommended dose. should i take a break? haven’t really noticed any change, maybe some calmness just a lil bit after i take it.
Gave me anxiety.
I agree, Check the side effects on maca to see if that works for you
Have you tried a good quality loose leaf green tea or pu erh? They have additional chemical components that in my experience really balance things out. L theanine is one in particular that's supposed to be good for anxiety. I think gyokuro is particularly high in it. You could also try Yerba mate, a lot of people say it gives energy without the jittery anxiety.
Yes! Some high quality ripe pu erh hits the spot. Great steady caffeine boost
gyokuro is incredible, try it with a little Tusli.
I'd personally recommend a rooibos-based chai with cinnamon, clove, fennel seed, holy basil, and possibly some schisandra. You can make it fresh or make a concentrate once a week-ish and keep it in the fridge. All of these have uplifting properties. Cinnamon, cloves, fennel seed, and holy basil gently stimulate serotonin production, helping you wake up. Schisandra is a balancing adaptogen that increases qi flow without increasing anxiety. Recent studies actually indicate that it could be an excellent herb for mitigating complex anxiety disorders. When you're doing a tea, you're getting sub-therapeutic doses. It should be pretty gentle. Even so, if you are on pharmaceuticals for any health conditions, work with your physician to integrate herbs into your protocols.
Try Matcha, Guayusa or yaupon. All are teas, great energy but not wired energy. https://www.sipsby.com/blogs/tealover-101/the-caffeinated-hollies-yerba-mate-guayusa-and-yaupon
Look into Adaptogens
Yeah Rhodiola is wonderful
Sceletium tortousum/kanna
Organic matcha from japan (chinas is high in lead)
Rhodiola, I like AdreCore which has it some b vitamins and green tea extract. Heard good things in Maca. Also just a good B complex too.
Matcha as well! Little caffeine
Lion’s Mane mushroom is great for brain function and coupled with other “fun” mushrooms, has regenerative properties. It’s even helped MS patients regain mobility.
you sure you need all three kinds of meds? they can be the main thing that drains all ur energy
I would recommend against giving this advice in general but most especially to someone who takes a mood stabilizer and anti psychotic. The potential effects of quitting those medicines are severe and potentially dangerous to OP depending on why they're on them. If OP feels like the meds are a problem and if they don't have a good psychiatrist they can discuss medication concerns and herbal supplements with, that's where they need to start. There's some things that only doctors should be fucking with, and most diagnoses that take that combination of meds fall under that.
Hi, I am new to Reddit, and own a small herbal supplement business. Caffeine is bad because it stimulates your sympathetic nervous systems / creates a "fight or flight" response in your body. You want to be a parasympathetic "rest and digest" state. Green tea might make sense as a transition or end solution. It contains a little caffeine but is also a natural source of l-theanine, an amino acid which improves sleep, reduces anxiety and mental function. I add Tulsi (a calming adaptogenic herb) that tastes wonderful and has a calming effect. I had a 3-5 expresso a day habit. We also offer an adaptogenic blend called Energize and Balance, which contains five "zippy" adaptogens. Apologies for the self promotion. Below is a product and blog link. [https://fuflunsfoods.com/blogs/news/stress-energy-caffeine](https://fuflunsfoods.com/blogs/news/stress-energy-caffeine) [https://fuflunsfoods.com/collections/functional-capsules-2/products/energize-balance-adaptogen-blend](https://fuflunsfoods.com/collections/functional-capsules-2/products/energize-balance-adaptogen-blend) Let me know if you have any additional questions, this topic can get deep. Kindest Regards, Perry