Completely eliminated my severe anxiety symptoms with three supplements!

[Hip]

I had hellish, unrelenting generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) for several years, and, having tried hundreds of supplements (as well as SSRI drugs and TCA drugs) in my frantic efforts to treat it, I recently found 3 supplements that seem to pretty much eliminate my anxiety!

➤ The first and most potent anti-anxiety supplement is N-acetyl-glucosamine (NAG), taken at a dose of 700 mg twice daily on an empty stomach or with food; the dose can be reduced once daily after a few weeks. You can go from terrible mental tension to relaxed calm within two hours of taking NAG.​

​

NAG should not be confused with glucosamine sulfate, which will not work for this anti-anxiety purpose. NAG may be inadvisable in Lyme disease, as theoretically it may feed the Borrelia bacteria (see here). NAG can aggravate asthma. If you are on warfarin, glucosamine can increase the risk of bleeding (see here). Glucosamine may raise intraocular pressure (see here). NAG is usually shellfish derived (however Swanson NAG is derived from fermented yeast, though Swanson say they cannot guarantee it is shellfish free).​

​

➤ The second most potent is flaxseed oil (aka linseed oil), one level tablespoon (15 ml) daily. 15 ml of flaxseed oil is 13,000 mg in weight. Flaxseed oil is best absorbed when taken with food. It is the alpha linolenic acid (ALA) in flaxseed oil that I believe has the anti-anxiety effects (flaxseed oil is 55% ALA; chia oil is 64% ALA).​

​

➤ The third is the herb turmeric, at a dose of 1000 mg twice daily, best taken on an empty stomach (but if it causes irritation, take with food). This herb can be bought cheaply as turmeric powder for cooking. 1000 mg equates to just under one level teaspoon of powder.​

​

Turmeric is not to be confused with curcumin (turmeric contains curcumin, but turmeric has many other active ingredients, including: ar-turmerone, demethoxycurcumin, bisdemethoxycurcumin, atlantone, and zingiberone; I suspect the ar-turmerone in turmeric may have the main anti-anxiety effect, as ar-turmerone is thought to reduce microglial activation). So don't buy curcumin thinking it is turmeric; they are not the same.​

​

It is quite amazing that just by taking these 3 supplements together, I have pretty much eliminated my moderate-to-severe anxiety disorder symptoms. I found NAG is considerably more potent than flaxseed oil and turmeric for reducing anxiety, so if you only try one of these supplements, I would suggest NAG.

Note that generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) involves mental tension and/or worry; in my case, there was no worry, just severe mental tension (feeling on edge or highly-strung). This anti-anxiety protocol worked very well to eliminate the mental tension.

Most of these supplements should start working within two hours or so of taking them; if you don't feel the benefits within a few hours, then they are probably not going to work for you.

Generally it seems NAG either works well for people, or it does not work at all.

On this thread there has been a lot of feedback from people trying this NAG to treat their generalised anxiety disorder (along with flaxseed oil and turmeric). Many people report excellent results. These feedback reports are listed below.

As you can see from the feedback listed below, on this thread, 29 people reported success with NAG for reducing anxiety, and 15 people reported that NAG did not work for them. Plus 6 people reported success with NAG on other forums. Thus that is a total 50 people trying NAG for their GAD, with 35 successes, and 15 failures.

So it works out that NAG has an overall success rate of 70% for reducing the anxiety of generalised anxiety disorder.

And around 50% of people trying NAG report a major or profound reduction in their anxiety levels.



NAG Success and Failure Stories on This Thread

Here are all the positive reports posted in this thread by forum members who tried NAG (click on the person's name to go to their original post in this thread):

Spoiler: The 29 NAG Success Stories Posted on This Thread (Click to View)

I took some NAG that I ordered. Within an hour I felt a significant reduction in anxiety, and also started to feel mucous drain from my sinuses. The gains are still holding, except that I've been trying to do as much as possible since the anxiety has diminished, so am a little wiped out.

I've also been dealing with constipation lately, and I've been a lot more regular since I started the NAG as well, so it seems to be working on my gut as well.

Hello there
I have been taking CoQ10, with Omega 3 oils, plus a heaped teaspoon of tumeric twice a day, and 1x NAG 750gm twice a day...
And I am feeling HUGE benefits!! I read all of this and how you are being helped with anxiety, which i have, but wouldnt be my first priority to remedy, but i was interested in the inflammation side of it all and that the NAG works on the gut. I have been taking this regime for 7 weeks now and I am hugely happy over the results.

I have been on the Jarrow brand NAG (750) for two days now and it has made a big difference in my symptoms right away. I have had the same effect that Hip talked about where it has reduced inflammation in my sinuses (I can never find anything that actually does that!) and I have a lot more energy.

I have also tested NAG and I found it's mechanism largely the same, acne cleared within a week and less anxiety. However it caused me some slight stomach discomfort

Hi Hip, I got a hold of the 3 supplements NAG, Flaxseed oil and Curcumin.

Firstly, OMG! N-Acetyl Glucosamine is amazing within 2-3 hours of taking it, all of my physical symptoms of my GAD vanished like nothing else and has been sustainably for the past 10 days. I really feel like I've finally found a solution thanks to you.

Well, its only been a couple days but the effects have been constant. The Amazing part is that I have been on Various Benzo's and Anti depressants and none have been this strong and calming.

Hip, I started using N-A-G at 1g 3x per day and the anti-inflammatory effect has been amazing. I have persistent sinus inflammation (and burning mouth) and it is the only supplement so far that has helped. I also have anxiety and insomnia. I have noticed some improvement with anxiety, but not help with insomnia... yet. I am hoping the benefits keep coming from taking the N-A-G, perhaps by gut healing. Anyway I just wanted to say thanks for starting this thread!

Wow, OP this has calmed my nerves. Thank you for sharing.

Just want to say thank you for providing the information here, the NAG has really helped me!

@Hip, I've taken Jarrow's NAG 700 mg on three non-consecutive days. It is quite anxiolytic and sedating. It kinda knocks me out for a couple of hours after I take it. I think I should switch to nighttime dosing. I'd like to be able to take it early in the day, though, because my anxiety peaks in late morning - early afternoon.

Member Negcreep got anxiolytic results, but later reported he was unable to take NAG due to stomach side effects because of his pre-existing gastritis:

@Hip I've received my Jarrow 700mg NAG and started on 700mg twice a day.
I can say that for me NAG definitely has a psychoactive effect. Mild relaxation and a noticeable decrease in anxiety related symptoms within a couple of hours of taking it. No real side effects at all so far.
ppointed as it was definitely having an effect, and I wanted to test it much further.

You know something? I think this NAG, flaxseed and curcumin is actually working! I have quite severe anxiety, PTSD, major depression and fibromyalgia and since taking this in the past few days, I feel like I have been taking some kind of balm of contentment - finally, after trying so many things, the bottles of this and that have runneth over my house. Thank you so much!!

So it's been a week now and its been pretty positive so far.

Hey guys just wanted to post that turmeric which I bought at local store had been super amazing for my anxiety. I have been taking it for 2 days so far but man let me tell you after an hour of taking it, my anxiety decreased like 90%. It was a huge relief.

Hi Hip,
First I really want to thank you for the miracle combination (NAG, curcuma and flaxseed oil) that really helped me!!

Member chiefrocka found NAG reduced anxiety, but it caused digestive issues.

So within a few days of taking NAG I started noticing that it did seem to help my anxiety but that I was also having digestive issues. I wasn't sure if it was NAG at first since I took a few other supps with it but when I cut out NAG 2 days ago I haven't had a digestion issue since.

I'd really just like to thank Hip for this post and the information provided. I've lived on the edge of hell for 3 years with chronic, paralysing anxiety and have quite literally tried EVERYTHING to come back to normal...and 1 hour after taking the NAG, I knew myself once again. I now sleep undisrupted. I'm attentive. I can work without fearing bottoming out...and I can now look forward to life - as opposed to living under a heavy cloud of impeding dread.
Thankyou so very much.

I recently added 375mg NAG once a day (in the morning first thing) and it seems to be doing something. My anxiety has gone down quite a bit

Thought you might be interested @Hip: Two relatives of mine who don't have cfs both have Generalised Anxiety Disorder diagnoses & medication (which doesn't seem very effective for either of them). I bought NAG,Turmeric & flaxseed oil for one of them to try - but they don't appear to have had much effect. However, the other person tried 3 NAG capsules over 36 hours and is quite convinced they had a very positive anxiety-decreasing effect.

i tried NAG brand Jarrow this morning, took half a pill on empty stomach. I definitely felt something within an hour.
i felt less anxiety but also very spaced out, my eyelids were heavy felt heavy and i felt depressed, disconnect from reality. It's not totally unpleasant but not pleasant either.

took 750 of NAG. I like I’m back to me again
Thanks for the thread!!!!!!

The combination NAG+flaxseed oil really works for me to lessen an anxiety / panic attack.

Out of desperation, I tried the NAG, turmeric & flax seed oil combo this summer. It’s been about 8 weeks now and it is really working well for me. I developed terrible anxiety and panic attacks (without prior history) over a period of 6 months when my primary doctor was convinced I had uncontrolled depression.

I’m not typically a believer that supplements are very useful, but I was really desperate. And it worked. The regimen also improved my gut symptoms and I can now eat without fear of spending the rest of the day in bed. My headaches and muscle pain have also improved. I am very thankful for this posting and all the information it included.

Hip Thanks for recommending the NAG. I am finding it takes away an odd, edgy, nervousness.

I can vouch that the NAG seems to wash away the worrying type mental activity.

I just wanted to pop in and say that NAG has improved my quality of life dramatically. I had suffered from intense panic attacks for about five months, everyday. They worsened before bed and would wake me up in the middle of the night. It felt like my brain was just shutting down. Klonopin or Ativan only helped to take the edge off. I was reluctant to spend more money on a supplement since I’ve spent so much already and few have helped at all. My first day on NAG showed a huge improvement. Within an hour all of the anxiety was completely gone. Now I take it every night before bed and haven’t had any issues. THANK YOU to all who recommended it! I originally heard about it from @Hip. I can’t thank you enough. My life is so much better with it.

Bought and took some NAG as I'm going through some acute life stress and haven't got much control over it. Felt a lot better after taking 700mg NAG.

So I tried the NAG 700 mg this morning, weird supplement for me and I don't really know what to make of it. I took one capsule first thing in the morning, I noticed it made me feel less anxious and there was a bit less of an inflamed feeling in the usual suspects in my head. My senses felt a bit clearer too but mentally it made me feel a bit off. Not depressed but a bit dull and gloomy.

After carefully reading about anxiety and brain inflammation on this topic, I made some connections and decided to give NAG, NAC, and glycine a try. And WOW. I am now completely cured of anxiety and have stopped the psychiatric medication.

Here are the reports from people who found NAG did not help their anxiety:

Spoiler: The 15 NAG Failures Stories Posted on This Thread (Click to View)

Member Parismountain said he bought NAG, but did not report his results, so it may be a failure:

Splurged and bought 3 supplements, Tumeric, NAG and flaxseed oil. That oil doesn't taste so well. Only my fifth day so we'll see how it goes.

I had no luck with NAG, even with higher dosages for longer time. It did nothing for me. I have not tried curcumin, but I took Curamin and it did nothing as well.

Member sregan found NAG helpful for sleep, but did not report benefits for anxiety:

I am trying this again. Not going full dose like last time. Took about 1/4 of the 750 mg cap and slept pretty well. (not as good as my first try with the full cap). I'm hoping this helps my sleep more than anything. Maybe it will help my gut also. Going to try to stay at this dose and increase as I can or decrease if anxiety returns.

Member est_sunshine bought NAG but did not report on results, so this may be a failure.

Hey Hip, my NAG just arrived will try it on the weekend, will have to slowly increase it though so will let u know how it goes in a while.

Member 123pdeme tried NAG but did not report positive results, so this may be a failure.

I'm currently only just started on Jarrow NAG. I got 750mg felt good, took another 750mg and there was some GAD returning. I'm kind of up and down with GAD atm, I don't know whether I will be calm or not day to day at present. This morning the GAD was fairly strong and by the afternoon it had dropped off significantly.

Hey Hip, thanks for sharing your experience with various supplements. I tried NAG and I still cant decide if its working or if its just placebo, I'm using 1400mg twice a day. I felt like its working for first days, but now I dont notice anything, maybe its tolerance or maybe I just got used to it.

Member jordan2tagg bought NAG but did not report on results, so this may be a failure.

Hi Hip, I received my order from iHerb and will take the supplements flaxseed oil, NAG and choline as mentioned in your post.

Unfortunately NAG didn't work for me. I think my anxiety/palpitations/light & sound sensitivity etc are probably due to depleted adrenals and part of the ME/CFS rather than a separate anxiety issue.

Dear Hip, Haven't really notice any noticeable difference so far on the NAG.

Thought you might be interested @Hip: Two relatives of mine who don't have cfs both have Generalised Anxiety Disorder diagnoses & medication (which doesn't seem very effective for either of them). I bought NAG,Turmeric & flaxseed oil for one of them to try - but they don't appear to have had much effect. However, the other person tried 3 NAG capsules over 36 hours and is quite convinced they had a very positive anxiety-decreasing effect.

Your protocol did not worked for me.

I've tried the NAG + flaxseed oil + turmeric for the past week and it seems to have a different effect on me. I get a boost of energy after taking the 700mg of NAG for 8+ hours until the next dose. Unfortunately at the same time there is a definite increase in anxiety and brain fog. I lose the tired behind the eyes feeling and feel awake yet a bit zombified/uncoordinated.

I did try this NAG + Curcumin and flaxseed oil but it seems it increased my anxiety to a great extend.

I have taken Jarrow NAG 700mg caps twice daily + 1tb spoon flaxseed oil twice daily + 1G caps turmeric twice daily for a week now... No change in my anxiety, ADHD and OCD symptoms.

My wife has never noticed anything from NAG. Maybe turmeric and maybe flaxseed but not enough to be able to clearly say they help.

NAG Success Stories From Other Forums

Here are all the positive reports posted in other forums from people who tried NAG for their anxiety:

Spoiler: The 6 NAG Success Stories Posted on Other Forums (Click to View)

It can be incredible for anxiety. That’s my experience with it at least.
Source: here

I tried some n-acetyl glucosamine this morning (just one 750 capsule) for the first time, and the beneficial effects on my anxiety were astounding- comparable to xanax, which I’ve tried a few times.
Source: here

Hi Hip,
I received my bottle of NAG, and have been taking 1tablet(750mg) in the morning on empty stomach for the last 4 days. I am starting to feel less anxious, starting today.
Source: here

Just wanted to point out that, I have been taking NAG by Jarrow, that I read up about on the site, and it has done amazing for my anxiety.
Source: here

N-acetyl glucosamine has helped my anxiety tremendously
Source: here

Just wanted to thank you for your classic thread on NAG, which pops up everywhere. It completely changed my life and my whole family’s. Seriously, thank you!
Source: here

Supplement Sources

N-acetyl glucosamine (NAG) can be bought online. I found the Jarrow N-Acetyl D-Glucosamine good value and good quality. Swanson N-Acetyl D-Glucosamine is reasonable value too.

You can obtain NAG about 3 times cheaper as a bulk powder.



Mechanisms of Action

➤ NAG inhibits hippocampal neuronal excitability (see also this paper). This might well explain its anti-anxiety effects, since hippocampal neuronal excitability has been linked to anxiety.

➤ NAG reduces Th17 cell production. Th17 cells release the cytokine IL-17, NAG may reduce IL-17. Now Th17 and IL-17 are linked to anxiety (see here, here and here), so by lowering Th17 and IL-1, NAG may reduce anxiety.

➤ IL-17 is also linked to blood-brain barrier breakdown, which can lead to brain inflammation and this may cause anxiety.

➤ Anti-inflammatory effects. NAG, turmeric and flaxseed oil are all anti-inflammatories, and they may work by reducing inflammation in the brain. Research has shown that brain inflammation is found in several mental disorders, including depression, bipolar and OCD, and high levels of bodily inflammation have been found in anxiety disorder. So the anti-inflammatory properties of these supplements may be the mechanism by which they eliminate anxiety. Note that glucosamine inhibits microglial activation.

➤ NAG is a component of mucin, the protective coating of the intestines and sinuses. The mucin coating fights infections, so if NAG helps produce more mucin, this may have an anti-inflammatory effect in the gut and sinuses, which will help lower overall inflammation in the body and brain, leading to less anxiety.



Further Reading
This thread is an update and advancement on my older anti-anxiety thread here: Non-Standard Anti-Anxiety Treatment, where I detail the mechanism by which I think brain inflammation may cause anxiety. Basically my theory stated on that thread is that: Inflamed brain ➤ chronic microglial activation ➤ excess glutamate production ➤ NMDA overstimulation ➤ induces anxiety state.
[/QUOTE]

 

[Hip]

Note that N-acetyl-glucosamine (NAG) was by far the most potent anti-anxiety supplement I found, with turmeric and flaxseed oil also being quite good.

However, these were not the only supplements that I discovered were effective in treating my anxiety: I found a list of 29 anti-anxiety supplements and drugs that had good anti-anxiety effects, which I will post below.

If for any reason NAG, turmeric and flaxseed oil do not work to reduce your anxiety, then you may wish to try some of the another anti-anxiety medications from the list below. It can take a little trial and error before you find the supplements that work best for you.



List of My 29 Anti-Anxiety Supplements

The most potent anti-anxiety supplements are towards the top of this list:

• N-acetyl-glucosamine 700 mg twice daily (the most potent anti-anxiety treatment)
• Taurine 4 grams when needed (best to use short-term for a few days, as tolerance can appear)
• Flaxseed oil 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of this oil daily (taking more may cause diarrhea)
• Turmeric 2000 mg twice daily (not to be confused with curcumin)
• Arginine pyroglutamate 100 mg of powder snorted into nose (works fast within 20 mins)
• Citrulline malate 3 grams twice daily
• Vinpocetine 10 mg daily (take with food)
• Vitamin A in high doses of 25,000 IU daily

• Saccharomyces boulardii yeast probiotic 3 capsules daily (takes a day or two to kick in)
• Jarro-Dophilus EPS probiotic 5 capsules daily (takes a day or two to kick in)
• Inulin (prebiotic) 3 heaped teaspoons daily (takes a few days to kick in; more info on prebiotics here)
• Inositol powder 2 heaped teaspoons (15 grams) daily (takes 12 hours to kick in)
• Choline bitartrate 500 to 1000 mg once or twice daily (also treats social anxiety well)
• Progesterone cream ½ gram of cream on skin (Source Naturals cream = 17 mg progesterone per gram)
• Aloe vera juice 1 tablespoon (15 ml) twice daily
• Transdermal magnesium cream applied to skin once or twice daily (how to easily and cheaply make your own magnesium cream described here)

• Horsetail herb extract 600 mg daily (contains 10 mg of silica)
• Evening primrose oil 5 ml (4000 mg) twice daily
• Pregnenolone 25 to 50 mg daily
• Propolis 4000 mg twice daily (but don't take before bed, as it may keep you awake)
• Curcumin 1000 mg twice daily
• Terminalia chebula herb 1500 mg twice daily
• Grape seed extract 500 mg once daily

• Acetyl-L-carnitine 500 mg twice daily
• L-carnitine 1000 mg twice daily
• Bacopa monnieri herb 1 to 2 grams daily
• Phosphatidylserine 400 mg once or twice daily (works best with omega 3 oil)
• Cetirizine (Zyrtec) or loratadine 10 mg daily (antihistamines have anti-anxiety effects)
• Piracetam 1000 mg has an anti-anxiety effect, especially in combination with choline bitartrate

The anti-anxiety effect of the above supplements will kick in within an hour or two of taking them (except when otherwise indicated).

The supplement N-acetyl-glucosamine (NAG) may not be advisable in Lyme disease, since NAG might feed Borrelia bacteria.

Arginine pyroglutamate (also written as L-arginine L-pyroglutamate) can be bought most cheaply as a bulk powder. Citrulline malate can be bought cheaply as bulk powder. Inositol can be bought cheaply as bulk powder.

I also find this drug good for anxiety, depression and ME/CFS sound sensitivity:
• Very low dose amisulpride 12.5 to 25 mg daily (more info on this effective drug here)

Another supplement which I found substantially reduces anxiety is prebiotics like inulin, which help address gut dysbiosis. See this thread.



Anti-Anxiety Supplements and Drugs That I Found Also Have Anti-Psychosis Effects

It is known that mild psychosis can manifest in people who have severe anxiety disorder. This is sometimes called anxiety psychosis. Along with my severe anxiety levels, I often experienced psychosis symptoms (thankfully relatively mild psychosis), especially on days when my anxiety was more severe than usual.

Psychosis is defined as a loss of contact with reality (involving confused or disorganized thoughts, lack of self-awarenes, lack of insight, unwarranted suspiciousness, paranoia, false beliefs).

Fortunately, I found that certain specific supplements had both anti-anxiety and anti-psychosis effects, and these were very useful for me. The supplements that I found reduced both my anxiety and psychosis symptom are these (listed in approximate order of efficacy):

• N-acetyl-cysteine 600 mg daily often completely prevents my psychosis symptoms from manifesting.
• N-acetyl-glucosamine 700 mg (or more) twice daily — works very well.
• Amiloride 5 mg once or twice daily— works very well.
• Amisulpride in very low doses 12.5 to 50 mg daily — works very well. At much higher doses this drug is an antipsychotic, so it is not surprising it helps to reduce psychosis even at very low doses.
• Vitamin C powder 3 grams in a glass of water, taken three times daily — much cheaper if you buy in bulk powder. This works fast and well.
• Phosphatidylserine 50 mg to 200 mg or once or twice daily (works best with omega 3 oil) — much cheaper if you buy in bulk powder. Higher doses may worsen anhedonia, but doses around 50 mg daily are fine.
• Niacinamide (a form of vitamin B3) 1000 mg twice daily (though I found higher levels of niacinamide may cause some slight emotional blunting, but this side effect will probably not occur in other people).
• Flaxseed oil one level tablespoon (15 ml) daily (more may cause diarrhea).
• Ozone therapy using my easy ozone method.
• Transdermal magnesium cream applied to skin once or twice daily (how to easily and cheaply make your own magnesium cream described here)
• Horsetail herb (silica) 600 mg daily

• tDCS (transcranial direct current stimulation) across temples shown to reduce psychosis symptoms.

 

[taniaaust1]

Being "Wired" Related to Anxiety?

I have the impression that the "wired" feeling in ME/CFS patients is related to anxiety. Feeling wired (as in "wired but tired") may be a mild version of anxiety, or be related to anxiety. I certainly find that I never feel wired when I take these anti-anxiety supplements. So these anti-anxiety supplements may also help people eliminate the "wired" state of ME/CFS.

Feeling wired can coexist with anxiety..but Ive found it to not always be the case at all.

I can get into this wired but tired but still very happy state at times.. like im on some kind of happy wired drug high. (which also at times can feel like if I'd had a massive boost of caffiene). Ever seen a child who on staying up too late goes all crazy and silly.. starts running about a room making noises or whatever (not all get cracky when over tired and gone into wired, it can be more like a child who's had too much red food colouring and has all this energy which one just cant get out). That's how I sometimes feel...with no negative emotions connected to it.

Other times (it all depends on if I have had anxiety or not as part of my recent ME/CFS symptoms) being wired will increase the anxiety I had at the time. (what im saying.. as if it wasnt there already a bit of anxeity there already, I dont get anxiety with being wired.. wired just intensifies anxiety if its already there).

for myself.. feeling wired occassionally, can be an enjoyable state to be in (as can be very useful as it makes me feel more energy to go and do things which in turn..knowing im doing things without having to push myself is pleasurable, thou the crash from it later can suck).

It is annoying thou if one is wired right before bed..or at other incovenient times...(in those causes it can lead to anxiety esp all if one really wants to do is go to bed and actually sleep).
.....

Great post thou with all those anti anxiety ideas.

 

[Hip]

One theory I have is that the "wired" feeling in ME/CFS might come from overall brain inflammation — particularly from the brain's microglia cells, activated as part of the inflammatory response, and pumping out lots of glutamate (as they do when they are activated). Glutamate acts as a powerful excitotoxic stimulant in the brain, as it stimulates the NMDA receptors.

So that's an idea I had about the cause of the "wired" feeling: the brain's NMDA receptors overstimulated by the glutamate released by chronically activated microglia during inflammation. One study in Japan did find that microglia are activated in ME/CFS patients.

Perhaps anxiety only arises when this glutamate overstimulation specifically occurs in the amygdala, which is the main area of the brain responsible for mediating anxiety. If the glutamate overstimulation happens in other areas of the brain, then maybe different mental symptoms arise, but not anxiety.

This might explain why sinus inflammation is often linked to anxiety: the sinus cavities lie very close to the amygdala, so inflammation occurring in the sinuses might conceivably precipitate inflammation in the nearby amygdala, causing the amygdala's microglia to activate and pump out glutamate, leading to amygdala overstimulation, and anxiety.

 

[Sasha]

Hi Hip - I'm really pleased to hear that you've got rid of your severe anxiety. That must be a huge relief.

I have just started getting treatment for chronic sinusitis and am very interested in whether the anti-inflammatories that you mention might help with that. I don't want to hijack your thread so I've started another one specifically on that topic if anyone would like to comment.

 

[gu3vara]

Then I guess LDN is a good choice for anxiety as it decreases activation of microglia in the brain. I've been feeling less wired since I'm on it. (Though I added manganese afterward and it caused me to be more agitated, but in a different way).

 

[globalpilot]

I'm glad to hear you got relief from that horrible anxiety.
I listen to all the DAN! talks (extremely useful) and Dr. Mary Megson said one time that inflammation in the gut goes everywhere, including the brain.
She didn't provide a reason why or any proof but it is intriguing.

 

[nanonug]

I listen to all the DAN! talks (extremely useful) and Dr. Mary Megson said one time that inflammation in the gut goes everywhere, including the brain. She didn't provide a reason why or any proof but it is intriguing.

Have a look at this, maybe it rings a bell (particularly table 3):
Mast cell activation disease: a concise practical guide for diagnostic workup and therapeutic options.

Given that you have gastrointestinal issues, I think it would probably be worth giving cromolyn sodium (GastroCrom in the US) a try...

 

[Lala]

Hi hip, thank you for all this info, I am glad you improved so much. I just started NAG today. How long does NAG take to start working? Also which brand do you use? I have Jarrow NAG 750mg.

 

[globalpilot]

Have a look at this, maybe it rings a bell (particularly table 3):
Mast cell activation disease: a concise practical guide for diagnostic workup and therapeutic options.

Given that you have gastrointestinal issues, I think it would probably be worth giving cromolyn sodium (GastroCrom in the US) a try...

Who is this directed towards ? Many of us have GI issues - it's quite common.

 

[maryb]

Hip really good news that you've found supplements that've helped you. Must admit not heard of
N-acetylglucosamine, looks quite interesting from the read up.
Can anyone explain what the N-acetyl means?

I did try N-acetylcysteine (NAC) a couple of times which was disastrous, and to boot didn't realise you shouldn't take it if you have amalgams - double whammy. Which has absolutely nothing to do with the above

 

[adreno]

Haven't felt anything from NAG. Curcumin and Holy Basil, on the other hand, has an anxiolytic effect on me.

 

[adreno]

Can anyone explain what the N-acetyl means?

It simply means that the compound is acetylated.

 

[Sparrow]

I think a gut connection is certainly possible. There are so many similarities and overlap in neurotransmitters, etc. between the digestive tract and the brain.

I know that for me personally, when I accidentally triggered some major gut issues with a supplement, my mood went haywire. Evened out again when my gut did.

 

[nanonug]

Who is this directed towards ? Many of us have GI issues - it's quite common.

I was replying to you, globalpilot...

 

[globalpilot]

I actually did do a trial of this years ago. It didn't do anything for me but it certainly would be worth considering for others with gut problems. Maybe a new post with this info would reach more people. It's buried here deep in the thread.

Sparrow - I had a complete resolution of symptoms on a very strict diet years ago. I have always thought there is an overgrowth and I've been addressing that with good success finally after trying many approaches. My doctor thought it was allergies.

 

[Hip]

Have a look at this, maybe it rings a bell (particularly table 3):
Mast cell activation disease: a concise practical guide for diagnostic workup and therapeutic options.

Given that you have gastrointestinal issues, I think it would probably be worth giving cromolyn sodium (GastroCrom in the US) a try...

Thanks nanonug, I am going to look into that. I understand that mast cell activation is associated with IBS, but I had not heard that there was a way to treat this, in the form of cromolyn sodium.

 

[Hip]

Hi hip, thank you for all this info, I am glad you improved so much. I just started NAG today. How long does NAG take to start working? Also which brand do you use? I have Jarrow NAG 750mg.

I find my sinusitis / nasal congestion gets rapidly cleared within an hour or so of taking NAG, and my anxiety levels will reduce in the same time period. It is a very noticeable effect for me. Hopefully it will work for you too.

The effects of NAG begin to wear of after around 10 - 12 hours, so that is why you need to take another dose later in the day.

I have just switched to Jarrow NAG 750 mg myself, and I take 2 x 750mg in the morning, and another 750 mg in the evening.

I usually take NAG, flaxseed oil and turmeric together, as these three make up my anti-anxiety armory, and together more or less eliminate my anxiety symptoms.

If I want to be super-chilled out, I will take several more of the anti-anxiety supplements in my above list, in addition.

 

[Hip]

I'm glad to hear you got relief from that horrible anxiety.
I listen to all the DAN! talks (extremely useful) and Dr. Mary Megson said one time that inflammation in the gut goes everywhere, including the brain.
She didn't provide a reason why or any proof but it is intriguing.

I have seen a number of articles on the general idea that inflammation in the body's peripheries can significantly affect the brain. These three papers are interesting:

• From inflammation to Sickness and Depression: When the Immune System Subjugates the Brain

• Cytokines and the Brain: Pathways and Mechanisms for Cytokine Signaling of the Central Nervous System

• Cytokine, Sickness Behavior, and Depression

A quote from the second paper: "recent work has demonstrated several routes by which peripheral cytokines can either directly cross the BBB or indirectly signal the brain through other informational substances".

The third paper talks about how pro-inflammatory cytokines in the body can activate the vagus nerve, and this nerve then signals this activation to the brain, and thereby instigates an inflammatory response in the brain.

In other words: you could have inflammation in your gut, and the inflammatory cytokines can travel to and precipitate inflammation in the brain, or can precipitate inflammation in the brain by activating the vagus nerve within the gut (the vagus nerve innervates the gut area).

And I imagine that, if you have inflammation in your sinuses (which are located just millimeters away from the brain), inflammatory cytokines from the sinuses may have a significant inflammatory impact on the brain as well.

 

[nanonug]

Thanks nanonug, I am going to look into that. I understand that mast cell activation is associated with IBS, but I had not heard that there was a way to treat this, in the form of cromolyn sodium.

You may also try ketotifen if you are outside the US.