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dealing with stress
Posted by
nootrope
,
04 September 2008
·
1,985 views
As I mentioned in an earlier entry, I was experimenting with rhodiola, which I thought was a bit risky for me to take. It had some positive effects, but as I said I thought it also raised my sensitivity to rejection. Having just experienced some romantic rejection, I figured it was extremely counterproductive for me to continue taking rhodiola, and I stopped it about 3 weeks ago.
In fact, now I'm getting to observe how well my regimen of anti-anxiety and nootropic supplements help me deal with stress. As I've also mentioned, I've been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and this often expresses itself in response to external stressors. I'm experiencing stresses I've felt before, and so far I seem to be doing better. At least that's my subjective evaluation.
As for the changes to my supplement regimen: not so much related to anxiety reduction is my addition of Jarrow Formulas "CarnitAll", which includes Acetyl-L-Carnitine Arginate, which some studies have shown to increase neurite outgrowth even faster than regular Acetyl-L-Carnitine. I haven't tried this form of ALCAR before. However, I'm not entirely convinced that neurite outgrowth is always a good thing! I'm taking this with alpha lipoic acid. I decided to cut costs and bought only the racemic mixture, not the preferred R alpha lipoic acid.
To reduce stress and help me sleep, I bought some valerian root and some kava kava extract. The valerian root was much cheaper! It helps me fall asleep, but then I sleep lightly and wake up early. The kava I think mellows me more.
Still, I think it's the ashwagandha and possibly the bacopa that are helping me the most. My priority is to ward off an acute phase, in which herbal supplements may not be adequate.
Unfortunately, in times of stress and or duress, I find it hard to get around to some regular activities that could help reduce stress. I haven't been going to my gym much, although I have been going for nice long walks outdoors. I saw my general practitioner recently and so I should be receiving some blood test reports to help me monitor my health. My weight's at 164, a little on the low side since I started building muscle, but my weight hasn't varied outside of the 160-170 range for a long time.
In fact, now I'm getting to observe how well my regimen of anti-anxiety and nootropic supplements help me deal with stress. As I've also mentioned, I've been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and this often expresses itself in response to external stressors. I'm experiencing stresses I've felt before, and so far I seem to be doing better. At least that's my subjective evaluation.
As for the changes to my supplement regimen: not so much related to anxiety reduction is my addition of Jarrow Formulas "CarnitAll", which includes Acetyl-L-Carnitine Arginate, which some studies have shown to increase neurite outgrowth even faster than regular Acetyl-L-Carnitine. I haven't tried this form of ALCAR before. However, I'm not entirely convinced that neurite outgrowth is always a good thing! I'm taking this with alpha lipoic acid. I decided to cut costs and bought only the racemic mixture, not the preferred R alpha lipoic acid.
To reduce stress and help me sleep, I bought some valerian root and some kava kava extract. The valerian root was much cheaper! It helps me fall asleep, but then I sleep lightly and wake up early. The kava I think mellows me more.
Still, I think it's the ashwagandha and possibly the bacopa that are helping me the most. My priority is to ward off an acute phase, in which herbal supplements may not be adequate.
Unfortunately, in times of stress and or duress, I find it hard to get around to some regular activities that could help reduce stress. I haven't been going to my gym much, although I have been going for nice long walks outdoors. I saw my general practitioner recently and so I should be receiving some blood test reports to help me monitor my health. My weight's at 164, a little on the low side since I started building muscle, but my weight hasn't varied outside of the 160-170 range for a long time.
