122 replies to this topic

[teacult]

I believe there are different effects in multiple levels. In perspective of homeostasis , effect on blood sugar may increase cortical activity compared to hippocampal activity which increases control over desire. Someone later called buddha is known to eat plant roots for seven  years to form a steady and stable mental construct which prevents re-birth related suffering (synaptogenesis at some spesific area ? ).  And it would lead strange behavioral and physical changes. More control means less attention deficit being slower and deeper which may conserve a lot of energy and promote growth rate of various tissues leading to increased body hair. Increased anxiety may be also because of increased control and thus awareness of possible outcomes of various malformed social interaction patterns which formed in years of less focused , less controlled states. And it may be very well subconsciously regulated ...

I would make a list of measurable indicators about the effects I desire. Then, I would measure and log them routinely to obtain the results I want, and take the undesirable results as simple side effects or costs of this endeavor. 

Sorry for my poor English, I hope this will help to clarify.

[Mr Serendipity]

Ok I went to sleep and woke up 3 and a half hours later. This isn't unusual due to the circumstances though, as I tried to go to sleep extra early (8:30pm), to establish an early rising sleeping pattern (4:30am) I had a few months back. And whenever I went to sleep extra early during the first week or so, I would always wake up extra early, until my body got tired enough to sleep the whole 8 hours. So I don't really blame this on the turmeric.

 

However I wanted to note that I didn't see any effects on my dreams. But I have woken up with a very clear mind.

 

I also forgot to mention, I find turmeric helps with my allergies a lot! I can breath much clearer. A lot of the time when I go to bed, I start getting a very blocked nose and can't sleep (most probably from dust mites, one of the most common allergies worldwide) . But turmeric really helps avoid this problem completely.

 

Last thing I noticed, was my ejaculation/semen is much more coagulated/thick and stickier. If you let it hang upside down, gravity would have a hard time making it drop.

 

So I am going to summarise my experience with turmeric here, as I keep realising it's effects over time.

 

Good effects:

 

1. Reduces allergies a lot.

 

2. Helps control yeast infection/candida/thrush a lot.

 

Bad Effects:

 

1. Increasing OCD and porn consumption to the point where it's hard to concentrate on anything else, though I don't feel hormonally horny. Most likely due to curcumin effecting the D2 receptor.

 

2. Increases anxiety and the ability to make eye contact with strangers, which is something I don't normally suffer with. I can always feel my head turning away. Also I don't particulary want to walk down the street in my town for some reason (and I live right next to the town centre).

 

3. Decreased motivation and increased anhedonia. No more zest in life, no more omph. No longer goal orientated. Someone mentioned turmeric may increase serotonin a lot, maybe this is the reason?

 

4. Reduces cravings for cocoa. I feel as this ties into the anhedonia, as in my desire for things have gone, so reduced cravings/desire is not a good thing. Might be good though if you struggle with an addiction like smoking or alcohol. The only thing this point conflicts with, is with my increased OCD for porn, and that craving doesn't even feel proper, it's not a true increase in libido. Other than that, all my cravings and desire to do anything else have gone.

 

Other effects:

 

1. Increased coagulation/thickness and stickiness of semen.

 

2. Excessive thirst. Constantly drinking extra water.

 

3. Increase in body hair.

 

Dismissed/Unconfirmed effects as of 12/12/14:

 

1. Increased dream vivideness. This is subject to change, if I see an effect in the future.

 

2. Maybe stronger orgasms?

 

 

I do wonder though with consistent use of turmeric, whether the negative effects will disappear. As one person said he lost spontanously his desire for tabacco in the form of snus. But this effect lessened over time.

Edited by manny, 12 December 2014 - 01:40 AM.

[Mr Serendipity]

Hmm, that's odd. I can't edit my previous post.

 

Anyway there's something else I wanted to add to my list.

 

Dismissed/Unconfirmed effects as of 12/12/14:

 

3. I think I might have a heightened sense of smell.

Edited by manny, 12 December 2014 - 05:29 AM.

[Kalliste]

I paid more attention to my libido after eating 25g of Turmeric roots yesterday. It was very low. I have never made the connection in the past.

[Area-1255]

I always noticed a semi-stimulant effect from 95% curcumin extract.

[teacult]

nevermind

 

 

Edited by teacult, 12 December 2014 - 08:40 AM.

[RJ100]

 

3. Decreased motivation and increased anhedonia. No more zest in life, no more omph. No longer goal orientated. Someone mentioned turmeric may increase serotonin a lot, maybe this is the reason?

 

Unfortunately this isn't the first time I've read of this in conjunction with turmeric, and it's the reason I've avoided it. I already have these symptoms and don't need them exacerbated! 

[Mr Serendipity]

I actually think my anhedonia is starting to disappear again, and I feel more motivated and happy. Maybe my brain is trying to create homeostasis by increasing dopamine or something.

 

However it's taken roughly 12 days to do so, since I started taking turmeric on a regular basis daily since the 1st of December. That is 1 teaspoon turmeric + 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. I'll continue to take them and observe to see if I continue to overcome the negative side effects.

Edited by manny, 12 December 2014 - 08:07 PM.

[Mr Serendipity]

I also feel my vision has become more acute. Text seems sharper. I especially noticed this with smaller text.

[Mr Serendipity]

Just to note I've quit turmeric and pepper as a supplement, as the anhedonia wasn't really getting any better. I'll only add these to food from now on in lower doses.

 

As whether to my anhedonia has gone now. I'm not sure, it'll take awhile to see.

[Chris Edited]

Just to note I've quit turmeric and pepper as a supplement, as the anhedonia wasn't really getting any better. I'll only add these to food from now on in lower doses.

 

As whether to my anhedonia has gone now. I'm not sure, it'll take awhile to see.

 First I am sorry you're having this problem,manny...

 

I found this  article and thought it might be interesting..  seems to suggest  curcumin has anti-depressant properties and was shown to alleviate certain  symptoms such as those we experience when anhedonic..

 

http://digitalcommon...srhonors_theses

 

How did you conclude the curcumin was contributing to anhedonia?

[cannabidiol]

hmm, maybe encapsulate the stuff with α (alpha)-cyclodextrin ? I need to brush up on my supramolecular chemistry. Would intranasal also work? (for this stuff 1000%BA over oral; not sure the hippocampal.. etc.. concentration increase yet). Personally I find the stuff to be excreted dermally... stains the garb... Is the color the curcumin itself or the 5% impurity found in my otc product?? 
 

[Godof Smallthings]

The color is the curcumin itself. Before all the health brouhaha it found widespread use as a dye in, amongst other things, yellow mustard.

[tunt01]

Paper:  Curcumin Mimics the Neurocognitive and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Caloric Restriction in a Mouse Model of Midlife Obesity

 

- Paper demonstrates how Calorie Restriction (CR) and Curcumin inhibit inflammation, likely through a reduction in adipose tissue (inflammatory factors from TNF(a) / CRP) and through Curcumin's action as an antioxidant (higher glutathione biomarkers).

 

The paper's discussion (conclusion) cites 500 mg dosing for curcumin.  To quote:

 

Finally, the dosage we used for this study was decided based on a previous obesity related study and translates roughly to a human dose of only 500mg 

 

 

 

However, in the methodology they seem to be citing 1000 mg/kg for mouse diet ?  Maybe that includes all food (not just curcumin?) I couldn't find the answer.  The authors use the typical 3/37 mouse/human BSA conversion ratio (cited in the references).  If anyone has any clarity on the dosing, I would appreciate it.

 

 

Edited by prophets, 22 October 2015 - 02:10 AM.

[rezin]

I'm not too deep into biochemistry and stuff therefore I have a question regarding curcumin and DNA damage.
The examine page of curcumin (http://examine.com/s...ments/Curcumin/) states that high doses of curcumin may, in vitro, induce DNA damage. The evidence leading to that suggestion was found at concentrations of 15 - 50 μM. A dose of 10g of curcumin lead to a concentration of 5 μM.
I never ingested such an amount of curcumin and don't plan to. The health and cognitive benefits appear at doses from 500 mg on. To reach the 500 mg I need to ingest ~30 g of turmeric.
Curcumin's downside is its poor bioavailability and absorption through the gastro-intestinal tract. To increase the absorption 20x one should add piperine (the stuff found in black pepper) at a ratio of 1:20.

Finally coming to my question:
If I ingest 500 mg of curcumin with 25 mg of piperine does the concentration in my blood reach 500 mg * 20 = 10 g = 5 μM? Or am I on the wrong track?

The according part on the examine page is to be found here:
http://examine.com/s...umin/#summary16

I think I may not be completely wrong:

On the other hand in humans after a dose of 2 g curcumin alone, serum levels were either undetectable or very low. Concomitant administration of piperine 20 mg produced much higher concentrations from 0.25 to 1 h post drug (P < 0.01 at 0.25 and 0.5 h; P < 0.001 at 1 h), the increase in bioavailability was 2000%. The study shows that in the dosages used, piperine enhances the serum concentration, extent of absorption and bioavailability of curcumin in both rats and humans with no adverse effects.

→ source (external link)

 

 

Edited by rezin, 23 December 2015 - 12:54 PM.

[resveratrol_guy]

 

I'm not too deep into biochemistry and stuff therefore I have a question regarding curcumin and DNA damage.
The examine page of curcumin (http://examine.com/s...ments/Curcumin/) states that high doses of curcumin may, in vitro, induce DNA damage. The evidence leading to that suggestion was found at concentrations of 15 - 50 μM. A dose of 10g of curcumin lead to a concentration of 5 μM.
I never ingested such an amount of curcumin and don't plan to. The health and cognitive benefits appear at doses from 500 mg on. To reach the 500 mg I need to ingest ~30 g of turmeric.
Curcumin's downside is its poor bioavailability and absorption through the gastro-intestinal tract. To increase the absorption 20x one should add piperine (the stuff found in black pepper) at a ratio of 1:20.

Finally coming to my question:
If I ingest 500 mg of curcumin with 25 mg of piperine does the concentration in my blood reach 500 mg * 20 = 10 g = 5 μM? Or am I on the wrong track?

The according part on the examine page is to be found here:
http://examine.com/s...umin/#summary16

I think I may not be completely wrong:

On the other hand in humans after a dose of 2 g curcumin alone, serum levels were either undetectable or very low. Concomitant administration of piperine 20 mg produced much higher concentrations from 0.25 to 1 h post drug (P < 0.01 at 0.25 and 0.5 h; P < 0.001 at 1 h), the increase in bioavailability was 2000%. The study shows that in the dosages used, piperine enhances the serum concentration, extent of absorption and bioavailability of curcumin in both rats and humans with no adverse effects.

→ source (external link)

 

Curcumin also kills neurons outright at very high doses. But this is a nonissue. I studied the pharmacology extensively before starting my own Curcubrain binge. I had an entire bottle (20 g) a day for over a month, and based on my calculations, I probably never reached 3 uM on any given day. I never had any negative reaction to it that I could discern, although in hindsight I would recommend more careful handling on account of the silicon dust content, which is bad for the lungs and needs to be thoroughly dissolved in liquid before consumption.

 

Tumeric is a pretty much useless way to increase plasma curcumin. Mix it with sauces and soups and enjoy a reduced risk of colon cancer, not to mention richer tasting food. Bon apetit!

[Kalliste]

I eat Turmeric roots very often.

My recipe for maximal synergy and absorption:

- 50g of turmeric roots

- 10g of curry powder.

- 10g of curcumin powder

- 2-5g of oregano

- 2-5g of thyme

- 2-5g of ground mixed peppers

- Small sip of red wine (alcohol increases absorption)

- Garlic sometimes fresh, always powder and dried chips of it, for it's taste and benefits.

 

I will ready whatever food I'm about to eat, some rice and chicken with plenty of olive oil for instance.

Then I will drop this a-bomb of spices in at the end, I want to heat it, but only for a short time.

 

To top it off I will drink a separate glas of chilli flakes and ginger powder, I don't wanna ruin my normal food with these but I want them in my system.

 

The negative thing I can say about curcumin/turmeric is that it does decrease libido.

 

I suspect, but can not prove, that there are vast unexplored synergies between these substances in vivo.

Maybe this is a big part of the explanation for why so many clinical trials have ended with disappointment on in vitro stuff that looked good in the beginning.

 

An army can't be made of only tanks.

 

There have been some intriguing results on these kind of combos, although this multi-systemic approach is rarely explored since FDA rules specifically shun the trial of multiple substances in cocktail format.

 

I would love to see a well done trial where cancer patients where given this type of diet coupled with fasting and some selected chemo-therapy agent.

Though once the cancer is there it's probably too late.

I am a firm believer in this type of diet seriously preventing cancer before a strong stem cell line can establish themselves and turn into evolutionary little engines of creation

 

The slow grinding gears of science continues, this is changing:

Designing a broad-spectrum integrative approach for cancer prevention and treatment

http://www.sciencedi...044579X15000887

 

Josh Mitteldorf - Turmeric -> Curcumin

http://joshmitteldor...meric-curcumin/

[Irishdude]

Does anyone know where we can get affordable curcumin powder? china? I have been taking turmeric for 3 years via capsules with peppertine. Its cheap, easy but I dont think it delivers a lot of curcumin. It amounts to a heaped tea spoon a day.

[rezin]

Does anyone know where we can get affordable curcumin powder? china? I have been taking turmeric for 3 years via capsules with peppertine. Its cheap, easy but I dont think it delivers a lot of curcumin. It amounts to a heaped tea spoon a day.

 

I bought a kilo of bio turmeric powder for ~ €20 at Amazon.

[Irishdude]

 

Does anyone know where we can get affordable curcumin powder? china? I have been taking turmeric for 3 years via capsules with peppertine. Its cheap, easy but I dont think it delivers a lot of curcumin. It amounts to a heaped tea spoon a day.

 

I bought a kilo of bio turmeric powder for ~ €20 at Amazon.

 

 

any chance of a link? or search terms? I cant seem to find it or is it only available on german amazon?
 

[lemon_]

What county irishdude

[chemicalambrosia]

 

I eat Turmeric roots very often.

My recipe for maximal synergy and absorption:

- 50g of turmeric roots

- 10g of curry powder.

- 10g of curcumin powder

- 2-5g of oregano

- 2-5g of thyme

- 2-5g of ground mixed peppers

- Small sip of red wine (alcohol increases absorption)

- Garlic sometimes fresh, always powder and dried chips of it, for it's taste and benefits.

 

I will ready whatever food I'm about to eat, some rice and chicken with plenty of olive oil for instance.

Then I will drop this a-bomb of spices in at the end, I want to heat it, but only for a short time.

 

To top it off I will drink a separate glas of chilli flakes and ginger powder, I don't wanna ruin my normal food with these but I want them in my system.

 

That seems like a crazy amount of turmeric and curcumin. How often do you eat this? What kind of effects do you notice?

[Groundhog Day]

I've taken Curcumin for years in a couple of different supplements as well as tablespoons of turmeric powder(wooweee) and always have a problem with hyper-urination. If I take it for a while or take 2grams a day, it comes on quickly.

[rezin]

 

 

Does anyone know where we can get affordable curcumin powder? china? I have been taking turmeric for 3 years via capsules with peppertine. Its cheap, easy but I dont think it delivers a lot of curcumin. It amounts to a heaped tea spoon a day.

 

I bought a kilo of bio turmeric powder for ~ €20 at Amazon.

 

 

any chance of a link? or search terms? I cant seem to find it or is it only available on german amazon?
 

 

 

Might be only available in Germany, here's the link: http://www.amazon.de...ailpage_o02_s00

 

[Kalliste]

I eat Turmeric roots very often.
My recipe for maximal synergy and absorption:
- 50g of turmeric roots
- 10g of curry powder.
- 10g of curcumin powder
- 2-5g of oregano
- 2-5g of thyme
- 2-5g of ground mixed peppers
- Small sip of red wine (alcohol increases absorption)
- Garlic sometimes fresh, always powder and dried chips of it, for it's taste and benefits.

I will ready whatever food I'm about to eat, some rice and chicken with plenty of olive oil for instance.
Then I will drop this a-bomb of spices in at the end, I want to heat it, but only for a short time.

To top it off I will drink a separate glas of chilli flakes and ginger powder, I don't wanna ruin my normal food with these but I want them in my system.

That seems like a crazy amount of turmeric and curcumin. How often do you eat this? What kind of effects do you notice?

I started with a lot less a few years ago and gradually accelerated it based on three things:
1. Poor biodistribution of curcumin.
2. Looking at the amount of spice used in traditiinal indian cooking (lots).
3. The semi curcumin blog Margarets Corner.

Do not eat every day, but maybe twice a week, surprisingly few effects good or bad after. Most noticeable is a libido decrease.

What I am hoping for: Chemoprevention, igf1 lowering, neuroprotecrion, hepaprotection.

Edited by Cosmicalstorm, 27 December 2015 - 07:48 PM.

[pone11]

I don't know enough to make a clear statement but I prefer the roots. IIRC Josh Mitteldorf wrote something about it too.

 

What is the most turmeric root we should use in a single meal?

 

Is it important to cook the curcumin relative to its absorption or biological effects?

 

I read that you can press the roots to produce a juice and place that onto the food you are cooking.  Can you think of a reason to prefer grating it?   Pressing it will save a lot of time.

[pone11]

 

What we can add from her blog posts that heat is supposed to increase curcumin's bioavailability while boiling it would be counter-productive.

 

Increasing bioavailability of curcumin:

• bioperine (20x)
• heat < 100°C (12x)
• fat (fat soluble)

 

The study that her blog post is quoting actually did use boiling as their heating method.  So boiling is fine.   Full text of that study is attached.

Attached Files

•  kurien2007.pdf   219.22KB   1 downloads

[pone11]

I am continuing my experiments with taking large amounts of powdered turmeric, which, if nothing else, have had a potent effect on my dreams. These dreams are very vivid and clear. If I take too much--3 tablespoons plus--the narratives become fragmented, though they remain crystal clear; but at about two tablespoons, the narratives develop organically and surprisingly rationally.

 

At this point, you might think "We do not want to hear about your dreams, mate".

 

But the reason I mention this is that it speaks of something in everyday supermarket turmeric that can affect the way the brain works. I do sometimes take a little black pepper, but bioavailability of turmeric does not seem to depend on it, at least insofar as these dreams are concerned.

 

It seems to me that the sort of things going on in my dreams are not so far removed from the processes into which curcumin is reported to penetrate, re Alzheimer's, etc., since visual and analytical elements seem enhanced.

 

For example, at the moment my alarm went off this morning, I was dreaming that I was buying some food in a delicatessen; and the proprietor was arguing with a customer who was complaining about the quality of his food. And I butted in to say that in the past all food was of readily available high quality. And he turned and fixed me with a piercing gaze and said, "How readily?" I was struck both in the dream and in the immediately following waking state by the challenging nature of this reply, since the great advantage of the modern age is that virtually everything is readily available. I do not usually dream debating points.

 

Another observation is that on turmeric I can wake up and then go back into the same world as the previous dream, almost picking up where I left off. That is unusual because normally separate new dreams follow on.

 

One thing we know about Alzheimer's is that thought is confused. On the contrary, my dreams on turmeric are remarkably unconfused. If curcumin or something else in turmeric is clearing away brain plaques, perhaps this is happening during sleep, when the brain is being refreshed and brain cells serviced.

 

That was a fascinating account and thanks for sharing it.   One thing I wonder is whether the mental improvements reported in PubMed on turmeric are due to the amyloid binding capability or due to the nitric oxide producing ability.   The problem is getting curcumin into the brain is tough, and even on your very high dose you would have to see proof that any is working its way through to the brain or CSF.   

 

But if the mechanism is nitric oxide, then that does not require curcumin to make it to the brain.  By hypothesis, nitric oxide levels in the body going higher might improve blood flow into small capillaries in the brain, thus fueling more oxidative energy to a larger number of neurons.    What's more, the nitric oxide effect is likely to be rapid.   By contrast, diminishment of amyloid plaques would likely take a long time to happen.

 

Is it right that you get these vivid-dream side effects as a short-term and immediate consequence of a single daily dose of turmeric?

 

What is your protocol for taking that three tablespoons?

[Kalliste]

Pone my friend. I miss you sometimes

 

I'm not sure about the exact preparation of the root so I try to vary it every time. Eating them raw, heating in a microwave, grating them and adding to a soup etc.

 

I also often think about "Sum bigger than the parts" stuff so I will eat it with garlic, onion, curry, glass of red wine, coffee, snack of dark chocolate to maximize the total number of circulating polyphenols.

 

 

ach of the five ingredients of Protandim shows anti-cancer effects and other activities. Bacosides, a traditional Ayurvedic medicine, has been used in India for centuries as a memory enhancing, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, sedative and antiepileptic agent [44]. Silymarin is known as a hepatoprotectant, but also shows anti-cancer and cytoprotective activities on organs including the prostate, lungs, CNS, kidneys, pancreas and skin [45]. W. somnifera has shown anti-angiogenesis and anti-cancer activities [46]–[47]. Green tea (EGCG) shows promising results in cancer prevention and treatment in a large number of studies [48]–[52]. Curcumin is another rising star as a cancer prevention agent [53]–[56]. However, the benefits of forming this combination include: 1) existing a synergistic effect; and 2) lowering the concentration of each ingredient to reduce the potential side effects.

https://www.ncbi.nlm...les/PMC2668769/

 

Have also been cutting down the amount of curcumin powder I use.

Attached Files

•  35763208_10155634171653034_1701238994076958720_n.jpg   96.32KB   0 downloads

[William Sterog]

I also take powdered Turmeric, but with powdered Ginger in my case, and I can attest that my dreams has been amazing lately.