4 replies to this topic

[agwoodliffe]

After hearing about the side effects of Rhodiola Rosea and Ginkgo (they lower 'endopeptidase' activity -> leading to higher Arginine Vasopressin -> which is implicated in depression & anxiety) I began a quest to find natural inhibitors of this enzyme. My findings are this:

1) California Poppy has 2 compounds which appear to inhibit the V1 receptor (which may be the receptor responsible for increasing cortisol / stress). Interestingly, California Poppy has traditionally been used to treat anxiety. Maybe this is partially the reason why.

http://www.ncbi.nlm..../pubmed/1535715

http://www.ncbi.nlm..../pubmed/7684742


2) HOWEVER, the most promising evidence appears to be for a herb called ''Alisma plantago-aquatica''.
There was one study which found a chinese herb formula called Danggui-Shaoyao-San to be effective at reducing AVP thus improving depressive-like problems.
After researching this formula, I found that Alisma was included in the ingredients -> and a separate study found that Alisma itself is effective in reducing AVP. Therefore, it makes sense to conclude that ''Alisma plantago-aquatica'' is the herb responsible for lowering AVP. You can find it on MaxNature.com .

http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/21664113

http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/11914959



If these work, then this may be the final barrier to chemically lowering cortisol.

Edited by agwoodliffe, 01 November 2013 - 06:11 PM.

[extroverinstinct]

Thanks man, nifty info!

[hav]

Its possible that natural diuretics that also have antidepressant but non-stimulant effects might have a related mode of operation. A few others that come to mind are grapefruit and bitter fennel oils as well as camomile and lettuce.

Howard

Edited by hav, 03 November 2013 - 03:25 PM.

[mrd1]

is it possible to get the cortisol lowering effects of that herb without the intolerable dosage GRAMS per KG?

[Bateau]

Might this have some negative effects on short term memory? I've occasionally tried Cali Poppy in the day to get a feel for the effects (usually take it at night for sleep), and I've noticed it HEAVILY effects my short term memory. Almost as if it was a (day)dream that I made up. Feels less 'solid' than my normal memories. I assumed this was due to the GABAeergic effects, but I've experienced nothing like that on other GABAergics (picamilon, kava, gotu kola, lemon balm etc.)

On the plus side I did experience a significant reduction in anxiety but that was heavily confounded with Kava. Any thoughts?