As far as the non-Chinese herbs go: I have taken passionflower before, but its effects linger into the next day and leave me unmotivated. It's also a weak MAOI, and it may conflict with other supplements/herbs. Chamomile is definitely relaxing as a GABA-A agonist, and I actually drank some tonight. Glutamine for me has the same effects as a high amount of glutamic acid found in brown rice. It seems to be rather calming for the mind and its ability to shut off random thoughts (possibly from the conversion to GABA?). Theanine also appears to be a GABA precursor, and is similar in structure to glutamine. Perhaps theanine and glutamine can be alternated to give similar effects on the GABA system without building tolerance? Have you noticed any similarities in effects?
Can you please tell us more about your glycine and lysine experience? I guess glycine is wonderful for staying asleep all night and is a calming amino acid, and lysine is a serotonin antagonist that can elevate mood in some people.
Getting back to the Chinese herbs, what would you say is the safest adaptogen in terms of side effects? Reishi caused stool discoloration, but I believe this has to do with flushing the liver (taurine, which can reverse liver disease in both fatty and alcoholic livers, produced the same temporary yellowish discoloration). Cordyceps can be too stimulating for me, possibly because of the thyroid. Is there any Chinese herbs/adaptogens that don't affect the thyroid, don't produce strange detox/allergic effects (sore throats, stool discoloration, rashes, etc.), and are highly beneficial for adapting to stress and the evolution of spirit? Once strange side effects in terms of the inner workings of the body (organs and body systems) appear, I automatically stop because I'm fearful I'm causing damage to my body, but many experts on these herbs suggest to keep using them, that this is a natural reaction and it's dispersing toxins from your body. Did you ever get these side effects, and did they go away in time?
A friend pointed out an interesting idea to me. He mentioned how each continent has its own adaptogenic plants. It's as if they were placed there by a greater intelligence to aid the people of that region. For instance, Maca in Peru, rhodiola in Russia/Scandinavia, cordyceps in Tibet, reishi in China, ginseng in Europe/America, ashwagandha in India, and so on. What is your opinion on foreigners using herbs native to a certain region of the world? And why do so many Westerners experience side effects from such herbs? I simply wish Western science could concretely link these effects to detoxification. Then I'd feel a lot more comfortable in taking these herbs.
I do find all this fascinating, as I'm beginning to get pulled closer to the study and use of such herbs. I guess I'm just looking for some reassurance.
Hi Verdego;
You've posted a number of questions. I'll try & answer all of them in this post. If I run out of time, I'll finish it off later in another post. You also posted in another thread about the amino acid taurine, concerning changes in stool color (going to yellow) & a detox theory, I don't have any experience w taurine to date, but I know something about detoxing the liver & gall bladder,
Let's start w amino acids.
"Can you please tell us more about your glycine and lysine experience? I guess glycine is wonderful for staying asleep all night and is a calming amino acid, and lysine is a serotonin antagonist that can elevate mood in some people."
Currently, I'm using the following aminos in different protocols.
I've been trying to follow the Pauling/Rath protocol 4 reversing arterioslcerosis & facilitating collagen producton. This involves my use of lysine, proline, & ascorbic acid (vitamin C). As you probably are unaware of, Vitamin C is absorbed by the jeujeunum, the middle part of the small intestine. The lysine & proline are small enough to leak into the interstitial fluid. I feel this may be of good benefit to me as humans do not make their own vitamin C.
The glycine figures into my insomnia stack. I don't know how the quality of your sleep is, but I've had chronic insomnia 4 decades & am now extremely proactive about addressing it, as sleep quality figures significantly in the ageing process, generally deteriorating as one ages.
Several studies have shown glycine administered b4 bedtime enables one 2 fall asleep quicker & move deeper into SWS (slow wave sleep), also called stage 3 & 4. This is where most HGH & tissure repair takes place. For insomina & better quality sleep, I include 1 mg sublingual melatonin (didn't mention that in my original post. Probably slipped up one or two other times as well. My complete stack is, of course, in flux. Herbs & supplements regularly move in & out of it as new formulas are made or old ones tweaked). wood betony, valerian root, passionflower, & tulsi (aka holy basil).
It's interesting to me the effects you stated chamomile & passionflower have on you. Both Passionflower & Tulsi work is by lowering cortisol levels. Chamomile I find calming too.
"Glutamine for me has the same effects as a high amount of glutamic acid found in brown rice. It seems to be rather calming for the mind and its ability to shut off random thoughts (possibly from the conversion to GABA?). Theanine also appears to be a GABA precursor, and is similar in structure to glutamine. Perhaps theanine and glutamine can be alternated to give similar effects on the GABA system without building tolerance? Have you noticed any similarities in effects?"
Glutamine & theanine r 2 more amino acids. I use Glutamine because the body seems to like it. I've seen it indicaated as good for the liver, soothing to the intestines & somewhat healing in the case of leaky gut syndrome. I find its taste bland, so it mixes well.
Theanine has been around for awhile as a mild nootropic/relaxant. Studies have indicated it helps the brain produce alpha waves, suggesting a calmer state of mind. In the past, I've used it to take the edge of cofee when I drank it. Now theanine goes into a formula now & again.
You mention glutamine & theanine in conjunction w GABA, which makes perfect sense concerning your perspective & mine on how they work & what general result to expect.
TMG, I'm currently taking in the daytime alone, as what I've read indicates it may have more stimulative properties to it than Glycine does.
"Getting back to the Chinese herbs, what would you say is the safest adaptogen in terms of side effects?"
Here's where I going to leave off for awhile & get back to later, principally because your question, I believe, is actually asking another larger question.
Side effects, toxicity, & detoxing. Of what? Primarily the liver, altho u could add the rest of the alimentary canal w its associated endocrine organs as well as the kidneys in the mix. But I'l concentrate on the liver as you've mentioned it several times in various posts.
U can't have a good understanding of the patho-physiology of an organ unless u 1st have a proper understanding of its physiology. What does the liver actually do when it's working normally? It does many things. I'll post back on this later. I think after physiology is explained, patho-physiology & toxic/detox reactions from various herbs comes better into focus.
There's also the enteric nervous system (ENS) to consider in all of this, because if you believe the herbs & supplements u take r only affecting your mind, you need to reconsider..
