Amazingly when I wrote that last post, I was completely pissed. I don't know whether it was supplements or previous times of amygdala tickling, but it's damn possible to write coherently even when extremely drunk.
Anyway I started slipping back into depression, OCD, and eventually that anhedonia stuck in a rut feeling which I noticed a week ago. I had stopped taking NAC in my stack as I had run out, and thought lets see how I do with my well rounded stack minus the NAC. Well NAC is definitely a requirement for me.
So here I was a week ago, feeling so anhedonic. So I start googling NAC again, and read a reddit comment that you should take selenium as well because NAC can deplete it.
I didn't realise selenium is needed for glutathione peroxidase, the enzyme that creates glutathione in your body, the most powerful antioxidant.
Also me, my wife, and my father got hit by the china virus. But out of us 3 I was definitely hit the worse, taking a full month to recover. This always perplexed me, as someone who takes a well rounded supplement stack, I had the worse immune system. Originally I thought it hit me the hardest because I have beta thalassemia minor, but now there's been a recent study that shows a significant link between low selenium levels and a higher death rate from the coronavirus. So did my prior intake to NAC deplete my selenium which is why covid 19 hit me so hard?
But I can go further. I have some sort of metabolic syndrome or something. Because in the past I have taken megadoses of potassium iodide, coq10, and l-carnitine. Now I can't take any of these (or sea kelp), because I get a severe reaction to them. Most notably coq10 will give me major unnatural brain fog and make me really tired, and I can't even eat offal anymore, such as liver or heart, because I would get too much coq10 from them and get the major brain fog/tiredness. Could l-carnitine, coq10, and iodine/iodide depleted my selenium levels or caused some sort of metabolic syndrome? The only link I know is iodine, as that's used for the thyroid as it selenium.
I should also note the timeline. Mini pop was in 2011, potassium iodide high dose experiment 2013, coq10 and l-carnitine high dose experiment 2015. 2016 onwards haven't been able to take any of them without severe reaction, so did I deplete my selenium levels back then or screw up my metabolism?
I should also note if you look at posts 172-175 in this thread (page 6), I discovered I was taking ALCAR around the time period of my mini pop, and then post some relevant studies and experiences of ALCAR and its effect on mood. So I ordered some as I wanted to try it again, but due to new allergy to l-carnitine from 2015, when I took 1 x 500mg ALCAR, I suffered from the worst insomnia I have ever experienced. I should make a distinction btw, I became allergic after megadosing L Carnitine L Tartrate back in 2015, not ALCAR, but obviously it has the same effect with ALCAR as it breaks down to carnitine. I should also mention when I say megadosing, I was taking 3-6g of L Carnitine L Tartrate a day. So this might not be considered megadosing per se, but it was enough to make me allergic to it. The same with 600-1200mg of coq10 a day.
Metabolic disorder, hypothyroidism, whatever I have, lets move back to selenium. I ordered super selenium complex from life extension a couple of days ago. I got it in the evening and took 2 capsules (400mcg). Definitely a perk in energy, got insomnia that night, had to take nytol. Yesterday I add it to my morning stack, but after last nights experiment 200mcg is all I need.
So here are some obeservations:
1. Getting out of bed was super easy when my alarm went off, even though I should have probably slept in longer. And this is after having taken a nytol too!
2. After I took my morning stack with the now added 200mcg selenium, I had 0 daytime tiredness or any grogginess which is definitely unsual especially after a nytol.
3. I feel like I'm more calm with a steady energy. I feel more awake.
4. Definite bump in libido and rigidity.
So selenium is definitely doing something, most likely better thyroid function.
While these are all perks, the thing I'm most interested in is emotional stability. Now the last 3 weeks I've being doing instant self hypnosis for various things and it's worked to various degrees. But one thing I've been doing it for is peace and love, and overcoming any anger, which it has also worked to various degrees. Now I don't really suffer from major anger or emotional flashbacks if I don't tickle my amygdalas. So prior to getting my selenium I tried tickling my amygdalas again, and while I was able to handle things much better, I still could not overcome any strong emotions fully, but I was able handle them and overcome them much better.
So the most interesting thing will be, will I be able to handle them even better or not experience them at all now I've added selenium?
The next thing is will selenium eventually allow me to overcome my allergy to carnitine, and will I be able to take ALCAR again, which I believe might have been the supplement back in 2011 that allowed me to experience my first frontal lobes mini pop? This will be really exciting if I can take ALCAR again eventually.
Now lets get into some studies:
Here's one from 2018: http://www.archivesp...s_PP_4_2018.pdf
Effect of selenium as an adjunctive therapy in patients with treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder:
A pilot randomized double blind placebo-controlled clinical trial
Background: The first line medicinal treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) includes selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Researchers have shown that there is a correlation between a defi- ciency of trace elements, the trace elements deficiency such as selenium, and mental disorders and mood, – Since selenium is a safe supplement with a favorable side effect profile, it may be useful as an adjunctive treatment with SSRIs.
Aim: To determine if adjunctive selenium therapy improves symptoms in treatment-resistant OCD.
Methods: Thirty-two patients with treatment-resistant OCD were selected and randomly assigned to two groups: intervention and control, with both groups continuing to receive SSRI drugs according to current guidelines. The intervention group received one 200 mcg selenium capsule daily while the control group received one placebo capsule each day for 6 weeks.
Results: Y-BOCS scores decreased at the end of the sixth week in both groups, but this reduction was significantly lower in the selenium group (P = 0.01). Selenium was well tolerated and there was no significant difference between the two groups in the incidence of side effects.
Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that selenium, as an adjunctive treatment with SSRIs, improves symptoms of OCD and thus can be used as a new drug for treatment-resistant OCD.
So here we have a study where selenium was given to those with OCD on SSRI's and there was significant improvement.
I can say without a doubt NAC reduces my OCD to the point where I question whether I still suffer from it anymore. Is this because NAC increases my glutathione levels even without dosing selenium? I assume that is the link because selenium gave a significant reduction here in 6 weeks, and selenium is required for glutathione peroxidase.
Now check this amazing study out from 2014: https://pubmed.ncbi....h.gov/24749253/
[Advances of selenium supplementation in posttraumatic stress disorder risk group patients]
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a complex of symptoms developed in a patient after traumatic event. The basis of PTSD pathophysiology is hyper activation of neurones under stress factors influence, so-called excitotoxicity, followed by oxidative stress (OS) because of an accumulation of free radicals. Lipid peroxidation can lead to neurons damage. Neurons are especially susceptible to OS, changing signal transduction and information processing mechanisms. Clinically excitotoxicity preforms as different acute and/or chronic stress reactions and can cause PTSD. Selenium (Se) is involved on different stages of transport and metabolism of Glutamate. Research aim: to access PTSD incidence, OS parameters and their adjustment advances using organic Se in PTSD risk group patients. PTSD symptomatic severity (in PCL-M points) reduced for 5.85% to baseline, Prevalence Rate reduced for 46.03% to baseline in Se group patients. We can conclude that: 1) there is a statistically reliable correlations between the incidence of PTSD and OS parameters, between PTSD symptomatic severity and OS parameters; 2) the use of Se during the mission can reduce the OS parameters, minimize the incidence of PTSD and reduce the PTSD symptomatic severity.
So here we have a study where selenium supplementation will reduce the incidence and severity of PTSD by protecting the neutrons from oxidative stress.
Here's another study from 2018 on Latvian soldiers: https://www.pharmano...atvian-soldiers
Study Design
There were 143 soldiers in the study. All were Latvian men with an average age of 27 years who were to participate in a six-month peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan. The participants were examined using blood tests and questionnaires before and immediately after their departure. As a marker of the blood level of selenium, the amount of the selenoprotein glutathione peroxidase (Gpx) was measured and, in addition, a number of other markers for oxidative stress.
SelenoPrecise
The participants were randomized into a selenium and a placebo group. The selenium group received two 100 μg SelenoPrecise tablets at each day for the six-month duration. The placebo group received identical-looking tablets without selenium.
Study Results
The study showed that the plasma content of selenium increased markedly in the selenium group. The placebo group's selenium had risen slightly because the soldiers had eaten food imported from the US. The activity of Gpx increased in the selenium group, whereas it decreased in the placebo group. The level of malondialdehyde (MDA) which is a measure of lipid oxidation and not desirable in larger quantities, decreased in the selenium group and increased in the placebo group. However, the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) which is an important antioxidant enzyme decreased by 1.7% in the selenium group relative to the initial level and increased 2.9% in the placebo group, i.e. a total difference of 4.6% (A possible explanation for this may be that the increased selenium level in the selenium group simply had relieved some of the antioxidant tasks of the SOD enzymes).
Conclusions
Finally, the severity of PTSD symptoms was reduced in the selenium group, whereas they had increased in the placebo group. The difference between the two groups was 20%. The study concludes that there is a reliable relationship between PTSD symptoms, their severity and oxidative stress. Supplements of selenium during a mission can reduce oxidative stress and minimize incidences of PTSD as well as its severity.
So we have another study showing selenium alone helps reduce the incidences and severity of PTSD, of soldiers actively on the field.
Now while these studies do not show whether they can help after the PTSD has developed. It makes me wonder if selenium can help with flashbacks or emotional flashbacks, by reducing the oxidative stress when you are re-experiencing the flashback? Not sure but I'm sure I'll find out soon enough.
Now here's a study from 1991 on anxiety and mood:
The impact of selenium supplementation on mood
Abstract
The possibility that a subclinical deficiency of the trace element selenium might exist in a sample of the British population was examined by giving a selenium supplement for 5 weeks. Using a double-blind cross-over design, 50 subjects received either a placebo or 100 mcg selenium on a daily basis. On three occasions they filled in the Profile of Moods States. A food frequency questionnaire was used to estimate the intake of selenium in the diet. Intake was associated with a general elevation of mood and in particular, a decrease in anxiety. The change in mood when taking the active tablet was correlated with the level of selenium in the diet, which was estimated from a food frequency questionnaire. The lower the level of selenium in the diet the more reports of anxiety, depression, and tiredness, decreased following 5 weeks of selenium therapy. The results are discussed in terms of the low level of selenium in the food chain in some parts of the world.
Remember these are just studies on selenium alone, not other supplements, so it's pretty amazing. Then again there are studies for many different nutrients and their effect on mood and anxiety. But interesting nonetheless, as well as the fact OCD is an anxiety disorder. And having covered the majority of the major nutrients in my stack for a long time, I never actually saw a lessening of OCD or anhedonia until I started supplementing NAC. So I think selenium is more powerful that we might give it credit for, as both NAC and selenium are both linked with glutathione.
Here's one from 2014: https://medicalxpres...depression.html
New study shows strong link between selenium levels and depression
A new University of Otago study has found that selenium levels that are both too high in the body, and worse, too low, can place young people at greater risk of depression.
Otago's Department of Psychology co-author and study lead Dr Tamlin Conner says the research reinforces links between both low and high selenium status and adverse health effects in humans – including on mood, which is her main area of expertise.
A total of 978 young adults aged 17 to 25 were asked to complete a depression questionnaire and track their mood daily over the Internet for two weeks. Blood tests were also taken to determine their selenium levels.
The results of this research, a collaboration between the University's Psychology and Human Nutrition departments, and published in the prestigious Journal of Nutrition today, suggests that there is a relationship between selenium concentration and depressive symptoms and negative mood among young adults. Young adults with either too low, or too high, levels of selenium showed the highest risk of depressive symptoms and poorer mood. However, lower concentrations of selenium were found to be even more detrimental to these outcomes.
"Our strongest finding was that young adults with the lowest selenium concentrations reported the most depressive symptoms. Although we did not test the physiological mechanisms, other research shows that oxidative damage to the brain and nervous system contributes to the development of depression. Adequate selenium intake is required for optimal antioxidant defences to protect body tissues from oxidative damage, through glutathione peroxidise, which is a key antioxidant enzyme," says Dr Conner.
"New Zealand has a well-known history of low selenium intake, with many people having intakes below what is required for maximum antioxidant defences. The average blood-serum selenium concentration observed in our study was below what is required for maximum glutathione peroxidase activity, so this suggests many young people in the South Island have intakes of selenium that are too low for optimal selenium status, and could benefit from increasing intakes."
However, whether increasing selenium intakes in young people with low intake could reduce the risk of depression still needs to be tested in clinical trials, Dr Conner adds.
Co-author Dr Jody Miller, a Research Fellow with Otago's Department Human Nutrition, says there is a narrow window of benefit for selenium, and intakes that are too high may also be detrimental to health.
"Some studies show associations between very high selenium intakes and increased risk of diabetes, prostate cancer, and mortality – usually in older adults.
"Our observation that higher selenium concentrations above a certain level were associated with poorer mood means that recommendations to increase selenium intake should be made with caution. Changes in dietary patterns to increase selenium intake without risk of adversely high intakes should be encouraged – supplementation is not recommended because of the risk of excess intake."
"Safe ways to ensure a good selenium intake without the risk of consuming too much include choosing breads made with whole grains, and increasing the consumption of other high selenium foods such as canned fish, nuts and seeds, poultry, and eggs. Brazil nuts are a particularly rich source of selenium, and one or two brazil nuts per day could safely increase selenium intakes without risk of too high an intake."
Dr Miller says the main source of selenium in the New Zealand diet is bread, followed by fish/seafood, then poultry, and eggs. Bread and bakery products in the North Island are mostly made from Australian wheat, which has high selenium content. For the South Island, most breads and bakery products are made with locally grown wheat.
"New Zealand soil is low in selenium, and so the levels of selenium in NZ-grown wheat are low. Therefore, bread would make a greater contribution to selenium intake in the North Island," she says.
New Zealand soil is low in selenium and so locally grown foods tend to be low in selenium. This is the main reason why the selenium intakes of New Zealanders have historically been amongst the lowest in the world.
This is a large study with 978 young adults and blood tests taken for selenium. While there were depressive risks from both too low and too high levels of selenium. The lowest levels were associated with the most depressive symptoms.
And there are a couple of studies on selenium and sleep that are relevant to sleep problems I suffer from.
1. Selenium was associated with being able to fall asleep faster.
2. Selenium helps sleep apnea, and in one case completely stopped snoring from non-obesity sleep apnea.
i.e. I have trouble falling asleep quickly, I also snore, and suffer from sleep apnea. And this is even after taking my well rounded stack for a long time. Maybe more things pointing to selenium deficiency?
So let's see if selenium is one of the last pieces of the puzzle for me. I already feel better on it energy wise. Whether it helps with amygdala tickling and emotional flashbacks is to be seen, but I'm sure I'll find out soon enough. I'm also hoping after a long enough time of supplementing selenium, I can add 500mg ALCAR to my stack, as that might really help things kick off in the mini pop department.
Here's my current stack, all taken at once in the morning:
[] = Dosage of pill, not total dosage
2 x ZMA [Zinc 10mg, Vitamin B6 3.5mg, Magnesium 150mg] (Supplemented/Amazon)
1 x Benfotiamine [150mg] (Doctors Best)
1 x B-Complex (Higher Nature - B-Vital)
1 x Vitamin C [1g] (Any brand is fine as long as it’s ascorbic acid)
1 x Vitamin D [1000 I.U.] (Natures Aid)
1 x Vitamin E (Healthy Origins - E400)
1 x Cod Live Oil [1g] (Natures Aid)
1 x Borage Oil [1g] (Supplemented/Amazon)
1 x NAC [500mg] (Prowise/Amazon)
1 x Selenium [200mcg] (Life Extension Super Selenium Complex)
1 x Pycnogenol [30mg] (Natures Aid)
1 x Ginger (Natures Aid or Higher Nature)
1 x Turmeric (Nature’s Aid)
Edited by Jesus is King, 08 August 2020 - 11:12 AM.
