![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Lao Tzu on June 26, 2010, at 10:20:46
One of the best herbs I used for anxiety years ago was kava kava. Because of the scare that it may damage the liver, many people may refrain from trying it. I used the Natrol brand, but I don't know if Natrol still makes it or not. You can get a generic brand at vitamin shoppe, but I don't think it is as good as the Natrol brand. Back then, nobody knew if it could cause liver damage. There were no warnings, and I took it everyday for several months with no problem. Whether you can take it long-term without liver damage I don't know. In my opinion, if you take the dosage prescribed on the bottle and don't overdose, it shouldn't be a problem, but perhaps people that already have liver damage should not take this herb. Decide for yourself, but it did help me a lot with generalized anxiety. Caution: probably not a good idea to take this herb with antidepressant medications.
Posted by Jimmyboy on June 27, 2010, at 11:20:17
In reply to Kava Kava for generalized anxiety, posted by Lao Tzu on June 26, 2010, at 10:20:46
The tea you can make is anbother way to go and it is much stronger. It actually was too strong for me and would knock me out. I think Kava is a GABA A agonist.
Posted by Lao Tzu on June 28, 2010, at 10:10:32
In reply to Re: Kava Kava for generalized anxiety, posted by Jimmyboy on June 27, 2010, at 11:20:17
I had read somewhere that Kava had MAO activity, but I can't validate the source. I, too, always thought it possessed GABA A activity, but couldn't validate it. When I was taking it, it felt like it had GABA activity when compared to a benzo, but Kava also has stimulant properties, which leads me to believe it may also possess MAOI properties as well.
Posted by bleauberry on June 28, 2010, at 18:08:35
In reply to Kava Kava for generalized anxiety, posted by Lao Tzu on June 26, 2010, at 10:20:46
I tried Kava only once and it was scary. Instead of calming, it pumped me up with almost psychotic anxiety and insomnia. Hellish nightmares all night during the little time I did manage to drift off. You know, that place somewhere between awake and asleep.
Anyway, it was some good stuff from Hawaii. My dose was small since I was being cautious. I get the feeling Kava is probably dose dependent. That is, it probably behaves differently depending on the size of the dose. In my case, the small cautious dose was probably a bad idea. But it was so scary I could not bring myself to try it again at any dose.
Posted by Lao Tzu on July 1, 2010, at 12:22:36
In reply to Re: Kava Kava for generalized anxiety, posted by bleauberry on June 28, 2010, at 18:08:35
Higher dosages other than what is directed on the bottle can cause overstimulation. This happened to me when I overdosed on Kava before a therapy session, and I actually had more anxiety.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Alternative | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.