question about phenibut (4 amino 3 phenylbutric acid)
 

Hi
My integrative medicine doc. tested my neurotransmitters. One of the products he wants me to take is Neuroscience Kavinace. It has phenibut in it. I was reading that phenibut possibly acts similar to a benzo.

Is this true and if so isn't it ill advised for TBI people to take benzos? I ask because I am supposed to take the supplement everyday and do not want to get dependent on it, etc...

Thank you.

Glad you reached out.

Phenibut is highly addictive. It works like a benzo just on a slightly different receptor. I would steer clear of it.

Thanks Danny

Do you or others have a suggestion for an alternative to help with anxiety? I'm not interested in going back on an SSRI. My neurotransmitter test said that my serotonin is actually too high.

I have been doing well minimizing anxiety with meditation, light exercise, breathing, etc... but there are times when it gets to be overwhelming. I also have problems with fixated / repetitive thoughts. My neurotransmitter test shows that I need more calming, although it says GABA is high, so I am a little confused.

Anyways, I thought that taking a supplement might help give me an extra boost to calm the anxiety and balance the neurotransmitters.

May I ask where/how you got your neurotransmitters tested?

Maybe you would benefit from lowering serotonin levels. I believe there is a study out there that suggests high serotonin levels can lead to social phobia. It may apply here.

What about the test suggested you need more calming?

Thanks Danny.

The test is from NeuroScience. It says that Serotonin, Glycine, Glutamate, Histamine, PEA, Dopamine, Norepinephrine area all too high. It lists anxiousness as one of the main symptoms for all of these elevated ones. Plus I have a general feeling of my brain being in kind of hyperactive, anxious mode a lot of the time. Like it is hard for me to relax. I was hoping if I could get the neurotransmitters more balanced, it might help with the anxious feelings.

Meditation and all of the other things I am doing help a lot, but I feel there may need to be some chemical balancing as well.

How have you been lately by the way? I think about you often. Hope you have found something to help.

RR,

My sister takes Valerian Root at night to help with her nightmares and other anxiety problems. She says it helps her and recommended it to me. I have not tried it yet but am hoping to soon. Maybe you could try it? It's an over the counter herbal supplement.

Valerian Root works the same way as benzodiazepines essentially believe or not. Another GABA mechanism. It may have some serotoninergic properties.

I can't think of anything that would help one of those neurotransmitters without affecting another. You may want to research NAC or another glutamate lowering supplement. It does have dopamine effects too I believe.

Thanks for thinking of me.

I'm hanging in there. Things have been extremely rough. I started to make some improvements at this time last month but pushed it too hard trying to feel normal and then slid down again. I'm still alive and moving forward and hope to report some significant progress soon. Meditation and Buddhist teachings, along with the support of friends have saved me.

Hi Danny

So glad you have others to lean on. That is one of the only things that has gotten me through this.

So, one more question..... Wouldn't it still be good to increase GABA since it is inhibitory, and that would help calm down all the over excitement in my brain?

What about something like Pharma GABA?

Thanks for your input. Take care :)