Theanine and Tea
https://www.drvitaminsolutions.com/p...arian-Capsules

"... L-Theanine... is an amino acid found in green tea that helps produce calming effects in the brain by increasing levels of serotonin, dopamine and GABA. It also promotes cognitive function and may slow brain aging."

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18681988
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21040626

I drink tea everyday and can say that it boosts my mood and makes me feel more relaxed and focused.

Sensory Deprivation Tank Podcast (summary)
http://optimalperformance.com/how-na...t-concussions/

The Seals on the show emphasized how important sleep is. They admitted that sleep is the most important factor in a person's health. After years of poor sleep, it finally caught up to them and their bodies shut down. Now, after years of good sleep, there bodies are functioning at a much higher level.

This is a tank where basically there's as little stimulation as possible. It allows the brain to process as little information as possible. The temperature of the water matches your skin temperature, there's no sound, and there's no light. Apparently, gravity is not even processed in the brain during a session in a tank. During a session, which lasts 1 to 2 hours, the brain either goes into extreme relaxation or into a super focused mode. During the focused mode, the individual is supposed to work on a problem area (memory, math, etc.) and build new pathways.

The Navy Seals that promote this said that only 1/200 individuals they saw do this didn't find benefit. Most reported that they slept better, averaging 8 or 9 hours of sleep instead of 3-4. Many also reported going off pain meds, including an individual who went off his after a day in the tank after being on meds for years. They found that the results were best sooner than later into recovery, but individuals still found significant benefit years after their last concussion.

I don't remember much about this, but the Seals did get into touch with a brain tech company to measure responses in the brain. They didn't elaborate much, but it did sound like the therapy supported the anecdotal evidence.

Also emphasized was the importance of deep breathing, which can be done with out a float tank. And conditioning the brain (think Pavlov) out of a stress response and into a relaxation response with the deep breathing and something like eucalyptus, lavendar, or lemon balm oil, is highly effective.

Lastly, your brain processes things like light, noise, and EMF's (phone radiation). Limiting (or removing) these should help you get deep sleep, which releases healing compounds in the body.

As these deprivation tanks become more popular, more research will be done. There is not a lot out there, but anecdotal evidence supports the therapy in reducing stress, pain, anxiety, depression.

I've been taking 200 mgs of L-Theanine every morning for a year and a half along with 100 mgs of 5-HTP.

The sensory deprivation systems have also caused psychosis. They have been outlawed in many jurisdictions and the US Army Field manual. Lawsuits are ongoing about whether they are cruel and unusual punishment in the US or torture by Geneva Convention standards.

Float tank clinics sometimes add a measured level of stimulation.

Thanks Jbuckl. I think during those periods when I was in pain for weeks on end even 5 minutes of sensory deprivation would sound pretty good. Work with PCS patients though sounds like it would have to be strictly controlled.

One thing I read on Wiki (link below) a moment ago is that hallucinations have occurred with some people which means the brain would be pretty stressed. Of course, that would depend on the images that appeared in the brain. Images of lying on a beach in St. John seems like it would be pretty good for the brain

One thing I did yesterday for sound deprivation is order a pair of firearms shooting earmuffs (34db). Combined with ear plugs I don't expect to have a problem with the snowblower or lawnmower. Below is a link to the ones I purchased. Lots of good reviews.

ClearArmor Earmuffs http://tinyurl.com/hyvk286

Sensory Deprivation on Wiki https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sensory_deprivation

My shrink suggested this many years ago....

I suffer from terrible sensory integration problems....

Complete dark rooms with no sound let me think clearly....

I have one just down the street in walking distance....I would like to try just not sure due to all the unknown!

Mark, thanks for the response. I did not know that it can induce psychosis. It's probably something not for me as I have schizoaffective disorder and already have some hallucinations at night in my quiet dark room. I'd rather not trigger a psychotic break and end up in the hospital...again.

CenterIce, I also thought that this would be very valuable in the early stages of recovery. Thanks for the links. I'm content with earplugs for now. I do have some noise cancelling headphones that my dad uses on the lawnmower.

davOD, I also think most clearly in my room. It's amazing what shutting down a few senses can do. I've heard good stories about float tanks, but that's because I was searching only for good stories.

DavOD- check out Multisensory Environments for sensory integration issues.


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JBuckl,

I just checked out the Life Extension prices you linked. They're expensive. I get 60 -200 mg tablets for $14 at VitaCost. LE wants $18 for 60-100 mgs tabs. Swansons only charges $8 for 60 - 100 mgs tablets of the Suntheanine version. For those of us who have budgets to keep, that savings can be important.

Regarding sensory deprivation, I do the opposite. I use a system of uniform soft stimulation to help me settle. Soft cotton or acrylic fleece is very soothing. I wore chenille gloves to bed when I was struggling the most. The overall soft sensation allowed me to settle down.

When I do it right, it is like I am laying in a bed of warm cotton. I relax into it like a cloud.