GABA and anxiety attacks

Hi
Has anyone used GABA or anything else for anxiety and/or panic attacks?
From what I've been reading, GABA, an amino acid seems to be effective for
this. In the past couple of months I've had a return of palpitations &
anxiety attacks and they're getting worse. When I was on a bedtime only low
dose antidepressant for fibromyalgia I had unexpected pleasant relief from
anxiety. I went off the Doxepin since it stopped working after 5yrs and I
lost 10 lbs like water coming off, so there's no way I'm restarting another
psychotropic drug.

Does anyone here meditate and found it effective for anxiety?

Roseanne
--
The Seven Dwarves of Menopause are living at my house: Itchy,Bitchy,
Sweaty,Sleepy,Bloated,Forgetful & Psycho

I've used GABA with good effect for the last year or so, as have a few
others I know. It's very calming, and it helps me sleep when I'm into
"insomnia mode." I would recommend that you give it a try and see if
it works for you. (note: Amino acids seem to work best if taken on an
empty stomach.)

Cathering

On Mon, 12 Feb 2007 14:44:18 -0500, "foggydoggy"
<foggydoggy@cogeco.ca> wrote:

>Hi
> Has anyone used GABA or anything else for anxiety and/or panic attacks?
>From what I've been reading, GABA, an amino acid seems to be effective for
>this. In the past couple of months I've had a return of palpitations &
>anxiety attacks and they're getting worse. When I was on a bedtime only low
>dose antidepressant for fibromyalgia I had unexpected pleasant relief from
>anxiety. I went off the Doxepin since it stopped working after 5yrs and I
>lost 10 lbs like water coming off, so there's no way I'm restarting another
>psychotropic drug.
>
>Does anyone here meditate and found it effective for anxiety?
>
>Roseanne

"CG" <cathe_S_PAM_FREE_ring@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:g4k1t2lfh1j8r9tvq1757cao760qm47f32@4ax.com...
> I've used GABA with good effect for the last year or so, as have a few
> others I know. It's very calming, and it helps me sleep when I'm into
> "insomnia mode." I would recommend that you give it a try and see if
> it works for you. (note: Amino acids seem to work best if taken on an
> empty stomach.)
>
> Cathering

What dose are you taking and are you taking it daily or as needed, at night
before bed? I know the lowest easily available is 500 mg although I'm sure
it's available lower.I'm very sensitive to stuff so I have to start low.How
fast does it work, within a few hours/days/ weeks?

I do try to take my licorice root,thyroid support and SAMe on an empty
stomach.It does take some juggling in the morning before breakfast.Swallow
one as soon as I wake up and drops under the tongue, shower, dress,makeup
then take the other,wait 15 min,then breakfast. It's a timing hassle.

Roseanne

foggydoggy wrote:
> Hi
> Has anyone used GABA or anything else for anxiety and/or panic attacks?

See my answer elsewhere in this thread.

> From what I've been reading, GABA, an amino acid seems to be effective for
> this. In the past couple of months I've had a return of palpitations &
> anxiety attacks and they're getting worse. When I was on a bedtime only low
> dose antidepressant for fibromyalgia I had unexpected pleasant relief from
> anxiety. I went off the Doxepin since it stopped working after 5yrs and I
> lost 10 lbs like water coming off, so there's no way I'm restarting another
> psychotropic drug.
>
> Does anyone here meditate and found it effective for anxiety?

Yes and yes. I don't have anxiety attacks or palpitations, but I
can get anxious at the drop of a hat when I'm stressed.
Meditation can help a lot.

Have you read "Minding the Body, Mending the Mind" by Joan
Borysenko? I think it's an excellent introduction to meditation,
and she describes her journey (when she was a Ph.D. candidate)
from severe stress into meditation. Another one I really like is
"Wherever You Go, There You Are" by Jon Kabat-Zinn.

FurPaw
--
My family values don't involve depleted uranium.

To reply, unleash the dog.

foggydoggy wrote:
> "CG" <cathe_S_PAM_FREE_ring@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:g4k1t2lfh1j8r9tvq1757cao760qm47f32@4ax.com...
>> I've used GABA with good effect for the last year or so, as have a few
>> others I know. It's very calming, and it helps me sleep when I'm into
>> "insomnia mode." I would recommend that you give it a try and see if
>> it works for you. (note: Amino acids seem to work best if taken on an
>> empty stomach.)
>>
>> Cathering
>
> What dose are you taking and are you taking it daily or as needed, at night
> before bed? I know the lowest easily available is 500 mg although I'm sure
> it's available lower.I'm very sensitive to stuff so I have to start low.How
> fast does it work, within a few hours/days/ weeks?

You can also get it GABA in sublingual lozenges at 100 mg (Source
Natural is one brand; there are probably others).

I've tried both the 500 mg capsules and the lozenges, and I
suspect that the lozenges are more effective. I say "suspect"
because the effects I've noticed have been inconsistent and
subtle, but what I've noticed seems to happen within an hour of
taking the pill, if I notice anything. JME.

I got my information about GABA and other aminos from "The Mood
Cure" by Julia Ross, a book that Chak recommended a while back.

> I do try to take my licorice root,thyroid support and SAMe on an empty
> stomach.It does take some juggling in the morning before breakfast.Swallow
> one as soon as I wake up and drops under the tongue, shower, dress,makeup
> then take the other,wait 15 min,then breakfast. It's a timing hassle.

I can relate to the juggling! I take Questran once a day, and
any other meds have to be taken at least two hours before or two
hours after, because Questran tends to absorb them and make them
unavailable. Lunch would be the ideal time to take it, but it's
a powder that has to be dissolved in warm water, so it's not
exactly convenient to take it when I'm out of the house.

FurPaw
--
My family values don't involve depleted uranium.

To reply, unleash the dog.

On Mon, 12 Feb 2007 19:40:35 -0500, "foggydoggy"
<foggydoggy@cogeco.ca> wrote:

>
>"CG" <cathe_S_PAM_FREE_ring@gmail.com> wrote in message
>news:g4k1t2lfh1j8r9tvq1757cao760qm47f32@4ax.com.. .
>> I've used GABA with good effect for the last year or so, as have a few
>> others I know. It's very calming, and it helps me sleep when I'm into
>> "insomnia mode." I would recommend that you give it a try and see if
>> it works for you. (note: Amino acids seem to work best if taken on an
>> empty stomach.)
>>
>> Cathering
>
>What dose are you taking and are you taking it daily or as needed, at night
>before bed? I know the lowest easily available is 500 mg although I'm sure
>it's available lower.I'm very sensitive to stuff so I have to start low.How
>fast does it work, within a few hours/days/ weeks?
>
>I do try to take my licorice root,thyroid support and SAMe on an empty
>stomach.It does take some juggling in the morning before breakfast.Swallow
>one as soon as I wake up and drops under the tongue, shower, dress,makeup
>then take the other,wait 15 min,then breakfast. It's a timing hassle.
>
>Roseanne
>
I use the Puritan's Pride version of GABA Complex, which contains 100
mg. of GABA per capsule. (disclaimer -- I have no financial interest
in Puritan's Pride.)

I noticed the effects immediately (within an hour).

I no longer take GABA regularly, although I did so for about a year or
more. I take it at night as needed, or if I'm in a particularly
stressful situation. As I said, the effects (for me) are immediate.

Cathering

"FurPaw" <furrealpawdog@gmail.com> wrote in message
>
> You can also get it GABA in sublingual lozenges at 100 mg (Source Natural
> is one brand; there are probably others).
>
> I've tried both the 500 mg capsules and the lozenges, and I suspect that
> the lozenges are more effective. I say "suspect" because the effects I've
> noticed have been inconsistent and subtle, but what I've noticed seems to
> happen within an hour of taking the pill, if I notice anything. JME.
>
> I got my information about GABA and other aminos from "The Mood Cure" by
> Julia Ross, a book that Chak recommended a while back.
>
>> I do try to take my licorice root,thyroid support and SAMe on an empty
>> stomach.It does take some juggling in the morning before
>> breakfast.Swallow one as soon as I wake up and drops under the tongue,
>> shower, dress,makeup then take the other,wait 15 min,then breakfast. It's
>> a timing hassle.
>
> I can relate to the juggling! I take Questran once a day, and any other
> meds have to be taken at least two hours before or two hours after,
> because Questran tends to absorb them and make them unavailable. Lunch
> would be the ideal time to take it, but it's a powder that has to be
> dissolved in warm water, so it's not exactly convenient to take it when
> I'm out of the house.
>
> FurPaw
> --
> My family values don't involve depleted uranium.

Are you taking Questran for high cholesterol? My mother took it for about 10
yrs and I remember her dissolving the powder in a glass of water just before
a meal. She had individual pkgs of the powder so it was easy for her to slip
them into her purse.If you are taking it for the cholesterol I have found
something effective.My naturopath recommended red rice yeast and on 600 mg
it dropped my cholesterol from 7.5 to 6.91 in just a month, lowered my LDL,
increased HDL and lowered triglycerides slightly (they weren't high) Sorry I
don't know the lab values used in the US,but I suspect that 7.5 is something
like over 350.

Roseanne

foggydoggy wrote:

> Are you taking Questran for high cholesterol?

No, I take it because I'm missing the part of my small intestine
that absorbs bile, which is very irritating to the colon if it
gets through. Questran absorbs bile (which carries cholesterol,
hence its use as a cholesterol-lowering drug), keeping it out of
my colon.

> My mother took it for about 10
> yrs and I remember her dissolving the powder in a glass of water just before
> a meal. She had individual pkgs of the powder so it was easy for her to slip
> them into her purse.

My prescription plan only pays for the bulk generic. I carry a
dose in my purse in an old pill bottle; my problem is remembering
to take it when I'm not at home.

If you are taking it for the cholesterol I have found
> something effective.My naturopath recommended red rice yeast and on 600 mg
> it dropped my cholesterol from 7.5 to 6.91 in just a month, lowered my LDL,
> increased HDL and lowered triglycerides slightly (they weren't high) Sorry I
> don't know the lab values used in the US,but I suspect that 7.5 is something
> like over 350.

I've heard that about red rice yeast - doesn't it contain
something that is related to statins?

FurPaw

--
My family values don't involve depleted uranium.

To reply, unleash the dog.

"FurPaw" <furrealpawdog@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:jpadnY34VtGwjEzYnZ2dnUVZ_o2vnZ2d@comcast.com. ..

>>
>> Does anyone here meditate and found it effective for anxiety?
>
> Yes and yes. I don't have anxiety attacks or palpitations, but I can get
> anxious at the drop of a hat when I'm stressed. Meditation can help a lot.
>
> Have you read "Minding the Body, Mending the Mind" by Joan Borysenko? I
> think it's an excellent introduction to meditation, and she describes her
> journey (when she was a Ph.D. candidate) from severe stress into
> meditation. Another one I really like is "Wherever You Go, There You Are"
> by Jon Kabat-Zinn.
>
> FurPaw

I'm really going to give meditation a good try this time around. I'm not
someone who can sit still and my last experience with it was at a women's
retreat weekend.Our group just came into the meditation class after
rappelling down a rock face and I was all pumped. I sat down to participate
and after 15 min I thought I was going to DIE. My body was crying out to be
active so finally I did some stretches instead. I really really wanted to go
but didn't want to be rude and leave the class. After another 15 min I
looked at my friend in the back of the room and I knew she had the same
thoughts, " please, someone just shoot me now ". That was two years ago and
whenever someone mentions meditation I cringe.

Sitting in a canoe at 7 am on a cool spring day is what " floats my boat ".
I sit and listen to the silence and I am in awe and very much in the moment.

I'll toddle down to the library and grab the books you mentioned.

Thanks,
Roseanne

foggydoggy wrote:
> I'm really going to give meditation a good try this time around. I'm not
> someone who can sit still and my last experience with it was at a women's
> retreat weekend.Our group just came into the meditation class after
> rappelling down a rock face and I was all pumped. I sat down to participate
> and after 15 min I thought I was going to DIE. My body was crying out to be
> active so finally I did some stretches instead. I really really wanted to go
> but didn't want to be rude and leave the class. After another 15 min I
> looked at my friend in the back of the room and I knew she had the same
> thoughts, " please, someone just shoot me now ". That was two years ago and
> whenever someone mentions meditation I cringe.

I think I would have had a lot of difficulty sitting quietly
after that, too!

Maybe it was the situation, but you might find yoga to be more
your style; it gives you physical benefits along with the mental
focus.

My problem with meditation is getting the "hamster brain" to
quiet down, particularly when I'm stressed. I find that I do
better when I play wordless, quiet music, especially things that
don't really have a melody, like "Aeolian Harp."

> Sitting in a canoe at 7 am on a cool spring day is what " floats my boat ".
> I sit and listen to the silence and I am in awe and very much in the moment.

That sounds lovely - if only you could experience it year-round!

FurPaw

--
My family values don't involve depleted uranium.

To reply, unleash the dog.

> I think I would have had a lot of difficulty sitting quietly
> after that, too!
>
> Maybe it was the situation, but you might find yoga to be more your style;
> it gives you physical benefits along with the mental focus.
>
> My problem with meditation is getting the "hamster brain" to quiet down,
> particularly when I'm stressed. I find that I do better when I play
> wordless, quiet music, especially things that don't really have a melody,
> like "Aeolian Harp."

> FurPaw

Are you now able to control that hamster on the treadmill? It seems to take
a lot of work & focus to let the thoughts pass. I still don't quite
understand how meditation calms you and keeps you calm during times of
stress.

Having to sit there and work hard to keep thoughts out of my head would send
my blood pressure through the roof. So where's the benefit?

Roseanne

foggydoggy <foggydoggy@cogeco.ca> wrote:

> > I think I would have had a lot of difficulty sitting quietly
> > after that, too!
> >
> > Maybe it was the situation, but you might find yoga to be more your style;
> > it gives you physical benefits along with the mental focus.
> >
> > My problem with meditation is getting the "hamster brain" to quiet down,
> > particularly when I'm stressed. I find that I do better when I play
> > wordless, quiet music, especially things that don't really have a melody,
> > like "Aeolian Harp."

I have music like that. I love it! I also heard something with whale
song at a course. Terrible to listen to, fantastic to meditate to.

> Are you now able to control that hamster on the treadmill? It seems to take
> a lot of work & focus to let the thoughts pass. I still don't quite
> understand how meditation calms you and keeps you calm during times of
> stress.

Changes the habit of the brain.

"How thinking can change the brain
"Dalai Lama helps scientists show the power of the mind to sculpt our
gray matter."

Full article here:
<http://www.moneyweb.co.za/shares/international_news/594591.htm>

> Having to sit there and work hard to keep thoughts out of my head would send
> my blood pressure through the roof. So where's the benefit?

Sounds like you're forcing. When un-meditative thoughts enter your head,
don't react. Just calmly watch them come, and calmly watch them go,
without judgement, and re-focus on your mantra/imagery or whatever has
your focus for meditation purposes. After a while, the disruptive
thoughts are fewer and farther between.

--
Keera in Norway * Think big. Shrink to fit.
http://home.online.no/~kafox/

foggydoggy wrote:

> Are you now able to control that hamster on the treadmill?

Some days better than others.

> It seems to take
> a lot of work & focus to let the thoughts pass. I still don't quite
> understand how meditation calms you and keeps you calm during times of
> stress.

Keeping you calm - I don't know exactly how that works, but one
thing that regular meditation does is that you learn that you CAN
calm yourself, and when you begin to get stressed, it helps to
recall how you feel when you are calm, kind of like dropping
breadcrumbs in the forest to help you find your way back to that
state.

You can also do mini-meditations - a few minutes - when you're in
a stressful situation and need to calm yourself. I suggest to my
students that they do this when they are taking an exam and
feeling stressed or panicked. (I doubt that many actually do it,
however.)
>
> Having to sit there and work hard to keep thoughts out of my head wouldsend
> my blood pressure through the roof. So where's the benefit?

The trick is _not_ to work hard. Be very soft and gentle and
forgiving with yourself when your attention wanders - and it
will. Many times. Whenever you notice that it has wandered,
just bring your focus back to your breath (see below).

The simple, basic technique that I use is this one, which is
based on Benson's book "The Relaxation Response" and basic
mindfulness meditation (e.g., Kabat-Zinn's "Wherever You Go..."

- Sit quietly with your hands in your lap in a comfortable position.

- Close your eyes, and breathe slowly and deeply from your
diaphragm.**

- As you feel your self starting to relax, breathe normally.

- Focus all of your attention at the end of your nose.

- Observe your breath come in, and observe your breath go out.

- If your thoughts start to wander, gently bring your attention
back to your breath and to the end of your nose. (Don't get
frustrated. Everyone's thoughts wander. When you notice them
wandering, just return your attention to your breath.)

- At the end of 20 minutes (or whatever duration you choose...
you can set a timer, or use music as a key), bring yourself
gently back to normal consciousness, breathe, stretch, and go
about your day.

Here's a Relaxation Response web site:
http://www.mbmi.org/basics/whatis_rr...licitation.asp

**If you're really stressed or anxious, it helps at the beginning
of a session to do some kind of progressive relaxation; either
tensing and releasing groups of muscles, one at a time, or do a
mental body scan and "release" the tension. This is the one that
I use, given to me by a behavioral therapist friend, modified for
my own use to put more focus on the areas where I carry my
tension (head and neck):

BODY SCAN: Sit or lie down comfortably and close your eyes.
Breathe slowly and deeply, using full, complete breaths. Move
your focus to different parts of your body, in turn. There are
several techniques for doing this: here is one in which you pair
a number and a body part with release of tension. Use one or
more breaths for each body region, depending on how tense it is.

As you think of each body part, imaging that someone is shining a
gentle light on it, imparting softness. Imagine the light
moving over that body part.

10 – think of your head and scalp. As you breathe in relaxation,
release the tension from your scalp and then let it flow out with
your breath.

9 – think of your face, forehead, eyes, cheeks, tongue, jaw. As
you breathe in relaxation, release the tension from your face and
then let it flow out with your breath. [I usually need two or
three breaths here, because I furrow my brow and clench my jaws
when tense.]

8 – think of your neck and shoulders. As you breathe in
relaxation, release the tension from your neck and shoulders, and
let it flow out with your breath.

7 – think of your lower back. As you breathe in relaxation,
release the tension from the muscles in your lower back and let
it flow out with your breath.

6 – think of your upper arms, your forearms, your hands and
fingers. As you breathe in relaxation, release the tension from
your arms and let it flow out of your finger tips.

5 – think of your torso, your chest, your abdomen, your hips. As
you breathe in relaxation, release the tension from your torso
and let it flow out with your breath.

4 – think of your thighs, your calves, your feet, your toes. As
you breathe in relaxation, release the tension from your legs and
let it flow out your toes.

3 – think of your entire body, sinking deeper and deeper into a
soft pillow. As you breathe in relaxation, release the tension
from your body and let it flow off your body and onto the ground.

2 – think of your entire body, sinking even deeper into a soft
pillow. Imagine that you are surrounded by a fluffy soft cloud.
As you breathe in relaxation, release the tension from your
body and let it flow onto the ground.

1 – think of your entire body, enveloped in a soft pillow,
surrounded by a protective blue cloud that will keep all tension
away from your body. As you breathe in relaxation, release your
body into this cloud and…relax.


FurPaw

> Roseanne
>
>


--
My family values don't involve depleted uranium.

To reply, unleash the dog.

"FurPaw" <furrealpawdog@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:OISdnUJLjL0YNE7YnZ2dnUVZ_qarnZ2d@comcast.com. ..
foggydoggy wrote:

> Are you now able to control that hamster on the treadmill?

Some days better than others.

> It seems to take a lot of work & focus to let the thoughts pass. I still
> don't quite understand how meditation calms you and keeps you calm during
> times of stress.

Keeping you calm - I don't know exactly how that works, but one
thing that regular meditation does is that you learn that you CAN
calm yourself, and when you begin to get stressed, it helps to
recall how you feel when you are calm, kind of like dropping
breadcrumbs in the forest to help you find your way back to that
state.

You can also do mini-meditations - a few minutes - when you're in
a stressful situation and need to calm yourself. I suggest to my
students that they do this when they are taking an exam and
feeling stressed or panicked. (I doubt that many actually do it,
however.)
>
> Having to sit there and work hard to keep thoughts out of my head would
> send my blood pressure through the roof. So where's the benefit?

The trick is _not_ to work hard. Be very soft and gentle and
forgiving with yourself when your attention wanders - and it
will. Many times. Whenever you notice that it has wandered,
just bring your focus back to your breath (see below).

The simple, basic technique that I use is this one, which is
based on Benson's book "The Relaxation Response" and basic
mindfulness meditation (e.g., Kabat-Zinn's "Wherever You Go..."

- Sit quietly with your hands in your lap in a comfortable position.

- Close your eyes, and breathe slowly and deeply from your
diaphragm.**

- As you feel your self starting to relax, breathe normally.

- Focus all of your attention at the end of your nose.

- Observe your breath come in, and observe your breath go out.

- If your thoughts start to wander, gently bring your attention
back to your breath and to the end of your nose. (Don't get
frustrated. Everyone's thoughts wander. When you notice them
wandering, just return your attention to your breath.)

- At the end of 20 minutes (or whatever duration you choose...
you can set a timer, or use music as a key), bring yourself
gently back to normal consciousness, breathe, stretch, and go
about your day.

Here's a Relaxation Response web site:
http://www.mbmi.org/basics/whatis_rr...licitation.asp

**If you're really stressed or anxious, it helps at the beginning
of a session to do some kind of progressive relaxation; either
tensing and releasing groups of muscles, one at a time, or do a
mental body scan and "release" the tension. This is the one that
I use, given to me by a behavioral therapist friend, modified for
my own use to put more focus on the areas where I carry my
tension (head and neck):

BODY SCAN: Sit or lie down comfortably and close your eyes.
Breathe slowly and deeply, using full, complete breaths. Move
your focus to different parts of your body, in turn. There are
several techniques for doing this: here is one in which you pair
a number and a body part with release of tension. Use one or
more breaths for each body region, depending on how tense it is.

As you think of each body part, imaging that someone is shining a
gentle light on it, imparting softness. Imagine the light
moving over that body part.

10 – think of your head and scalp. As you breathe in relaxation,
release the tension from your scalp and then let it flow out with
your breath.

9 – think of your face, forehead, eyes, cheeks, tongue, jaw. As
you breathe in relaxation, release the tension from your face and
then let it flow out with your breath. [I usually need two or
three breaths here, because I furrow my brow and clench my jaws
when tense.]

8 – think of your neck and shoulders. As you breathe in
relaxation, release the tension from your neck and shoulders, and
let it flow out with your breath.

7 – think of your lower back. As you breathe in relaxation,
release the tension from the muscles in your lower back and let
it flow out with your breath.

6 – think of your upper arms, your forearms, your hands and
fingers. As you breathe in relaxation, release the tension from
your arms and let it flow out of your finger tips.

5 – think of your torso, your chest, your abdomen, your hips. As
you breathe in relaxation, release the tension from your torso
and let it flow out with your breath.

4 – think of your thighs, your calves, your feet, your toes. As
you breathe in relaxation, release the tension from your legs and
let it flow out your toes.

3 – think of your entire body, sinking deeper and deeper into a
soft pillow. As you breathe in relaxation, release the tension
from your body and let it flow off your body and onto the ground.

2 – think of your entire body, sinking even deeper into a soft
pillow. Imagine that you are surrounded by a fluffy soft cloud.
As you breathe in relaxation, release the tension from your
body and let it flow onto the ground.

1 – think of your entire body, enveloped in a soft pillow,
surrounded by a protective blue cloud that will keep all tension
away from your body. As you breathe in relaxation, release your
body into this cloud and…relax.


FurPaw

Thanks Furry, you describe it so eloquently. I'm printing this off for
further reference. My kids are out of the house,one at school Sept - April
so our house is empty. I've kept their bedrooms intact but our one quest
room has a sofa and nothing else. It's cozy & warm and I have claimed it for
myself. My space to attempt to meditate, I sit on the comfortable sofa and
just have some quiet down time especially after an acupunture session.

Roseanne

On Feb 12, 11:44 am, "foggydoggy" <foggydo...@cogeco.ca> wrote:
> Hi
> Has anyone used GABA or anything else for anxiety and/or panic attacks?
> From what I've been reading, GABA, an amino acid seems to be effective for
> this. In the past couple of months I've had a return of palpitations &
> anxiety attacks and they're getting worse. When I was on a bedtime only low
> dose antidepressant for fibromyalgia I had unexpected pleasant relief from
> anxiety. I went off the Doxepin since it stopped working after 5yrs and I
> lost 10 lbs like water coming off, so there's no way I'm restarting another
> psychotropic drug.
>
> Does anyone here meditate and found it effective for anxiety?
>
> Roseanne
> --
> The Seven Dwarves of Menopause are living at my house: Itchy,Bitchy,
> Sweaty,Sleepy,Bloated,Forgetful & Psycho

You could also try theanine, another amino acid. I find the effect
very subtle. GABA had no effect on me. But if you look in
Remedyfind, you'll see that many people believe theanine relieves
anxiety. Other amino acids that might alter brain activity are
tyrosine and phenylalanine (though those two have the reputation of
stimulating the brain). If you're interested in herbs and not happy
about the prospect of taking prescription heart meds, hawthorne is
good for the heart. Those already diagnosed with heart trouble should
check with their doctor first.

"sage hen" <desertnymph@cwo.com> wrote in message
news:1171659452.148410.16670@l53g2000cwa.googlegro ups.com...
> On Feb 12, 11:44 am, "foggydoggy" <foggydo...@cogeco.ca> wrote:
>> Hi
>> Has anyone used GABA or anything else for anxiety and/or panic
>> attacks?
>> From what I've been reading, GABA, an amino acid seems to be effective
>> for
>> this. In the past couple of months I've had a return of palpitations &
>> anxiety attacks and they're getting worse. When I was on a bedtime only
>> low
>> dose antidepressant for fibromyalgia I had unexpected pleasant relief
>> from
>> anxiety. I went off the Doxepin since it stopped working after 5yrs and I
>> lost 10 lbs like water coming off, so there's no way I'm restarting
>> another
>> psychotropic drug.
>>
>> Does anyone here meditate and found it effective for anxiety?
>>
>> Roseanne
>> --
>> The Seven Dwarves of Menopause are living at my house: Itchy,Bitchy,
>> Sweaty,Sleepy,Bloated,Forgetful & Psycho
>
> You could also try theanine, another amino acid. I find the effect
> very subtle.

Isn't that the chemical in tea? Ordinary black tea?


--
Jette Goldie
jette@blueyonder.co.uk
http://www.jette.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/
http://wolfette.livejournal.com/
("reply to" is spamblocked - use the email addy in sig)

"Jette Goldie" <bosslady@scotlandmail.com> wrote in message
news:UipBh.1281$I46.616@text.news.blueyonder.co.uk ...
>
> "sage hen" <desertnymph@cwo.com> wrote in message
> news:1171659452.148410.16670@l53g2000cwa.googlegro ups.com...
>> On Feb 12, 11:44 am, "foggydoggy" <foggydo...@cogeco.ca> wrote:
>>> Hi
>>> Has anyone used GABA or anything else for anxiety and/or panic
>>> attacks?
>>> From what I've been reading, GABA, an amino acid seems to be effective
>>> for
>>> this. In the past couple of months I've had a return of palpitations &
>>> anxiety attacks and they're getting worse. When I was on a bedtime only
>>> low
>>> dose antidepressant for fibromyalgia I had unexpected pleasant relief
>>> from
>>> anxiety. I went off the Doxepin since it stopped working after 5yrs and
>>> I
>>> lost 10 lbs like water coming off, so there's no way I'm restarting
>>> another
>>> psychotropic drug.
>>>
>>> Does anyone here meditate and found it effective for anxiety?
>>>
>>> Roseanne
>>> --
>>> The Seven Dwarves of Menopause are living at my house: Itchy,Bitchy,
>>> Sweaty,Sleepy,Bloated,Forgetful & Psycho
>>
>> You could also try theanine, another amino acid. I find the effect
>> very subtle.
>
> Isn't that the chemical in tea? Ordinary black tea?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theanine

Cathy



>
>
> --
> Jette Goldie
> jette@blueyonder.co.uk
> http://www.jette.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/
> http://wolfette.livejournal.com/
> ("reply to" is spamblocked - use the email addy in sig)
>

"Cathy F." <clfr@adelphiadot.net> wrote in message
news:LtidnSoqMdHPp0vYnZ2dnUVZ_tqnnZ2d@giganews.com ...
>
> "Jette Goldie" <bosslady@scotlandmail.com> wrote in message
> news:UipBh.1281$I46.616@text.news.blueyonder.co.uk ...
>>
>> "sage hen" <desertnymph@cwo.com> wrote in message
>> news:1171659452.148410.16670@l53g2000cwa.googlegro ups.com...
>>> On Feb 12, 11:44 am, "foggydoggy" <foggydo...@cogeco.ca> wrote:
>>>> Hi
>>>> Has anyone used GABA or anything else for anxiety and/or panic
>>>> attacks?
>>>> From what I've been reading, GABA, an amino acid seems to be effective
>>>> for
>>>> this. In the past couple of months I've had a return of palpitations &
>>>> anxiety attacks and they're getting worse. When I was on a bedtime
>>>> only low
>>>> dose antidepressant for fibromyalgia I had unexpected pleasant relief
>>>> from
>>>> anxiety. I went off the Doxepin since it stopped working after 5yrs and
>>>> I
>>>> lost 10 lbs like water coming off, so there's no way I'm restarting
>>>> another
>>>> psychotropic drug.
>>>>
>>>> Does anyone here meditate and found it effective for anxiety?
>>> You could also try theanine, another amino acid. I find the effect
>>> very subtle.
>>
>> Isn't that the chemical in tea? Ordinary black tea?
>
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theanine
>
> Cathy
>

As I said - tea. The drink that wakes you up, relaxes you,
helps you concentrate and helps you unwind. :-)


--
Jette Goldie
jette@blueyonder.co.uk
http://www.jette.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/
http://wolfette.livejournal.com/
("reply to" is spamblocked - use the email addy in sig)

"Jette Goldie" <bosslady@scotlandmail.com> wrote in message
news:82rBh.1406$I46.868@text.news.blueyonder.co.uk ...
>
> "Cathy F." <clfr@adelphiadot.net> wrote in message
> news:LtidnSoqMdHPp0vYnZ2dnUVZ_tqnnZ2d@giganews.com ...
>>
>> "Jette Goldie" <bosslady@scotlandmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:UipBh.1281$I46.616@text.news.blueyonder.co.uk ...
>>>
>>> "sage hen" <desertnymph@cwo.com> wrote in message
>>> news:1171659452.148410.16670@l53g2000cwa.googlegro ups.com...
>>>> On Feb 12, 11:44 am, "foggydoggy" <foggydo...@cogeco.ca> wrote:
>>>>> Hi
>>>>> Has anyone used GABA or anything else for anxiety and/or panic
>>>>> attacks?
>>>>> From what I've been reading, GABA, an amino acid seems to be effective
>>>>> for
>>>>> this. In the past couple of months I've had a return of palpitations &
>>>>> anxiety attacks and they're getting worse. When I was on a bedtime
>>>>> only low
>>>>> dose antidepressant for fibromyalgia I had unexpected pleasant relief
>>>>> from
>>>>> anxiety. I went off the Doxepin since it stopped working after 5yrs
>>>>> and I
>>>>> lost 10 lbs like water coming off, so there's no way I'm restarting
>>>>> another
>>>>> psychotropic drug.
>>>>>
>>>>> Does anyone here meditate and found it effective for anxiety?
>>>> You could also try theanine, another amino acid. I find the effect
>>>> very subtle.
>>>
>>> Isn't that the chemical in tea? Ordinary black tea?
>>
>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theanine
>>
>> Cathy
>>
>
> As I said - tea. The drink that wakes you up, relaxes you,
> helps you concentrate and helps you unwind. :-)

Unless it's iced - in which case it only helps me to wake up! ;-)

Cathy


>
>
> --
> Jette Goldie
> jette@blueyonder.co.uk
> http://www.jette.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/
> http://wolfette.livejournal.com/
> ("reply to" is spamblocked - use the email addy in sig)
>

Jette Goldie wrote the following on 2/16/2007 6:23 PM:

> As I said - tea. The drink that wakes you up, relaxes you,
> helps you concentrate and helps you unwind. :-)

Ah, yes. The amazing, all purpose beverage.

Karen R, Tea nut

On Feb 16, 4:04 pm, "Karen R." <kre...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Jette Goldie wrote the following on 2/16/2007 6:23 PM:
>
> > As I said - tea. The drink that wakes you up, relaxes you,
> > helps you concentrate and helps you unwind. :-)
>
> Ah, yes. The amazing, all purpose beverage.
>
> Karen R, Tea nut

I understand theanine comes from GREEN tea, but has no caffeine.
Les

sage hen wrote:
> On Feb 16, 4:04 pm, "Karen R." <kre...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> Jette Goldie wrote the following on 2/16/2007 6:23 PM:
>>
>>> As I said - tea. The drink that wakes you up, relaxes you,
>>> helps you concentrate and helps you unwind. :-)
>> Ah, yes. The amazing, all purpose beverage.
>>
>> Karen R, Tea nut
>
> I understand theanine comes from GREEN tea, but has no caffeine.
> Les

According to this Lipton web page, 14-18mg of L-theanine is
present in a "typical" cup of tea. Not just green.
http://www.lipton.com.au/ltheanine/facts/index.html

Green tea does have caffeine, just not as much as black tea. And
white tea has even less. (typical amounts: black - 40 mg; green -
20 mg; white - 15 mg caffeine/tea bag, from this Stash web site:
http://www.stashtea.com/caffeine.htm )

There are several studies that are suggesting that theanine has
the effect of promoting a mental state of relaxed alertness, that
is not attributable to the caffeine also present in tea.
http://www.publichealth.arizona.edu/...StudyFAQs.aspx

Come, luv, sit and have a cuppa!

FurPaw
--
My family values don't involve depleted uranium.

To reply, unleash the dog.

On 17 Feb 2007 15:13:18 -0800, "sage hen" <desertnymph@cwo.com> wrote:

>On Feb 16, 4:04 pm, "Karen R." <kre...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> Jette Goldie wrote the following on 2/16/2007 6:23 PM:
>>
>> > As I said - tea. The drink that wakes you up, relaxes you,
>> > helps you concentrate and helps you unwind. :-)
>>
>> Ah, yes. The amazing, all purpose beverage.
>>
>> Karen R, Tea nut
>
>I understand theanine comes from GREEN tea, but has no caffeine.
>Les

I'm finding this discussion most interesting, I've been drinking tea
for most of my life. Perhaps it is the theanine and not caffiene that
makes it so addicting?

From the The University of Arizona Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of
Public Health webpage:

http://www.publichealth.arizona.edu/...StudyFAQs.aspx

Health and Tea FAQs

Some quotes:

>Do all teas have the same caffeine content?
>
>Since all teas are produced from Camellia sinensis, they naturally contain
>caffeine. Processing other than decaffeination does not change the caffeine
> content.

<snip>

> What is theanine and what is its role?
>
>Tea comes from Camellia sinensis, the only plant that makes theanine.
>Unique to tea, theanine is a major amino acid in black, green, and
>oolong tea.
>
<snip>

>Theanine appears to work quickly and seems to be most effective when
>someone is stressed and the mind is preoccupied by many thoughts. It
>seems to help relax the mind allowing one to focus on the task at hand.
>Because theanine helps the mind stop racing it also seems to help promote
>a more restful, sound sleep because sleep is also not interrupted by random
>thoughts.


Kathryn

FurPaw wrote the following on 2/17/2007 7:17 PM:

> There are several studies that are suggesting that theanine has
> the effect of promoting a mental state of relaxed alertness, that
> is not attributable to the caffeine also present in tea.
> http://www.publichealth.arizona.edu/...StudyFAQs.aspx

The beverage I have found most wonderful for promoting a relaxed state
while remaining alert is chrysanthemum tea. When I was working outside of
the home I kept some in my desk for the frequent times when things went
crazy there. One time when my boss was particularly frantic I made him a
cup. A little while later he stormed into my office wanting to know if
every time I seemed in control of the situation I was really 'stoned' on
the tea... :-)

Karen R.

"sage hen" <desertnymph@cwo.com> wrote in message
news:1171753998.780488.61450@a75g2000cwd.googlegro ups.com...
> On Feb 16, 4:04 pm, "Karen R." <kre...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> Jette Goldie wrote the following on 2/16/2007 6:23 PM:
>>
>> > As I said - tea. The drink that wakes you up, relaxes you,
>> > helps you concentrate and helps you unwind. :-)
>>
>> Ah, yes. The amazing, all purpose beverage.
>>
>> Karen R, Tea nut
>
> I understand theanine comes from GREEN tea, but has no caffeine.
> Les
>

Nope, theanine is in black tea too and green tea does have caffeine.


--
Jette Goldie
jette@blueyonder.co.uk
http://www.jette.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/
http://wolfette.livejournal.com/
("reply to" is spamblocked - use the email addy in sig)

Jette Goldie <bosslady@scotlandmail.com> wrote:

> "Cathy F." <clfr@adelphiadot.net> wrote in message
> news:LtidnSoqMdHPp0vYnZ2dnUVZ_tqnnZ2d@giganews.com ...
>>
>> "Jette Goldie" <bosslady@scotlandmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:UipBh.1281$I46.616@text.news.blueyonder.co.uk ...
>>>
>>> "sage hen" <desertnymph@cwo.com> wrote in message
>>> news:1171659452.148410.16670@l53g2000cwa.googlegro ups.com...
>>>> On Feb 12, 11:44 am, "foggydoggy" <foggydo...@cogeco.ca> wrote:
>>>>> Hi
>>>>> Has anyone used GABA or anything else for anxiety and/or panic
>>>>> attacks?
>>>>> From what I've been reading, GABA, an amino acid seems to be effective
>>>>> for
>>>>> this. In the past couple of months I've had a return of palpitations &
>>>>> anxiety attacks and they're getting worse. When I was on a bedtime
>>>>> only low
>>>>> dose antidepressant for fibromyalgia I had unexpected pleasant relief
>>>>> from
>>>>> anxiety. I went off the Doxepin since it stopped working after 5yrs and
>>>>> I
>>>>> lost 10 lbs like water coming off, so there's no way I'm restarting
>>>>> another
>>>>> psychotropic drug.
>>>>>
>>>>> Does anyone here meditate and found it effective for anxiety?
>>>> You could also try theanine, another amino acid. I find the effect
>>>> very subtle.
>>>
>>> Isn't that the chemical in tea? Ordinary black tea?
>>
>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theanine
>>
>> Cathy

> As I said - tea. The drink that wakes you up, relaxes you,
> helps you concentrate and helps you unwind. :-)

Over a decade ago I bought some outrageously expensive tea in a sale,
where its price had been drastically reduced to merely eye-wateringly
expensive, just out of curiosity. It was as wonderfully superior in
effect to any of the usual tea-bag stuff as is a dusty cobwebbed
bottle of wine which well deserves its three figure price to a bottle
of the latest supermarket bargain.

It made me more alert than a cup of strong coffee, for longer, but
without any of the hyper buzz, in a wonderfully relaxed and focussed
fashion. I was also able to deal with interruptions without losing the
thread and without getting over-excited. It was as though my brain had
temporarily been swapped for the expensive Rolls Royce version. In the
month when that was my evening cup of tea after coming home from work
I almost managed, for the first time in my life, to get a grip :-)

It was the drug I'd been looking for all my life :-)

Unfortunately we moved house before I'd finished it, someone stole it,
and in the months of moving upheaval I forgot the details.

Ever since then, in a very idle and occasional fashion, I've been
keeping an eye out for an affordable version. Haven't yet found one,
but the impression I'm getting is that two of the key factors are
first flush and high altitude.

--
Chris Malcolm cam@infirmatics.ed.ac.uk DoD #205
IPAB, Informatics, JCMB, King's Buildings, Edinburgh, EH9 3JZ, UK
[http://www.dai.ed.ac.uk/homes/cam/]

Chris Malcolm wrote the following on 2/18/2007 5:05 AM:

> Over a decade ago I bought some outrageously expensive tea in a sale,
> where its price had been drastically reduced to merely eye-wateringly
> expensive, just out of curiosity. It was as wonderfully superior in
> effect to any of the usual tea-bag stuff as is a dusty cobwebbed
> bottle of wine which well deserves its three figure price to a bottle
> of the latest supermarket bargain.

Please, do tell what this amazing tea is. The most expensive one I've had
is Jasmine Dragon Phoenix Pearl -- a rich, wonderful, delicate jasmine
green tea that I get 125 grams of once a year just for the pure pleasure
of drinking it. At close to $22 for that amount it isn't an everyday tea.
:-) But the leaves hold up to three steeps, so I can enjoy it multiple
times on the days I do make it, so that reduces the cost somewhat. The
second steep is actually the best, and I have even been known to share
this wonderful elixir with my DH and YD.

Karen R.

On Feb 18, 12:56 am, "Jette Goldie" <bossl...@scotlandmail.com> wrote:
> "sage hen" <desertny...@cwo.com> wrote in message
>
> news:1171753998.780488.61450@a75g2000cwd.googlegro ups.com...
>
> > On Feb 16, 4:04 pm, "Karen R." <kre...@gmail.com> wrote:
> >> Jette Goldie wrote the following on 2/16/2007 6:23 PM:
>
> >> > As I said - tea. The drink that wakes you up, relaxes you,
> >> > helps you concentrate and helps you unwind. :-)
>
> >> Ah, yes. The amazing, all purpose beverage.
>
> >> Karen R, Tea nut
>
> > I understand theanine comes from GREEN tea, but has no caffeine.
> > Les
>
> Nope, theanine is in black tea too and green tea does have caffeine.
>
> --
> Jette Goldie
> j...@blueyonder.co.ukhttp://www.jette.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/http://wolfette.livejournal.com/
> ("reply to" is spamblocked - use the email addy in sig)

The meaning of my sentence was that when you buy theanine, the
THEANINE has no caffeine. On the black tea question, the theanine ads
I've seen all say it comes from green tea. Good to know it's also in
black tea.
Les

"sage hen" <desertnymph@cwo.com> wrote in message
news:1171818947.487361.274410@q2g2000cwa.googlegro ups.com...
> On Feb 18, 12:56 am, "Jette Goldie" <bossl...@scotlandmail.com> wrote:
>> "sage hen" <desertny...@cwo.com> wrote in message
>>
>> news:1171753998.780488.61450@a75g2000cwd.googlegro ups.com...
>>
>> > On Feb 16, 4:04 pm, "Karen R." <kre...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> >> Jette Goldie wrote the following on 2/16/2007 6:23 PM:
>>
>> >> > As I said - tea. The drink that wakes you up, relaxes you,
>> >> > helps you concentrate and helps you unwind. :-)
>>
>> >> Ah, yes. The amazing, all purpose beverage.
>>
>> >> Karen R, Tea nut
>>
>> > I understand theanine comes from GREEN tea, but has no caffeine.
>> > Les
>>
>> Nope, theanine is in black tea too and green tea does have caffeine.
>>
>> --
>> Jette Goldie

>
> The meaning of my sentence was that when you buy theanine, the
> THEANINE has no caffeine. On the black tea question, t