Hi all,
Just wanted to share a story about a close friend of mine in hope that someone might find it useful. This is not intended to be a medical or any advice by any means. In fact, all the treatments have been posted by other doctors and leading specialists and I just basically copied all of their advice into one :)
First of all, something about my friend. She has been diagnosed with bipolar / schizophrenia and during her manic states, she would be losing weight, have no appetite, and have insomnia (all can be signs of extremely high cortisol). However, some time after that she became very anhedonic (had no energy or desire, no emotions or feelings, etc) - which can be a sign of a very very low cortisol (Addisons disease).
So, in other words, psychosis (or POSITIVE SCHIZOPHRENIA) may possibly be a Cushing's disease (over-production of cortisol by adrenals), whereas anhedonia (or NEGATIVE SHIZOPHRENIA) may possibly be Addison's disease (extreme under-production of cortisol). So, same person may be experiencing both "diseases" at different times of their lives.
HERE IS THE MECHANISM:
When adrenals are damaged not producing cortisol, there is no negative feedback loop so our brain keeps producing CRH and ACTH, further stimulating and tiring adrenals. If left untreated, adrenals can first go into an overactive (cushing) state and then to an underactive (addisons). In Addison's your adrenals really have crapped out, apparently, and if left untreated it can kill you.
Most of these supplements are the same in 4-5 different protocols from 4-5 different people / experts on adrenals. The hebs for overactive adrenals are calming hebs and for underactive adrenals are nourishing herbs.
1) Chronically elevated cortisol:
a. Phosphatidylserene (Seriphos heals the adrenals in the long run)— 2g a day in divided doses for minimum of 6 months. Permanently fixes abnormal circadian rythm. (Jack Cruze, among others, recommends specifically this for elevated cortisol)
b. Adaptogenic herbs — panax ginseng, rhodiola (00–300 mg of an extract with 0.8 to 1.0 percent salidroside and 2 to 4 percent rosavin in the morning), ashwaganda (morning and evening 500–1,000 mg), eleutherococcus
c. Cytokine support — resveratrol, pycnogenol, green tea extract, pine bark extract
d. Neurotransmitter GABA support — L-taurine (especially useful in treating bipolar mania. It suppresses the release of norepinephrine and dopamine and helps stabilize excitability of the membranes in the nervous system. 500 to 1000 mg per day, divided into three doses), L-theanine (especially amazing for bipolar mania), valerian root, passion flower
Ginkgo Biloba Extract (Egb761 extract).120 MG twice a day.
DHEA counteracts the effects of cortisol. When the DHEA level is low and the cortisol level high in your body, taking a DHEA supplement could bring the ratio of the two hormones back to where they needs to be, helping to relieve the effects of high cortisol.
Methylene Blue doesn't reduce cortisol but reduces cortisol binding to its receptor sites. Guess what else is maintained by the mitochondrial circadian clock? The cardiac rhythm. Jack Cruze said that Methylene Blue is used especially for bipolar. Haidut posted a study: Methylene Blue As A Treatment For Manic Depressive Psychosis. Methylene Blue is considered a derivative of phenothiazine and that was involved in the creation of modern antipychotics. If methylene blue must be taken, stop taking the serotonergic drug (tryciclic antidepressant) until 24 hours after finishing methylene blue.
Lemon balm: In the morning, take 25–50 mg, or drink a lemon balm tea.
Passionflower: In the evening, take 33–66 mg of an extract standardized to contain 3.5 percent flavonoids.
Tianeptine. Sustained use of tianeptine tends to "normalise" the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) system, reverse neural damage and promote synaptic plasticity. CALMS PEOPLE DOWN BY REDUCING CORTISOL.
2) Chronically depressed cortisol:
a. Licorice root extract — Dosages depend on the type of licorice root extract used. Licorice Root is the best natural remedy for Adrenal Failure that I know of (Jack Cruze, among others, recommends specifically this for elevated cortisol). That, along with Himalayan Sea Salt & Vit. C.
b. Adaptogenic herbs — panax ginseng (30–100 mg in the morning), rhodiola, ashwaganda, eleutherococcus
c. Cytokine support — Echinacea, astralagus, shiitake mushroom, beta-glucan, beta sitosterol
d. Excitatory neurotransmitter support — acetylcholine (Alpha-GPC, huperzine, galantamine), serotonin (5-HTP), tryptophan, St. John's wort, chamomile tea (in the evening)
e. Acetylcholine support — Alpha GPC, huperzine, galantamine – will increase cortisol.
f. PABA and Pantethine – miracle combo for anhedonia. I've researched these two extensively. The PABA especially is supposed to be able to potentiate cortisol, perhaps similar to what licorice does perhaps but much much better. The Pantethine provides some raw materials for hormones and is huge for production of Co-Enzyme A and seems to be synergistic with the PABA. I start by taking 100mg of both per day at about 9 AM.
f. Progesterone is more certain if the adrenals are really destroyed to correct cortisol deficiency. (recommended by Ray Peat and Jack Cruze for Addison's disease and can also be used for elevated cortisol)
g. For Anhedonia (Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia): 150 mg Theanine, 5 mg Pregnenolone, 500 mcg Lithium Citrate (drops), 100 mg caffeine (cup of coffee). Please note that historically (over 10 years) I have tried the above substances individually and in various combinations but never all combined. The combination is something completely different.
h. Kalish protocol is licorice (prevents cortisol from breaking down), frequent low doses of pregnenolone (precursor to cortisol) and DHEA. This is the same protocol followed by Dr Neville from the Clymer healing Centre.
General (for both cases) – from Dr. Abram Hoffer's book “Healing Schizophrenia” as well as other people:
Magnesium - Take 200-400 MG of Magnesium per night.
B-Complex Vitamins reduces stress.
Vitamin C is crucial to maintaining the delicate DHEA/cortisol ratio. 3000 mg with each meal. Noticed improvements in days. I was less depressed, lost my delusions, and improved tremendously.
Melatonin is another hormone that helps regulate cortisol levels in the body. Known for its effects on regulating the sleep cycle, the presence of melatonin in the body results in a reduction in cortisol levels. (also by Jack Cruze for both cases)
Vitamin D3 and K2 (2,000 IU daily). Schizophrenia varies with latitude (UVB) by 10X (controversy). In fact, schizophrenia is more common in those with dark skin (when away from the equator). A normal-to-high dose of 1000 IU seems to be a good rule of thumb.
Basil tea, dried alma powder tea, tulsi tea are all great for schizophrenia. ALA relieved psychiatric symptoms in schizophrenia in studies. Bacopa (brahmi) helps tremendously with bipolar.
Increase potassium for the overactive state, increase both salt and potassium significantly for the underactive state.
Finally, to finish the story of my friend, what really helped her with anhedonia was licorice root and also Parnate (prescribed to her by her doctor). However, its important to stop taking once anhedonia is cured or you can go into psychosis (MAOI's can cause psychosis)...
To find a more permanent relief from all these symptoms, however, one should do kidney cleanse!
"Kidney cleanse is a good way to reset your adrenal glands. On top of that, the ultimate key to health overall is also filtering the kidneys!!!All diseases start there."
Just wanted to share a story about a close friend of mine in hope that someone might find it useful. This is not intended to be a medical or any advice by any means. In fact, all the treatments have been posted by other doctors and leading specialists and I just basically copied all of their advice into one :)
First of all, something about my friend. She has been diagnosed with bipolar / schizophrenia and during her manic states, she would be losing weight, have no appetite, and have insomnia (all can be signs of extremely high cortisol). However, some time after that she became very anhedonic (had no energy or desire, no emotions or feelings, etc) - which can be a sign of a very very low cortisol (Addisons disease).
So, in other words, psychosis (or POSITIVE SCHIZOPHRENIA) may possibly be a Cushing's disease (over-production of cortisol by adrenals), whereas anhedonia (or NEGATIVE SHIZOPHRENIA) may possibly be Addison's disease (extreme under-production of cortisol). So, same person may be experiencing both "diseases" at different times of their lives.
HERE IS THE MECHANISM:
When adrenals are damaged not producing cortisol, there is no negative feedback loop so our brain keeps producing CRH and ACTH, further stimulating and tiring adrenals. If left untreated, adrenals can first go into an overactive (cushing) state and then to an underactive (addisons). In Addison's your adrenals really have crapped out, apparently, and if left untreated it can kill you.
Most of these supplements are the same in 4-5 different protocols from 4-5 different people / experts on adrenals. The hebs for overactive adrenals are calming hebs and for underactive adrenals are nourishing herbs.
1) Chronically elevated cortisol:
a. Phosphatidylserene (Seriphos heals the adrenals in the long run)— 2g a day in divided doses for minimum of 6 months. Permanently fixes abnormal circadian rythm. (Jack Cruze, among others, recommends specifically this for elevated cortisol)
b. Adaptogenic herbs — panax ginseng, rhodiola (00–300 mg of an extract with 0.8 to 1.0 percent salidroside and 2 to 4 percent rosavin in the morning), ashwaganda (morning and evening 500–1,000 mg), eleutherococcus
c. Cytokine support — resveratrol, pycnogenol, green tea extract, pine bark extract
d. Neurotransmitter GABA support — L-taurine (especially useful in treating bipolar mania. It suppresses the release of norepinephrine and dopamine and helps stabilize excitability of the membranes in the nervous system. 500 to 1000 mg per day, divided into three doses), L-theanine (especially amazing for bipolar mania), valerian root, passion flower
Ginkgo Biloba Extract (Egb761 extract).120 MG twice a day.
DHEA counteracts the effects of cortisol. When the DHEA level is low and the cortisol level high in your body, taking a DHEA supplement could bring the ratio of the two hormones back to where they needs to be, helping to relieve the effects of high cortisol.
Methylene Blue doesn't reduce cortisol but reduces cortisol binding to its receptor sites. Guess what else is maintained by the mitochondrial circadian clock? The cardiac rhythm. Jack Cruze said that Methylene Blue is used especially for bipolar. Haidut posted a study: Methylene Blue As A Treatment For Manic Depressive Psychosis. Methylene Blue is considered a derivative of phenothiazine and that was involved in the creation of modern antipychotics. If methylene blue must be taken, stop taking the serotonergic drug (tryciclic antidepressant) until 24 hours after finishing methylene blue.
Lemon balm: In the morning, take 25–50 mg, or drink a lemon balm tea.
Passionflower: In the evening, take 33–66 mg of an extract standardized to contain 3.5 percent flavonoids.
Tianeptine. Sustained use of tianeptine tends to "normalise" the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) system, reverse neural damage and promote synaptic plasticity. CALMS PEOPLE DOWN BY REDUCING CORTISOL.
- Best exercise: Strength training.
2) Chronically depressed cortisol:
a. Licorice root extract — Dosages depend on the type of licorice root extract used. Licorice Root is the best natural remedy for Adrenal Failure that I know of (Jack Cruze, among others, recommends specifically this for elevated cortisol). That, along with Himalayan Sea Salt & Vit. C.
b. Adaptogenic herbs — panax ginseng (30–100 mg in the morning), rhodiola, ashwaganda, eleutherococcus
c. Cytokine support — Echinacea, astralagus, shiitake mushroom, beta-glucan, beta sitosterol
d. Excitatory neurotransmitter support — acetylcholine (Alpha-GPC, huperzine, galantamine), serotonin (5-HTP), tryptophan, St. John's wort, chamomile tea (in the evening)
e. Acetylcholine support — Alpha GPC, huperzine, galantamine – will increase cortisol.
f. PABA and Pantethine – miracle combo for anhedonia. I've researched these two extensively. The PABA especially is supposed to be able to potentiate cortisol, perhaps similar to what licorice does perhaps but much much better. The Pantethine provides some raw materials for hormones and is huge for production of Co-Enzyme A and seems to be synergistic with the PABA. I start by taking 100mg of both per day at about 9 AM.
f. Progesterone is more certain if the adrenals are really destroyed to correct cortisol deficiency. (recommended by Ray Peat and Jack Cruze for Addison's disease and can also be used for elevated cortisol)
g. For Anhedonia (Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia): 150 mg Theanine, 5 mg Pregnenolone, 500 mcg Lithium Citrate (drops), 100 mg caffeine (cup of coffee). Please note that historically (over 10 years) I have tried the above substances individually and in various combinations but never all combined. The combination is something completely different.
h. Kalish protocol is licorice (prevents cortisol from breaking down), frequent low doses of pregnenolone (precursor to cortisol) and DHEA. This is the same protocol followed by Dr Neville from the Clymer healing Centre.
- Best exercise: A leisurely walk in the morning and evening, or a slow-paced style of yoga.
General (for both cases) – from Dr. Abram Hoffer's book “Healing Schizophrenia” as well as other people:
Magnesium - Take 200-400 MG of Magnesium per night.
B-Complex Vitamins reduces stress.
Vitamin C is crucial to maintaining the delicate DHEA/cortisol ratio. 3000 mg with each meal. Noticed improvements in days. I was less depressed, lost my delusions, and improved tremendously.
Melatonin is another hormone that helps regulate cortisol levels in the body. Known for its effects on regulating the sleep cycle, the presence of melatonin in the body results in a reduction in cortisol levels. (also by Jack Cruze for both cases)
Vitamin D3 and K2 (2,000 IU daily). Schizophrenia varies with latitude (UVB) by 10X (controversy). In fact, schizophrenia is more common in those with dark skin (when away from the equator). A normal-to-high dose of 1000 IU seems to be a good rule of thumb.
Basil tea, dried alma powder tea, tulsi tea are all great for schizophrenia. ALA relieved psychiatric symptoms in schizophrenia in studies. Bacopa (brahmi) helps tremendously with bipolar.
Increase potassium for the overactive state, increase both salt and potassium significantly for the underactive state.
Finally, to finish the story of my friend, what really helped her with anhedonia was licorice root and also Parnate (prescribed to her by her doctor). However, its important to stop taking once anhedonia is cured or you can go into psychosis (MAOI's can cause psychosis)...
To find a more permanent relief from all these symptoms, however, one should do kidney cleanse!
"Kidney cleanse is a good way to reset your adrenal glands. On top of that, the ultimate key to health overall is also filtering the kidneys!!!All diseases start there."
