Cyproheptadine - A Wonder Drug?

[churchmouth]

Did the drowsiness lift after persevering with it, or you just notice now that you are revisiting cypro that it is no longer present?

It "feels" like to me that is so strongly lowers my rising cortisol in the AM that I just can't get out of bed, just want to lie there like a zombie.. even at 0.5mg. I only ever do it a few days in a row around the weekend.

 

[haidut]

Cypro he noticed prostate softened right up and PSA went down. I'm not sure what if any is the physical connection

Cypro is a TLR4 blocker and lowers adrenaline. Both of these have been implicated in prostate issues and if you search the forum you will find the threads.
As far as my cypro use, back in 2013 it helped me tolerate thyroid better but I never became a regular thyroid user because I just could not get a dosage that I could take every day. And eventually, as stress went down and metabolism improved I felt that I no longer needed to take thyroid anyways.

 

[Owen B]

Did the drowsiness lift after persevering with it, or you just notice now that you are revisiting cypro that it is no longer present?

It "feels" like to me that is so strongly lowers my rising cortisol in the AM that I just can't get out of bed, just want to lie there like a zombie.. even at 0.5mg. I only ever do it a few days in a row around the weekend.

The lack of drowsiness I think now was from the Naltrexone I was taking at the same time. That's a lot of oxygenation in a brain and body that's pretty starved for energy. It was like a pandora's box.

I didn't take any Naltrexone today; just 1mg Cypro (for my rat) and a couple of drops of Lapodin. I also do bag breathing every day now too. I think the added oxygenation and a faster metabolism is what is letting my rat tolerate the Cypro better. No drowsiness at all. I'll give the rat another 1 mg. Cypro this evening. This is a good combo for me right now.

 

[Antonello]

As many people reported Cypro feels different every time I try to come back to it.
I remember the first time I tried I felt really drowsy so I decided to stop, a month later I tried again and I felt more alert to the point of be too aware of my heard beat and it was kind of scary because there was some arrhythmia, today my health hasn’t improved much but I ve introduced more minerals and vitamins and this time cypro feels better on my system like more subtle, at the moment I’m at day 4 jumping up to 2mg 3xday, the first two days I always get sleepy but now I feel I can handle his effect and try to increase a bit the dosage.
The only side I’m experiencing this time is a slightly pressure on my chest, don’t know what this mean, anybody experienced that?

 

[ddjd]

Ray said that anti-serotonin drugs like ondansetron protect the heart

I'm sure I read somewhere that 5ht3 antagonists are a bad for the heart long term?

 

[haidut]

I'm sure I read somewhere that 5ht3 antagonists are a bad for the heart long term?

Yes, but this is specific only for the *setron family. Other antagonists of 5-HT3 like cyproheptadine, metergoline and mianserin do not seem to have that side effect. A less known specific 5-HT3 antagonist called tropanserin is also without side effects on the heart and it was developed for that very reason. However, like all good drug that pharma makes, it was destined to oblivion.
Tropanserin - Wikipedia

 

[ddjd]

Yes, but this is specific only for the *setron family. Other antagonists of 5-HT3 like cyproheptadine, metergoline and mianserin do not seem to have that side effect. A less known specific 5-HT3 antagonist called tropanserin is also without side effects on the heart and it was developed for that very reason. However, like all good drug that pharma makes, it was destined to oblivion.
Tropanserin - Wikipedia

Is it true cabergoline, memantine and bromocriptine can all have negative effects on heart health?

 

[haidut]

Is it true cabergoline, memantine and bromocriptine can all have negative effects on heart health?

Cabergoline definitely yes, even in low doses as it is powerful agonist at 5-Ht2B receptor thus causing fibrosis in heart and lungs. In theory, bromocriptine can also do it as it is also a 5-HT2B agonist but is much weaker then cabergoline and in most studies showing fibrosis it took massive doses of bromocriptine - 30mg+ and over long period of time to get this effects.
I have never seen anything about memantine causing heart issues. Where did you see that stated?

 

[Pablo Cruise]

Hi all,

As you many of you know, Ray Peat has mentioned cyproheptadine as a possible option for correcting certain physiological processes that have been derailed after years of eating PUFA, being exposed to chronic stress, toxins, endotoxin, battling chronic diseases, etc.
As I mentioned in one of my previous posts, whenever a substance displays a wide variety of protective/curative effects via multiple "pathways", it suggests that the theory behind it is probably correct. In the case of cyproheptadine and Ray Peat, the theory is that histamine, serotonin, cholinergic mechanisms, estrogen, prolactin, growth hormone, cortisol, etc. work in a direction that destabilizes the organism and causes damage. Here are some of the amazing findings I have been compiling on cyproheptadine that add more ammo to Ray's views:

1. Cyproheptadine may have strong anti-cancer properties:
Unexpected remission of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with lung metastasis to the combination therapy of thalidomide and cyproheptadine: report of... - PubMed - NCBI
Cyproheptadine displays preclinical activity in myeloma and leukemia. - PubMed - NCBI

2. Cyproheptadine may treat autism:
Cyproheptadine in the treatment of autistic disorder: a double-blind placebo-controlled trial. - PubMed - NCBI
Cyproheptadine in treatment of autism. - PubMed - NCBI

3. Cyproheptadine may treat schizophrenia. This raises serious questions if schizophrenia is "caused by excessive dopamine" as the current mainstream dogma holds since cyproheptadine would in theory increase dopamine and its effects:
Effects of the 5HT antagonist cyproheptadine on neuropsychological function in chronic schizophrenia. - PubMed - NCBI
Cyproheptadine in treatment of chronic schizophrenia: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. - PubMed - NCBI

4. Cyproheptadine may treat depression and other similar mental issues:
Treatment of depression with cyproheptadine. - PubMed - NCBI
Cyproheptadine for prevention of neuropsychiatric adverse effects of efavirenz: a randomized clinical trial. - PubMed - NCBI
Effect of cyproheptadine treatment on conditioned avoidance response in female rats. - PubMed - NCBI

5. Cyproheptadine may be heart-protective (Ray said that anti-serotonin drugs like ondansetron protect the heart):
Cyproheptadine prevents pergolide-induced valvulopathy in rats: an echocardiographic and histopathological study. - PubMed - NCBI
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7976381

6. Cyproheptadine may protect the brain from the damage caused by BOTH ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7976376
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1757225
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3982650

7. Cyproheptadine may protect the brain in a very generalized way by increasing cholesterol and phospholipids:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8225552

8. Cyproheptadine may protect from endotoxin:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11940385
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1598825
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8368073

9. Cyproheptadine may stimulate the immune system:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3567337

10. Cyproheptadine may have anti-endorphin action similar to naltrexone:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2995088

11. Cyproheptadine may suppress prolactin, growth hormone, aldosterone, ACTH, TSH, and cortisol:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2994332
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6109449
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7017408
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/115197
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/4600047
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/177441
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/177112
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1201741
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/180050
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/401824

12. Cyproheptadine may suppress prostaglandin synthesis and effects (similar to aspirin):
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/412631
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/508004

13. Cyproheptadine may be helpful in the treatment of "alcoholism":
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3797491
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14157085

14. Cyproheptadine may be helpful in the treatment of "psoriasis":
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6735444

15. Cyproheptadine may be helpful in the treatment of decompression sickness:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7233624

16. Cyproheptadine may be helpful in restoring fertility in old age:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1204806

17. Cyproheptadine may be helpful in treating myopathy (muscle weakness):
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/4274414

I am sure there are other studies with similar findings but I just wanted to share my findings so far. In my opinion, this is very strong evidence that Ray's ideas are on a VERY right track.

Thoughts?

Fascinating. Cyproheptadine is a drug that has been around for years and was used for itching if I recall correctly. So we see a drug around for 30-40 years and then....find out it may have other important beneficial effects beside being an antihistamine.

 

[Jsaute21]

Cyproheptadine for me is a miraculous drug. I feel much sharper mentally, and almost impenetrable to stress when i take it. It also has pronounced benefits on sleep. The weight gain side effect sucks as nobody wants to deal with that, but i think taking it 1x a week or so shouldn't result in too much weight gain. I take andro when i take it so the weight gain effects are mitigated.

 

[brix]

Cyproheptadine for me is a miraculous drug. I feel much sharper mentally, and almost impenetrable to stress when i take it. It also has pronounced benefits on sleep. The weight gain side effect sucks as nobody wants to deal with that, but i think taking it 1x a week or so shouldn't result in too much weight gain. I take andro when i take it so the weight gain effects are mitigated.

Is the weight destined to be fat? Or would this be beneficial if trying to gain muscle?

 

[Jsaute21]

Is the weight destined to be fat? Or would this be beneficial if trying to gain muscle?

I would say its more "bulk" than fat for me, you just kind of feel heavier than you would without it. I am a naturally lean person so this isn't a huge issue for me, but it does stop me from taking every day, which honestly i probably would if it wasn't for that side effect. I like being 195 or so opposed to 198 etc.

 

[Waynish]

How are rat's experiences so far orally vs topically? Folks have suggested it being absorbed by the stomach orally, so would be less effective for targeting the gut. However, it has seemed more powerful orally to me so far.

 

[Trunks00]

I am currently taking 10 mg of escitalopram and I would like to try cyproheptadine....are they compatibles?is there any way i can try it?...how would you do it?...


Regards

 

[tara]

I am currently taking 10 mg of escitalopram and I would like to try cyproheptadine....are they compatibles?is there any way i can try it?...how would you do it?...

I think Escitalopram is sold as an SSRI. If it actually does increase serotonin levels as that implies, then it's action is substantially opposite to cyproheptadine.

Have you read peat's articles on serotonin? Might give you an idea why some here prefer to try cyproheptadine and maybe some of the SSREs not the SSRI's (that is, Re-uptake Enhancers, not Inhibitors).
Ray Peat
In some countries, SSREs can be prescribed as antidepressants.

If you decide to try withdrawing from the escitalopram at some stage, I'd suggest reading up on possible withdrawal symptoms so you have an idea of where they are coming from if you get any of them, and doing it slowly.

I don't see much point in trying to combine escitalopram with cyproheptadine at the same time.

 

[Trunks00]

I think Escitalopram is sold as an SSRI. If it actually does increase serotonin levels as that implies, then it's action is substantially opposite to cyproheptadine.

Have you read peat's articles on serotonin? Might give you an idea why some here prefer to try cyproheptadine and maybe some of the SSREs not the SSRI's (that is, Re-uptake Enhancers, not Inhibitors).
Ray Peat
In some countries, SSREs can be prescribed as antidepressants.

If you decide to try withdrawing from the escitalopram at some stage, I'd suggest reading up on possible withdrawal symptoms so you have an idea of where they are coming from if you get any of them, and doing it slowly.

I don't see much point in trying to combine escitalopram with cyproheptadine at the same time.

I think I read Peat work about this thing and I think he sais that SSRI actually lower serotonin and that is why people improve...

 

[tara]

I think I read Peat work about this thing and I think he sais that SSRI actually lower serotonin and that is why people improve...

My memory was that he said that they are not all well understood, and in some cases maybe that is why they seemed to work?

 

[007]

Hi, anyone have any studies regarding Cyproheptadine effect on testosterone levels, or any theory’s?

 

[brix]

Hi, anyone have any studies regarding Cyproheptadine effect on testosterone levels, or any theory’s?

In theory, it should raise t. Less serotonin, more dopamine, less prolactin, less estrogen, more T.

 

[007]

Thanks for responding, the decrease in cortisol would probably help also