Taking a homeopathic anti-anxiety product

[h0ppy]

Hey Shells (your hip name )

I've started taking a homeopathic drug called NervoHeel for my anxiety about two weeks ago, and I've had great results. I used to feel very intimidated by people and overly self-conscious (thanks to acne), but now I can think so much clearer, there are less worries, I'm much more relaxed, and find myself in deep thought a lot (which is great!). But I hate the fact that I need to take a pill in order to be this way... is it somewhat better that I'm taking a *homeopathic* one, than any of those commercial drugs? Is this something I can take longterm? I just feel so great that I can finally socialize without the worries.

Oh and just for the record, my mom has an anxiety problem too... it's not social, but she gets panic attacks when she's in traffic or while doing other things. So this could be genetic. She's taking Lexapro for hers, but would it be better if she switched to something more natural?

Thank you so much!

[shelley]

Since you have a family history of it, what's going on is most likely a genetic predisposition to misuse certain vitamins, minerals or proteins. This can be an inability to absorb certain minerals; food sensitivities that cause reduced absorption of important minerals; plus the wrong diet for your body diet. For instance, I'm half Japanese, with a Type O blood type. If I eat the standard American diet full of sugar and dairy, I get sick, much sicker than someone with A or AB because I'm a hunter-gatherer gentically while they are more rural. I have to eat mostly meats and veggies, limiting refined grains, or my digestion and mood goes to hell. I get depressed too.

When there's a genetic predisposition it's a permanent balancing act. That means constant monitoring of diet, supplements, prescriptions. However, most homeopathic medicines are not meant to be taken permanently. The true homeopathic remedies, not ones just calling themselves homeopathic, are for acute, not chronic, conditions. If you use homeopathic methods (ramping up the body's response by giving it a bit of poison, basically) long-term it can exhaust all your systems. The one you're taking has valerian, an herb that is very hard on the liver and should not be taken for more than 3 months.

Just because something is a prescription drug doesn't mean it's worse than something so-called "natural." Everything is a chemical. Just because mother nature makes it rather than a chemistry lab doesn't make it any better, it just makes it easier to get.

[h0ppy]

I'm pretty sure I can't balance my anxiety just on diet alone. I eat very well, but I still feel nervous. What should I do? Is there anything safe you can take long-term for chronic conditions?

By the way, I'm blood type A-. I eat mostly veggies and fruits, and the occasional beef, fish, eggs, etc.

EDIT: I just read up on that NervoHeel product, and they said that GABA is used for anti-anxiety and could replace valerian... something to do with neurotransmitters. Do you know anything about it? Here's a wiki link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GABA and http://www.truthbeknown.com/gaba.html

[cjb]

Hi h0ppy,
Have you tried yoga? Yoga breathing exercises have helped me considerably.

[h0ppy]

No, I haven't really tried Yoga, but I always find myself thinking what I should be thinking what I should be thinking. My mind is like in overdrive, so it's hard for me to even meditate or relax, you know? But sometimes when I exercise hardcore, I do get some sort of buzz. It doesn't last long though.

[h0ppy]

Shelley, could you answer my question please?... I think you missed it.

[cjb]

Meditation is hard for everybody. That's why you start with the body - doing yoga asanas and just *noticing* how it makes you feel. It's hard to not notice, because it's so great. Even if you never go past that point, it can have a profound affect on your well-being.

Hope you're doing well!

[shelley]

Sorry Hoppy! Which question did I miss? What to do about feeling nervous? HOO boy that's a HUGE question!

First of all, you need to make sure by reviewing your life that you are not heavy metals toxic. Dentil fillings, working by gas fumes, paint fumes, living in a smoggy city... all that counts towards unexplained emotions. The people who cleaned up after 9-11 all have to detox toxins oh yes - they're all going crazy and don't know why. Spread the word.

Then you have to analyze your diet for Trytophan (turkey, nutritional yeast flakes) and all the other essential amino acids (proteins), calcium and B vitamins. If you're taking NYF and Cal-Mag Fizz and Emergen-C then you've got this covered and are also protecting yourself against absorbing more metal toxins!

You absolutely MUST avoid all refined sugars and caffeine for at least six months so your body can equalize. You also need to avoid adrenaline type situations whether it's a roller coaster or family members who piss you off.

Keep cleansing the liver with herbs.

People who think too much don't do well with yoga or meditation. They do better with activity. Try dancing, basketball, or take on some catering jobs.

Then you should see a specialist to determine if you have genetic predispositions such as a seratonin-uptake issue.

While things equalize, do take herbs like valerian, kava-kava, chamomile, skullcap, occasionally. Just switch around so you don't build tolerance or stress your liver too much. You can also start taking St. John's Wort but it takes awhile.

Good luck!

[ono]

I have experienced extream anxiety, when I was a teenager I was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. I have close family members that also have mood disorders; depression and bipolar. I have pretty much overcome the anxiety with exercise. I exercise for about an hour every day. My main practice is yoga, vigorous asana such as ashtanga yoga leaves no room in my brain for worry, fear, self doubt, thoughts of the future, regrets of the past, etc. I also participate in other "hard style" exercise; weight training, martial arts and boxing. A tai chi master said it is better to live in your body than live in your brain. This rings very true for me. Shelley is right about meditation, it is not for people with anxiety. However, I can now participate in meditation. When the anxiety arises, I acknowledge it and know that it is just a sensation that will pass. I also eat very clean, but the exercise is the thing that makes the biggest difference.

[cjb]

Yes, I have to respectfully, but strongly disagree with the statement that people who think too much don't do well with yoga. From my experience, that's a type of person who can benefit greatly from yoga.

As a yoga teacher, students often report to me similar stories to Ono's. And these aren't people who are meditating and chanting all day. They come to class once, maybe twice a week, and some might incorporate a couple of simple things into their daily lives.

As a grad student who thinks too much and gets quite anxious myself, I can say that I wouldn't be making it through school (or life) without yoga.


namaste

[shelley]

I meant the no-thought type of meditation. Going from thinking too much to no thought at all is difficult. Guided meditation with visualization is much better. Going to your "perfect place" is a fantastic way to stop thinking and get some perspective on your day/life.

the only times I've achieved a perfect, in-the-now-moment state of being such as transendental meditation, was while DOING something, such as leading a very difficult rock climb. My entire body understood that if I didn't concentrate perfectly I could get hurt, so all of me focused beautifully to the point where after the climb I couldn't remember at all how I'd done it. The "recorder" part of my brain had turned off completely!

It really helps to "vent" physically before meditating. but I certainly didn't mean to imply that it's impossible to turn off thoughts through meditation.

[cjb]

I agree. Yoga is often my form of "meditation." - which is what I was suggesting to Hoppy in the first place. I would certainly never suggest that someone just plop down on the pillow and 'meditate' and that will erase all their anxiety. I don't even do that myself, and I've been doing yoga for years.

There are SO many different styles of yoga and places to go within the realm of yoga that I think just about anyone can find something that resonates with them, whether they need it very vigorous or they just need to lay on the floor and breathe.....and those needs change for each of us from day to day.

[h0ppy]

[h0ppy]

[shelley]

Yes, increased heavy exercise and cardiovascular; cal-mag fizz; tryptophan; lecithin.