Don't know if this is the right place to put this but I need to know if it's ok to mix E w/ 5-HTP and St. John's Wort? I have been searching and can't find an exact answer. And if they all can't be used at once...can one or the other be used?

Thanks.

Bump...anyone?

Struggling, Andrei once took some Genko something or other, and it interacted with his normal meds [dexedrine] in a bad way. I'd ask a pharmacist if I were you:)

ephedrine is a stimulant, I read sweating, racing pulse

St John's Wort reacted with my chemistry like a stimulant (nervous, hyper) but boy did I hit lows after it wore off.

Both are over the counters I'd call your local health food store experts and see if there is possibly a similar cocktail in liquid concentrated form that you could get the same results with.

Following is a list that may be helpful

Dong Quai: taken for menopausal symptom control. Do not mix Dong Quai with warfarin (anticoagulants), St John's Wort and some antibiotics such as sulfonamides, quinolones.

Echinacea: mostly taken as an immune boost to prevent cold and flu. Do not mix Echinacea with some heart medications, antifungal medications, HIV medications and anti-anxiety medications.

Ephedra: A powerful decongestant. Contains ephedrine, which can open up bronchial passages. It's controversial because it's a powerful stimulant that can raise blood pressure, cause insomnia and high blood pressure. Do not mix with heart medications or if you are being treated for high blood pressure, glaucoma or thyroid problems.

Feverfew: taken to reduce the severity of migraines. Do not take with other migraine medications, as, it may raise heart rate and blood pressure. Feverfew has the potential to react with warfarin anti-coagulants, increasing the thinning of blood.

Ginkgo: increases blood flow and circulation throughout the body, can also help improve memory. May interact with anti-coagulant medications such as Aspirin, Coumadin, heparin and warfarin, causing the blood to thin too much, and provoking a serious bleeding disorder. A recent report in the New England Journal of Medicine describes a case of a man who'd been taking Aspirin to prevent a heart attack and had spontaneous bleeding into the eye from the iris within a week of taking a daily dose of ginkgo.

Garlic: is thought to help lower cholesterol and prevent the formation of blood clots that could lead to heart attacks. Garlic capsules may increase blood thinning if you are already on anti-coagulants. Do not take with diabetes medication because it may cause a decrease in blood sugars.

Ginseng: used to help reduce stress, boost energy and improve stamina, and may also help lower cholesterol. Can cause nervousness and excitation, and overuse can lead to headaches, insomnia and heart palpitations. Can increase blood pressure. Should not be used if you are taking prescriptions for high blood pressure or Coumadin.

Hawthorn: claimed to be effective in helping reduce angina attacks by lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Should not be taken digoxin, a heart medication. The mix may lower heart rate too much.

Kava: is used to treat anxiety. It's also used to relieve insomnia and nervousness. Do not take Kava if you have a history of liver problems. Also do not mix with antidepressants, sedatives, and do not mix Kava with alcohol.

Licorice: used to treat coughs, colds and peptic ulcers. High doses can lead to increased blood pressure, water retention and potassium loss. Do not use with diuretics or digoxin because it could lead to further loss of potassium, essential for heart function.

St. John's wort: a natural anti-depressant for mild to moderate depression. Do not take with other anti-depressants, HIV medications, oral contraceptives, some heart/blood thinning medications and Tamoxifen (a cancer drug).

also: Taking SJW with antidepressants which say not to mix with MAO Inhibitors is a general rule. If you do there is such a thing known as serotonergic (serotonin) syndrome which is caused from too much serotonin building up in your system and can cause pains, hypertension and other symptoms. As a general rule of thumb decrease the dosage of the antidepressants at least by half if not more at least in the beginning for the same results (and sometimes better) as taking it without the SJW.

In general SJW will increase medicines including sleeping and anxiety (tranquilizers like Ativan and Valium) by a factor of at least 2 thus requiring only 1/2 as much as normal (or less).

how about a quiz?
The main active ingredient in most forms of "herbal ecstasy" is:

a. St. John's wort
b. ephedrine
c. a user's own imagination
d. something else

5. (b) ephedrine. The main ingredient in most forms of herbal ecstasy is the natural bronchodilator ephedrine, with other natural stimulants (including caffeine) thrown in to impress the gullible. The natural antidepressant St. John's wort hasn't turned up in herbal "E" yet, but that doesn't mean it won't, given the tight new controls the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has imposed on over-the-counter sale of ephedrine.[If you guessed (c) you're right, too — maybe even more right. Give yourself full credit


ok signing off research mode, on to the movies:)
CALL your local health food store they are a wealth of info, I once had to drive all night to get my daughther to an airport for an early am flight, the elixir they suggested, worked, I was up all night and we arrived safely, although my son drove home and I slept.

Why are you playing around with ephedrine? There have been so many reports about the dangers of it.

I had friend who took that stuff to help her lose weight and it damaged her heart.

Yeah, careful, careful... when I was doing an internship(for counseling) we used to do case consult with a psychiatrist, you wouldn't believe how many people were taking ephedrine and it was totally screwing up their meds, the psychiatrist wanted us to immediately refer anyone who was doing this to him.

First of all...I am not on any meds...so there is no worry there.

Secondly...I am well aware of the "dangers" of ephedrine. I have used it extensively throughout my career in the fitness industry. I know how to use it and I know how my body responds to it. I am also of the opinion that most cases of danger/harm regarding E was due to misuse by a miseducated and ill-informed user.

Thanks for everyone's responses. I found my answer on another board. Don't mix E w/ St. John's Wort and 5-HTP ;)

Maybe i can answer the question of combining Ephedrine with St. Johns Wart and 5 Htp.
I dont see a problem conflick with 5htp because 5htp mainly will raise serotonin levels. Ephedrine releases large amounts of Adrenaline/Ne/ And some Da, but not the Good Dopamine. I believe Ephedra, even though its a amphetamine like substance, is the absolute worst for ADD. It make me scattered thought, racing thoughts, unable to sit down and concentrate. Its like poor mans Adderall LOL, but it does suppress appetite, and if you like your heart bounding, its good. But, actually, i was short on my adderall 2 months ago, and took 2 days of ephedrine because i had nothing else and was so tired. I actually slept. But felt my heart racing and also, a bit antsi.
Ephedra depletes dopamine alot more than RITalin, ADDerall, or Dex.
St. Johns wart would add to the Norepinephrine and DA increase, and possible it acts like a MAOI. But, I would just take at most, 600mg of St Johns wart and 50mg of 5htp and go up slowely. IF you need a stimulant, caffiene. IF you have no add, there are some nootropic stimulants or possibly certain wieght loss drugs, may help, but not ephedrine, which has no serotonin, dopamine properties, but poor adrenaline/Norepinephrine type release, and if any dopamine, it would little or from the bad receptor.

But I am actually trying out St.John Wart, since claims seem too good. Plus 5htp, and 5mg of lexapro which is almost nothing, but enought to keep the reuptake block and not to conflict with any seratonin syndrome, but i will not attempt to go over 100mg of 5htp, nor im debating to do 900mg of ST johns wart next month.

Im taking to many other meds and supplements which boost mood. I have a reason why i take each me. NOt purely for depression, its more to counteract drug side effects or neurotoxicity, boost catacolamines.

Oh i have a few products i want to list , but i promise not to be long. THey are very promising, like the others last night. It seemed this company , just put together lilke a whole magazine and every secion in it has some kind of good property from againg to neuroprotection. And I gives about 3-5 paragraphs of top information.

actually i have a question to ask on another forum, so il post it there.
mindrsch

Hi,

Read your posting with interest.

Being a total fitness nut and Add-er, I have long been a user of ephedrine - I find the herbal equivalents such as Sida Cordifolia the best.

With "F", my workouts are much more enjoyable and productive - I'm a runner, I don't use weights. The mental environment enjoyed is top notch.

I have also been prescribed Ritalin - I've used Prozac and Imipramine (Useless). Vitamin "R" works for me, but is actually not as good as ephedrine.

I judge a supplements usefulness by it's ability to enhance my mood, help me concentrate and avoid thinking negatively.

Since using F, I have become a very fit and positive person. Yes, there are horror stories about having a cataclysmic cranial bleed just after looking at a bottle of the stuff, but that's an attitude one can take to anything.

What attracted me to your posting, apart from your picture, was your interest in 5-HTP. I guess, like me, you might be looking for a way to achieve the focus and drive of your stimulants, without the wired and anxious feelings.

I reckon 5-H and "F" actuallly are OK, but I am going on personal experiences only. Like all things, we build up a tolerance to all substances, but this is beaten by cycling them.

I would also point out that Prozac and St John's Wort were an absolute disaster for me. With P, I would wake with the most awful depression and anxiety (f*ck that). St John's Wort just left me with a muddled and cloudy head.

I do believe that if you stick with what works for you, be realistic and open-minded, not only will you beat ADD, but actually live a very healthy and creative life.

Good luck,

Speedy