Non benzo meds for anxiety

[Grandote]

Lets hear everyone's ideas for ways to replace benzos. We know bennies are addictive, make us forgetful and sleepy. They have other not so good long term effects. Other drawbacks are that they are scheduled, illegal to obtain outside usa, and can get you into trouble.

OK, first we have the non benzo benzos, or substances with very similar actions, some of which are addictive too but may not be scheduled and are easier to obtain. Among those are phenibut, baclophen, etizolam and picamilon. All those are anxiolytics and all induce sleep to some degree except picamilon. Pica is an interesting drug, you feel so calm and relaxed you think you could drop right off to sleep but sleep does not come. Its good for anxiety during the day. These all operate to some degree on the gaba receptors. 

These are cheaper than benzos for the most part and only baclophen requires a script. They are all habit forming except I've heard picamilon does not induce addiction. They are not to be taken every day in larger and larger amounts. If you must take benzos all the time it may help to switch over to one of these now and then.

We also have herbs and supplements that have a tranquilizing effect. Among them are valerian root, hops, magnolia bark, phelodendron, and many other things. These are not as strong as a benzo but may do the job. Tolerance is possible with them. And there is jamaican dogwood that I've mentioned before. That is good for nervous tention, knotted muscles and aches and pains. It has not done much for me so far for a sleep aid unless I have a headache, back ache or something keeping me up. Its great for those things.

There are also amino acids that has a calming effect like taurine, gaba, inositol and others. These have a milder effect, you may need spoonfuls instead of caplets. Lavender is calming, just the scent will help. Put a drop of lavender on your wrist and enjoy the calm. 

Has anyone used these things or other remedies besides hard core xanax, valium and the rest?

[G.Elias]

Used to use Valerian a lot a few years ago,it helped me stop smoking for a while,had acupuncture as well at the time.

[Caróg liath]

Melatonin, full stop.

Melatonin is a hormone made by the pineal gland, a small gland in the brain. Melatonin helps control your sleep and wake cycles.

Normally, melatonin levels begin to rise in the mid- to late evening, remain high for most of the night, and then drop in the early morning hours. Natural melatonin levels slowly drop with age. Some older adults make very small amounts of it or none at all.

In adults, melatonin is taken in doses from 0.2 mg to 20.0 mg, based on the reason for its use. The right dose varies widely from one person to another.

I usually only take 1-2mg when I really need it. It's VERY inexpensive.

Best of luck on your decision.

[Grandote]

Yeah, melatonin will help with sleep. Valerian has tranquilizing effects. Has anyone used phenibut? Its legal, no script needed and can be ordered in most countries including usa. A gram has a sedative effect, its not sleepy as such but it does help with sleep. People say it makes them more sociable. It takes nearly 2 hours to feel the effect so if you get hold of some do not keep redosing because you thought it didn't do anything. Its a little too good much like benzos and you get a tolerance after a while plus wd's.

I'm thinking people on benzos could switch around some and perhaps lessen their tolerance. Like maybe going to etiz for a week, then phenibut. Picamilon is interesting, no sleepy effect but it will flat calm you down. They say its not addictive and it doesn't really have a high like benzos do. Picamilon is made from niacin, a "b" vitamin and gaba. It helps bring the gaba into the brain.

[Caróg liath]

Absolutely 5HTP, though it doesn't work for everyone.  It's very cheap, so trying it won't cost an arm and a leg.  

I am SSRI allergic, so 5HTP was a perfect fit.

It also has the added benefit of delivering the serotonin directly to the brain, so there's not the long 6-8 week waiting period or it to take effect, and further, not creating a dynamic dependency (meaning you can quit or reduce dosage anytime without withdrawal or repercussions).

[G.Elias]

Where do you get hold of 5HTP,been on various anti-depressants on and off,all of them have had side effects or WD's when stopping using them,usually that tingling up the arms and faint electronic zap like feelings in the head,no fun,why don't doctors try something that isn't addictive like the 5HTP?

[Caróg liath]

iherb.com @Tommygun. I get it in the 50mg doses so I can take as little or as much as I need on any given day. It's only about €8 for 90. If you PM me I'll send you a coupon code for €5 off. However, don't take it with the SSRI or NSRI or whatever you may be taking as it will cause Serotonin Syndrome potentially.

Any other questions, just ask.

[Caróg liath]

5-HTP is everywhere. Any health food store or vitamin site, amazon, ebay, etc. I buy mine at Powder City because I like to choose my own dose and because their prices are so low.
Why don't doctors prescribe it? Simple, because there's no money in it. Nobody will spend the money to study it so doctors will say there aren't enough studies.
If you're taking a lot of other things you need to watch out for serotonin syndrome. maybe reduce or drop something else when you start 5-htp.

Well, not everywhere.  It can't be bought in this country because it competes with big pharma synthetic anti-depressants... which supports your "no money in it" for the pharma companies and the governments that get kick backs via the medical community.

[Grandote]

Its very true about big pharma paying off govt and govt protecting the huge profits of big pharma. This is one of the main reasons marijuana is still illegal most places. As for 5htp, use it with caution. There have been some reports that it can harm heart valves or other parts of the body. Large doses are definitely not recommended. Tryptophan might be a better option.

[G.Elias]

Shame none of these alternatives are ever mentioned by our doctors,imagine the money that could be saved by the NHS if these alternatives were offered,but as always it comes down to someone making money,when i am ready i will be stopping using any anti depressants and benzos and looking into some of the stuff mentioned here,be ready for a wave of PMs all you with a bit of knowledge on these matters.thanks for the info so far,very helpful.