Posted by Larry Hoover on August 14, 2004, at 12:15:08
In reply to Re: what I'm taking » KaraS, posted by Simus on August 3, 2004, at 10:14:59
> I am currently on Wellbutrin and Xanax. The Wellbutrin has helped the depression and I feel (relatively) quite well with the exception of insomnia, but I am wondering if the Wellbutrin has contributed to the overtaxing of my adrenal system. Not sure... But if it works for the depression/anxiety, I don't dare touch it!
One simple test of adrenal stress is to try some licorice. Do not use DGL, though. That is De-Glycyrrhizinated Licorice. Glycyrrhizin is the compound that blocks the enzyme that activates cortisol. I'll snip from an unreferenced source...."Glycyrrhetinic acid, a metabolite of glycyrrhizin, inhibits the renal conversion of cortisol to cortisone by inhibiting the enzyme 11 beta-hydroxysteroiddehydrogenase in the kidney." Cortisol is "potential cortisone", in the sense that circulating cortisol levels tell the hypothalamus that the adrenal glands are functioning up to par. By inhibiting conversion to cortisone, you not only reduce stress response, you also trick the hypothalamus into giving the adrenals a little holiday, by inhibiting the CRH cascade. Don't take licorice for more than four weeks. It can lead to other disturbances.
> P.S. Or you could save the response for when we are chatting with Larry and his better half in the hot-tub. LOL
Maybe Bob's little get-together next year might be a chance to do just that?
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:359642
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20040718/msgs/377567.html