Posted by Elroy on February 17, 2005, at 13:52:06
In reply to Anyone here benefitting from Perika SJW? » Elroy, posted by Chris O on February 17, 2005, at 11:59:29
Well, that's the whole point of studies, is that they are scientific studies to determine certain specific points. If you notice, neither group (SJW extract version OR the Paxil) had anywhere near a 100% positive effect within the groups.
I would imagine that's because both substances primarily work on the serotonin neurotransmitters. As spelled out in Dr. Braverman's Book "The Edge Effect', serotonin is only one of something like four neuroransmitters that affect these types of problems (there's also GABA and dopamine and something else or two).
It very well might be that your situation isn't primarily a depletion of serotonin. Possibly one of the other neurotransmitters or a combination or even an environmental trauma scenario.
My interpretation of this scientific test is that this particular specific extract version of SJW apparently worked as well or slightly better than one of the better known SSRIs in people who specifically react well to boosting serotonin.
I don't have the results in front of me right now but I believe at the end of six weeks, about half of the specific SJW extract had full remission.
But if one had a primarily GABA neurotransmitter problem (just as using that one example), then I seriously doubt that SJW extract would help the problem. In fact, as GABA depletion is more generally seen in anxiety situations, it might even worsen it??? I personally have more primarily anxiety problems and am currently on Xanax XR so SJW is contraindicated in my case. What I need is something to enhance GABA levels so that I can wean off of the Xanax - and then possibly use this SJW extract to adderss the depression problems.
Have you looked into "Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation" (no, it's NOT the ECT type of therapy with the full-range electrical shocks!) at all? It seems to have quite a few studies behind it and is FDA approved (quote) for "anxiety, depression, and insomnia".
Elroy
> I'd love to believe the results of this study but...my experience with St. John's and SSRIs tells me otherwise. I have not tried the Nature's Way Perika brand, but have tried many other brands of St. John's with only the mildest of relief from my depression and anxiety. SSRIs, on the other hand, with all their faults, do at least provide me with moderate relief from the symptoms of anxiety and depression. I'd be curious to know if anyone on these boards has experienced signficant long-term relief of depression and/or anxiety on the Perika St. John's wort. Has anyone?
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poster:Elroy
thread:458939
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20050131/msgs/459350.html