Posted by Jimmyboy on September 14, 2009, at 9:01:42
I ran across an interesting hypothesis on panic attacks and the DHEA : cortisol ratio . I'm not sure if it has any merit but its an interesting theory for sure .
Basically it says if your DHEA is low compared to your cortisol that it predisposes you to panic episodes , the relationship also entails prolactin levels which are influenced by DHEA as well. Higher prolactin durin attacks = more severe panic symptoms.
I am prone to panic attacks and my blood test earlier this yr indicated very low levels of DHEA-S. Everytime I tried to supplement with DHEA I believe I took way too much , about 50 mgs at a time( which would boost levels really high in a short period of time). Whereas later I found out a health male only puts out around 30 mgs over the course of a whole day.
Anyway, the consistant response I got from DHEA supplements at that dose were consistant and strange. I am usually a very stoic type person but about 30 mins after the DHEA I would get extremely sad and emotional and many times start uncontrollably crying. This is very very uncharacteristic of me. Anyone have any idea why that may occur?
The paper is at the following link :
http://www.anthropogeny.com/A%20Hypothetical%20Explanation%20of%20Panic%20Disorder.htm
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Abstract:
Panic attacks may result from severe reduction of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in a person of low DHEA with normal or increased levels of cortisol. That is, an excessive ratio of cortisol to DHEA occurs which extinguishes the effects of unstable DHEA and magnifies the effects of cortisol. Prolactin increases during panic attacks and is correlated with attack severity. That is, prolactin increases to stimulate DHEA, but the response is inadequate to stabilize the DHEA to cortisol ratio and inhibit prolactin production. Therefore, prolactin remains elevated during an attack. Panic attacks occur when the effects of excessive cortisol excite prolactin stimulation of DHEA in a person who cannot respond with adequate DHEA.Key words: cortisol, cholecystokinin, dehydroepiandrosterone, panic disorder, prolactin
poster:Jimmyboy
thread:917023
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20090727/msgs/917023.html