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Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
regarding OCD	Pat	Monday, December 1, 2008
Question: This is not so much a question, but a follow-up to an answer you posted. Thank you SO much for clarifying that disorders such as OCD are not so much a psychological problem but more often than not, the result of an imbalance in brain chemistry. More specifically, you implicated low serotonin. I struggled with a bout of very dark depression about a decade ago, and realize that I still sometimes have issues with OCD, among other things. Counting, hand washing, preoccupation with germs, etc. The list goes on. I have recently been researching possible "natural" solutions, as I've had bad experiences with prescription drugs. Also, on a basic level, I just disagree with using drugs to control your moods, etc. And usually docs prescribe antidepressants for things like depression, anxiety and OCD. What I have found is something called hydroxytryptophan which can be purchased at your local grocery store and is very inexpensive. It works differently than traditional anti-depressants. Usually the drugs a doctor would give you simply work to prevent the faulty recycling of serotonin, hence the name "serotonin reuptake inhibitor" but if you aren't producing enough serotonin to begin with, these drugs will have little benefit. The hydroxytryptophan actually works to increase your own serotonin production. In short, I have had alot of success with this product and wanted to share it with anyone who might need the help. Again, it is a plant-derived substance and is very inexpensive.
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM Dear Pat: If this drug is working for you, go for it with caution. We need to remember that most drugs come from plants and plant extracts. It is all chemicals, all drugs. The difference is that approved drugs have known levels of purity, potency, and effects. The supplements and herbal substances picked up in the health store or grocery store have unknown purity, potency, and may even have contaminates. In addition, taking certain herbs together can poison you, and certain dosages of these "natural" substances can poison you. No supplement should be taken without talking to your doctor. There can be contraindications. The people who publish the PDR (Physicians Desk Reference) also publish a special PDR for Herbs and Supplements that details what combinations of things can be dangerous. Self-medication whether by traditional drugs or by natural herbs and supplements can be dangerous. Here is a short article on hydroxytryptophan: 5-hydroxytryptophan, also known as 5-HTP, is a dietary supplement manufactured from the seeds of the African plant Griffonia simplicifolia. 5-hydroxytryptophan has been used in the treatment of anxiety, mild to moderate depression, fibromyalgia, insomnia, binge-eating associated with obesity, attention deficit disorder, and chronic headaches. 5-hydroxytryptophan has also been used for the treatment of post-anoxic myoclonus, also known as Lance-Adam's syndrome, a rare complication of successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation. 5-hydroxytryptophan has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All potential risks and/or advantages of 5-hydroxytryptophan may not be known. Additionally, there are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for these compounds. There have been instances where herbal/health supplements have been sold which were contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination. Mild to moderate problems may be helpful with this drug, but serious problems may require more powerful drugs. Keep in mind that you really do not know what you are getting when you buy hydroxytryptophan at the store since there is no regulation or testing of this drug. Keeping that in mind and being careful, if it helps you, it helps you. But, be sure you talk to your doctor about it to be sure that this drug does not have some problem with other medications you are taking or medical problems you may have. God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below: Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum. Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum

Question Title

Posted By

Question Date

regarding OCD

Pat

Monday, December 1, 2008

Question:

This is not so much a question, but a follow-up to an answer you posted. Thank you SO much for clarifying that disorders such as OCD are not so much a psychological problem but more often than not, the result of an imbalance in brain chemistry. More specifically, you implicated low serotonin.

I struggled with a bout of very dark depression about a decade ago, and realize that I still sometimes have issues with OCD, among other things. Counting, hand washing, preoccupation with germs, etc. The list goes on.

I have recently been researching possible "natural" solutions, as I've had bad experiences with prescription drugs. Also, on a basic level, I just disagree with using drugs to control your moods, etc. And usually docs prescribe antidepressants for things like depression, anxiety and OCD.

What I have found is something called hydroxytryptophan which can be purchased at your local grocery store and is very inexpensive. It works differently than traditional anti-depressants. Usually the drugs a doctor would give you simply work to prevent the faulty recycling of serotonin, hence the name "serotonin reuptake inhibitor" but if you aren't producing enough serotonin to begin with, these drugs will have little benefit. The hydroxytryptophan actually works to increase your own serotonin production. In short, I have had alot of success with this product and wanted to share it with anyone who might need the help. Again, it is a plant-derived substance and is very inexpensive.

Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM

Dear Pat:

If this drug is working for you, go for it with caution. We need to remember that most drugs come from plants and plant extracts. It is all chemicals, all drugs. The difference is that approved drugs have known levels of purity, potency, and effects. The supplements and herbal substances picked up in the health store or grocery store have unknown purity, potency, and may even have contaminates. In addition, taking certain herbs together can poison you, and certain dosages of these "natural" substances can poison you.

No supplement should be taken without talking to your doctor. There can be contraindications. The people who publish the PDR (Physicians Desk Reference) also publish a special PDR for Herbs and Supplements that details what combinations of things can be dangerous.

Self-medication whether by traditional drugs or by natural herbs and supplements can be dangerous.

Here is a short article on hydroxytryptophan:

5-hydroxytryptophan, also known as 5-HTP, is a dietary supplement manufactured from the seeds of the African plant Griffonia simplicifolia.
5-hydroxytryptophan has been used in the treatment of anxiety, mild to moderate depression, fibromyalgia, insomnia, binge-eating associated with obesity, attention deficit disorder, and chronic headaches. 5-hydroxytryptophan has also been used for the treatment of post-anoxic myoclonus, also known as Lance-Adam's syndrome, a rare complication of successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
5-hydroxytryptophan has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All potential risks and/or advantages of 5-hydroxytryptophan may not be known. Additionally, there are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for these compounds. There have been instances where herbal/health supplements have been sold which were contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.

Mild to moderate problems may be helpful with this drug, but serious problems may require more powerful drugs.

Keep in mind that you really do not know what you are getting when you buy hydroxytryptophan at the store since there is no regulation or testing of this drug. Keeping that in mind and being careful, if it helps you, it helps you. But, be sure you talk to your doctor about it to be sure that this drug does not have some problem with other medications you are taking or medical problems you may have.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below:
Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum.
Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum
Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum
Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum
Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum