Composition of Pharmaton capsules with selenium

Composition of Pharmaton capsules with selenium is as follows:

Content	Quantity
Ginseng extr G115 Ginseng extract made from the roots of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, adjusted to 4% ginsenosides	40 mg
Vit A	2,667 IU
Vit D3	200 IU
Vit E	10 mg
Vit B1	1.4 mg
Vit B2	1.6 mg
Vit B6	2 mg
Vit B12	1 mcg
Biotin	150 mcg
Nicotinamide	18 mg
Vit C	60 mg
Folic acid	0.1 mg
Copper	2 mg
Selenium	50 mcg
Manganese	2.5 mg
Mg	10 mg
Fe	10 mg
Zn	1 mg
Ca	100 mg
Lecithin	100 mg

Ref: http://www.mims.com/Page.aspx?menuid=mng&name=Pharmaton+Capsules+with+Selenium+soft-gelatin+caps&CTRY=MY

My finalized treatment plan I

For the past few weeks I am taking the following nutraceuticals and find myself free from depressive thoughts, anxiety and pronounced stuttering.

In this exercise, apart from the type of nutrients I take, I also find that the timing of their dosing is also very very important to achieve the optimum effects.

I am not feeling excessively sleepy and tired. I could motivate myself to do the things. Even though the effects are not so enriched, the results are optimum and removing all my symptoms.

Time and food	Drugs	Remarks
Morning - Breakfast with oats	Pharmaton multivitamin capsules with Ginseng	This multivitamin formulation contains all the B-complex vitamins to the maximum of 100% of daily recommended intake. This avoids too much dosing of vitamins.
Noon - Lunch with rice, Indian curry (avoid protein intake)	No drugs	Protein intake is avoided to minimize the fluctuations in neurotransmitter levels mainly to avoid stuttering. Protein intake in the morning or in the lunch increases adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamine and give more energy but at the same time producing more pronounced stuttering. So, protein intake can be safely allocated to the night meal. Then the next whole day's neurotransmitter levels can be maintained adequately.
Night - Dinner with rice or bread or chappathi with one piece of fried chicken preferably with a chicken breast piece	Liv.52 - 2 tablets Folic acid - 400 microgram - 1 tablet omega-3 supplement - 1 capsule	Folic acid gives me warm to the body and energy. I find it is easy to get up from bed in the morning with folic acid taken at night. Liv.52 taken at night counteracts this effect and making me to sleep longer. So, Liv.52 dosage can be reduced to 1 tablet. Also, I feel that along with omega-3 supplement, I may need to take omega-6 oils also to balance the essential fatty acid intake and also to avoid the side effects of omega-3 fatty acids. Protein intake is mainly restricted to the night meal to minimize the fluctuations in neurotransmitter levels especially the catecholamines. Also, I found that fried chicken is the best absorbed protein for me and giving me more energy than the curry-cooked chicken pieces.

The oats taken in the morning boosts serotonin levels and the ginseng in the multivitamin capsules prolong the effect of serotonin (by weak inhibitory effect on re-uptake of serotonin) almost until the late noon (around 1.30pm). Then the lunch with no meat proteins also boosts up the serotonin level by the same mechanism. Then the folic acid taken at the night promotes the methylation reactions (to produce adrenaline) which gives good sleep and easy getting up in the morning. Omega-3 supplement gives enhanced tone of prefrontal cortex over dorsal raphae and amygdala thus reducing anxiety and helping in sustaining the speech.

GTF Chromium 200 microgram

GTF chromium can also be taken preferably in the morning. When taken at night, it produced stimulating effect and the sleep was not of good quality. When taken in the morning, it was enhancing the serotonergic neurotransmission. So, if loudness of voice and less stuttering is required on some special days, GTF chromium can be taken in the morning.

My view on atypical depression

Since I am suffering with atypical depression, I just analysed the mechanism of neurotransmission probably responsible for the observed symptoms like hypersomnia, hyperphagia and leaden paralysis.

The serotonergic neurotransmission may be normal in some areas of the brain (may be ascending 5-HT neurotransmission) and low in some parts of the brain (may be descending 5-HT neurotransmission which may be from prefrontal cortex and orbitofrontal cortex).

Noradrenergic neurotransmission may be normal (if the person is not having trait anxiety) or may be excessive (if the person is having trait anxiety).

Dopamine neurotransmission may be significantly impaired (both D1 and D2 type).

I feel it is the serotonin to dopamine ratio which is critical in some areas of the brain which is responsible for the observed symptoms.

High serotonin and low dopamine condition (improper ratio) might be leading to hypersomnia. Actually hypersomnia is not a condition of motivated willingness to remain in sleep. Rather it is a condition of unable to motivate oneself from getting up from the bed. So, I feel it is a condition of high serotonin and low dopamine. Because, when the sleep is not refreshing much, nobody will be willing to remain in bed for long period of time. It is the low dopaminergic neurotransmission which might be accountable for this.

The same high serotonin to low dopamine ratio would also be responsible for the hyperphagia. Because, serotonergic drugs induce carbohydrate cravings. So, increased serotonin levels would be leading to carbohydrate cravings thus leading to more food intake and weight gain.

The same high serotonin to low dopamine level would also be responsible for the fatigue, tiredness and heaviness in the legs. I suspect a low dopaminergic neurotransmission in basal ganglia.

Brightness of vision and increased contrast detection

I really don't know how to call the effects I observed today. That's why I used the above title. Now, I could see more brightness in my house as well as on the roads. When I see my laptop monitor, I could see rich blues and rich rendition of colors and brightness. Previously I never used to see like this.

I used to feel this effect only when I was taking bupropion. At that time, I could see more clearly in my car's rear view as well as side view mirrors. Previously I could not see the distance between cars in those mirrors and cannot make any judgment about their relative location. I could only see bunch of headlights fashing in my car's mirrors. With rear view mirror, I could see something for the nearby cars but for the cars at little distance, I could not see clearly. The condition was worse with side view mirrors.

My diet today:

• Rice + 1 chicken drumstick for breakfast.
• Rice + 1 piece of fish + tea for lunch
• Rice + chicken egg omelet for dinner

My medicines today:

• Pharmaton vitality multivitamin capsules (contains ginseng) - 1 capsule at breakfast
• Folic acid 400 microgram - 1 tablet at breakfast
• Liv. 52 - 2 tablets at breakfast
• GTF chromium 200 microgram - 1 capsule at breakfast

Possible mechanisms:

It could be because of either folic acid or Liv. 52.

Phobias, panic attacks and chromium

Today I had a shock given by a cat. It is a open restaurant located in a hilly area. Cats are roaming around that area and they survive on the waste food from the restaurant. The cats are freely roaming inside the restaurant. I always have an inhibition to touch an animal and if an animal touches me, I used to have hypersensitivity. I was eating fast and i heard a miaw sound from below the table. I saw a cat between my legs and looking at me making the sounds. Last week, I had a big shock. That event came to my mind and immediately my anxiety became very high and I could not sit at that place. I got up and moved away. Last week, at the same restaurant, a cat was below my table and made the sound. With some sounds I was chasing a away the cat. The cat was reluctant to go away. Then another big cat came. These two cats touched their noses and made a different kind of sound. Suddenly they started fighting vigorously and they both entered into my leg area which made me to have heightened hypersensitivity and panic. I started screaming. The people at the surrounding table looked at me strangely at my sounds and actions. Since cats are harmless in general, they might have thought that I was doing something unusual.

So, this incident came to my mind today and I became restless and I could not continue sitting there.

Similar incidents happened to me with stray dogs.

These kind of heightened sensitivity and panicking seems to be related with increased noradrenaline, adrenaline levels as well as low serotonin and GABA levels. The shock reaction was persistent for some time today. It subsided after I took GTF chromium 200 microgram.

GTF chromium seems to increase serotonergic neurotransmission.

Effects of Ranbaxy's Revital

Revital gave me the first experience of mental well being after a long time suffering of social anxiety and depression. It happened in 2007. At that time, I did not even realize that I had severe anxiety and depression. After seeing a TV ad, I started taking Revital capsules. Within a week time, my sexual libido increased. It reduced my anxiety to some extent. However, it did not lift my depression. It has increased my energy as well as motivation to do the things what I desire. However, it did not produce any improvement on stuttering (in fact it worsened stuttering sometimes).

Positive effects:

• Increased energy as well as motivation
• Increased libido initially and after few weeks no new increase.
• Unknown fear was reduced. However, anxiety existed to some extent.

Negative effects:

• Increased sweating
• Unable get sleep in the night - insomnia
• Worsened stuttering - sometimes
• No loudness in voice
• Heightened anxiety with palpitations - sometimes

Composition of Revital:

Each capsules contain approximately:


Ginseng Extract power (Highly Concentrated, standardized Ginseng extract corresponding to 212.5 mg of root to Panax ginseng )


Calcium 75.0 mg

Phosphorus 58.0 mg

Vitamin C 50.0 mg

Ferrous Fumarate 30.0 mg

Zinc (as zinc oxide) 10.0 mg

Nicotinamide 10.0 mg

Calcium D-Pantothenate 5.0 mg

Vitamin E Acetate 5.0 mg

Magnesium (as Magnesium Sulphate) 3.0 mg

Potassium (as Potassium Sulphate) 2.0 mg

Vitamin B2 1.5 mg

Vitamin B1 1.0 mg

Vitamin B6 1.0 mg

Manganese (as Manganese Sulphate) 0.5 mg

Copper (as Copper Sulphate) 0.5 mg

Folic Acid 0.15 mg

Iodine (as Potassium lodate) 0.1 mg

Vitamin A Palmitate 2500 IU

Vitamin D3 200 IU

Vitamin B12 1.0 mcg


Update on 6 May 2016:

The composition of new Revital H is given below:

Items	Quantity
Vitamin A	2000 IU
Vitamin B1	1 mg
Vitamin B2	1.5 mg
Vitamin B3	10 mg
Vitamin B5	5 mg
Vitamin B6	1 mg
Vitamin B12	1 mcg
Vitamin C	40 mg
Vitamin D	200 IU
Vitamin E	5 mg
Folic Acid	0.12 mg
Zinc	10 mg
Ferrous fumarate	17 mg
Iodine	0.1 mg
Magnesium	3 mg
Manganese	0.5 mg
Calcium	75 mg
Copper	0.5 mg
Phosphorus	58 mg
Potassium	2 mg
Ginseng extract powder (Highly concentrated, standardized Ginseng extract corresponding to 212.5 mg of root of Panax Ginseng)	42.5 mg

Update on 24-Aug-2019

I have been taking revital H for the last 4 days. Below are the effects I have observed.

Positive effects

1. Increased affection for wife and increased social connect
2. Sustained motivation to do certain tasks

Negative effects

1. Increased sleepiness
2. Slightly decreased loudness of voice
3. Stomach bloating and mild stomach pain
4. Unable to focus on certain tasks
5. Slightly increased stuttering

The composition of Revital H

Items	Quantity
Vitamin A	1500 IU
Vitamin B1	1 mg
Vitamin B2	1.4 mg
Vitamin B3	10 mg
Vitamin B6	0.8 mg
Vitamin B12	0.8 mcg
Vitamin C	33 mg
Vitamin D3	300 IU
Vitamin E	7 mg
Folic Acid	0.08 mg
Zinc	10.29 mg
Iron	10 mg
Iodine	0.1 mg
Magnesium	3.13 mg
Manganese	0.6 mg
Calcium	76.9 mg
Copper	0.52 mg
Phosphorus	59.43 mg
Potassium	2.07 mg
Panax Ginseng root extract (2%)	212.5 mg

Folic acid, folinic acid and depression

Today I saw a research paper on folic acid accidently while searching for some literature on antidepressant experiment protocol in animals. The research paper [1] states that the folic acid exhibits antidepressant property through opioidergic mew and delta receptors. Delta opiod receptor agonists are reported to be potential antidepressant agents [2].

The dosage of folic acid mentioned in the clinical trials is between 500 microgram - 800 microgram per day [3].

On the basis of current data, we suggest that oral doses of both folic acid (800 µg daily) and vitamin B12 (1 mg daily) should be tried to improve treatment outcome in depression [3].

References:

[1]. Evidence for the involvement of the opioid system in the antidepressant-like effect of folic acid in the mouse forced swimming test. Behavioral Brain Research. 2009 Jun 8;200(1):122-7.
[2]. The Antidepressant - like Effects of Delta-Opioid Receptor Agonists. Molecular Interventions. June 2006, 6:162-169;doi:10.1124/mi.6.3
[3]. Treatment of depression: time to consider folic acid and vitamin B12. Journal of Psychopharmacology. January 2005 vol. 19 no. 1 59-65.

Stomach bloating - causes and cures

For the past few weeks, I stopped taking any non vegetarian foods except eggs. During the last week, my stomach bloated (increased in circumference ~ 2-4 inches) made me unable to put on my pants. My belly bulged like a pregnant woman gave me heavy embarassment. Then one day, at lunch and dinner I took two drum stick pieces of chicken. The next day morning, my stomach bloating went away and I was able to put on the same pant without much difficulty. I am suprised to know that my stomach is the root cause of many problems.

I realized that I have stomach bloating when I was 24 years old. I used to have stomach bloating almost throughout the day. But I used to defecate every morning mostly after taking milk tea. No constipation. After defecation, my stomach bloating used to decrease. After taking the breakfast, it used to increase slowly reaching the maximum after lunch, bulging out visibly. In the evenig after taking tea, I used to fart loudly and continuously. The gases in my colon made me to fart loudly. If I didn't fart loudly, I used to feel incompleteness.

From the scientific literature, I understand that, gas formation is responsible for the stomach bloating. However, more than gas formation, it is the hypersensitivity of the intestinal tract to the formed gas matters most. This type of behavior was observed in crohn's patients. So, I checked for symptoms of the Crohn's disease. I never used to have stomach or abdominal pain or constipation. So, I may not have Crohn's disease. I thought I may have inflammatory bowel disease (IBS). So, I checked for IBS symptoms. The Rome III criteria states that abdominal pain or abdominal discomfort is the main symptom and it should be relieved by defecation. I never used to have abdominal pain or discomfort. I used to have only stomach bloating.

Serotonin, dopamine and stomach bloating

I used to feel increased stomach bloating when I used to take serotonergic enhancing formulas like 5-HTP, Magnesium amd chromium. I have to check the effect of fluoxetine on this. When I was taking bupropion, my stomach bloating decreased very much and also farting. No loud farts I did. These observations suggest that my intestinal tract is deficient in dopamine and have relative abundance of serotonin. Improper  serotonin/dopamine ratio exists in my intestinal tract. So, the serotonin produces its maximum effect. Without enough dopamine, my intestinal tract bloats. The fried chicken that I took, might have enhanced the dopamine levels in the intestinal tract thus reducing stomach bloating.

It is also mentioned in the below reference that the abnormal sensitivity of the stomach muscle wall in response to the expansion of intestinal tract may also contribute to stomach bloating.

Suggestions to cure stomach bloating

• Ensure regular consumption of foods that increase dopamine neurotransmission
• Do exercises to strengthen the stomach muscles so that their hypersensitivity can be blunted.
• Consume curd/yoghurt with bacterial cultures such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus (probiotic preparations)  

Reference and for more information, please visit:
http://www.med.unc.edu/medicine/fgidc/abdominalbloating.pdf

Effects of serotonergic neurotransmission enhancers

After the treatment with lot of nutraceuticals and drugs for the past 1.5 years, I feel that my serotonergic system is unable to buffer itself against even little variations. If I take any food/drug which has effect on serotonergic system, my serotonergic system has a profound effect thereby suppressing the dopamine and noradrenaline systems. If I don't take anything, I used to feel worthlessness and anxious indicating the relapse of depression.

The foods/nutraceuticals which produced profound effect on my serotonergic system are given below.

Food/Nutraceutical	Positive Effects	Negative Effects
Instant Oats - Morning breakfast	Less anxious but not much when I started stutter	Tiredness, stomach bloating, increased stuttering
Supradyn recharge multivitamin capsules - 1 capsules per day	Less anxious, Alertness while driving	Tiredness
GTF (Glucose tolerance factor) chromium 200 - 400 micrograms per day	Great reduction of anxiety, music is enjoyable, can do tasks if already programmed like a robot	Tiredness, unable to focus or concentrate on a particular task (concentration dependent jobs required more time to finish), less clarity in thinking, mental cloudiness, unable to pursue reward oriented tasks even though the reward is known already, confusion in decision making

I feel that the enhanced serotonergic system suppresses the dopamine and noradrenaline systems thereby affecting my focus, concentration and reward circuitary. But I feel that the combination of Supradyn recharge and GTF chromium is very much suitable for reduction of stuttering and reducing anxiety. However, to increase the focus, attention and reward seeking behaviour, either vitamin C (500mg-1g/day) or DL-phenylalanine can be added.

Effect of Supradyn recharge + GTF Chromium + Liv 52

For the past few days, I am taking Supradyn recharge (a multivitamin capsules) + GTF Chromium 200 micrograms (Glucose tolerance factor) + Liv. 52 (Himalaya)

Supradyn Recharge	1 capsule in morning after breakfast
GTF Chromium  200 microgram	1 capsule in morning after breakfast
Liv. 52	2 tablets in morning after food 2 tablets in night after food

Positive effects	Negative effects
No negative thoughts, sense of well being	Slight confusion in doing things
Less anxiety (Palpitations are less pronounced)	No improved concentration and focusing
Less stuttering and more fluent speech	No improvement in self-motivation
Increased libido	No improved energy, unable to get up from sleep

Less sweating, less stuttering and increased loudness of voice with moisturizing cream

Yesterday night, I applied POND"S cold cream on my face and neck before i went to bed. I slept like that and I didn't wipe the cream. Today morning I got up and felt somewhat refreshed. My voice today is louder and I stutter less. The most important thing is my immunity againt perfumes. I applied nivea deodarant spray today morning. Earlier, whenever I use certain perfumes, soaps, shower gels and talcum powders, I used to get either headcahe or worsened stuttering. Today, I am not getting any of that kind. It looks like a miracle that my stuttering is less today. Also, I sweat less today. When I was taking multivitamin capsules, 5-HTP, DL-phenylalaline and other supplements, I used to sweat profusely. I observed really a floody sweating (my handkerchief was fully wet and smelled like fungus in the evening) last week even though the climate was normal and I was not having any pronounced anxiety, when I was taking multivitamin+ginseng (Pharmaton capsules). Today also, I took mutivitamin+ginseng and expected me to sweat like flood. But, not much sweat. I sweat only normally.

Positive effects:

• Louder voice
• Less stuttering
• No effect of perfumes
• Generally good mood
• No excessive sweating - very significant effect.

Negative effects:

• None so far

Discussion:

• It could be the effect of the moisturizing cream on the sinus cavities below the face. By an unknown mechanism, the sinus cavities produced more resonance to the voice thereby increasing the loudness.
• It could be the effect of moisturization (water retaining capacity). So, the throat and neck muscles might have got more water by this process and the flexibility of muscles might have got increased (reduced muscle stiffness) thereby increasing the fine vibration in speech.

Update on 2-12-2010:

• Yesterday night I applied the same Pond's cold cream but only on my face (either side of nose and forehead targeting the sinuses) and not on the neck and throat area.
• Today morning, I observed that the loudness of voice is not that much and stuttering is there to some extent.
• This indicates that the effect observed was due to the effect of cold cream on the neck and throat area.
• So, it could be either the hydrating property of the cream on the neck and throat muscles or the effect of the constituents of the cream. The cream may contain fatty substances (omega-3/omega-6/omega-9, saturated fat etc.,)

Update on 7 June 2012:

• Apart from my stuttering, I used to have other kind of voice problems like hoarseness of voice, cannot speak louder, reduced range and breathy voice, gasping for breath while speaking, unable to complete the words and no audible sound while trying to say some words. Sometimes, I felt air leaking into my throat while inhaling through nose. I remember these issues started appearing from 2000 year onward only. Before that I used to have stuttering only.
• I think these issues compounded my vocal problems and caused me heightened persistent anxiety and depression.
• All these issues may stem from a possible structural anomaly of vocal card or may be due to the presence of nodules or polyps in the vocal card. These extra grown tissues might be causing improper closing and opening of vocal cards and thus causing all these problems. I need to check with a otorhinolaryngologist for anything like that.
• These extra grown tissues may undergo inflammation and swell due to stress. Also, the inflammation may get relieved by some medicines. I think the Pond's cold cream might have reduced the inflammation in this manner. I need to explore this concept further.

Update on June 2016:

• I had checked with a ENT specialist and he did a live camera scan of my throat and vocal cards. He said there is no structural abnormality or polyps there. So, I need to find out reasons for hoarseness of my voice and other related symptoms.

My libido

I have observed that my libido is of two types.

First type characteristics:

• Desire to touch a female, kiss her and penetrate her.
• Flashing images of female genitals appears in mind. Imagination appears for a brief period but frequently.
• Moderate to good erection.
• I feel that this type is mediated by the serotonergic and dopaminergic neurons. Increased serotonin and dopamine levels are responsible for this effect. I have observed this effect when I took flouxetine and bupropion together. Here, the libido was not sustained. Once the drugs are stopped, no libido the next day.

Second type characteristics:

• Desire to see a particular female and be with her. Longing for her company.
• Desire to talk with her.
• Burning desire to penetrate her.
• Good erection.
• I feel that this type is mediated by oxytocin and associated increase in the testosterone effects. This type produced sustained libido with good bonding but needed more incubation time.

Effect of St. John's wort + Bupron (Bupropion SR) - 150 mg

Due to the tiredness I felt after taking St. John's wort for 1 month, I thought of adding bupropion SR 150 mg.  I  took the combination only on one day.


Positive effects:

• Slightly improved energy
• A long pause before starting the speech which made me embarrassed in the meeting. subsequently it led me to sink in negative thoughts.

Negative effects:

• Low mood in the evening
• Depressive thoughts and thoughts about death ("death is the only solution")

With single dose, no conclusion can derived. The combination can be tried for few more days.

Effect of St. John's Wort

For the last 1 month I took St. John's wort 300 mg, (Kordel’s St. John's Wort 300mg), standardized to contain 0.3% of hypericin.

 

Positive effects:

• No Depressive negative thoughts
• Reduced anxiety - but this reduction is lesser than that experienced with bupropion.
• Slightly strong erections
• Stuttering was mild and I could overcome that
• Not much of sleepiness. Reduced hypersomnia.

Negative effects:

• Pronounced tiredness
• Lack of focus and concentration
• Lack of motivation - unable to initiate work

Interpretation:

• Pronounced GABA agonism effect which might have subsequently decreased dopamine
• Less agonism effect on serotonergic system.

Effect of Bupron (Bupropion SR) - 150 mg

I discontinued fluoxetine and then I took bupropion 150 mg extended release once daily in the morning along with neurogistics multivitamin capsules for 3-4 weeks.

Positive effects:

• Improved mood - No negative thoughts, No depressed mood
• Improved energy
• No procrastination - I could meet the deadline in my job first time in the last 3 years.
• More focus - can remain in a task for more period of time enabling me to complete the work.
• More concentration - can think faster and do faster processing
• No sexual side effects - but no increased libido or strong erections
• Maximum resolution of anxiety - After 2-3 weeks, I experienced a maximum resolution of anxiety which was haunting me for more than 10 years. No worrying thoughts before driving the car. No worrying thoughts before the class. Sometimes, I used to feel tachycardia. This tachycardia went off after taking few deep breaths.
• My eye vision improved. I was not taking omega-3 supplements. Even then my vision did not deteriorate. I could see more brightness in the night while driving. Earlier, this lack of brightness was causing me more anxiety while driving in the night.
• Improved olfactory functions - Taste and smell sensation improved.

Negative effects:

• More aggressiveness - led to more fights with my wife.
• No difference in the affection. I was not able to like and love my family (This condition was there before taking medicines. So no improvement in this part.)
• Music was not enjoyable as like before.
• Dizziness and syncope

Suggestion:

• I may need a less dosage of bupropion to reduce the side effects
• OR I have to include 5-HTP once daily (either morning or in evening) to counteract the probable decrease in serotonin and GABA due to elevated dopamine levels.

Effect of Fludac (Fluoxetine)

I took the fludac (Fluoxetine) 20 mg once daily along with neurogistics multivitamin capsules. I could not continue (discontinued after 4 days) the drug because of its sexual side effect (observed within 1 day).

Positive effects:

• No negative thoughts
• No depressed mood

Negative effects:

• Mild anxiety
• Anorgasmia
• Weak erections
• Loss of sensation in the penis - so after penetrating, the striking movements are not pleasurable leading to weakened erection inside vagina.

Neutral Effects:

• Not a significant effect on stuttering
• No effect on motor activity - No increased pain, no lethargy, no increase of inertia and immobility

My Headache

My headache comes in two types.

1. Left sided head pain - lasts for maximum 1 day and disappears with 5-HTP intake and sometimes with rice eating. (serotonin deficiency)
2. Right sided head pain - Lasts for two days and disappears with DL-Phenylalanine intake and vitamin C intake. (either dopamine or NE deficiency)

My exact condition - Is it atypical depression with psychomotor retardation or ADD/ADHD?

Today I was reading research articles. I found references for my exact condition. Based on the following refefences, I can say that I have a atypical depression with impaired dopamine transmission which accounts for the psychomotor retardation.

The following information is from wikipedia on atypical depression.

The DSM-IV-TR defines Atypical Depression as a subtype of Major Depressive Disorder with Atypical Features, characterized by:


a) Mood reactivity (i.e., mood brightens in response to actual or potential positive events)

b) At least two of the following:

• Significant weight gain or increase in appetite;
• Hypersomnia (sleeping too much, as opposed to the insomnia present in melancholic depression;
• Leaden paralysis (i.e., heavy, leaden feelings in arms or legs);
• Long-standing pattern of interpersonal rejection sensitivity (not limited to episodes of mood disturbance) that results in significant social or occupational impairment.

c) Criteria are not met for Melancholic Depression or Catatonic Depression during the same episode.

I have (a) mood reactivity - My mood usually improves when I travel long distance; when I meet people and talk with whom I can make jokes and laugh. If I am alone, my depressive thoughts start occupying my mind.

in (b) I have significant weight gain - very difficult to lose weight. If I starve very much, then only I can lose my weight. Then I have hypersomnia - I sleep for almost 9-11 hours per day. If I don't sleep this much time, I don't feel energized or refreshed. Leaden paralysis is not there. I don't feel heavy feelings in my arm or legs. My arms and legs are very weak and I am unable to get out of sofa or car seat as like normal people of my age. I think I had strong interpersonal rejection sensitivity and body dysmorphic disorder (because of my pimples) when I was 13-18 years old. Later on, it subsided to some extent. However, it did not go fully.

(c) I don't have a supressed mood always. The problem with me is the mood is unable to reach its maximum pleasure levels. I don't sink into depression also. I am unable to enjoy the pleasures in my everyday life. My anxiety is very high, incapacitating enough to make me avoid normal operations in life.

So, collectively these things imply that I have atypical depression and probably with psychomotor retardation. Actually my depression was not a problem for me in my adolescent age. Those days, I didn't have neurological issues. From 2003, my erections were not as strong as before. In 2004-2005, I started to have involuntary head twitches and sudden fainting-like feeling for few seconds.

There could be a

• dopamine and noradrenaline deficiency - accounting for psychomotor, lack of motivation, lack of reward sensing and sexual issues
• GABA deficiency - accounting for high anxiety
• Acetyl choline deficiency - accounting for impaired memory and stomach bloating.

My serotonin levels seems to be normal. I have done the brain neurotransmitter survey on this site (http://www.antiagingnow.com/secure/test_forms/edge_effect_intro.html) and the results indicated that I have severe deficiency of dopamine, GABA, acetylcholine and not serotonin.

The treatment strategies for atypical depression could be as follows:

• Treatment with monoamine oxidase inhibitors - lot of side effects and precautions need to be taken.
• Treatment with bupropion. (Ref: GOODNICK PJ, DOMINGUEZ RA, DEVANE CL et al. Bupropion slow-release response in depression: diagnosis and biochemistry. Biol Psychiatry 1998;44:629–632.)
• Treatment with triiodothyronine augmentation of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=16086620)
• Treatment with St. John's wort  extract 300 mg twice daily (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20181361) marketed in Germany as Jarsin® 300 mg.
• Treatment with chromium picolinate initial starting dose 400 μg/day, can be increased to 600 μg after 2 weeks. (Ref: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12559660)

 600 microgram/day

I may need a dopamine reuptake inhibitor to really alleviate my psychomotor retardation. And I may not have parkinson's disease also.

References:

Motor and cognitive aspects of motor retardation in depression. Journal of Affective Disorders 57 (2000) 83–93.

Abstract

Background: Motor retardation is a common feature of major depressive disorder having potential prognostic and etiopathological significance. According to DSM-IV, depressed patients who meet criteria for psychomotor retardation, must exhibit motor slowing of sufficient severity to be observed by others. However, overt presentations of motor slowing cannot distinguish slowness due to cognitive factors from slowness due to neuromotor disturbances.
Methods: We examined cognitive and neuromotor aspects of motor slowing in 36 depressed patients to test the hypothesis that a significant proportion of patients exhibit motor programming disturbances in addition to psychomotor impairment. A novel instrumental technique was used to assess motor programming in terms of the subject’s ability to program movement velocity as a function of movement distance. A traditional psychomotor battery was combined with an instrumental measure of reaction time to assess the cognitive aspects of motor retardation.
Results: The depressed patients exhibited significant impairment on the velocity scaling measure and longer reaction times compared with nondepressed controls. Approximately 40% of the patients demonstrated abnormal psychomotor function as measured by the traditional battery; whereas over 60% exhibited some form of motor slowing as measured by the instruments. Approximately 40% of the patients exhibited parkinsonian-like motor programming deficits. A five-factor model consisting of motor measures predicted diagnosis among bipolar and unipolar depressed patients with 100% accuracy. Limitations: The ability of motor measures to discriminate bipolar from unipolar patients must be viewed with caution considering the relatively small sample size of bipolar patients.
Conclusions: These findings suggest that a subgroup of depressed patients exhibit motor retardation that is behaviorally similar to parkinsonian bradykinesia and may stem from a similar disruption within the basal ganglia.

Clinical and psychometric correlates of dopamine D2 binding in depression. Psychological Medicine (1997), 27:1247-1256 Cambridge University Press.

Update on 15 October 2012:

I used to feel heavily sleepy after drinking coffee especially if the coffee is taken after a good meal either in the breakfast or in the lunch. I first observed this effect in 1997 when I was taking a training in an industry. I used to feel like that most of the times after taking coffee. Today I googled on it and found a yahoo answer saying that getting sleepiness after taking coffee is one of the physiological indications of attention deficit disorder (ADD) / attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). I got interest and searched on the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. I found a very good website detailing all information on ADD/ADHD (http://www.helpguide.org/mental/adhd_add_adult_symptoms.htm).

The major symptoms which I may have under the heading of disorganization and forgetfulness include the following:

Disorganization and forgetfulness

• poor organizational skills (home, office, desk, or car is extremely messy and cluttered)
• tendency to procrastinate
• trouble starting and finishing projects
• chronic lateness
• frequently forgetting appointments, commitments, and deadlines
• constantly losing or misplacing things (keys, wallet, phone, documents, bills)
• underestimating the time it will take you to complete tasks

The suggested treatment plan

• Exercise vigorously and regularly (at least 4 times per week with 30 minutes of each session)
• Sleep adequately ~ 8 hours/night. Go to bed consistently on same time everyday and get up at same time everyday even if you are tired.
• Eat complex carbohydrates and little protein with every meal. Eat at regular times. Do not starve and eat all at once. Maintain the regularity of meals.
• Make sure you’re getting enough zinc, iron, and magnesium in your diet. Consider taking a multivitamin supplement.
• Omega-3 supplements seems to be effective for the inattentive subgroup of ADHD patients. A subgroup of children and adolescents with ADHD, characterized by inattention and associated neurodevelopmental disorders, treated with omega 3/6 fatty acids for 6 months responded with meaningful reduction of ADHD symptoms. For relieving the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, you have to take a supplement that has at least 2-3 times the amount of EPA to DHA. [Source: http://www.helpguide.org/mental/adult_adhd_add_treatments_therapy.htm]
• Drugs - methylphenidate, Adderall (a combination of four amphetamine salts (racemic amphetamine aspartate monohydrate,racemic amphetamine sulfate, dextroamphetamine saccharide, and dextroamphetamine sulfate)), dextroamphetamine sulfate and atomoxetine

My best condition of mood and stuttering - The ideal one

I have experienced ideal conditions also. I mean to say, I had experienced good mood, no depression, no anxiety and no stuttering. I had such incidents under the following conditions. If I could understand the possible underlying mechanisms and if I could reproduce these effects daily by using nutraceutical or pharmacological means, I could be a happy person.

Conditions:

1. I was taking Zincovit multivitamin tablets (Pls find the composition below). After taking it for few days, I felt some what uneasy feelings of tiredness and low mood. Then I stopped the tablet for one day. On the day of stopping, my energy level was up and almost no stuttering. My voice was louder. During this time, I was with my family. So, social support also play a role in this.
2. I was taking neurogistics multivitamin caps, 5-HTP, magnesium, glycine, taurine, vitamin C and bioflavonoids. I went to to my relative's house where I didn't take these supplements. I applied coconut oil on my head hair. After 1 hour, my voice was louder, no stuttering. If no coconut oil is applied, the effect was not there. This time also, I was with my close relatives.
3. Yesterday night (20 may 2010), I slept with a new cotton pillow which is quite fluffy. So it is big. No pillow cover. Today morning I could get up easily without laziness and my mind was full of energy. I felt energetic physically also. My stuttering is also very much reduced today (It is not completely absent). I suspect some anamoly in my neck area which would prevent proper drainage of blood, CSF and other fluids from head to main body. When I sleep with raised head, the drainage seems to occur properly. Other than this, I could not think of any other reason for this.  

Unusual and non stutterable pause in stuttering

I experienced an unusual and unstutterable pause during my speech when I was taking certain supplements.


In 2008, I took Renerve capsules http://www.grandix.in/products_neuro.html

The composition is given below. After taking this caps, I experienced this kind of stuttering for the first time. I speak faster and after 5-15 minutes, the unusual pause of 3- 7 seconds comes in. It is like an epilepsy attack (may be an absence seizure). During that pause, I was not able to make any sound from my throat. But, no loss of consciousness, no loss of memory and no impairment of other functions. And, no other symptoms also. I used to feel like paralysis of my vocal cord. I assume that this could be due to dopamine (either increased or decreased levels) or some minerals.

Products		Packing	Composition
ReNerve	Soft Gel Caps	10x10's	Methyl Cobalamin Alpha Lipoic Acid Vitamin E Acetate Vitamin B1 HCl Vitamin B6 Vitamin A Concentrate Calcium Pantothenate Selenium Dioxide Folic Acid Chromium polynicotinate Inositol	500 mcg 100 mg 25 mg 10 mg 1.5 mg 2500 IU 10 mg 163.6mcg 5 mg 200 mcg 100 mg

The same effect was observed when I was taking neurogistics multivitamin capsules also. The composition is given below. Here, Vitamin B12 is present as methylcobalamin. So, it could be due to methylcobalamin. when I switched over to other vitamin tablets with Vitamin B12 as cyanocobalamin, this effect was not there. However, this effect could be due to some other component/mechanism also.

This effect was more observed during the time when I was taking DL-phenylalanine 1000 mg (500 mg X 2) daily in mornings. When I was taking this neurogistics multivitamin caps together with 5-HTP along with magnesium, taurine and glycine, this effect was not there. So, I assume the culprits as dopamine and methyl cobalamin. The clear mechanism is unknown. It could be a form of vocal cord dystonia induced by excess dopamine also.

I was taking zincovit multivitamin tablets in 2008. That also caused this effect. But it was less severe. The worst was with neurogistics multivitamin + vitamin C + DL-phenylalanine.

Composition of zincovit tablets:

Vitamins
Ascorbic acid as coated	75 mg
Niacinamide	50 mg
Alphatocopheryl Acetate concentrate (Powder form)	15 mg
Thiamine mononitrate	10 mg
Riboflavine	10 mg
Calcium Pantothenate	2 mg
Pyridoxine Hydrochloride	2 mg
Folic aicd	1 mg
Vitamin A con. Powder form (as acetate)	5000 I.U.
VitaminD3 (Cholecalciferol)	400 I.U.
Minerals
Zinc sulphate monohydrate	63 mg
Magnesium oxide	30 mg
Manganese sulpahte monohydrate	2.8 mg
Copper sulphate	2 mg
Colloidal Sillicon Dioxide (equ. To Sillica)	1 mg
Pottassium Idodie (Eq. to Iodine)	150 mcg
Sodium Borate (Equ. Boron)	150 mcg
Selenium di oxide monohydrate	70 mcg
Chromium picolinate (equ to Chromium)	25 mcg
Sodium molybdate Dihydrate (equ to molybdenum)	25 mcg

 (Source: http://www.apexlab.com/html/zincovit.html)

Today, I had this effect when I was talking to my landlord (luckily she was counting the rental money I gave to her, So I had some time to observe my pause). Oh my God! What a horrible disturbances in this life? I took Vitamin C (500 mg NOT slow release) + bioflavonoids and DL-phenylalanine 500 mg in the lunch time. Around 7 pm I had this effect.

Possible mechanism:

1. Vitamin C increases noradrenaline synthesis and DL-phenylalanine increases noradrenaline, dopamine and adrenaline.
2. I feel this increase may be an excess or there may not be a matching increase in serotonin and GABA. So I should try increasing serotonin (5-HTP) and GABA (Mentat)

Reduced effect of unstutterable stuttering - Update on 12 may 2010:

For the past few days, I am taking the supplements as follows:

Morning: 1 capsule of 5-HTP - 50 mg; 1 capsule of DL-phenylalanine - 500 mg, 2 capsules of neurogistics multivitamin; 1 tablet of l-lysine - 600 mg

Lunch/evening: 1 capsule of DL-phenylalanine 500 mg

Evening/night: 1 capsule of neurogistics multivitamin; 1 capsule of omega -3 (EPA + DHA = 780 mg)

Diet:

Morning - oats or noodles (not much of protein)

Lunch - rice, vegetables and 1 piece of fish

Dinner - rice or dosa with chicken drum stick 1 piece

This condition has reduced my unstutterable stuttering to greater level. Not much of longer pauses like before. I am not taking vitamin C and magnesium. They are said to have antidepressant properties but they may interact with noradrenergic and dopaminergic systems. I suspect the magneisum very much for this effect. Need to explore more on this area.

Ascorbic acid administration produces an antidepressant-like effect: Evidence for the involvement of monoaminergic neurotransmission
Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, Volume 33, Issue 3, 30 April 2009, Pages 530-540.

Abstract


Ascorbic acid is highly concentrated in the brain, being considered as a neuromodulator. This study investigated the effect of ascorbic acid in the tail suspension test (TST) and in the forced swimming test (FST) in mice and the contribution of the monoaminergic system to its antidepressant-like effect. Moreover, the effects of fluoxetine, imipramine and bupropion in combination with ascorbic acid in the TST were investigated. Ascorbic acid (0.1-10 mg/kg, i.p., 1-10 mg/kg p.o. or 0.1 nmol/mice i.c.v.) produced an antidepressant-like effect in the TST, but not in the FST, without altering the locomotor activity. The effect of ascorbic acid (0.1 mg/kg, i.p.) in the TST was prevented by i.p. pre-treatment with NAN-190 (0.5 mg/kg), ketanserin (5 mg/kg), MDL72222 (0.1 mg/kg), prazosin (62.5 microg/kg), yohimbine (1 mg/kg), propranolol (2 mg/kg), haloperidol (0.2 mg/kg), sulpiride (50 mg/kg), but not with SCH23390 (0.05 mg/kg, s.c.). Additionally, ascorbic acid (1 mg/kg, p.o.) potentiated the effect of subeffective doses (p.o. route) of fluoxetine (1 mg/kg), imipramine (0.1 mg/kg), or bupropion (1 mg/kg) in the TST. The combined treatment of ascorbic acid with antidepressants produced no alteration in the locomotion in the open-field test. In conclusion, our results show that administration of ascorbic acid produces an antidepressant-like effect in TST, which is dependent on its interaction with the monoaminergic system. Moreover, ascorbic acid caused a synergistic antidepressant-like effect with conventional antidepressants. Therefore, the present findings warrant further studies to evaluate the therapeutical relevance of ascorbic acid for the treatment of depression and as a co-adjuvant treatment with antidepressants.
 
   
Evidence for the involvement of the monoaminergic system in the antidepressant-like effect of magnesium. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2009 Mar 17;33(2):235-42. Epub 2008 Nov 27.


Abstract


Literature data has shown that acute administration of magnesium reduces immobility time in the mouse forced swimming test (FST), which suggests potential antidepressant activity in humans. However, its mechanism of action is not completely understood. Thus, this study is aimed at investigating the antidepressant-like action of magnesium and the possible involvement of the monoaminergic system in its effect in the FST. The immobility time in the FST was significantly reduced by magnesium chloride administration (30-100 mg/kg, i.p.) without accompanying changes in ambulation when assessed in an open-field test. The pre-treatment of mice with NAN-190 (0.5 mg/kg, i.p. a 5-HT(1A) receptor antagonist), WAY100635 (0.1 mg/kg, s.c., a selective 5-HT(1A) receptor antagonist), ritanserin (4 mg/kg, i.p., a 5-HT(2A/2C) receptor antagonist), ketanserin (5 mg/kg, a preferential 5-HT(2A) receptor antagonist), prazosin (1 mg/kg, i.p., an alpha(1)-adrenoceptor antagonist), yohimbine (1 mg/kg, i.p., an alpha(2)-adrenoceptor antagonist), haloperidol (0.2 mg/kg, i.p., a non selective dopaminergic receptor antagonist), SCH23390 (0.05 mg/kg, s.c., a dopamine D(1) receptor antagonist) or sulpiride (50 mg/kg, i.p., a dopamine D(2) receptor antagonist) 30 min before the administration of magnesium chloride (30 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly prevented its anti-immobility effect in the FST. Moreover, the administration of sub-effective doses of fluoxetine (10 mg/kg, i.p., serotonin reuptake inhibitor), imipramine (5 mg/kg, i.p., a mixed serotonergic noradrenergic reuptake inhibitor), bupropion (1 mg/kg, i.p., dopamine reuptake inhibitor) was able to potentiate the action of sub-effective doses of magnesium chloride. In conclusion, the present study provides evidence indicating that the antidepressant-like effect of magnesium in the FST is dependent on its interaction with the serotonergic (5-HT(1A) and 5-HT(2A/2C) receptors), noradrenergic (alpha(1)- and alpha(2)- receptors) and dopaminergic (dopamine D(1) and D(2) receptors) systems.


Update on 8 may 2015:

For the past 3 months, I was taking zinc in order to improve my testosterone and dopamine levels. I took zinc 15 mg + vitamin C 250 mg daily in mornings after food. During February 2015, I took proviton capsules + zinc 15 mg + vitamin C 250 mg combination. This produced good energy and mood. However, it produced mild non-stutterable pause also. Also, it increased blood pressure to 156/100 mmHg during the lunch time. The blood pressure dropped to normal levels during the evening hours. So, I had to change the multivitamin from proviton to Supradyn recharge. I continued the zinc but without vitamin C since supradyn recharge has enough vitamin C. This combination also produced non-stutterable pause and caused big embarrassment when I was speaking with my boss. What a pity life I live! Also, it caused poor concentration, unable to focus and less motivation to start doing things. Then, I reduced the dose of zinc to 7.5 mg by taking half tablet. Still the effects persisted with reduced intensity. I stopped zinc one day. On that day of no zinc, I felt great energy, mood and no non-stutterable pause. After that, I stopped taking zinc. That non-stutterable pause is not coming again. However, this non-stutterable pause may be caused by other minerals/vitamins also. I need to explore further and confirm.

In my research with my stuttering and interventions, I suspect the following for the non-stutterable pause. The mechanism could be lack of dopamine in the speech circuit.

1. Zinc
2. Folic acid
3. Methyl cobalamin
4. Methylfolate
5. Selenium

Effects of Mentat

I am taking Mentat tablets (Himalaya drug company) for the past one week (2 tablets in morning and 2 tabs in night). I am also taking multivitamin tablets (Appeton teen grow) and slow release vitamin C tablets (500 mg) + bioflavonoids.

Positive effects:

1. Reduced anxiety - may be by increased GABA levels
2. Reduced stuttering - even though the stuttering is somewhat reduced, no feelings of comfortable and enjoyable fluent speaking. Reduced stuttering was observed for the first 1-2 weeks. After that stuttering was present and sometimes worse.
3. When I took mutton, it increased my libido and affection.
4. During 2008, I took mentat for about 1 month. It has increased the libido and affection and love feelings very much especially after I take ground nuts (but did not give rise to strong erections) . So the involvement of omega -6 could be a possible mechanism.
5. No excessive sleep. I could finish sleeping without much difficulty. I could get up after 7-8 hrs easily. This effect was observed after 1 week of taking mentat. Sleeping was much more difficult with 5-HTP, With 5-HTP, I could not finish my sleeping and my sleeping never seemed to end. I felt like I was unable to motivate myself to get up. So, it indicates serotonin reduces dopamine probably in the mesolimbic region of the brain for motivation. 
6. Increased mobility, increased flexibility of muscles, faster movements without any gait problems, better coordination of muscles while driving were observed after 2 weeks of taking mentat.
7. I was able to sleep for less time per day, and I was able to motivate myself to do certain things. Example, I had meeting on last week which extended beyond the scheduled time. So I had to rush for the prayer. I could rush for the prayer and I could motivate myself to do such risky operation without any difficulty. I enjoyed such intense stressful rushing. I could drive the car faster and I could reach the prayer place just on time. Even a 2 minute delay would forfeit me from joining the prayers. So it is like "can do" or "cannot do" situation. I could do that. Thats it.
8. I took less time in getting ready in the morning. usually I take 1 hour 30 minutes (from getting up from bed to start my car; This includes brushing (10 minutes), making and drinking tea (10 minutes) and making breakfast (10 minutes) going to latrine (10-15 minutes), taking bath (20 minutes), eating breakfast (5 minutes), dressing up (15 minutes)  to get ready. After taking mentat, I could get ready by 1 hour by doing all these things faster without having the anxiety of rushing.     

Negative effects:

1. Muscle weakness - decreased flexibility of muscles (This is minimized by taking vitamin C which may increase noradrenaline levels). But this is not disturbing my driving. This effect was there for first 1-2 weeks. After that, I experienced increased flexibility and mobility. See the positive effects above.
2. When I started adding DL-phenylalanine 500mg in the morning or in the lunch, it produced headache. Mild headache which lasted for 3 days. This headache did not go away even after taking 5-HTP (50 mg OD). This headache got reduced after taking magnesium + glycine + taurine. I need to explore the mechanism behind this.
3. After 2 weeks of taking mentat, I got severe headache which is not going even after taking paracetamol 650 mg dose. The headache got reduced after taking magnesium, taurine and glycine and 5-HTP. The headache completely went away after skipping a night's dose of mentat only.
4. Update on 6 May 2010: I got severe headache yesterday on my right side of head. Due to some purchasing work, I could not take lunch and DL-phenylalanine on day before yesterday. Night also I did not take DL-phenylalanine. Yesterday, I got headache which started around lunch time and worsened in the evening. In the evening, I smoked a cigarette in order to boost serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline and adrenaline. It gave me a little relief. Then along with dinner, I took DL-phenylalanine 500 mg. Then I applied tiger balm on my side head. Around 12 am headache reduced much and I could sleep better. Today morning, I felt better. So, it looks to me that the headache is probably because of dopamine depletion. Even though I had headache yesterday, my mood was OK and my sociability was also ok. If I get a headache which is aching on left side of my head, then at those times, my mood used to be low. So it could be due to serotonin depletion. yesterday's headache was aching on right side of my head. So, it was different.  

Possible mechanisms: (First written on 21 April 2010)

Observation	Possible mechanism
Less sleep, increased flexibility , less global bradykinesia	Increased straital and mesolimbic dopamine neurotransmission (Dopamine receptor agonism)
Severe headache	Decrease in serotonin (blockade of 5HT1A autoreceptor)

Possible mechanism (First written on 30 April 2010)

After reading several research papers on anxiety and its animal models, I read about buspirone. The effects of buspirone and mentat seem to be matching perfectly. Since I have not taken buspirone anytime before, I cannot really compare the effects of buspirone and mentat.

See the links below for research articles on buspirone's effects.

Effects of Acute and Chronic Administration of the Serotonin1A Agonist Buspirone on Serotonin Synthesis in the Rat Brain

Alterations of central serotonin and dopamine turnover in rats treated with ipsapirone and other 5-hydroxytryptamine1A agonists with potential anxiolytic properties.

Update on 12 may 2010:

Mentat consumption along with 5-HTP, DL-phenylalanine and multivitamin capsules produced severe headache which usually lasted for one full day. I had few headache attacks like that in the past week. The headache was mostly on the left side of my head. It was associated with irritation, and psychomotor retardation. So, I decided to discontinue mentat.

Composition of Mentat tablets

Each tablet contains:

EXTRACTS OF	QUANTITY
Bacopa monnieri	136 mg
Centella asiatica	70 mg
Withania somnifera	52 mg
Evolvulus alsinoides	52 mg
Nardostachys jatamansi	52 mg
Valeriana wallichii	50 mg
Embelia ribes	50 mg
Prunus amygdalus	50 mg
Acorus calamus	42 mg
Tinospora cordifolia	36 mg
Terminalia chebula	36 mg
Emblica officinalis	36 mg
Celastrus paniculatus	32 mg
Oroxylum indicum	32 mg
POWDERS OF
Bacopa monnieri	80 mg
Orchis mascula	18 mg
Mucuna pruriens	18 mg
Elettaria cardamomum	18 mg
Terminalia arjuna	18 mg
Foeniculum vulgare	18 mg
Ipomoea digitata	18 mg
Zingiber officinale	14 mg
Temninalia belerica	14 mg
Myristica fragrans	14 mg
Syzygium aromaticum	10 mg
Mukta pishti	3 mg

Source: http://www.tetrada-az.com/eng/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Mentat-tablets-eng.pdf

According to above source, Mentat has the following pharmacological action.


Mentat regulates cholinergic and GABAergic systems of neurotransmission and thus improves brain functions. It restores activity of muscarine and cholinergic receptors of frontal cortex and thus improves I.Q., memory capacity, concentration, and raises stress resistibility level. Mentat contributes to reduction of tribulin level, an endogenous inhibitor of monoamine oxidase which is increased at anxious conditions of different degree. Preparation stimulates improvement in case of concentration instability and behavioral disturbances. Mentat protects against parkinsonism by raising activity of post-synaptic dopamine receptor. Its sedative and tranquilizing action protects from convulsions and is helpful in insomnia. Mentat improves articulation and corrects speech defects.