The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
5-HTP
Posted by Sheryn (Milwaukee, Wi) on 04/17/2010
Susan and others...I noticed while researching several options to treat low-level depression, that many caution against using if your depression has a bipolar (manic) component. My guess is that increasing serotonin in that instance leads to the manic activity and irritability (depressed mood manic energy me = one serious crabby-butt, lesson learned with an ill-fated combo of stimulants for attention deficit).
The solution for you may lie in working with other parts of your brain chemistry. Maybe see what folks are recommending for bipolar/cyclothymia.
Melatonin, Chamomile Tea
Posted by Jeremiah (San Diego, California) on 07/19/2009
★★★★☆
I have Bipolar Disorder characterized most by Manic episodes. Some are not all that bad; they're just a pain in the ass when I have something to do or someone to meet/people to be around. Anyways, I have noticed that when I can't get to sleep at night because my Seroquel doesn't seem to want to do its job, I take Melatonin, usually at 3 mgs. to start off with, then another 3 mgs., which usually knocks me out.
I have also tried Chamomile Tea with positive effects, but since I suffer from enuresis (bed-wetting), I have had to discontinue, because even if I take my medication for enuresis, I still go, which normally wouldn't happen otherwise.
That is not to say that I don't recommend Chamomile Tea. I would actually highly recommend to anybody, except if you have enuresis, even if you take medication for it.
Lemon Juice and Olive Oil
Posted by Ric (California) on 08/22/2016
You may have something there, Daniel. Your kidney stone issues reminded me of my ex-wife. I used to be married to someone who was bipolar: nice and charismatic one moment, unbridled with anger the next. Whenever she was pregnant, she seemed to be a much nicer person. During one of her pregnancies, she had to have her gallbladder removed because of "gallstones" and the pain they were causing on her right side. After getting divorced from her and looking to recover my own health and well-being, I started looking into natural home remedies. I began by doing gallbladder flushes and liver cleanses (with a method using Epsom salts, EV olive oil, grapefruit juice) followed in later months by a combined bowel cleanse (psyllium husk and bentonite shakes) and detox ("lemonade diet" - using lemons, maple syrup and cayenne pepper). After experiencing the health benefits of those cleanses I was left to wonder if my ex would have benefited both mentally and physically from the same. I think there is a connection between a healthy body and a healthy mind. Someone else here posted a Bipolar cure as Detox (relating to detox, deficiency's and good nutrition). I believe all of those things are beneficial and worth looking into. I will do more research on kidney stone removal methods and benefits, as I may have some - an inherited trait. Thanks.
Olive Oil
Posted by Mr. Ree (Usa) on 11/15/2013
High doses of niacin will get RID of your problem..Google it and see for yourself..."Niacin + schizophrenia."
Olive Oil
Posted by Hb (San Diego) on 02/22/2018
Do the ketogenic diet, the correct way, might not even need meds any more, I'm on 900mg lithium bipolar 1, has helped immensely in conjunction with Lithium. Was hospitalized twice for thinking I was Christ. Hope this helps.
Flax Seed Oil
Posted by Matt (Rhode Island, US) on 02/13/2015
I'm sorry to tell you but this is a placebo effect. Flaxseed oil does not have the omega 3 responsible for mood stability (EPA). However, fish oil does. There is no substitute. And for anyone else on this board with true manic depression (Bipolar I disorder), you can not substitute medication with herbs and vitamins. True bipolar I is a medical illness, which needs to be treated medically. If your disorder responds to vitamins and herbs alone, you probably have a personality disorder, such as borderline personality disorder. I am a mental health professional and see this type of misconception all the time.
Flax Seed Oil
Posted by Sam (Santa Barbara ) on 03/10/2018
I have this reaction with chocolate.
Lithium Orotate, Lithium Aspartate
Posted by Desperatemom (Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada) on 08/02/2012
Hi Burblemesh, I want to understand how serious is your Bipolar especially during mania. Did you get into very angry episodes before taking the Gabatone pill. Maybe if you can share some information regarding your mania state. How long you have been taking the Gabatone pill and did you have any mania episodes since? My son has bipolar for several years and in the last several months he got into very angry episodes often. We are using GABA 500mg to calm him down. However I am very interested in getting my son the Gabatone pill if it can even out his mood and prevent the angry episodes. I really appreciate your reply. Desperate Mom
Lithium Orotate, Lithium Aspartate
Posted by Jillery (North America) on 11/26/2013 86 posts
Hi Mom, Check out the ingred's of the Gabatone. You may be able to adjust the supplements you give your son to get the affect you want. It's just that the Gabatone is so expensive....
Also check out the book NUTRITION POWER by Dr. Walsh. My holistic shrink suggested it to me. It is highly technical but it points out there are basically 6 different avenues of depression and what dietary things need to be changed. My doc has the blood tests but right now I cannot afford them but I figured that I lack seretonin and I have been taking additional 5HTP and GABA. Seems helpful for me.
Lifestyle Changes
Posted by Lauren (California) on 02/07/2024
Thank you to this kind stranger for such a thorough and reflective post. Very helpful, thank you.
Lithium Orotate, Lithium Aspartate
Posted by Gean (Salina, Ks) on 05/24/2010
Hello, has anyone here had any experience with the over-the-counter supplements lithium orotate or lithium aspartate? This would be for OCD, or bipolar disorder, or anger, PTSD, etc. Thank you.
Rhodiola
Posted by Phyllis (Scottsdale, Az) on 12/03/2009
★☆☆☆☆WARNING!
YES - RHODIOLA will cause some people (notably those who are bipolar) possible manic episodes if taken in too high a dose. One person says they are taking 600 MG a day. That's too high for most people. Try taking 150 mg of a good Rhodiola and then moving up to maybe 300 mg if you like the feeling. No reason to do any more than that. We've had seven years experience with Rhodiola in our household, with great success. But, not for skin lightening!! I don't know where one poster got that idea (and the dose she's taking is WAY too much). Consider Rhodiola an herb that is to be respected and treated gingerly. It has been used for many centuries, quite safely.
St John's Wort
Posted by Heidi (Ogden, UT USA) on 03/08/2009
WARNING! If you have bipolar disorder, avoid St. John's Wort. My husband has BPD, and used st john's wort for a full year before having any side effects, and when they came, they were a DOOZY!
He said he felt like his brain was sitting on a frying pan and sizzling, and if he'd had a gun, he would have shot himself in the head, not because he was suicidal, but simply to bring an end to the sizzling sensation.
It took a year for the herb to saturate into his system enough to bring this on, but it was a VERY unhappy side effect for him. It lasted an entire afternoon, three or four hours of brain sizzle. Not something he ever wants to repeat.
Lemon Juice and Olive Oil
Posted by Donnie (Albuquerque, New Mexico) on 09/26/2008
Hey Daniel, I had a bipolar girlfriend. In doing Internet research I found a natural supplement company out of Canada called "True Hope." Though Julie never tried it (in denial about her bipolarity), I heard some good things about it. I remember that it was a lot cheaper than lithium or other less-natural symptom suppressors. Since you're on an all-natural kick, this might be something you might be interested in.
Lemon Juice and Olive Oil
Posted by Louellen (Calgary, Ab, CA) on 12/05/2014
I have used True Hope EMP initially for Post Partum Depression. I found it helped balance me after a few days... But eventually I realized that I was simply deficient in basically everything after growing a human (did not take a prenatal). Many people swear by EMP but it is also costly and you need to take 9 pills a day.
Olive Oil
Posted by Steve (Nevada) on 11/15/2013
Olive Oil
Posted by Mike 62 (Denver, Colorado) on 11/15/2013
Temperance: I had what you have. I'll be glad to show you the way to become calmer and more cognitive. Please get a $15 3kg jar of kimchi, $6 1kg bag of non gmo red miso, and some $1 lb bean sprouts at the asian market. Put some in a blender with some organic baby leaves and make a green smoothie. Eat some raw honey and some raw organic berries. Do this every 2 hours. 4 times a day take 1oz fresh grass fed hamburger and 1 pastured egg. You can get these at whole foods. Eat these raw. Do not grind the egg in a blender or stir with a fork. Crack the yolk with the teeth before swallowing. Watch 80/10/10 videos and study the superfoods. Concentrates are less costly and more convenient. Your energy is going to skyrocket. Thank you.
Ted's Remedies
Posted by Robin (Ar, Ar Us) on 10/11/2011
Yoga Breathing
Posted by Linda (Dfw) on 01/28/2018
After reading all the posts, I wonder if anyone has tried acupuncture for bipolar disorder. I have a nephew who has this disorder and someone mentioned it to me and I was hoping to find someone who had tried acupuncture.
Lemon Juice and Olive Oil
Posted by Alissa (Cache Valley, Utah) on 12/03/2017
Hi Jillery,
I have a daughter who was diagnosed bipolar about 18 months ago. I have now read the Nutrient Power book. It was very detailed. I'm interested in find a book that helps family members better understand how to be supportive to the bipolars needs. Particularly when they are depressed. Can you recommend anything like that? Thanks
Lemon Juice and Olive Oil
Posted by Rebecca (Mn) on 10/09/2017
That is awesome. In some schools of thought, your right side regulates your emotions. So awesome you tried that...
