Mood Change Medicine
Nutritional Supplement Safety
Do Tart Cherries Improve Sleep?
Sweet and tart cherries improved both sleep quality and quantity, some studies show. With effects rivaling melatonin and valerian, tart cherry extended total sleep time by a whopping 84-minutes, a result that is better than most sleeping pills, one small study showed. All that and superb health benefits! Continue reading
Kava for Insomnia, Anxiety, Depression: Risks versus Benefits
For thousands of years kava has been used to relieve anxiety, stress and insomnia. More recently there’s been a realization that some people who take kava might face significant health risks. And there’s no way to predict who could be one of a small number of people harmed by kava. Continue reading
Is Valerian Safe?
Valerian is likely safe when taken short-term in appropriate doses. Few adverse events have been reported in valerian studies. The effects of taking valerian long-term are largely unknown. Evidence suggests the herb is safer than its pharmaceutical counterparts, sleeping pills and anti-anxiety medications. Large doses of valerian might be unsafe. Continue reading
St. John’s Wort Safety
St. John’s wort interacts with numerous drugs in potentially dangerous ways. For example, taking St. John’s wort in combination with birth control pills may lead to unplanned pregnancy. Taking it with blood thinners prescribed to prevent stroke may reduce the medications ability to lower the risk of stroke. Continue reading
How safe are 5-HTP supplements?
A task force composed of 31 leading academics and clinicians from 15 countries concluded—based on Grade A level evidence—that 5-HTP has “Acceptable safety data”. Case reports of serious side effects following excessive doses or combinations of certain medications with 5-HTP raises the possibility of risk. . . . Continue reading
Tryptophan: Interactions with Drugs & Supplements
Tryptophan can interact with drugs and supplements that cause sedation, increasing the sedative effect. Taking tryptophan with any of these drugs, substances or supplements might cause excessive sleepiness and negatively impact the ability to drive or operate heavy machinery. Continue reading
How Safe are Tryptophan Supplements?
People have been taking tryptophan in supplements for over five decades with just occasional modest, short-lived side-effects.
Tryptophan is not addictive and does not appear to cause tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, or rebound insomnia like sleep drugs. When used short-term, it’s likely a safer alternative to pharmaceutical sleep aids. Continue reading
Bewildering Array of CBD Products
Different formulations taken at different doses can have very different effects in the body. Full-spectrum CBD products contain all the naturally-occurring compounds found in the cannabis plant, including THC. “Broad spectrum” or “wide spectrum” CBD products may also contain these components but without the THC. Continue reading
CBD: Is there a sweet spot for dosing?
Researchers found a sweet spot for dosing—higher or lower doses aren’t as effective as those in the middle of the dosage range. But this may not hold true for full-spectrum products that contain both CBD, THC and other constituents in the cannabis plant. Continue reading
Is CBD Addictive?
Because CBD was not found be mind-altering or to present potential for abuse or dependence, a World Health Organization Committee on Drug Dependence recommended that CBD be removed from international drug control. Continue reading
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