Posted by dj on August 5, 2000, at 12:32:46
In reply to Depression and IQ loss - Brian fog or Brain cloud?, posted by SLS on August 5, 2000, at 9:27:13
> Opinion:
>
> One can think of the impairment of learning produced by depression as being analogous to a relative lack of road-building equipment and/or >the fuel to run them.
... The depressed brain is slow or perhaps unable to build new roads because the equipment is damaged and may not have the fuel to run it... >there is simply not enough energy being suppliedIf the issue is one of energy supplies and they are taxed by the stressors on one's equipment than perhaps one needs to fine-tune and reinforce the equipment so it will make better use of what fuel it has, which is perhaps being taxed by system overload due to the stystem being out of balance ie. - stressed to the point of distress and depression.
Whether or not one is using ADs, which can relieve some source of stress and create others in my view based on my experience and readings, it makes sense to use as many methods as possible to counteract the stressors at the biological and systemic level. For instance, I noted that when I was feeling particularly stressed earlier this week a session of yoga with a very good instructor helped me relax my excessively tensed large muscle groupings so that they were then less taxing on my system and the energy they were depleting could be better focused elsewhere.
I've noted that too much junk food also taxes my energy resources. That's the basis of the book "Potatoes Not Prozac" which focuse on the impacts of unhealthy diets.
And as I've noted below I've been exploring the usage of the active form of B6 - P5P - with my naturopath as one method of rebalancing my system/body/mind so that it works more efficiently.
He has also recommeded the following "adaptogens" which I'm trying out. Sisu(http://www.sisu.health.com) sells the two in a combo. called Ginsing Plus:
Siberian Ginseng
(Eleutherococcus senticosus) is a potent "adaptogen" which means it normalizes the functions of the body under stress. Adaptogens do not have specific functions, yet are able to increase resistance to adverse influences through initiating a wide range of physical, chemical and biochemical reactions within the body. Among the many benefits attributed to Siberian Ginseng are: increased resistance to colds and infection; enhanced stamina and endurance; improved concentration and memory; relief from stress, depression and fatigue and better tolerance of chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Siberian Ginseng has historically been used by the Russian military, cosmonauts, and Olympic athletes for its strength and stamina enhancing properties and is utilized as an aid in coping with the harsh winters of that region. Although most of the evidence in support of Siberian Ginseng's energizing effect is anecdotal, one study has demonstrated its ability to increase one's ability to handle physical stress (workload). In this study, six males in their 20s were given a ginseng extract, and their physical abilities measured on and off this extract, and when a placebo was given. Substantial increase in the ability to perform was noted in several different areas. This increase seemed to be partially attributable to the improvement of oxygen metabolism.i
Ashwaganda
(Withania somnifera), or Winter Cherry, is an Indian herb used in Ayurvedic medicine. The name, ashwaganda, literally translates to "sweat of a horse". Like Siberian Ginseng, Ashwaganda is a potent adaptogen, having particular value in the treatment of stress, and in providing a person with the extra energy needed to cope with busy days. The active constituents of ashwaganda are known as withanolides. Many studies have demonstrated the adaptogenic properties of ashwaganda, believed due to the high concentration of withanolides within the root. For example, one study demonstrated how ashwaganda prevented the depletion of vitamin C and cortisol (an adrenal hormone) in people who were under stress and prevented stress-related gastrointestinal ulcers.ii Ashwaganda has a slight sedative effect, making it an effective remedy for people who feel "stressed out".One of the benefits of using these two herbs in combination is that they provide the body with a wide spectrum of adaptogenicsubstances. This can provide a synergistic effect, allowing the body to make the most of the active components best suited to its unique needs.
Dr.Robert Sapolsky has and is extensively researching the impacts of stress. He wrote:
"…as the evidence in this chapter makes abundantly clear, depression is a genetic disorder of being vulnerable to a stressful environment." in, "Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers: An Updated Guide to Stress, Stress-Related Diseases, and Coping", 1998, where the chapter he is there wrapping up explored these linkages and the negative impacts on the brain of too many stressors.Though I haven't listened to it fully yet, as it cut out on me because of Net overload I discovered the following audio link last night from a presentation he did for on the links between stress and memory:http://www.exploratorium.edu/memory/robertsapolsky.html, as part of a series on Memory for something called the Exploratorium.
For those who want to get deep into brain neurology, which I prefer not to, I came across the following url with lots of linked articles when re-searching for the above link:
http://inst.santafe.cc.fl.us/~mwehr/X2BioWR.htmA beautiful day on Canada's wet coast I'm going to go enjoy it as too much time on-line and not enjoying nature can be a source of stress too.
Sante!
dj
poster:dj
thread:42107
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000729/msgs/42225.html