Re: Some success after SNRI therapy 5 years ago

[Guest guest]

This is a great story.

And I totally agree with you. I've been to doctors and they check my

testersterone and hormone levels and tell me -- " oh you should have a strong sex

drive because you are high on testerosterone. " Well guess what, that's not all

there is too it!

Dopamine is really important. I'm taking a dopamine agonist now, but I dont

think its working. It might not be the natural way to do it.

I like your idea.

Can you provide more details on what you used? Brand, dosage, wehre you got the

herbs, etc?

>

> After reading a lot about your guys' and gals' stories, I want to share mine.

Not in the mood for a long-winded post, I want to share some experiences and my

recent partial success as succinctly as possible:

>

> - 5 years ago, hit major depression. Wanted to kill myself.

> - Went on venlafaxine (effexor).

> - Continued on for 2 years

> - During this depression, even without SNRI's, I lost ability to have sex.

Motivation was gone, feeling and sensitivity was gone. Erection ability was

deteriorated. Common symptoms.

> - During venlafaxine treatment, erection ability became almost completely

gone.

> - Stopped venlafaxine 3 years ago.

> - Out of depression for sure, but never quite the same as before.

>

> So for three years now I've been jumping from doctor to doctor to try and

figure out what the heck is wrong. A lot of them told me that I still have

depression. My serotonin levels tested normal. I even took tryptophan/5-HTP

but that did not help my sex drive or erections. I even bought Cialis and

Viagra from India (no prescription) and those pills only helped me maybe 10 or

20% of the time. The rest of the sexual situations I was in, it was like I was

stuck in a " what's the point of this " mindframe. With sex! That's totally

nuts, I told myself over and over again.

>

> I got my neurotransmitters tested. A lot of MD's will say this test is

dubious at best, but after 1000's of dollars I figured what the hell, I might as

well try it (through a naturopath)

>

> Well serotonin levels comes back just fine. However I was pretty low on

dopamine. You almost never hear about dopamine in sex drive from MD's. I had

my testosterone and other hormones checked out fine, but no one ever mentions

dopamine. In the literature dopamine is mentioned as a big motivator in rats

for sex to happen, as well as in humans. In fact, dopamine in general is a

motivator and concentration-enhancing neurotransmitter. Well in addition to

low and almost non-existent sex drive, I was having cognitive trouble at work

and ADD-like symptoms; my brain could not understand simple concepts and follow

through with tasks requiring more than a minute of concentration.

>

> I decided to go out on a limb and try some different supplements.

>

> I tried Mucuna Pruriens (velvet bean) + green tea extract. Taken together, at

the same time, in the morning. The velvet bean contains a precursor to

dopamine. Its like taking a vitamin for your brain, but this vitamin helps you

main more dopamine naturally. The green tea extract taken along side of it

helps prevent some side effects of taking the velvet bean.

>

> It has been two months of consistent therapy with this herb velvet bean for

me, and I have finally after 5 years started to notice an improvement in my sex

drive and my motivation in general. At first I noticed I was interested in work

again and able to concentrate. Talking to people was easier, I could look them

in the eye and became more confident. Then I noticed at home, I would want to

have sex with my girlfriend more often. The dirty thoughts came back ... my sex

drive felt alive ... I was thinking of it more often than before starting this

herb. And finally, my erection strength returned somewhat. Not back to 100% of

what is was before, but maybe 80-90%.

>

> Anyway, my theory why all this worked for me? SSRI's, SNRI's do restore

serotonin in the brain, yes. But maybe they mess up the balance of your other

neurotransmitters. They set up a different chemical pattern in your brain, and

your brain just doesn't remember how its supposed to be in it's original state .

Feeding my brain more dopamine seems to stimulate my sex drive again and

stimulate me in general. Maybe I'm teaching my brain what it feels like again

to WANT, CRAVE, DESIRE, and FEEL PLEASURE again.

>

> So that's my three cents. Any one else try Mucuna Pruriens? Feedback?

Comments, questions?

>

[Guest guest]

Also, how much L-Dopa did you product contain? I've found 15% and 40%

> >

> > After reading a lot about your guys' and gals' stories, I want to share

mine. Not in the mood for a long-winded post, I want to share some experiences

and my recent partial success as succinctly as possible:

> >

> > - 5 years ago, hit major depression. Wanted to kill myself.

> > - Went on venlafaxine (effexor).

> > - Continued on for 2 years

> > - During this depression, even without SNRI's, I lost ability to have sex.

Motivation was gone, feeling and sensitivity was gone. Erection ability was

deteriorated. Common symptoms.

> > - During venlafaxine treatment, erection ability became almost completely

gone.

> > - Stopped venlafaxine 3 years ago.

> > - Out of depression for sure, but never quite the same as before.

> >

> > So for three years now I've been jumping from doctor to doctor to try and

figure out what the heck is wrong. A lot of them told me that I still have

depression. My serotonin levels tested normal. I even took tryptophan/5-HTP

but that did not help my sex drive or erections. I even bought Cialis and

Viagra from India (no prescription) and those pills only helped me maybe 10 or

20% of the time. The rest of the sexual situations I was in, it was like I was

stuck in a " what's the point of this " mindframe. With sex! That's totally

nuts, I told myself over and over again.

> >

> > I got my neurotransmitters tested. A lot of MD's will say this test is

dubious at best, but after 1000's of dollars I figured what the hell, I might as

well try it (through a naturopath)

> >

> > Well serotonin levels comes back just fine. However I was pretty low on

dopamine. You almost never hear about dopamine in sex drive from MD's. I had

my testosterone and other hormones checked out fine, but no one ever mentions

dopamine. In the literature dopamine is mentioned as a big motivator in rats

for sex to happen, as well as in humans. In fact, dopamine in general is a

motivator and concentration-enhancing neurotransmitter. Well in addition to

low and almost non-existent sex drive, I was having cognitive trouble at work

and ADD-like symptoms; my brain could not understand simple concepts and follow

through with tasks requiring more than a minute of concentration.

> >

> > I decided to go out on a limb and try some different supplements.

> >

> > I tried Mucuna Pruriens (velvet bean) + green tea extract. Taken together,

at the same time, in the morning. The velvet bean contains a precursor to

dopamine. Its like taking a vitamin for your brain, but this vitamin helps you

main more dopamine naturally. The green tea extract taken along side of it

helps prevent some side effects of taking the velvet bean.

> >

> > It has been two months of consistent therapy with this herb velvet bean for

me, and I have finally after 5 years started to notice an improvement in my sex

drive and my motivation in general. At first I noticed I was interested in work

again and able to concentrate. Talking to people was easier, I could look them

in the eye and became more confident. Then I noticed at home, I would want to

have sex with my girlfriend more often. The dirty thoughts came back ... my sex

drive felt alive ... I was thinking of it more often than before starting this

herb. And finally, my erection strength returned somewhat. Not back to 100% of

what is was before, but maybe 80-90%.

> >

> > Anyway, my theory why all this worked for me? SSRI's, SNRI's do restore

serotonin in the brain, yes. But maybe they mess up the balance of your other

neurotransmitters. They set up a different chemical pattern in your brain, and

your brain just doesn't remember how its supposed to be in it's original state .

Feeding my brain more dopamine seems to stimulate my sex drive again and

stimulate me in general. Maybe I'm teaching my brain what it feels like again

to WANT, CRAVE, DESIRE, and FEEL PLEASURE again.

> >

> > So that's my three cents. Any one else try Mucuna Pruriens? Feedback?

Comments, questions?

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I also have been doing some supplementing and testing of my neurotransmitters

over the course of the past 9 mos or so and have also seen some significant

improvements particularly in my mood & motivation. I no longer feel apathetic

and unmotivated. There's actually color back in my world. I take a concoction

of 5htp, Tyrosine, & Mucuna Pruriens (40%) -- the amounts change each time I get

a new test done to tweak things. My sexual function has improved about 75% thus

far but my libido comes and goes still. I took Prozac at very high doses for

many years and have now been off for almost 3 years. It's only since I've been

doing this treatment with the neurotransmitter testing that I've seen progress.

Unfortunately it takes time and money to get things " balanced " . If you go up on

one supplement that feeds 1 type of neurotransmitter another one might fall and

vise versa. I just keep chucking away as we hone in on the right balance. I

also work with a naturalpath.

C.

>

> After reading a lot about your guys' and gals' stories, I want to share mine.

Not in the mood for a long-winded post, I want to share some experiences and my

recent partial success as succinctly as possible:

>

> - 5 years ago, hit major depression. Wanted to kill myself.

> - Went on venlafaxine (effexor).

> - Continued on for 2 years

> - During this depression, even without SNRI's, I lost ability to have sex.

Motivation was gone, feeling and sensitivity was gone. Erection ability was

deteriorated. Common symptoms.

> - During venlafaxine treatment, erection ability became almost completely

gone.

> - Stopped venlafaxine 3 years ago.

> - Out of depression for sure, but never quite the same as before.

>

> So for three years now I've been jumping from doctor to doctor to try and

figure out what the heck is wrong. A lot of them told me that I still have

depression. My serotonin levels tested normal. I even took tryptophan/5-HTP

but that did not help my sex drive or erections. I even bought Cialis and

Viagra from India (no prescription) and those pills only helped me maybe 10 or

20% of the time. The rest of the sexual situations I was in, it was like I was

stuck in a " what's the point of this " mindframe. With sex! That's totally

nuts, I told myself over and over again.

>

> I got my neurotransmitters tested. A lot of MD's will say this test is

dubious at best, but after 1000's of dollars I figured what the hell, I might as

well try it (through a naturopath)

>

> Well serotonin levels comes back just fine. However I was pretty low on

dopamine. You almost never hear about dopamine in sex drive from MD's. I had

my testosterone and other hormones checked out fine, but no one ever mentions

dopamine. In the literature dopamine is mentioned as a big motivator in rats

for sex to happen, as well as in humans. In fact, dopamine in general is a

motivator and concentration-enhancing neurotransmitter. Well in addition to

low and almost non-existent sex drive, I was having cognitive trouble at work

and ADD-like symptoms; my brain could not understand simple concepts and follow

through with tasks requiring more than a minute of concentration.

>

> I decided to go out on a limb and try some different supplements.

>

> I tried Mucuna Pruriens (velvet bean) + green tea extract. Taken together, at

the same time, in the morning. The velvet bean contains a precursor to

dopamine. Its like taking a vitamin for your brain, but this vitamin helps you

main more dopamine naturally. The green tea extract taken along side of it

helps prevent some side effects of taking the velvet bean.

>

> It has been two months of consistent therapy with this herb velvet bean for

me, and I have finally after 5 years started to notice an improvement in my sex

drive and my motivation in general. At first I noticed I was interested in work

again and able to concentrate. Talking to people was easier, I could look them

in the eye and became more confident. Then I noticed at home, I would want to

have sex with my girlfriend more often. The dirty thoughts came back ... my sex

drive felt alive ... I was thinking of it more often than before starting this

herb. And finally, my erection strength returned somewhat. Not back to 100% of

what is was before, but maybe 80-90%.

>

> Anyway, my theory why all this worked for me? SSRI's, SNRI's do restore

serotonin in the brain, yes. But maybe they mess up the balance of your other

neurotransmitters. They set up a different chemical pattern in your brain, and

your brain just doesn't remember how its supposed to be in it's original state .

Feeding my brain more dopamine seems to stimulate my sex drive again and

stimulate me in general. Maybe I'm teaching my brain what it feels like again

to WANT, CRAVE, DESIRE, and FEEL PLEASURE again.

>

> So that's my three cents. Any one else try Mucuna Pruriens? Feedback?

Comments, questions?

>

[Guest guest]

what brand do you use of the mucuna pruriens??

> >

> > After reading a lot about your guys' and gals' stories, I want to share

mine. Not in the mood for a long-winded post, I want to share some experiences

and my recent partial success as succinctly as possible:

> >

> > - 5 years ago, hit major depression. Wanted to kill myself.

> > - Went on venlafaxine (effexor).

> > - Continued on for 2 years

> > - During this depression, even without SNRI's, I lost ability to have sex.

Motivation was gone, feeling and sensitivity was gone. Erection ability was

deteriorated. Common symptoms.

> > - During venlafaxine treatment, erection ability became almost completely

gone.

> > - Stopped venlafaxine 3 years ago.

> > - Out of depression for sure, but never quite the same as before.

> >

> > So for three years now I've been jumping from doctor to doctor to try and

figure out what the heck is wrong. A lot of them told me that I still have

depression. My serotonin levels tested normal. I even took tryptophan/5-HTP

but that did not help my sex drive or erections. I even bought Cialis and

Viagra from India (no prescription) and those pills only helped me maybe 10 or

20% of the time. The rest of the sexual situations I was in, it was like I was

stuck in a " what's the point of this " mindframe. With sex! That's totally

nuts, I told myself over and over again.

> >

> > I got my neurotransmitters tested. A lot of MD's will say this test is

dubious at best, but after 1000's of dollars I figured what the hell, I might as

well try it (through a naturopath)

> >

> > Well serotonin levels comes back just fine. However I was pretty low on

dopamine. You almost never hear about dopamine in sex drive from MD's. I had

my testosterone and other hormones checked out fine, but no one ever mentions

dopamine. In the literature dopamine is mentioned as a big motivator in rats

for sex to happen, as well as in humans. In fact, dopamine in general is a

motivator and concentration-enhancing neurotransmitter. Well in addition to

low and almost non-existent sex drive, I was having cognitive trouble at work

and ADD-like symptoms; my brain could not understand simple concepts and follow

through with tasks requiring more than a minute of concentration.

> >

> > I decided to go out on a limb and try some different supplements.

> >

> > I tried Mucuna Pruriens (velvet bean) + green tea extract. Taken together,

at the same time, in the morning. The velvet bean contains a precursor to

dopamine. Its like taking a vitamin for your brain, but this vitamin helps you

main more dopamine naturally. The green tea extract taken along side of it

helps prevent some side effects of taking the velvet bean.

> >

> > It has been two months of consistent therapy with this herb velvet bean for

me, and I have finally after 5 years started to notice an improvement in my sex

drive and my motivation in general. At first I noticed I was interested in work

again and able to concentrate. Talking to people was easier, I could look them

in the eye and became more confident. Then I noticed at home, I would want to

have sex with my girlfriend more often. The dirty thoughts came back ... my sex

drive felt alive ... I was thinking of it more often than before starting this

herb. And finally, my erection strength returned somewhat. Not back to 100% of

what is was before, but maybe 80-90%.

> >

> > Anyway, my theory why all this worked for me? SSRI's, SNRI's do restore

serotonin in the brain, yes. But maybe they mess up the balance of your other

neurotransmitters. They set up a different chemical pattern in your brain, and

your brain just doesn't remember how its supposed to be in it's original state .

Feeding my brain more dopamine seems to stimulate my sex drive again and

stimulate me in general. Maybe I'm teaching my brain what it feels like again

to WANT, CRAVE, DESIRE, and FEEL PLEASURE again.

> >

> > So that's my three cents. Any one else try Mucuna Pruriens? Feedback?

Comments, questions?

> >

>

[Guest guest]

i think it is not only the mucuna that works. don't forget the green tea extract

which contains a lot of l-theanin!

i could imagine that l-theanin works stronger than mucuna but both together

seems to be interesting. has anybody tried l-theanin, mucuna and rhodiola at the

the same time?

on point could be also fine with all dopamin raising things: it can lower

hypertension and maybe lower triglycerids too.

> > >

> > > After reading a lot about your guys' and gals' stories, I want to share

mine. Not in the mood for a long-winded post, I want to share some experiences

and my recent partial success as succinctly as possible:

> > >

> > > - 5 years ago, hit major depression. Wanted to kill myself.

> > > - Went on venlafaxine (effexor).

> > > - Continued on for 2 years

> > > - During this depression, even without SNRI's, I lost ability to have sex.

Motivation was gone, feeling and sensitivity was gone. Erection ability was

deteriorated. Common symptoms.

> > > - During venlafaxine treatment, erection ability became almost completely

gone.

> > > - Stopped venlafaxine 3 years ago.

> > > - Out of depression for sure, but never quite the same as before.

> > >

> > > So for three years now I've been jumping from doctor to doctor to try and

figure out what the heck is wrong. A lot of them told me that I still have

depression. My serotonin levels tested normal. I even took tryptophan/5-HTP

but that did not help my sex drive or erections. I even bought Cialis and

Viagra from India (no prescription) and those pills only helped me maybe 10 or

20% of the time. The rest of the sexual situations I was in, it was like I was

stuck in a " what's the point of this " mindframe. With sex! That's totally

nuts, I told myself over and over again.

> > >

> > > I got my neurotransmitters tested. A lot of MD's will say this test is

dubious at best, but after 1000's of dollars I figured what the hell, I might as

well try it (through a naturopath)

> > >

> > > Well serotonin levels comes back just fine. However I was pretty low on

dopamine. You almost never hear about dopamine in sex drive from MD's. I had

my testosterone and other hormones checked out fine, but no one ever mentions

dopamine. In the literature dopamine is mentioned as a big motivator in rats

for sex to happen, as well as in humans. In fact, dopamine in general is a

motivator and concentration-enhancing neurotransmitter. Well in addition to

low and almost non-existent sex drive, I was having cognitive trouble at work

and ADD-like symptoms; my brain could not understand simple concepts and follow

through with tasks requiring more than a minute of concentration.

> > >

> > > I decided to go out on a limb and try some different supplements.

> > >

> > > I tried Mucuna Pruriens (velvet bean) + green tea extract. Taken

together, at the same time, in the morning. The velvet bean contains a

precursor to dopamine. Its like taking a vitamin for your brain, but this

vitamin helps you main more dopamine naturally. The green tea extract taken

along side of it helps prevent some side effects of taking the velvet bean.

> > >

> > > It has been two months of consistent therapy with this herb velvet bean

for me, and I have finally after 5 years started to notice an improvement in my

sex drive and my motivation in general. At first I noticed I was interested in

work again and able to concentrate. Talking to people was easier, I could look

them in the eye and became more confident. Then I noticed at home, I would want

to have sex with my girlfriend more often. The dirty thoughts came back ... my

sex drive felt alive ... I was thinking of it more often than before starting

this herb. And finally, my erection strength returned somewhat. Not back to

100% of what is was before, but maybe 80-90%.

> > >

> > > Anyway, my theory why all this worked for me? SSRI's, SNRI's do restore

serotonin in the brain, yes. But maybe they mess up the balance of your other

neurotransmitters. They set up a different chemical pattern in your brain, and

your brain just doesn't remember how its supposed to be in it's original state .

Feeding my brain more dopamine seems to stimulate my sex drive again and

stimulate me in general. Maybe I'm teaching my brain what it feels like again

to WANT, CRAVE, DESIRE, and FEEL PLEASURE again.

> > >

> > > So that's my three cents. Any one else try Mucuna Pruriens? Feedback?

Comments, questions?

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Wonderful success story! I'm very glad to hear it!

Yes, the stuff I'm taking has Mucuna Pruiens and green tea in (as well as many,

many, many other ingreadients), and I continue to have all kinds of

improvements.

>

> After reading a lot about your guys' and gals' stories, I want to share mine.

Not in the mood for a long-winded post, I want to share some experiences and my

recent partial success as succinctly as possible:

>

> - 5 years ago, hit major depression. Wanted to kill myself.

> - Went on venlafaxine (effexor).

> - Continued on for 2 years

> - During this depression, even without SNRI's, I lost ability to have sex.

Motivation was gone, feeling and sensitivity was gone. Erection ability was

deteriorated. Common symptoms.

> - During venlafaxine treatment, erection ability became almost completely

gone.

> - Stopped venlafaxine 3 years ago.

> - Out of depression for sure, but never quite the same as before.

>

> So for three years now I've been jumping from doctor to doctor to try and

figure out what the heck is wrong. A lot of them told me that I still have

depression. My serotonin levels tested normal. I even took tryptophan/5-HTP

but that did not help my sex drive or erections. I even bought Cialis and

Viagra from India (no prescription) and those pills only helped me maybe 10 or

20% of the time. The rest of the sexual situations I was in, it was like I was

stuck in a " what's the point of this " mindframe. With sex! That's totally

nuts, I told myself over and over again.

>

> I got my neurotransmitters tested. A lot of MD's will say this test is

dubious at best, but after 1000's of dollars I figured what the hell, I might as

well try it (through a naturopath)

>

> Well serotonin levels comes back just fine. However I was pretty low on

dopamine. You almost never hear about dopamine in sex drive from MD's. I had

my testosterone and other hormones checked out fine, but no one ever mentions

dopamine. In the literature dopamine is mentioned as a big motivator in rats

for sex to happen, as well as in humans. In fact, dopamine in general is a

motivator and concentration-enhancing neurotransmitter. Well in addition to

low and almost non-existent sex drive, I was having cognitive trouble at work

and ADD-like symptoms; my brain could not understand simple concepts and follow

through with tasks requiring more than a minute of concentration.

>

> I decided to go out on a limb and try some different supplements.

>

> I tried Mucuna Pruriens (velvet bean) + green tea extract. Taken together, at

the same time, in the morning. The velvet bean contains a precursor to

dopamine. Its like taking a vitamin for your brain, but this vitamin helps you

main more dopamine naturally. The green tea extract taken along side of it

helps prevent some side effects of taking the velvet bean.

>

> It has been two months of consistent therapy with this herb velvet bean for

me, and I have finally after 5 years started to notice an improvement in my sex

drive and my motivation in general. At first I noticed I was interested in work

again and able to concentrate. Talking to people was easier, I could look them

in the eye and became more confident. Then I noticed at home, I would want to

have sex with my girlfriend more often. The dirty thoughts came back ... my sex

drive felt alive ... I was thinking of it more often than before starting this

herb. And finally, my erection strength returned somewhat. Not back to 100% of

what is was before, but maybe 80-90%.

>

> Anyway, my theory why all this worked for me? SSRI's, SNRI's do restore

serotonin in the brain, yes. But maybe they mess up the balance of your other

neurotransmitters. They set up a different chemical pattern in your brain, and

your brain just doesn't remember how its supposed to be in it's original state .

Feeding my brain more dopamine seems to stimulate my sex drive again and

stimulate me in general. Maybe I'm teaching my brain what it feels like again

to WANT, CRAVE, DESIRE, and FEEL PLEASURE again.

>

> So that's my three cents. Any one else try Mucuna Pruriens? Feedback?

Comments, questions?

>

[Guest guest]

True true.

How do these two products look to you?

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DKIKX0DER

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013OQL0U/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8 & m=ATVP\

DKIKX0DER

> > > >

> > > > After reading a lot about your guys' and gals' stories, I want to share

mine. Not in the mood for a long-winded post, I want to share some experiences

and my recent partial success as succinctly as possible:

> > > >

> > > > - 5 years ago, hit major depression. Wanted to kill myself.

> > > > - Went on venlafaxine (effexor).

> > > > - Continued on for 2 years

> > > > - During this depression, even without SNRI's, I lost ability to have

sex. Motivation was gone, feeling and sensitivity was gone. Erection ability

was deteriorated. Common symptoms.

> > > > - During venlafaxine treatment, erection ability became almost

completely gone.

> > > > - Stopped venlafaxine 3 years ago.

> > > > - Out of depression for sure, but never quite the same as before.

> > > >

> > > > So for three years now I've been jumping from doctor to doctor to try

and figure out what the heck is wrong. A lot of them told me that I still have

depression. My serotonin levels tested normal. I even took tryptophan/5-HTP

but that did not help my sex drive or erections. I even bought Cialis and

Viagra from India (no prescription) and those pills only helped me maybe 10 or

20% of the time. The rest of the sexual situations I was in, it was like I was

stuck in a " what's the point of this " mindframe. With sex! That's totally

nuts, I told myself over and over again.

> > > >

> > > > I got my neurotransmitters tested. A lot of MD's will say this test is

dubious at best, but after 1000's of dollars I figured what the hell, I might as

well try it (through a naturopath)

> > > >

> > > > Well serotonin levels comes back just fine. However I was pretty low on

dopamine. You almost never hear about dopamine in sex drive from MD's. I had

my testosterone and other hormones checked out fine, but no one ever mentions

dopamine. In the literature dopamine is mentioned as a big motivator in rats

for sex to happen, as well as in humans. In fact, dopamine in general is a

motivator and concentration-enhancing neurotransmitter. Well in addition to

low and almost non-existent sex drive, I was having cognitive trouble at work

and ADD-like symptoms; my brain could not understand simple concepts and follow

through with tasks requiring more than a minute of concentration.

> > > >

> > > > I decided to go out on a limb and try some different supplements.

> > > >

> > > > I tried Mucuna Pruriens (velvet bean) + green tea extract. Taken

together, at the same time, in the morning. The velvet bean contains a

precursor to dopamine. Its like taking a vitamin for your brain, but this

vitamin helps you main more dopamine naturally. The green tea extract taken

along side of it helps prevent some side effects of taking the velvet bean.

> > > >

> > > > It has been two months of consistent therapy with this herb velvet bean

for me, and I have finally after 5 years started to notice an improvement in my

sex drive and my motivation in general. At first I noticed I was interested in

work again and able to concentrate. Talking to people was easier, I could look

them in the eye and became more confident. Then I noticed at home, I would want

to have sex with my girlfriend more often. The dirty thoughts came back ... my

sex drive felt alive ... I was thinking of it more often than before starting

this herb. And finally, my erection strength returned somewhat. Not back to

100% of what is was before, but maybe 80-90%.

> > > >

> > > > Anyway, my theory why all this worked for me? SSRI's, SNRI's do

restore serotonin in the brain, yes. But maybe they mess up the balance of your

other neurotransmitters. They set up a different chemical pattern in your

brain, and your brain just doesn't remember how its supposed to be in it's

original state . Feeding my brain more dopamine seems to stimulate my sex drive

again and stimulate me in general. Maybe I'm teaching my brain what it feels

like again to WANT, CRAVE, DESIRE, and FEEL PLEASURE again.

> > > >

> > > > So that's my three cents. Any one else try Mucuna Pruriens? Feedback?

Comments, questions?

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

The brand I am using is " Tattva's Herbs Organics Supercritical Mucuna Pruriens "

From Amazon.com, but it seems several online vendors carry this. The back of

the label says a bunch of stuff: 15% Phytosterols 57mg; Organic Mucuna PSE 50%

L-dopa 444mg; Organic Mucuna raw herb powder 2% L-dopa 444mg

http://tattvas-herbs-organics.amazonwebstore.com/Mucuna-Supercritcal-Extract-Cer\

tified-Organic-500/M/B002GUWGBS.htm?traffic_src=froogle & utm_medium=CSE & utm_sourc\

e=froogle

Its not the cheapest stuff, but it works for me.

I take one of these in the morning upon waking up + one green tea extract; then

another combo dose at around lunch.

I would also like to mention: I take breaks from this stuff. I do not want to

develop a tolerance. At the moment my protocol is to take one day a week off

.... and then every 4 weeks or so to take five days off in a row. Yeah, I tend

to crash a little bit during these 5 days but its worth it in the end. This

'cycling' is meant to prevent tolerance to a supplement.

Interested to see if this works for anyone else too, so let me know.

Also it should be cautioned, and I am no doctor so check with yours first: if

you're taking any other kind of dopamine agonist you probably shouldn't be taken

Mununa along with it. Common dopamine agonists are Ritalin, Wellbutrin,

medicines for narcolepsy, anti-Parkinson's medication, some other

anti-depressents. If in doubt consult your doctor.

> >

> > After reading a lot about your guys' and gals' stories, I want to share

mine. Not in the mood for a long-winded post, I want to share some experiences

and my recent partial success as succinctly as possible:

> >

> > - 5 years ago, hit major depression. Wanted to kill myself.

> > - Went on venlafaxine (effexor).

> > - Continued on for 2 years

> > - During this depression, even without SNRI's, I lost ability to have sex.

Motivation was gone, feeling and sensitivity was gone. Erection ability was

deteriorated. Common symptoms.

> > - During venlafaxine treatment, erection ability became almost completely

gone.

> > - Stopped venlafaxine 3 years ago.

> > - Out of depression for sure, but never quite the same as before.

> >

> > So for three years now I've been jumping from doctor to doctor to try and

figure out what the heck is wrong. A lot of them told me that I still have

depression. My serotonin levels tested normal. I even took tryptophan/5-HTP

but that did not help my sex drive or erections. I even bought Cialis and

Viagra from India (no prescription) and those pills only helped me maybe 10 or

20% of the time. The rest of the sexual situations I was in, it was like I was

stuck in a " what's the point of this " mindframe. With sex! That's totally

nuts, I told myself over and over again.

> >

> > I got my neurotransmitters tested. A lot of MD's will say this test is

dubious at best, but after 1000's of dollars I figured what the hell, I might as

well try it (through a naturopath)

> >

> > Well serotonin levels comes back just fine. However I was pretty low on

dopamine. You almost never hear about dopamine in sex drive from MD's. I had

my testosterone and other hormones checked out fine, but no one ever mentions

dopamine. In the literature dopamine is mentioned as a big motivator in rats

for sex to happen, as well as in humans. In fact, dopamine in general is a

motivator and concentration-enhancing neurotransmitter. Well in addition to

low and almost non-existent sex drive, I was having cognitive trouble at work

and ADD-like symptoms; my brain could not understand simple concepts and follow

through with tasks requiring more than a minute of concentration.

> >

> > I decided to go out on a limb and try some different supplements.

> >

> > I tried Mucuna Pruriens (velvet bean) + green tea extract. Taken together,

at the same time, in the morning. The velvet bean contains a precursor to

dopamine. Its like taking a vitamin for your brain, but this vitamin helps you

main more dopamine naturally. The green tea extract taken along side of it

helps prevent some side effects of taking the velvet bean.

> >

> > It has been two months of consistent therapy with this herb velvet bean for

me, and I have finally after 5 years started to notice an improvement in my sex

drive and my motivation in general. At first I noticed I was interested in work

again and able to concentrate. Talking to people was easier, I could look them

in the eye and became more confident. Then I noticed at home, I would want to

have sex with my girlfriend more often. The dirty thoughts came back ... my sex

drive felt alive ... I was thinking of it more often than before starting this

herb. And finally, my erection strength returned somewhat. Not back to 100% of

what is was before, but maybe 80-90%.

> >

> > Anyway, my theory why all this worked for me? SSRI's, SNRI's do restore

serotonin in the brain, yes. But maybe they mess up the balance of your other

neurotransmitters. They set up a different chemical pattern in your brain, and

your brain just doesn't remember how its supposed to be in it's original state .

Feeding my brain more dopamine seems to stimulate my sex drive again and

stimulate me in general. Maybe I'm teaching my brain what it feels like again

to WANT, CRAVE, DESIRE, and FEEL PLEASURE again.

> >

> > So that's my three cents. Any one else try Mucuna Pruriens? Feedback?

Comments, questions?

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Tattva's Herbs is the brand I've been using. Not the cheapest brand, but

according to my naturopath you get what you pay for with this one.

> > >

> > > After reading a lot about your guys' and gals' stories, I want to share

mine. Not in the mood for a long-winded post, I want to share some experiences

and my recent partial success as succinctly as possible:

> > >

> > > - 5 years ago, hit major depression. Wanted to kill myself.

> > > - Went on venlafaxine (effexor).

> > > - Continued on for 2 years

> > > - During this depression, even without SNRI's, I lost ability to have sex.

Motivation was gone, feeling and sensitivity was gone. Erection ability was

deteriorated. Common symptoms.

> > > - During venlafaxine treatment, erection ability became almost completely

gone.

> > > - Stopped venlafaxine 3 years ago.

> > > - Out of depression for sure, but never quite the same as before.

> > >

> > > So for three years now I've been jumping from doctor to doctor to try and

figure out what the heck is wrong. A lot of them told me that I still have

depression. My serotonin levels tested normal. I even took tryptophan/5-HTP

but that did not help my sex drive or erections. I even bought Cialis and

Viagra from India (no prescription) and those pills only helped me maybe 10 or

20% of the time. The rest of the sexual situations I was in, it was like I was

stuck in a " what's the point of this " mindframe. With sex! That's totally

nuts, I told myself over and over again.

> > >

> > > I got my neurotransmitters tested. A lot of MD's will say this test is

dubious at best, but after 1000's of dollars I figured what the hell, I might as

well try it (through a naturopath)

> > >

> > > Well serotonin levels comes back just fine. However I was pretty low on

dopamine. You almost never hear about dopamine in sex drive from MD's. I had

my testosterone and other hormones checked out fine, but no one ever mentions

dopamine. In the literature dopamine is mentioned as a big motivator in rats

for sex to happen, as well as in humans. In fact, dopamine in general is a

motivator and concentration-enhancing neurotransmitter. Well in addition to

low and almost non-existent sex drive, I was having cognitive trouble at work

and ADD-like symptoms; my brain could not understand simple concepts and follow

through with tasks requiring more than a minute of concentration.

> > >

> > > I decided to go out on a limb and try some different supplements.

> > >

> > > I tried Mucuna Pruriens (velvet bean) + green tea extract. Taken

together, at the same time, in the morning. The velvet bean contains a

precursor to dopamine. Its like taking a vitamin for your brain, but this

vitamin helps you main more dopamine naturally. The green tea extract taken

along side of it helps prevent some side effects of taking the velvet bean.

> > >

> > > It has been two months of consistent therapy with this herb velvet bean

for me, and I have finally after 5 years started to notice an improvement in my

sex drive and my motivation in general. At first I noticed I was interested in

work again and able to concentrate. Talking to people was easier, I could look

them in the eye and became more confident. Then I noticed at home, I would want

to have sex with my girlfriend more often. The dirty thoughts came back ... my

sex drive felt alive ... I was thinking of it more often than before starting

this herb. And finally, my erection strength returned somewhat. Not back to

100% of what is was before, but maybe 80-90%.

> > >

> > > Anyway, my theory why all this worked for me? SSRI's, SNRI's do restore

serotonin in the brain, yes. But maybe they mess up the balance of your other

neurotransmitters. They set up a different chemical pattern in your brain, and

your brain just doesn't remember how its supposed to be in it's original state .

Feeding my brain more dopamine seems to stimulate my sex drive again and

stimulate me in general. Maybe I'm teaching my brain what it feels like again

to WANT, CRAVE, DESIRE, and FEEL PLEASURE again.

> > >

> > > So that's my three cents. Any one else try Mucuna Pruriens? Feedback?

Comments, questions?

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

The back of the bottle on the Tattva's Herbs has a couple of numbers on it, and

I'm not sure which one is the important one. But here's the link:

http://tattvas-herbs-organics.amazonwebstore.com/Mucuna-Supercritcal-Extract-Cer\

tified-Organic-500/M/B002GUWGBS.htm?traffic_src=froogle & utm_medium=CSE & utm_sourc\

e=froogle

> > >

> > > After reading a lot about your guys' and gals' stories, I want to share

mine. Not in the mood for a long-winded post, I want to share some experiences

and my recent partial success as succinctly as possible:

> > >

> > > - 5 years ago, hit major depression. Wanted to kill myself.

> > > - Went on venlafaxine (effexor).

> > > - Continued on for 2 years

> > > - During this depression, even without SNRI's, I lost ability to have sex.

Motivation was gone, feeling and sensitivity was gone. Erection ability was

deteriorated. Common symptoms.

> > > - During venlafaxine treatment, erection ability became almost completely

gone.

> > > - Stopped venlafaxine 3 years ago.

> > > - Out of depression for sure, but never quite the same as before.

> > >

> > > So for three years now I've been jumping from doctor to doctor to try and

figure out what the heck is wrong. A lot of them told me that I still have

depression. My serotonin levels tested normal. I even took tryptophan/5-HTP

but that did not help my sex drive or erections. I even bought Cialis and

Viagra from India (no prescription) and those pills only helped me maybe 10 or

20% of the time. The rest of the sexual situations I was in, it was like I was

stuck in a " what's the point of this " mindframe. With sex! That's totally

nuts, I told myself over and over again.

> > >

> > > I got my neurotransmitters tested. A lot of MD's will say this test is

dubious at best, but after 1000's of dollars I figured what the hell, I might as

well try it (through a naturopath)

> > >

> > > Well serotonin levels comes back just fine. However I was pretty low on

dopamine. You almost never hear about dopamine in sex drive from MD's. I had

my testosterone and other hormones checked out fine, but no one ever mentions

dopamine. In the literature dopamine is mentioned as a big motivator in rats

for sex to happen, as well as in humans. In fact, dopamine in general is a

motivator and concentration-enhancing neurotransmitter. Well in addition to

low and almost non-existent sex drive, I was having cognitive trouble at work

and ADD-like symptoms; my brain could not understand simple concepts and follow

through with tasks requiring more than a minute of concentration.

> > >

> > > I decided to go out on a limb and try some different supplements.

> > >

> > > I tried Mucuna Pruriens (velvet bean) + green tea extract. Taken

together, at the same time, in the morning. The velvet bean contains a

precursor to dopamine. Its like taking a vitamin for your brain, but this

vitamin helps you main more dopamine naturally. The green tea extract taken

along side of it helps prevent some side effects of taking the velvet bean.

> > >

> > > It has been two months of consistent therapy with this herb velvet bean

for me, and I have finally after 5 years started to notice an improvement in my

sex drive and my motivation in general. At first I noticed I was interested in

work again and able to concentrate. Talking to people was easier, I could look

them in the eye and became more confident. Then I noticed at home, I would want

to have sex with my girlfriend more often. The dirty thoughts came back ... my

sex drive felt alive ... I was thinking of it more often than before starting

this herb. And finally, my erection strength returned somewhat. Not back to

100% of what is was before, but maybe 80-90%.

> > >

> > > Anyway, my theory why all this worked for me? SSRI's, SNRI's do restore

serotonin in the brain, yes. But maybe they mess up the balance of your other

neurotransmitters. They set up a different chemical pattern in your brain, and

your brain just doesn't remember how its supposed to be in it's original state .

Feeding my brain more dopamine seems to stimulate my sex drive again and

stimulate me in general. Maybe I'm teaching my brain what it feels like again

to WANT, CRAVE, DESIRE, and FEEL PLEASURE again.

> > >

> > > So that's my three cents. Any one else try Mucuna Pruriens? Feedback?

Comments, questions?

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Here's my opinion on prices of supplements:

If I'm trying something for the first time ever, I'm going to buy the highest

quality one I can find. So there's a bottle of 90 caps for $10 ... and

there's a bottle of 60 caps for $30. The first one sounds like a better deal,

right?

Well, my rationale with going more expensive is: If I start with something

that is cheaper or less quality, it might work or it might not. If it does not

work, then I throw away the bottle and say to myself " Oh, it didn't work for me

.... I'll never bother with that one again. " But I could never be sure if it

was the brand/formulation/potency that was the source of of my dissatisfaction,

or if it was just the herb irrespective of price or quality.

If I start with the highest quality herb I can find (which is usually the

highest price), then I can be more sure that the results I am getting or not

getting are the result of the actual substance and not the

potency/formulation/preparation of it. You see what I'm getting at?

If the high-price stuff works with me, then I know that the herb or supplement

is worth pursuing with further investigation. In that case I'll try a cheaper

brand until I find one that still works. If I had started with the cheaper

brand that maybe didn't work, I would have discounted the value of stuff

altogether, when maybe it was just the potency or preparation method of the herb

that caused it to not work.

For the record, I've never tried a different brand of Mucuna. But after writing

this I might go cheaper and see if different brands/potency still give the same

effect, like this NOW brand.

Also for the record, this is just my opinion on it. I realize that maybe some

companies are fleecing us in the herb/supplements market, and the

dollar-to-value correlation might just be some psychological construct in my

mind to make myself happy. But I'll accept that foible for the time being, and

continue trying to live life to the fullest in any way I can.

> > > > >

> > > > > After reading a lot about your guys' and gals' stories, I want to

share mine. Not in the mood for a long-winded post, I want to share some

experiences and my recent partial success as succinctly as possible:

> > > > >

> > > > > - 5 years ago, hit major depression. Wanted to kill myself.

> > > > > - Went on venlafaxine (effexor).

> > > > > - Continued on for 2 years

> > > > > - During this depression, even without SNRI's, I lost ability to have

sex. Motivation was gone, feeling and sensitivity was gone. Erection ability

was deteriorated. Common symptoms.

> > > > > - During venlafaxine treatment, erection ability became almost

completely gone.

> > > > > - Stopped venlafaxine 3 years ago.

> > > > > - Out of depression for sure, but never quite the same as before.

> > > > >

> > > > > So for three years now I've been jumping from doctor to doctor to try

and figure out what the heck is wrong. A lot of them told me that I still have

depression. My serotonin levels tested normal. I even took tryptophan/5-HTP

but that did not help my sex drive or erections. I even bought Cialis and

Viagra from India (no prescription) and those pills only helped me maybe 10 or

20% of the time. The rest of the sexual situations I was in, it was like I was

stuck in a " what's the point of this " mindframe. With sex! That's totally

nuts, I told myself over and over again.

> > > > >

> > > > > I got my neurotransmitters tested. A lot of MD's will say this test

is dubious at best, but after 1000's of dollars I figured what the hell, I might

as well try it (through a naturopath)

> > > > >

> > > > > Well serotonin levels comes back just fine. However I was pretty low

on dopamine. You almost never hear about dopamine in sex drive from MD's. I

had my testosterone and other hormones checked out fine, but no one ever

mentions dopamine. In the literature dopamine is mentioned as a big motivator

in rats for sex to happen, as well as in humans. In fact, dopamine in general

is a motivator and concentration-enhancing neurotransmitter. Well in addition

to low and almost non-existent sex drive, I was having cognitive trouble at work

and ADD-like symptoms; my brain could not understand simple concepts and follow

through with tasks requiring more than a minute of concentration.

> > > > >

> > > > > I decided to go out on a limb and try some different supplements.

> > > > >

> > > > > I tried Mucuna Pruriens (velvet bean) + green tea extract. Taken

together, at the same time, in the morning. The velvet bean contains a

precursor to dopamine. Its like taking a vitamin for your brain, but this

vitamin helps you main more dopamine naturally. The green tea extract taken

along side of it helps prevent some side effects of taking the velvet bean.

> > > > >

> > > > > It has been two months of consistent therapy with this herb velvet

bean for me, and I have finally after 5 years started to notice an improvement

in my sex drive and my motivation in general. At first I noticed I was

interested in work again and able to concentrate. Talking to people was easier,

I could look them in the eye and became more confident. Then I noticed at home,

I would want to have sex with my girlfriend more often. The dirty thoughts came

back ... my sex drive felt alive ... I was thinking of it more often than before

starting this herb. And finally, my erection strength returned somewhat. Not

back to 100% of what is was before, but maybe 80-90%.

> > > > >

> > > > > Anyway, my theory why all this worked for me? SSRI's, SNRI's do

restore serotonin in the brain, yes. But maybe they mess up the balance of your

other neurotransmitters. They set up a different chemical pattern in your

brain, and your brain just doesn't remember how its supposed to be in it's

original state . Feeding my brain more dopamine seems to stimulate my sex drive

again and stimulate me in general. Maybe I'm teaching my brain what it feels

like again to WANT, CRAVE, DESIRE, and FEEL PLEASURE again.

> > > > >

> > > > > So that's my three cents. Any one else try Mucuna Pruriens?

Feedback? Comments, questions?

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Dopamine agonists/SNRIs will not work, at least in the long-run for two reasons:

a) SSRIs do not work on the dopamine passageways (no studies showing dopamine

downregulation)

EVEN if a) were true, and you were hypothetically " low " on dopamine either due

to lower receptor count or decreased sensitivity of the receptors, it would

probably further downregulate (get rid of/desensitize) the dopamine receptors,

meaning that unless you plan on taking a dopamine agonist for the rest of your

life, there is no point in taking it (unless for short-term gains). I would

suggest inositol as it increases the d2 receptor count

(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11267629), meaning your body will NATURALLY

be able to produce more in the long run.

> > > >

> > > > After reading a lot about your guys' and gals' stories, I want to share

mine. Not in the mood for a long-winded post, I want to share some experiences

and my recent partial success as succinctly as possible:

> > > >

> > > > - 5 years ago, hit major depression. Wanted to kill myself.

> > > > - Went on venlafaxine (effexor).

> > > > - Continued on for 2 years

> > > > - During this depression, even without SNRI's, I lost ability to have

sex. Motivation was gone, feeling and sensitivity was gone. Erection ability

was deteriorated. Common symptoms.

> > > > - During venlafaxine treatment, erection ability became almost

completely gone.

> > > > - Stopped venlafaxine 3 years ago.

> > > > - Out of depression for sure, but never quite the same as before.

> > > >

> > > > So for three years now I've been jumping from doctor to doctor to try

and figure out what the heck is wrong. A lot of them told me that I still have

depression. My serotonin levels tested normal. I even took tryptophan/5-HTP

but that did not help my sex drive or erections. I even bought Cialis and

Viagra from India (no prescription) and those pills only helped me maybe 10 or

20% of the time. The rest of the sexual situations I was in, it was like I was

stuck in a " what's the point of this " mindframe. With sex! That's totally

nuts, I told myself over and over again.

> > > >

> > > > I got my neurotransmitters tested. A lot of MD's will say this test is

dubious at best, but after 1000's of dollars I figured what the hell, I might as

well try it (through a naturopath)

> > > >

> > > > Well serotonin levels comes back just fine. However I was pretty low on

dopamine. You almost never hear about dopamine in sex drive from MD's. I had

my testosterone and other hormones checked out fine, but no one ever mentions

dopamine. In the literature dopamine is mentioned as a big motivator in rats

for sex to happen, as well as in humans. In fact, dopamine in general is a

motivator and concentration-enhancing neurotransmitter. Well in addition to

low and almost non-existent sex drive, I was having cognitive trouble at work

and ADD-like symptoms; my brain could not understand simple concepts and follow

through with tasks requiring more than a minute of concentration.

> > > >

> > > > I decided to go out on a limb and try some different supplements.

> > > >

> > > > I tried Mucuna Pruriens (velvet bean) + green tea extract. Taken

together, at the same time, in the morning. The velvet bean contains a

precursor to dopamine. Its like taking a vitamin for your brain, but this

vitamin helps you main more dopamine naturally. The green tea extract taken

along side of it helps prevent some side effects of taking the velvet bean.

> > > >

> > > > It has been two months of consistent therapy with this herb velvet bean

for me, and I have finally after 5 years started to notice an improvement in my

sex drive and my motivation in general. At first I noticed I was interested in

work again and able to concentrate. Talking to people was easier, I could look

them in the eye and became more confident. Then I noticed at home, I would want

to have sex with my girlfriend more often. The dirty thoughts came back ... my

sex drive felt alive ... I was thinking of it more often than before starting

this herb. And finally, my erection strength returned somewhat. Not back to

100% of what is was before, but maybe 80-90%.

> > > >

> > > > Anyway, my theory why all this worked for me? SSRI's, SNRI's do

restore serotonin in the brain, yes. But maybe they mess up the balance of your

other neurotransmitters. They set up a different chemical pattern in your

brain, and your brain just doesn't remember how its supposed to be in it's

original state . Feeding my brain more dopamine seems to stimulate my sex drive

again and stimulate me in general. Maybe I'm teaching my brain what it feels

like again to WANT, CRAVE, DESIRE, and FEEL PLEASURE again.

> > > >

> > > > So that's my three cents. Any one else try Mucuna Pruriens? Feedback?

Comments, questions?

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I am in agreement with the theory that mucuna pruriens might not be a long term

solution. I seems reasonable that supplementing with a substance that converts

to dopamine may downconvert the body's natural production.

That said, I too experienced pleasurable results from taking mucuna pruriens a

bit last year and earlier this year. I found that it was very fast acting but

very short lived. I took it at night, before I went to bed, to also maximize

any potential growth hormone influences, as well as to enjoy the enhanced

dreaming that seemed to occur on the supplement.

But I am wary of the body downregulating natural dopamine production.

It would be great if it worked the opposite way, though. For instance, maybe

the body becomes used to higher levels of dopamine when taking mucuna pruriens,

and when one stops taking the supplement, the body senses the loss of dopamine

and upregulates its' own production to try to raise dopamine levels to the what

it was used to when taking the supplement.

I want to add that for the first time in 4 years (My pssd and associated

symptoms are since the beginning of 2007), I have had my orgasm enhanced-the

contractions are twice as strong as they have been when at their best in the

last 4 years, although this is still maybe 40%, at best, of what they were like

pre-pssd.

I have experienced this taking 2 supplements; Vitamin B6 (P5P version), along

with chromium picolinate. I have been taking these for the better part of two

weeks. The best experience came after adding the chromium. Chromium is a

proven treatment for atypical depression (which some pssd symptoms seem to be,

to me) and B6 is important in neurotransmitter synthesis.

Some may find that info worth investigating. At some point I'll stop taking one

to see how I feel, and then I'll stop the other to determine if the benefits are

short lived or longer lasting. Who knows, maybe I'll even re-add mucuna

pruriens to see the effects of that one.

> > > > >

> > > > > After reading a lot about your guys' and gals' stories, I want to

share mine. Not in the mood for a long-winded post, I want to share some

experiences and my recent partial success as succinctly as possible:

> > > > >

> > > > > - 5 years ago, hit major depression. Wanted to kill myself.

> > > > > - Went on venlafaxine (effexor).

> > > > > - Continued on for 2 years

> > > > > - During this depression, even without SNRI's, I lost ability to have

sex. Motivation was gone, feeling and sensitivity was gone. Erection ability

was deteriorated. Common symptoms.

> > > > > - During venlafaxine treatment, erection ability became almost

completely gone.

> > > > > - Stopped venlafaxine 3 years ago.

> > > > > - Out of depression for sure, but never quite the same as before.

> > > > >

> > > > > So for three years now I've been jumping from doctor to doctor to try

and figure out what the heck is wrong. A lot of them told me that I still have

depression. My serotonin levels tested normal. I even took tryptophan/5-HTP

but that did not help my sex drive or erections. I even bought Cialis and

Viagra from India (no prescription) and those pills only helped me maybe 10 or

20% of the time. The rest of the sexual situations I was in, it was like I was

stuck in a " what's the point of this " mindframe. With sex! That's totally

nuts, I told myself over and over again.

> > > > >

> > > > > I got my neurotransmitters tested. A lot of MD's will say this test

is dubious at best, but after 1000's of dollars I figured what the hell, I might

as well try it (through a naturopath)

> > > > >

> > > > > Well serotonin levels comes back just fine. However I was pretty low

on dopamine. You almost never hear about dopamine in sex drive from MD's. I

had my testosterone and other hormones checked out fine, but no one ever

mentions dopamine. In the literature dopamine is mentioned as a big motivator

in rats for sex to happen, as well as in humans. In fact, dopamine in general

is a motivator and concentration-enhancing neurotransmitter. Well in addition

to low and almost non-existent sex drive, I was having cognitive trouble at work

and ADD-like symptoms; my brain could not understand simple concepts and follow

through with tasks requiring more than a minute of concentration.

> > > > >

> > > > > I decided to go out on a limb and try some different supplements.

> > > > >

> > > > > I tried Mucuna Pruriens (velvet bean) + green tea extract. Taken

together, at the same time, in the morning. The velvet bean contains a

precursor to dopamine. Its like taking a vitamin for your brain, but this

vitamin helps you main more dopamine naturally. The green tea extract taken

along side of it helps prevent some side effects of taking the velvet bean.

> > > > >

> > > > > It has been two months of consistent therapy with this herb velvet

bean for me, and I have finally after 5 years started to notice an improvement

in my sex drive and my motivation in general. At first I noticed I was

interested in work again and able to concentrate. Talking to people was easier,

I could look them in the eye and became more confident. Then I noticed at home,

I would want to have sex with my girlfriend more often. The dirty thoughts came

back ... my sex drive felt alive ... I was thinking of it more often than before

starting this herb. And finally, my erection strength returned somewhat. Not

back to 100% of what is was before, but maybe 80-90%.

> > > > >

> > > > > Anyway, my theory why all this worked for me? SSRI's, SNRI's do

restore serotonin in the brain, yes. But maybe they mess up the balance of your

other neurotransmitters. They set up a different chemical pattern in your

brain, and your brain just doesn't remember how its supposed to be in it's

original state . Feeding my brain more dopamine seems to stimulate my sex drive

again and stimulate me in general. Maybe I'm teaching my brain what it feels

like again to WANT, CRAVE, DESIRE, and FEEL PLEASURE again.

> > > > >

> > > > > So that's my three cents. Any one else try Mucuna Pruriens?

Feedback? Comments, questions?

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Note that Mucuna Pruriens is not a dopamine agonist but rather a precursor to

the natural production of dopamine. It feeds the appropriate amino acids

necessary to make dopamine on your own. A dopamine agonist is something that

messes with your receptors. 5hpt is a natural precursor to the production of

Serotonin. SSRI's are not. They mess, unnaturally, with the receptors &

uptake. Based on the theory of amino acid therapy if you feed the right aminos,

IN A BALANCED WAY, your body will manufacture the proper neurotransmitters in a

proper balance. (Only someone knowledgable in using the aminos knows how to

properly custom balance them to each individual -- such as an MD or

Naturalpath.) The problems are supposed to be that if you take only dopamine or

only serotonin precursors then you risk inbalancing the other and you eventually

lose the benefits. Both have to be in balance at the same time -- no too high

or too low.

> > > > >

> > > > > After reading a lot about your guys' and gals' stories, I want to

share mine. Not in the mood for a long-winded post, I want to share some

experiences and my recent partial success as succinctly as possible:

> > > > >

> > > > > - 5 years ago, hit major depression. Wanted to kill myself.

> > > > > - Went on venlafaxine (effexor).

> > > > > - Continued on for 2 years

> > > > > - During this depression, even without SNRI's, I lost ability to have

sex. Motivation was gone, feeling and sensitivity was gone. Erection ability

was deteriorated. Common symptoms.

> > > > > - During venlafaxine treatment, erection ability became almost

completely gone.

> > > > > - Stopped venlafaxine 3 years ago.

> > > > > - Out of depression for sure, but never quite the same as before.

> > > > >

> > > > > So for three years now I've been jumping from doctor to doctor to try

and figure out what the heck is wrong. A lot of them told me that I still have

depression. My serotonin levels tested normal. I even took tryptophan/5-HTP

but that did not help my sex drive or erections. I even bought Cialis and

Viagra from India (no prescription) and those pills only helped me maybe 10 or

20% of the time. The rest of the sexual situations I was in, it was like I was

stuck in a " what's the point of this " mindframe. With sex! That's totally

nuts, I told myself over and over again.

> > > > >

> > > > > I got my neurotransmitters tested. A lot of MD's will say this test

is dubious at best, but after 1000's of dollars I figured what the hell, I might

as well try it (through a naturopath)

> > > > >

> > > > > Well serotonin levels comes back just fine. However I was pretty low

on dopamine. You almost never hear about dopamine in sex drive from MD's. I

had my testosterone and other hormones checked out fine, but no one ever

mentions dopamine. In the literature dopamine is mentioned as a big motivator

in rats for sex to happen, as well as in humans. In fact, dopamine in general

is a motivator and concentration-enhancing neurotransmitter. Well in addition

to low and almost non-existent sex drive, I was having cognitive trouble at work

and ADD-like symptoms; my brain could not understand simple concepts and follow

through with tasks requiring more than a minute of concentration.

> > > > >

> > > > > I decided to go out on a limb and try some different supplements.

> > > > >

> > > > > I tried Mucuna Pruriens (velvet bean) + green tea extract. Taken

together, at the same time, in the morning. The velvet bean contains a

precursor to dopamine. Its like taking a vitamin for your brain, but this

vitamin helps you main more dopamine naturally. The green tea extract taken

along side of it helps prevent some side effects of taking the velvet bean.

> > > > >

> > > > > It has been two months of consistent therapy with this herb velvet

bean for me, and I have finally after 5 years started to notice an improvement

in my sex drive and my motivation in general. At first I noticed I was

interested in work again and able to concentrate. Talking to people was easier,

I could look them in the eye and became more confident. Then I noticed at home,

I would want to have sex with my girlfriend more often. The dirty thoughts came

back ... my sex drive felt alive ... I was thinking of it more often than before

starting this herb. And finally, my erection strength returned somewhat. Not

back to 100% of what is was before, but maybe 80-90%.

> > > > >

> > > > > Anyway, my theory why all this worked for me? SSRI's, SNRI's do

restore serotonin in the brain, yes. But maybe they mess up the balance of your

other neurotransmitters. They set up a different chemical pattern in your

brain, and your brain just doesn't remember how its supposed to be in it's

original state . Feeding my brain more dopamine seems to stimulate my sex drive

again and stimulate me in general. Maybe I'm teaching my brain what it feels

like again to WANT, CRAVE, DESIRE, and FEEL PLEASURE again.

> > > > >

> > > > > So that's my three cents. Any one else try Mucuna Pruriens?

Feedback? Comments, questions?

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Great post, Kristian, I too am concerned about anything that chronically

boost neurotransmitters (well, except Tea, prehaps). I took Rosea Rhosea

for 7 weeks a few years back and it was the best antidpressant I had

ever tried. But is stopped working in the end and I have never been able

to get it to work again, despite howe many months I go without it for,

so I fear I may have permantly down regulated even more receptors.

Anyway, don't let me put anyone off, I have GAD and can sometimes get

too concerened about things, i.e, I'm pretty sure Rosea is safe on the

whole, and there is some other reason why it doesn't work for me

anymore.

It is possible that up regulating neaurotransmitters with a safe nerb

could bring about lasting relief for some people by boosting new neuron

growth, it's all about risk, but don't take big risks, like taking more

pharmaceuaticals.

Kaivey

> > > > > >

> > > > > > After reading a lot about your guys' and gals' stories, I

want to share mine. Not in the mood for a long-winded post, I want to

share some experiences and my recent partial success as succinctly as

possible:

> > > > > >

> > > > > > - 5 years ago, hit major depression. Wanted to kill myself.

> > > > > > - Went on venlafaxine (effexor).

> > > > > > - Continued on for 2 years

> > > > > > - During this depression, even without SNRI's, I lost

ability to have sex. Motivation was gone, feeling and sensitivity was

gone. Erection ability was deteriorated. Common symptoms.

> > > > > > - During venlafaxine treatment, erection ability became

almost completely gone.

> > > > > > - Stopped venlafaxine 3 years ago.

> > > > > > - Out of depression for sure, but never quite the same as

before.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > So for three years now I've been jumping from doctor to

doctor to try and figure out what the heck is wrong. A lot of them told

me that I still have depression. My serotonin levels tested normal. I

even took tryptophan/5-HTP but that did not help my sex drive or

erections. I even bought Cialis and Viagra from India (no prescription)

and those pills only helped me maybe 10 or 20% of the time. The rest of

the sexual situations I was in, it was like I was stuck in a " what's the

point of this " mindframe. With sex! That's totally nuts, I told myself

over and over again.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > I got my neurotransmitters tested. A lot of MD's will say

this test is dubious at best, but after 1000's of dollars I figured what

the hell, I might as well try it (through a naturopath)

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Well serotonin levels comes back just fine. However I was

pretty low on dopamine. You almost never hear about dopamine in sex

drive from MD's. I had my testosterone and other hormones checked out

fine, but no one ever mentions dopamine. In the literature dopamine is

mentioned as a big motivator in rats for sex to happen, as well as in

humans. In fact, dopamine in general is a motivator and

concentration-enhancing neurotransmitter. Well in addition to low and

almost non-existent sex drive, I was having cognitive trouble at work

and ADD-like symptoms; my brain could not understand simple concepts and

follow through with tasks requiring more than a minute of concentration.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > I decided to go out on a limb and try some different

supplements.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > I tried Mucuna Pruriens (velvet bean) + green tea extract.

Taken together, at the same time, in the morning. The velvet bean

contains a precursor to dopamine. Its like taking a vitamin for your

brain, but this vitamin helps you main more dopamine naturally. The

green tea extract taken along side of it helps prevent some side effects

of taking the velvet bean.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > It has been two months of consistent therapy with this herb

velvet bean for me, and I have finally after 5 years started to notice

an improvement in my sex drive and my motivation in general. At first I

noticed I was interested in work again and able to concentrate. Talking

to people was easier, I could look them in the eye and became more

confident. Then I noticed at home, I would want to have sex with my

girlfriend more often. The dirty thoughts came back ... my sex drive

felt alive ... I was thinking of it more often than before starting this

herb. And finally, my erection strength returned somewhat. Not back to

100% of what is was before, but maybe 80-90%.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Anyway, my theory why all this worked for me? SSRI's, SNRI's

do restore serotonin in the brain, yes. But maybe they mess up the

balance of your other neurotransmitters. They set up a different

chemical pattern in your brain, and your brain just doesn't remember how

its supposed to be in it's original state . Feeding my brain more

dopamine seems to stimulate my sex drive again and stimulate me in

general. Maybe I'm teaching my brain what it feels like again to WANT,

CRAVE, DESIRE, and FEEL PLEASURE again.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > So that's my three cents. Any one else try Mucuna Pruriens?

Feedback? Comments, questions?

> > > > > >

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I thought I might have come across as a bit of a killjoy in my last post so

below is what I trying right now.

At the moment I am taking Ashwaganda (a mildly sedative herb and adaptogen) and

Seriphos, which lowers cortisol and aids sleep. No doubt my body will try to

counter the effects of these supplements but in the short term they may lower

some stress and help with sleep. I'm hoping that they will help break the cycle

of stress leading to more distress and then more poor sleep which then causes

even more stress. With a bit of luck I might heal enought to be able to give up

the supplements. After that I'm hoping that good sleep and sufficient exercise

will heal my brain from PSSD.

So I am taking a small risk too, but herbs are a tiny risk, or probably no risk

at all, really. I aslo take 500 microgramms of chromium picolinate a day to help

with food carb cravings. It seems to work.

Kaivey

> > > > > >

> > > > > > After reading a lot about your guys' and gals' stories, I want to

share mine. Not in the mood for a long-winded post, I want to share some

experiences and my recent partial success as succinctly as possible:

> > > > > >

> > > > > > - 5 years ago, hit major depression. Wanted to kill myself.

> > > > > > - Went on venlafaxine (effexor).

> > > > > > - Continued on for 2 years

> > > > > > - During this depression, even without SNRI's, I lost ability to

have sex. Motivation was gone, feeling and sensitivity was gone. Erection

ability was deteriorated. Common symptoms.

> > > > > > - During venlafaxine treatment, erection ability became almost

completely gone.

> > > > > > - Stopped venlafaxine 3 years ago.

> > > > > > - Out of depression for sure, but never quite the same as before.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > So for three years now I've been jumping from doctor to doctor to

try and figure out what the heck is wrong. A lot of them told me that I still

have depression. My serotonin levels tested normal. I even took

tryptophan/5-HTP but that did not help my sex drive or erections. I even bought

Cialis and Viagra from India (no prescription) and those pills only helped me

maybe 10 or 20% of the time. The rest of the sexual situations I was in, it was

like I was stuck in a " what's the point of this " mindframe. With sex! That's

totally nuts, I told myself over and over again.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > I got my neurotransmitters tested. A lot of MD's will say this

test is dubious at best, but after 1000's of dollars I figured what the hell, I

might as well try it (through a naturopath)

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Well serotonin levels comes back just fine. However I was pretty

low on dopamine. You almost never hear about dopamine in sex drive from MD's.

I had my testosterone and other hormones checked out fine, but no one ever

mentions dopamine. In the literature dopamine is mentioned as a big motivator

in rats for sex to happen, as well as in humans. In fact, dopamine in general

is a motivator and concentration-enhancing neurotransmitter. Well in addition

to low and almost non-existent sex drive, I was having cognitive trouble at work

and ADD-like symptoms; my brain could not understand simple concepts and follow

through with tasks requiring more than a minute of concentration.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > I decided to go out on a limb and try some different supplements.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > I tried Mucuna Pruriens (velvet bean) + green tea extract. Taken

together, at the same time, in the morning. The velvet bean contains a

precursor to dopamine. Its like taking a vitamin for your brain, but this

vitamin helps you main more dopamine naturally. The green tea extract taken

along side of it helps prevent some side effects of taking the velvet bean.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > It has been two months of consistent therapy with this herb velvet

bean for me, and I have finally after 5 years started to notice an improvement

in my sex drive and my motivation in general. At first I noticed I was

interested in work again and able to concentrate. Talking to people was easier,

I could look them in the eye and became more confident. Then I noticed at home,

I would want to have sex with my girlfriend more often. The dirty thoughts came

back ... my sex drive felt alive ... I was thinking of it more often than before

starting this herb. And finally, my erection strength returned somewhat. Not

back to 100% of what is was before, but maybe 80-90%.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Anyway, my theory why all this worked for me? SSRI's, SNRI's do

restore serotonin in the brain, yes. But maybe they mess up the balance of your

other neurotransmitters. They set up a different chemical pattern in your

brain, and your brain just doesn't remember how its supposed to be in it's

original state . Feeding my brain more dopamine seems to stimulate my sex drive

again and stimulate me in general. Maybe I'm teaching my brain what it feels

like again to WANT, CRAVE, DESIRE, and FEEL PLEASURE again.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > So that's my three cents. Any one else try Mucuna Pruriens?

Feedback? Comments, questions?

> > > > > >

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I suppose in terms of overall levels you may be able to restore some sort of

balance, but once again this will be negated in the long term by the fact that

your neurotransmitters will downregulate. Even in the best case scenario where

there is no downregulation of receptors (assuming that your neurotransmitter

function never peaks above homeostasis), your receptor count/sensitization of

those receptors are still not to what it was pre-med, hence upon discontinuation

of these medications, you'll still feel the same.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > After reading a lot about your guys' and gals' stories, I want to

share mine. Not in the mood for a long-winded post, I want to share some

experiences and my recent partial success as succinctly as possible:

> > > > > >

> > > > > > - 5 years ago, hit major depression. Wanted to kill myself.

> > > > > > - Went on venlafaxine (effexor).

> > > > > > - Continued on for 2 years

> > > > > > - During this depression, even without SNRI's, I lost ability to

have sex. Motivation was gone, feeling and sensitivity was gone. Erection

ability was deteriorated. Common symptoms.

> > > > > > - During venlafaxine treatment, erection ability became almost

completely gone.

> > > > > > - Stopped venlafaxine 3 years ago.

> > > > > > - Out of depression for sure, but never quite the same as before.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > So for three years now I've been jumping from doctor to doctor to

try and figure out what the heck is wrong. A lot of them told me that I still

have depression. My serotonin levels tested normal. I even took

tryptophan/5-HTP but that did not help my sex drive or erections. I even bought

Cialis and Viagra from India (no prescription) and those pills only helped me

maybe 10 or 20% of the time. The rest of the sexual situations I was in, it was

like I was stuck in a " what's the point of this " mindframe. With sex! That's

totally nuts, I told myself over and over again.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > I got my neurotransmitters tested. A lot of MD's will say this

test is dubious at best, but after 1000's of dollars I figured what the hell, I

might as well try it (through a naturopath)

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Well serotonin levels comes back just fine. However I was pretty

low on dopamine. You almost never hear about dopamine in sex drive from MD's.

I had my testosterone and other hormones checked out fine, but no one ever

mentions dopamine. In the literature dopamine is mentioned as a big motivator

in rats for sex to happen, as well as in humans. In fact, dopamine in general

is a motivator and concentration-enhancing neurotransmitter. Well in addition

to low and almost non-existent sex drive, I was having cognitive trouble at work

and ADD-like symptoms; my brain could not understand simple concepts and follow

through with tasks requiring more than a minute of concentration.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > I decided to go out on a limb and try some different supplements.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > I tried Mucuna Pruriens (velvet bean) + green tea extract. Taken

together, at the same time, in the morning. The velvet bean contains a

precursor to dopamine. Its like taking a vitamin for your brain, but this

vitamin helps you main more dopamine naturally. The green tea extract taken

along side of it helps prevent some side effects of taking the velvet bean.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > It has been two months of consistent therapy with this herb velvet

bean for me, and I have finally after 5 years started to notice an improvement

in my sex drive and my motivation in general. At first I noticed I was

interested in work again and able to concentrate. Talking to people was easier,

I could look them in the eye and became more confident. Then I noticed at home,

I would want to have sex with my girlfriend more often. The dirty thoughts came

back ... my sex drive felt alive ... I was thinking of it more often than before

starting this herb. And finally, my erection strength returned somewhat. Not

back to 100% of what is was before, but maybe 80-90%.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Anyway, my theory why all this worked for me? SSRI's, SNRI's do

restore serotonin in the brain, yes. But maybe they mess up the balance of your

other neurotransmitters. They set up a different chemical pattern in your

brain, and your brain just doesn't remember how its supposed to be in it's

original state . Feeding my brain more dopamine seems to stimulate my sex drive

again and stimulate me in general. Maybe I'm teaching my brain what it feels

like again to WANT, CRAVE, DESIRE, and FEEL PLEASURE again.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > So that's my three cents. Any one else try Mucuna Pruriens?

Feedback? Comments, questions?

> > > > > >

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

How long did it take you to start seeing improvements on the Mucana?

> > >

> > > After reading a lot about your guys' and gals' stories, I want to share

mine. Not in the mood for a long-winded post, I want to share some experiences

and my recent partial success as succinctly as possible:

> > >

> > > - 5 years ago, hit major depression. Wanted to kill myself.

> > > - Went on venlafaxine (effexor).

> > > - Continued on for 2 years

> > > - During this depression, even without SNRI's, I lost ability to have sex.

Motivation was gone, feeling and sensitivity was gone. Erection ability was

deteriorated. Common symptoms.

> > > - During venlafaxine treatment, erection ability became almost completely

gone.

> > > - Stopped venlafaxine 3 years ago.

> > > - Out of depression for sure, but never quite the same as before.

> > >

> > > So for three years now I've been jumping from doctor to doctor to try and

figure out what the heck is wrong. A lot of them told me that I still have

depression. My serotonin levels tested normal. I even took tryptophan/5-HTP

but that did not help my sex drive or erections. I even bought Cialis and

Viagra from India (no prescription) and those pills only helped me maybe 10 or

20% of the time. The rest of the sexual situations I was in, it was like I was

stuck in a " what's the point of this " mindframe. With sex! That's totally

nuts, I told myself over and over again.

> > >

> > > I got my neurotransmitters tested. A lot of MD's will say this test is

dubious at best, but after 1000's of dollars I figured what the hell, I might as

well try it (through a naturopath)

> > >

> > > Well serotonin levels comes back just fine. However I was pretty low on

dopamine. You almost never hear about dopamine in sex drive from MD's. I had

my testosterone and other hormones checked out fine, but no one ever mentions

dopamine. In the literature dopamine is mentioned as a big motivator in rats

for sex to happen, as well as in humans. In fact, dopamine in general is a

motivator and concentration-enhancing neurotransmitter. Well in addition to

low and almost non-existent sex drive, I was having cognitive trouble at work

and ADD-like symptoms; my brain could not understand simple concepts and follow

through with tasks requiring more than a minute of concentration.

> > >

> > > I decided to go out on a limb and try some different supplements.

> > >

> > > I tried Mucuna Pruriens (velvet bean) + green tea extract. Taken

together, at the same time, in the morning. The velvet bean contains a

precursor to dopamine. Its like taking a vitamin for your brain, but this

vitamin helps you main more dopamine naturally. The green tea extract taken

along side of it helps prevent some side effects of taking the velvet bean.

> > >

> > > It has been two months of consistent therapy with this herb velvet bean

for me, and I have finally after 5 years started to notice an improvement in my

sex drive and my motivation in general. At first I noticed I was interested in

work again and able to concentrate. Talking to people was easier, I could look

them in the eye and became more confident. Then I noticed at home, I would want

to have sex with my girlfriend more often. The dirty thoughts came back ... my

sex drive felt alive ... I was thinking of it more often than before starting

this herb. And finally, my erection strength returned somewhat. Not back to

100% of what is was before, but maybe 80-90%.

> > >

> > > Anyway, my theory why all this worked for me? SSRI's, SNRI's do restore

serotonin in the brain, yes. But maybe they mess up the balance of your other

neurotransmitters. They set up a different chemical pattern in your brain, and

your brain just doesn't remember how its supposed to be in it's original state .

Feeding my brain more dopamine seems to stimulate my sex drive again and

stimulate me in general. Maybe I'm teaching my brain what it feels like again

to WANT, CRAVE, DESIRE, and FEEL PLEASURE again.

> > >

> > > So that's my three cents. Any one else try Mucuna Pruriens? Feedback?

Comments, questions?

> > >

> >

>