BigPapaChakra

Buspirone has been noted not to work extremely well for most; for some it works okay. Melatonin has anti-oxidant and potential/theoretical anti-depressive effects. If you combine them, they have a synergy and may fight MDD: "We used in vitro neurogenesis-based human neural stem cell (hNSCs) assays and rodent in vivo behavioral assays to identify potential novel antidepressants. A combination of buspirone and melatonin displayed antidepressant activity in these assays whereas neither buspirone nor melatonin alone showed any antidepressant-like profile. After evaluating numerous combination ratios, we determined that low dose buspirone 15 mg combined with melatonin-SR 3 mg yielded optimal antidepressant efficacy in our pre-clinical platform. The low dose of buspirone suggested that antidepressant efficacy might be achieved with only minimal adverse event liability. Based on these data, we conducted an exploratory 6-week, multi-center, double-blind, randomized, placebo- and comparator-controlled study of the combination of buspirone and melatonin in subjects with acute Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). The combination treatment revealed a significant antidepressant response in subjects with MDD on several measures (Clinical Global Impression of Severity and Improvement, Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology) compared to either placebo or buspirone 15 mg monotherapy. These preliminary findings have clinical implications and suggest that a platform of pre-clinical neurogenesis matched with confirmatory behavioral assays may be useful as a drug discovery strategy." Anyone have access to the full text (I would if I was on campus)?

I've gotta say, I'm pretty sold on the idea of using very simple means to drastically change our biological (neurological?) functioning often touted by Dr. Peat, such as raw carrots and bamboo shoots to lower endotoxin and thus reduce emotional/mental agony, too; bright incandescent light; environmental enrichment;etc. but a lot of these research chemicals/drugs have my attention (maybe it's because I'm so young and my prefrontal cortex ain't fully myelinated yet): CL-994 FGL EVP-6124 (thanks odisa for mentioning this in a recent post - it seems like the only thing outside of coluracetam that can directly affect HPPD) 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone Myelin Basic Protein (an actual protein in our bodies used to myelinate nerves (someone on longecity uses this)) Dihexa MemoProve (neuropeptide) Cebria (neuropeptide) P21 Peptide I know some of these have been spoken about before..

I might give it a go; I just dislike starting many things at once and actually want to quantify changes, too (duel n-back, cambridge brain sciences, etc). If new star nootropics was in stock that seems viable - $25+ orders receive free shipping (express), and I'd undoubtedly order more than $25 worth to try. Syntheso, have you or are you going to give Coluracetam a try?

Just to throw it out there, I'm starting Z-Health Wednesday, March 12. I spoke to a master trainer over Facebook who's part of the Ray Peat Inspired group, and coincidentally he's in contact with this local trainer. I emailed the woman I just spoke to, and I found out she's actually part of the Ray Peat group and we've spoke before on various threads, our names just weren't familiar through email. She'll be relaying information on my testing at our initial session to the mutual friend/master trainer to get his insights, as well as conversing with Dr. Peat as a group and going over my personal (extensive) conversations with Dr. Peat. I'll keep everyone updated with my experience but I see this holding great potential - when it comes to brain scans and my experience with ophthalmologists, I have no structural damage/changes to my brain/eyes and have 20/20 vision despite all the odd visual phenomenon - so as the title of our disorder states, it's a perceptual/processing disorder - exactly what Z-Health aims to train. This makes me further excited because I can theoretically see synergy with the training I'll be doing and NSI; though this isn't scientific in the least bit, I see it this way: NSI = neurogenic, thus having the potential to correct underlying problems (in the hippocampus, at least); z-health = training the perceptual processes/visual system/nervous system, creating more efficient "brain maps" of my body and environment; so, NSI+z-health = new, more efficient 'mini structures' in my brain (neurons/growth factors) primarily in the area of the brain dealing with memories, emotions, emotional memories, etc. while facilitating greater connections and functions via z-health which may get ingrained in these new neurons. But, I may be wayyy off base here.

More information (sorry if I'm bogging down the thread, just let me know and I'll refrain from it, haha): "Dr. Frank stated, “The importance of nucleic acids in protein synthesis and in enzyme synthesis, as well as the importance of RNA in bringing about DNA synthesis, and the actually observed anti-aging effects of nucleic acids on whole man, support the claims regarding the value of increased intake of nucleic acids in the prevention and treatment of cellular degeneration. (...) Dr. Frank claimed that not only do nucleic acids (1) decrease overall oxygen utilization, but also (2) increase its inherent effectiveness, lessening potential oxidative damage to the cell. He believed that the “anti-anoxia effect” of nucleic acids (ability to do better work on less oxygen) was due to the increased synthesis of CoQ10 and enhancement of the efficiency of Kreb’s cycle and respiratory chain. He believed nucleic acids might even lead to increased synthesis of mitochondria. (...) Dr. Frank recommended consuming a minimum of 1.5 gm daily of nucleic acid for general health and well being. However, he recommended much higher doses for those with specific health concerns. He cautioned, however, that when taking higher therapeutic doses of RNA, that urine pH be only slightly in the acid range. He found that highly acidic urine with a high RNA diet (more than 2 gm daily) may result in elevated levels of uric acid in the blood, which can cause kidney stones. This can be easily prevented by drinking plenty of water. Urine acid-base balance (pH) can be easily tested by using urine pH test strips."

From this: "Sorry, it's absolutely true. If you don't have a uric acid problem, buy yourself some bottles of RNA powder. Start with 500 mg. and go up to 20 gm. a day. You'll see amazing results. Of course I've never gotten as outstanding result taking RNA powder as I have injecting the Regeneressen. The organ specific Regeneressen really does work. As I recall, I ordered a bunch of skin and connnective tissue regeneressen from Bill Faloon at LEF to regrow my hair. That worked so well I took Christmas holiday in Munich and went to the pharmacy the Pope gets his meds from. I brought a 10 cc. synrings with me and took the hundreds of ampules I bought and filled that sucker up. Raised s big bump on my butt. Did that for 2 weeks. Sent a bunch to friends who would know what it was for (me) and smuggled a bunch back into the US (I took the train to Frankfort and flew to Logan Airport from there). I declared liquor filled chocolate, apfelkorn (apple snaps) and other stuff, value under $200 when I was actually carrying back what was left of $3,000 worth of Regeneressen. The border patrol officer looked at my declaration, looked at me and my bags and wrote a big red F on my declaration. He told me to get in line over there. So there I was sweating billets, wondering who would bail me out over jail over the holidays. I took my bags and declaration over to the line, waited my turn, almost wet my pants and the customs agent said "well, you flew in from Frankfort". have a safe drive home. Over a period of about 2 months with daily injections, my skin tightened and wrinkles disappeared. It's a known fact. Not a miracled." "Believe it or else, the cheapest supplier of RNA is Life Extension. It is pricey. There was an M.D. who, regrettably, suffered from diabetes so through he treated many patients, he could not treat himself with RNA. You need strong kidneys and low uric acid/no gout to take RNA. You might take a look at VRP's price in addition to LEF's. Dr. Franks was the M.D. who developed RNA therapy in the 60s. Do some poking around http://www.vrp.com/art/1129.asp Vitamin Research Products and of course see if Dr. Benjamin Frank's book is still available from Amazon, perhaps as a used book."

Yeah I really don't know; I received their trial bottle of RNA (you pay for shipping and handling) but after hearing some people claim for a day or so they started seeing things and everything started melting and what not (essentially like a psychedelic state), and iON (the creators) claim it is them achieving connection with their higher self and so on, I was kind of put off by it. My grandma is/was down to trial it, though, haha, so I'm giving her a drop a day starting yesterday. I've seen some seemingly unbiased reports on some weird spiritual transcendence forums where a couple people noticed absolutely nothing, and others claimed it made them lose all sense of anxiety, increased mood, unbelievable increases in energy, etc.On the Circadian Biohackers (a facebook group where people such as Richard Feinman, Jack Kruse, Dave Asprey, etc. post) a couple people use ReMag and have noted that it makes them 'feel better' (in the classical magnesium sense: increased sense of calm, better sleep, etc). There are two books on the products by Dr. Carolyn Dean - Invisible Minerals Part I and II. I was thinking of calling in her radio show and describing HPPD and so forth, for all I know she'd send some trial products, lol. If you look on youtube there are some good testimonials on the RNA and associated products, and I'm not speaking about the kooky iON radio shows uploaded on youtube. Some people say it would be impossible for the RNA to be absorbed orally, though. If you look on longecity there is some guy who apparently obtained sheep RNA and started injecting it and felt so transformed he went as far as to smuggle it into different countries he lived in/visited and continued using it for a long time. I think that would be a more realistic way of getting RNA in - injections.

Sounds good. Interestingly, I thought about Mg. L-Threonate the other night. I may get some of that+ReMag (pico-ionic magnesium) today and trial them; has it produced noticeable effects for you? As I had imagined (from the serotonin depletion), I'm feeling pretty off today; luckily, not as bad as I had felt the other week where I was almost 100% immobile for 3 days, but still pretty bad. I had this weird memory lapse just awhile ago, or should I say, my attention span was so short and fragmented that I didn't remember what I had just done - I didn't 'forget', but I was trying to speak to my dad while making bulletproof coffee and thinking about something all at the same time, and then didn't even realize I had already blended up the coffee as I went to go blend it. Feeling a little better now after taking my supp's and drinking BPC. Of course, the BioMat company claims they don't accept returns on items purchased via a payment plan. It says that on their site, but when I had made my purchase I specifically told them either their site was having problems or my laptop was but either way I couldn't access their page with information on financing. Additionally, their main sales/customer service person lied to me and stated they only have payment plans on the BioMat Pro (one of their more expensive products), when they really have it on their cheap products, too. She never mentioned anything about no returns, and neither did the sales reps when I was asking my questions. They actually all told me different information, too. I'm now in a large dispute with them, because there's no way I'm paying $1,730 for something that made me feel temporarily worse AND that I'm not using, lol. Luckily, Sunlighten still has discounted products from their last sale that just ended in addition to payment plans and 0% interest and I believe you can return the products, too. Hopefully I'll be able to get one of their products soon...

So, I emailed a bunch of Z-Health trainers and I'm hopeful they'll get back to me so I can start doing Z-Health ASAP a few times/week. I'm going to make payments to become an "R-Phase" certified trainer through them, too, so I may as well work with some trainers prior to that. It will give me a foundation to do the visual exercises, too (which I may begin soon on my own). Also sent an email to Sunlighten to make sure I can work out a payment plan for a portable FIR sauna. I found some interesting studies - when I go to back to my school for class (when I feel capable of staying there for more than an hour at a time, lol) I'll use their computers/databases to access the full-texts; they're interesting nonetheless: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24439959 Testing a Neurobiological Model of Depersonalization Disorder Using Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. "Conclusion: A single session of right-sided rTMS to VLPFC (but not TPJ) significantly increased physiological arousal capacity supporting our model regarding the relevance of increased VLPFC activity to emotional numbing in DPD. rTMS to both sites led to reduced depersonalization scores but since this was independent of physiological arousal, this may be a non-specific effect. TMS is a potential therapeutic option for DPD; modulation of VLPFC, if replicated, is a plausible mechanism." They hypothesized that the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex plays a large role in DPD. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20837362 Temporo-parietal junction stimulation in the treatment of depersonalization disorder. "This is the first clinical trial of repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) in depersonalization disorder (DPD). After 3weeks of right temporo-parietal junction (TPJ) rTMS, 6/12 patients responded. Five responders received 3 more weeks of right TPJ rTMS showing 68% DPD symptoms improvement. Right TPJ rTMS was safe and effective." http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20189190 Functional connectivity of the temporo-parietal region in schizophrenia: effects of rTMS treatment of auditory hallucinations. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1911382/pdf/bullnyacadmed00589-0039.pdf THE TREATMENT OF DEPERSONALIZATION* PAUL SCHILDER http://www.nature.com/npp/journal/v25/n5/full/1395731a.html Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal Axis Dysregulation in Depersonalization Disorder http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15089102 Depersonalisation disorder: a contemporary overview. http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1516-44462012000400021&lng=en&nrm=iso&tlng=en Depersonalization and derealization syndrome: report on a case study and pharmacological management Some of this reinforces what we already know to be true for some of us, such as 'hypofunctional' NMDAr's. What was interesting, though, was the dysregulated HPA-axis association. This actually may be true in my case as I've started tracking my heart rate and body temperature as a proxy for thyroid and endocrine function, as well as heart rate variability. My HRV is typically low (signifying a stressed, "non-coherent" state), and morning temps extremely low (similar to what is seen in hypothyroidism) and heart rate extremely high - sometimes up to 110bpm (stress hormones, probably). I'm more interested in how we can utilize the information of the VLPFC and temporo-parietal region to treat ourselves; since rTMS can't really be done at home, I wonder if tDCS, or better yet, HD tDCS, would be viable options, especially if 'targeting' those areas.

Bad news, and some hopeful news: My experience with the BioMat began well, and now sucks, and I know why - the negative ions. Negative ions have been shown in a lot of different clinical trials to drastically lower serotonin, which, ironically, has helped in a lot of cases of depression, sleeplessness, etc. The thing is, I probably have really low levels of serotonin, or, at least, damaged 'receptors'. The BioMat works undoubtedly, and works 'well' (noticeable), yet the negative ions are starting to produce symptoms equivalent to that of my experiment with niacinamide: i.e. worse HPPD+depressive thoughts (which I normally never have), heightened anxiety and panic, night terrors (normally don't have), etc. I'm going to return it and thus have only lost about $200 (still a lot of money considering my families financial situation). The hopeful news: I'll be discussing payment plans with a sales rep from Sunlighten - a company that manufactures their own and sells infrared sauans; they have home units of various sizes, along with portable units. The cool thing is, they have varieties that come in far infrared, or a more or less 'full spectrum' which has near, medium, and far infrared rays. The home units seem awesome (you can add chromotherapy and sound therapy additions, biofeedback-type devices, etc.). I'll probably get the cheapest portable unit. Other hopeful news: NSI will be coming in a few weeks, and my partial TULIP use has had benefits, so if I feel terrible for the next 3-7 days due to decreased serotonin, at least I know I'll feel better after that time, lol.

Thanks for the continuous updates, syntheso! Hoping that you can eventually get to 100% and be fully recovered. I'm hoping the same for everyone here, myself included. I'll post here again later as to some ideas I have, things I'm trying, want to try, etc. but I've gotta rush and do some things currently. One question about something though: NSI-189... I will be obtaining a gram or two in the next few weeks (unknown date; getting it from the second longecity group buy). I had previously only looked into the basic information about hippocampal neurogenesis and then found 2-3 studies unrelated to NSI, but related to the hippocampus and depression, alzheimer's, etc. So I put myself down to receive NSI. Now, I'm reading the studies/pharmacology/etc. (need more information, but don't know where to obtain solid information), and I'm a bit worried: NSI is partially derived from nicotinamide; niacinamide=nicotinamide, and niacinamide at large doses completely screwed me mentally and emotionally for 3-4 days (with another 3-4 days of feeling about 25% worse than I normally do). I'm just worried that I'm going to have some adverse reaction, lol. Should I even be worried? When I do receive it, I'll use the first day to simply test out 1mg and see how I feel (to rule out acute negative effects), then progress to 5 and eventually 10mg once a day. Not looking for any benefits until after 30 days, though. The new trial has a group using up to 120mg/day, so it seems safe.

Synetheso, you're knowledge on these topics currently surpass me - mind helping me make sense out of all this: http://www.jneurosci.org/content/12/6/2362.long "Therefore, under in vitro conditions in which PQQ is presented without an exogenous electron donor, it appears as if the entire neuroprotective effect of PQQ is attributable to a direct oxidation of the NMDA receptor redox site. These results suggest the possibility of a novel role for PQQ, PQQ-like substances, and quinone-containing proteins in the brain, and may represent a novel therapeutic approach for the amelioration of NMDA receptor-mediated neurotoxic injury." Currently, I'm going through all the Bozeman Science videos and Khan Academy videos to teach myself biology (my own research is currently more useful than what I'm learning in English classes and what not at college, haha). So I'm really just getting a hand on this stuff (spaced repetition and Bulletproof Coffee is helping!). But, when looking up NMDAR's on wikipedia, I find information that currently confuses me on the PQQ-NMDA® relationship: "NMDA receptor function is also strongly regulated by chemical reduction and oxidation, via the so-called "redox modulatory site."[30] Through this site, reductants dramatically enhance NMDA channel activity, whereas oxidants either reverse the effects of reductants or depress native responses. It is generally believed that NMDA receptors are modulated by endogenous redox agents such as glutathione, lipoic acid, and the essential nutrient pyrroloquinoline quinone." PQQ is a 'redox agent' in many ways, yet at the NMDAr, according to that one study, PQQ acts as an oxidant. If oxidants 'depress native responses', and if one's HPPD is potentially caused by an NMDA-antagonist, does this mean that PQQ can 'depress' the response of the NMDAr's to NMDA-antagonists. For instance, PCP, Ketamine, and DXM are all NMDA-antagonists; I was laced with PCP and the night before and two nights after used tons of DXM and have used ketamine a few times previously. So, I have reason to believe my problems lie within NMDAr's. I feel as though PQQ is what has been giving me a cognitive edge in the past few days; so I can't see PQQ 'depressing' NMDAr's because I'd be screwed. All I can think of with my current (yet fortunately growing) knowledge of biology/neurology is that it is depressing what was done to my NMDAr's, not the NMDAr's themselves. If you have time to pick at this (if you even want to), I'd appreciate it. Thanks!

Have you been taking uridine without testing such as 23andMe, and if so, at what doses? After symptoms that resemble serotonin syndrome from niacinamide, I stopped everything until I received PQQ and have thus started shining LEDs at my head again and take 20mg PQQ+5g Creatine daily; I've only been doing like 30 seconds at 2 spots on my forehead with the LEDs, and weekly, too (not EOD or 2 days on 1 day off). The results have been extraordinarily noticeable. I'm awaiting on a BioMat Pro and will also be adding Pregnenolone back in. I'd be highly interested in taking uridine along with PQQ and Pregnenolone along with getting adequate red light to activate the mitochondria for proper steroid hormone conversion. Also, I'd like to add: I've been following Dr. Peat's work for sometime and now am kind of combining some of his recommendations (pregnenolone, tons of bright light exposure, not restricting carbs, etc.) with Paul Jaminet's and Dave Asprey's; but getting to the point - I've started up Bulletproof Intermittent Fasting again and it lights my brain up like nothing else. I completed a 36hr ketogenic fast to kick off receiving a bunch of Bulletproof Coffee, Upgraded Cacao Butter, Cocoa Powder, and Cacao Tea, but am now going to be doing BP-IFing along with eating lots of carbs after the fasting period. I believe this is working out well - I get carbs to start aiding my thyroid, yet in the morning I get chaperone mediated autophagy+other forms of autophagy along with the neuroprotection, oxygen utilization promoting, atp generating, GABAergic effects of ketones. Win-win.

Interesting info I just found on PQQ, which I just re-added today (at 20mg) - skip to the bottom for how it can be relevant to HPPD via NMDAr's: "Pyrroloquinoline Quinone (PQQ) is a B vitamin-like cofactor that occurs naturally in most plant foods and in most organs and tissues. The most important effects of PQQ is the growth of new mitochondria otherwise known as mitochondrial biogenesis. - Pyrroloquinoline Quinone stimulates mitochondrial biogenesis through cAMP response element-binding protein phosphorylation and increased PGC-1 alpha expression, Chowanadisai, W, Journal of Biol Chem 285: 142-152 (2010) Over 15 years of research has underscored the unique properties of PQQ and maintaining neuronal integrity. The diverse cellular mechanisms of PQQ distinguish this powerful quinone antioxidant from other neuroprotective dietary supplements. The effects of PQQ on neuronal function partially stem from influence on mitochondrial homeostasis. While many nutritional supplements support mitochondrial bioenergetics by acting as metabolic cofactors, where PQQ generates de novo synthesis of mitochondria by the activation of the transcription factor CREB (cAMP coactivator 1 alpha). - Pyrroloquinoline Quinone modulates mitochondrial quantity and function in mice, Stites T, J., Nutr 136:390-396 (2006); Pyrroloquinoline Quinone nutritional status alters lysine metabolism and modulates mitochondrial DNA content in the mouse and rat, Bauerly, KA,Biochem Biophys Acta 1760:1741-1748 2006; Comparison of Pyrroloquinoline Quinone and/or metoprolol on myocardial infarct size and mitochondrial damage in a rate model of ischemia/reperfusion injury, Zhu BQ, J. Cardiovasc Pharmacol Ther 11:119-128 (2006) PGC1alpha promotes expression of a network of genes involved in the synthesis of mitochondria. - sited above as Chowanadisai, W Thus the mitochondrial effects of PQQ compliment are similar to the well-known properties of CoQ10. While CoQ10 Plays a bio energetic role within the mitochondrial membrane, PQQ supports the coordinated process through which new mitochondria are regenerated. PQQ also supports neuronal health through intracellular targets that are distinct from CoQ10 and are largely unprecedented in the realm of nutritional supplementation. For example PQQ maintains healthy levels of DJ-1, protein that plays a role in antioxidant defenses in dopaminergic neurons. PQQ also supports biosynthesis of nerve growth factor (NGF) an important signaling molecule in the brain and sensory nerves. - sources all cited already and Biocompatibility studies of naltrexone sustained release formulations, Yamaguchi K, J Control Release 19:299-314(1992); Synthesis of monoesters of Pyrroloquinoline Quinone and imidazopyrroloquinoline and radical scavenging activities using electron spin resonance in vitro and pharmacological activity in vivo, Urakami, T, J Nutr Sci Vitaminol Tokyo 43: 19-33 (1997) Perhaps the most salient discovery over the past two decades of research on PQQ and neuronal function is it's ability to balance activation of ionotropic glutamate receptors. The N-methyl D-asparate (NMDA) receptor is the primary conduit for excitatory glutamate neurotransmission and is regarded as an important target for manipulating neuronal health. PQQ Supports synaptic and intracellular responses by maintaining healthy NMDA receptor activity. - Interaction of the putative essential nutrient Pyrroloquinoline Quinone with the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor redox modulatory site, J. Neurosci 12:2362-2369 (1992) Recent studies indicate that PQQ supports cognitive function. It one study involving rats, PQQ supplementation supported performance in a water maze test. -Pyrroloquinoline Quinone prevents cognitive deficit caused by oxidative stress in rats, Ohwada K, J. Clin Biochem Nutr 42:29-34 (2008) In a randomized double blind study of 71 middle aged individuals, PQQ supplementation over 12 weeks promoted mental process. In the same study a combination of PQQ and CoQ10 was more effective than either alone. - Effect of Pyrroloquinoline Quinone (PQQ) on mental status of middle-aged and elderly persons, Nakano M, FOOD Style 21:50-53 (2009)" I feel like I'm just starting to get my cognition back slightly, so I'll start studying some biology/neurology related information and try to decipher more studies on PQQ and how it's relevant. Really hopeful that the combo of PQQ+Creatine can help a lot while I await on etizolam and the BioMat...

Very interesting. I may look into behavioral optometrists in my area. I've been digging and I've seen people on co-morbid disorder forums claim that various forms of neurofeedback helped their DP/DR extensively, and one person who used the Zengar NeurOptimal claimed it cured their DP/DR (I believe). That's really the realm I want to get into next, but it's incredibly expensive. I think NFB+eye exercises would pair together very well, though. I want to look into Irlene glasses, too.

I might have to look into Headspace. I think an EEG and a sleep study would serve me well, especially as I plan on undertaking extensive Neurofeedback through a NeurOptimal practitioner. My experiences with neurologists have been terrible thus far. Way back when I first started experiencing HPPD (but was unaware it existed and thought I was having occipital migraines+panic attacks) I had scans of my head taken, eye examinations, etc. I recently went to a neurologist out of the University of Chicago who was supposedly one of the best in the field - he told me nothing is wrong with my scans and I probably suffer from post concussive syndrome and he doesn't believe even extensive drug use would cause the odd, extremely severe symptoms I experience. I then brought up things like LLLT and CES and he was completely unaware as to what they were and told me not to extrapolate results from studies and apply them to myself, to which I thought, "aren't you doing the same things for the drugs you'd willingly say I need to ingest?" It doesn't help that my general practitioner doesn't believe it's post concussive syndrome because I wouldn't have gotten symptoms like 2 years after my concussion(s). In my opinion, anyone who is not experienced with HPPD or co-morbid disorders like DP/DR or perhaps some personality disorders will probably brush it off as something else. As of late I've been thinking of writing a letter to both Dr. Abraham and Oliver Sacks, just to see if they'd even respond and if so what they think.

Yeah, I'd appreciate some information on those exercises/therapies, too. I'm not sure if any of you guys are familiar with Oliver Sacks, a neurologist and chemist who has a authored a bunch interesting books, but he has worked with a bunch of people with very odd disorders/syndromes similar to ours. In one of his presentations (can be found on youtube) he speaks of a woman whose vision became 2-D but after a long period of working with some sort of holistic visual doctor and doing different visual exercises she eventually came to have normal, 3-D vision again. He's spoken about different meds and exercises like this for people who have suffered from various forms of psychoses and hallucinatory states, too. That's why I think working with a Z-Health practitioner could be of great benefit. It's a mix of movement, visual, and auditory exercises that more or less reprogram and/or enhance your brain 'maps'. The results with people suffering from pain and extreme movement disorders are pretty profound, and I consistently see this master trainer on facebook claiming he has daily success with people with epilepsy, Parkinson's, Lyme, and so forth. Interestingly, I remember when I drank Bulletproof Coffee daily, with or without restricting daily carbs (more often than not I did, though) I had much less anxiety and panic attacks, let alone greatly increased cognition. I know that beta-hydroxybutyrate has been shown to promote GABAergic activity in different brain regions along with enhancing both oxygen consumption and utilization in the brain. I'm really hopeful that my monthly paycheck is coming on the 21st because I may get BPC again but with Brain Octane oil as opposed to MCT Oil and then etizolam and see how that affects my cognition.

Yeah, I feel exactly the same way. It's been increasingly debilitating for me as of the past few months, too. When I first started experiencing symptoms it manifested as simple lingering anxiety and occasional spontaneous panic attacks which I previously had not experienced, in addition to a heightened sense of visual snow since I've oddly had since childhood. I continued to smoke weed as to try and maintain a social life (all my friends smoked weed at least occasionally) but every time I smoked I felt as though I was about to start tripping out - I felt the DP/DR symptoms most of us describe and I got minor psychedelic-like visuals akin to a low dose of acid. I would end up calling my mom letting her know I felt really odd and to make me tea or something (lol) and then get dropped off at home and just have this terrible migraine with flashes of light and colors and extreme fear. Soon thereafter I started dating my fiance, stopped smoking, and started focusing on my diet and researching a lot of different things. Long story short, some things started to help me quite a bit, but overall I progressively have come to feel worse. I have thus far found a few things that have helped me, namely the TULIP stack, red and near infrared light from LEDs, incandescent bulbs, and infrared heat lamps, ketone generation via Upgraded MCT Oil and coconut oil, and nowadays CES and l-theanine. Overall, though, I'm much worse since the beginning but I have hope that all the extensive 'bio-hacking' I'm about to be doing will serve me well. I firmly believe my life depends on it. This has been the most debilitating thing I could ever imagine experiencing besides for the illnesses my brother has but those are physical, not mental and emotional. Overall I'm tremendously optimistic after doing a lot of research I have done and seeing how 'plastic' the entire human organism is (i.e. there have been studies showing regeneration of finger tips and bone and brain regions, let alone entire organs in animals) yet I often find myself regretting my decisions: I was an AP student in high school, on the football and wrestling team (which unfortunately led to brain damage, too, through multiple severe concussions), and then I allowed my partially developed prefrontal cortex control my life and start abusing dozens of substances thinking just because I read erowid and some clinical studies I know what's good. If I never made the deicisions I made one specific drug fueled sleep deprived weekend, I think all my previous drug use in addition to my concussions still wouldn't have causd any of my HPPD... it was all from one stupid weekend. Coincidentally I was too shy to ask my fiance out the night before (Valentine's Day; following day was a concert where I was laced with PCP or embalming fluid) and if I did I probably would've slept at her friends house with her that night and met up with my friends late the next night before the concert and never done half as many of the drugs that I believe caused my HPPD... oh well. As you said, I'm also grateful to this website as you all are the only people who could grasp what I say and feel. My mom is the only one who truly tries to empathize with me and I can see how heart broken she has been as of late dealing with all of our stress outside of my HPPD. Yet despite her best efforts, she can never imagine how I feel and how I perceive reality on a daily basis.

Yeah that's pretty much exactly what happened with me - right around day 3 I started feeling worse and I didn't make the connection and I actually increased my dose by about 2g for another two days... haven't taken anything yet today. I'll just wait to restart TULIP and take CBD+l-theanine as needed until I try these other things. Oh yeah, I'm also thinking about running a bunch of genetic tests (there's some other more extensive one than 23andMe, but I can't think of the name, though it's in my notes somewhere). This should offer me better knowledge as to what meds and supp's I should spend my time on. I was born anemic and low on iron yet anemia can often be 'cured' without eating more/supplementing iron via correcting thyroid function and other underlying nutrient deficiencies - I'd be interested to learn if I have trouble processing different B-vitamins..

Glad you found the info useful/interesting! I find it interesting that you, too, had a similar experience with niacin(amide?). I started taking it because over the period of a week or two I felt things gradually taking a turn for the worse (most symptoms were increasing, hard to attend school, constant fear of the symptoms, etc.) and thought it would offer relief from anxiety and I was looking forward to the purported long term benefits (increasing glucose oxidation and aiding the thyroid by keeping FFAs low and so forth); it was nice at first - I definitely felt calm(er) and more content, yet then within a few days of taking large doses it was like I was experiencing all of my HPPD symptoms to their absolute greatest magnitude possible. I seriously contemplated going to the ER but I knew that'd just lead to nothing good (perhaps inpatient, temporarily) and thus I just stuck it out and now feel like I'm back to my typical baseline. It's a little disheartening, though, because I wanted to give Tianeptine a trial but now I think that's a bad idea - niacinamide at the large doses I took enhance serotonin uptake just like Tianeptine does, and my experience was/is not one I'd like to relive.

I truly feel for you two, Missjess and Sloveig. Well, I feel for everyone at this forum but your two experiences resonate with mine in a deep way. I've had what I believe to be HPPD for the better part of 2 years (as of the 22nd of this month) since I was 17 and it has largely crippled me mentally. It doesn't help that NO ONE that I know understands what I go through. On top of all this my family has been put through a lot with my younger brothers extensive debilitating illnesses that have left us with no funds for anything and moving multiple times a year from home to home (i.e. it's therefore hard for me to get treatments with no money and a constantly different location of living). My fiance has been through a lot in her life but even she can't understand what I've been going through and it really hurts me because I love her so much and I have this perhaps illogical fear of losing her due to my HPPD since there are many times recently that I just can't pull through and do things we could enjoy together. Stay in there, I wish the best for the both of you.

Hey everyone, hope you're all doing well. I just wanted to ask this and then notify everyone of some things I'll be trying so if I have success other can maybe try, too. I was wondering, what meds have helped the most and what have done more or less nothing? what meds helped with DP/DR specifically? What Benzos or benzo-like compounds helped the most? I'm going to be exhausting every possible resource in the coming months to get myself help as the past few days have been hellish in every possible way. I posted about niacinamide and it helping anxiety and someone stated how it can be neurotoxic and I do in fact believe that it had some neurotoxicity in me. Some people (i.e. Dr. Peat) believe that Serotonin leads to aggression, aging, etc. and there is a lot of evidence showing this, but I believe context is key.... my past history of drug use leads me to believe I may have low levels of multiple neurotransmitters, serotonin being one. Niacinamide lowers serotonin at the doses I was using; I had been going up and down with this HPPD over the past 2 months (though I've had it much longer), some days feeling great and others feeling absolutely psychotic, though within a week of using high doses (4-5g/day) of niacinamide I felt more insane than ever. I've had no balance or coordination, no motivation, lack of energy, depression (I started crying about hypothetically losing my fiance over this HPPD nonsense, and I never cry or feel particularly sad), DP/DR has been unreal, etc. I've been working on a blog/app with some people as my job for the time being, having the privilege of working at home with this debilitating disorder, but I couldn't even manage to blog or take any tests online for school. I barely even ate (lack of appetite) and just couldn't get out of bed. I think the only thing that got me through it was a generally optimistic 'everything can be cured' kinda disposition along with adequate red light from an infrared heat lamp and CES sessions like 4x a day. Today I'm finally feeling back to 'normal' which is just my regular ol' severe HPPD self. So, what am I going to try? Well, for starters: Transcendental Meditation through the Transcendental Meditation Institute when their local courses start (I will probably do private one-on-one meditation sessions) Psychotherapy of some sort - there is a local organization that sends counselors/psychologists to your home for a few dollars and through this I hope to be pointed in the direction of a helpful, permanent psychologist/psychiatrist so I can get meds Z-Health: There is some master trainer located nearby and I believe this has the possibility to offer me and other HPPDers a lot of help as it is all about sensory perception and movement; it trains your brain to create more efficient 'maps' of your environment and body as to move about it in a more functional, efficacious way. They also do a lot of visual training that has been known to help people with both poor vision and sensory disturbances alike. Many people with epilepsy, Parkinson's, TBI, etc. have been helped through Z-health. The whole idea of changing your 'brain maps' drew me in as we have a sensory disorder and I believe this holds potential for overcoming DP/DR, at least slightly Brain Based Therapy: a 'therapy' that was developed by Chiropractic Neurologist Dr. Frederick Carrick; there are fortunately two highly praised BBT functional diagnostic nutritional doctors/physicians in my area. Here is an excerpt from one: " The cerebellum is key to the brain loopAnother key to the “brain loop” functioning properly is the cerebellum, which has a number of responsibilities including your balance, coordination, spinal posture, eye movement and a number of other functions that keep you body healthy and active. Poor functioning of the cerebellum can cause a wide variety of problems, including problems with your postural muscles, (including a one-sided muscle spasm that adversely affects your spine). Once this occurs, certain vertebrae become restricted and spinal degeneration, arthritis, disc herniations, chronic back and neck pain, even sciatica may develop. Dizziness and balance disorders are often attributed to cerebellar dysfunction. Treatment and Brain Based TherapyAfter a thorough BBT neurological examination, a dynamic, safe, gentle and hands-on integration process is carried out to reconnect and restore proper brain function. In some cases, traditional chiropractic adjustments are part of the treatment, given in a very precise manner designed to stimulate function in the effected part of the brain. Additionally, other modalities such as heat, eye movements and exercises, and visual are sometimes used." The other practitioner/BBT clinic has other interesting modalities, too: "Eyelights Therapy – Eyelights were designed to provide optimal stimulation to the brain using the optic nerve. Glasses designed with flashing lights built to fit behind the lens, they can be programmed to blink on the non-dominant eye in order to strengthen the weaker side of the brain. Since one of the most direct avenues to the brain is via the eye, a child can learn more effectively if they are seeing correctly. And an athlete will perform better because the eye is able to gather all of the information necessary to perform. “By stimulating the weaker hemisphere of the brain you allow it to become stronger, thus improving overall performance. One method of stimulating the brain is to use light pulses. When using Eyelights you can control the intensity, frequency, and pattern of light pulses, which will result in being able to “wake up” the weaker side of the brain.” (...) "Interactive Metronome®: A computerized brain-based rehabilitation assessment and training program. Has helped patients with ADD/HD, Learning Disorders, MS, Parkinson’s, Stroke Rehab. Reprograms timing and balances the brain. Dr. Serpe is a Certified Interactive MetronomePhysician. Visit www.interactivemetronome.com for more information." Additionally, I'll be restarting the complete TULIP protocol (LEDs+PQQ+CoQ10+Shilajit) in addition to my leftover creatine and CBD oil and gum while waiting on this trial bottle of RNA drops and a BioMat Pro. The RNA drops are highly intriguing and slightly off-putting. For instance, it supposedly affects Chromosome 14 in our bodies and through this changes our cell turnover and proteins and so forth. If watch the video I linked the reports from people are astounding. Everyone reports starting to feel complete absence of stress and anxiety and a feeling of contentedness, connection, etc. Someone referred to it as "spirituality in a bottle". The thing is some people have reported some experiences where for a few hours or a day or two they are in a psychedelic-ish state: textures start warping, things become wavy, etc. That's off-putting to me just because of my extreme DP/DR+anxiety and if that started happening I'd probably freak out. The BioMat seems promising for a variety of problems, but I'm not trying to get my hopes up for such an expensive product. I'm simply hoping it can decrease my anxiety/panic attacks and act as a mood brightener, anything else will be a nice beneficial side-effect from my perspective. Lastly, I plan on eventually getting some EEG/qEEG/Brain Mapping done and then applying these findings to neurofeedback - there is a 'master clinician' in my area that uses the renown NeurOptimal device which besides the TAG-Synchrony is supposed to be the best for NFB. This will just be prohibitively expensive thus I'm inquiring about payment plans and what not. Even if I could just get brain mapping done that would be a huge help as I can then apply that knowledge to myself when acquiring a home NFB and/or nIR HEG unit. Sorry about the length of this. I hope I get some responses as to what meds to look into (I'll also be purchasing a bunch of Etizolam in the near future), and I hope that despite the annoyingly long length of my post it was at least intriguing and perhaps thought provoking as to alternative means of treatment for others suffering. It's also hard not to ramble when the people at this forum are the only ones who can relate to what I go through on a daily basis. I truly hope to overcome this (even partially) so I can then best apply my energies into helping others with HPPD and associated symptoms/disorders. Thanks, and I once again wish you all the best!

Thanks for the info! Yeah, I've frequently had weird symptoms around the time of sleep such as sleep paralysis/hypnagogic hallucinations (to a degree). The other night I spoke of I was sleeping on a recliner and I felt as though the recliner was moving/lifting up and changing position. It was extremely odd. The only magnesium I have experience with is glycinate and epsom salts. When I get my next check I'm going to purchase "Unique Water" and then get the ingredients to make it myself. It's magnesium bicarbonate. If you search around you'll find the patents that have the studies contained within that show it has radically reduced/reversed AI disorders in humans and increased lifespan in animals. I know one person who claimed it has been the only thing other than high dose niacinamide which puts them to sleep throughout the entire night waking up refreshed and ready to get on with the day. That's the other thing - I'd recommend niacinamide if you haven't used it before. High doses are like a benzo and it has other unique properties such as enhancing serotonin uptake, increasing glucose oxidation, etc. Supposedly it enhances other benzos, too, which I can definitely see occurring. Thanks again! I hope someone can chime in about Etizolam, though, because I firmly believe niacinamide+etizolam would completely rid me of anxiety, panic, fear, intrusive thoughts, etc. and then I can work on the rest (DP/DR, visual snow, etc.) via diet and environment - working on increasing light exposure and creating an 'enriched environment'.

Hey everyone, hope you're all doing okay! Personally, I'm doing absolutely terrible. I have some things up my sleeve and am hoping I can *last until I get my monthly paycheck and then get some neurofeedback gear or pay for some NFB sessions from a local practitioner. I'm also going to be getting tons of infrared heat lamps and just bathing in them all day everyday. I apologize in advance if this is somehow against the forum rules, and if so, please delete the thread. But I was wondering if someone could point me in the direction of some etizolam, namely from a reliable source. I want to purchase some tonight and receive it ASAP as I await on more heat lamps, PQQ, and some other things. I'm really not sure what to do at this point and need something to at least manage my symptoms until I can get a hold of something that truly helps, whether that's NFB gear, PEMF, medications, peptides, or whatever. Thanks in advance, I really appreciate any help I may receive. *what I mean by "hoping I can last" is the past few days I have literally felt more or less crazy. It seems as though my HPPD comes in waves and there are days I feel 'better' (I still feel terrible, but I can at least get out of bed and converse with my family, do my work from home (blogging/research/homework), etc.) but most days are absolutely terrible. The past two months have been exceptionally rough, as well as the past few days in particular. Last night I couldn't even sleep - I was having night terrors or something. I would start to fall asleep, then my body would get all 'weightless' and I felt similar to how I would when I would practice lucid dreaming/astral projection and just felt as though I was going to have an out of body experience. The only reason I ended up sleeping is because I had an old xanax from a friend and took like a quarter of it (probably around 0.25mg) with >200mg L-theanine and 3g of niacinamide and then used CES @ 100Hz for about 30 mins. I'm actually contemplating going to the ER tonight, though expressing that I'm not depressed/suicidal or violent or anything, just suffering from really odd symptoms that then induce panic and fear and disrupt my sleep leading to a nasty feedback loop, and hoping to receive some meds and to be pointed in the direction of a psychiatrist. I'm just wary of this as I don't want to be put into inpatient temporarily or anything.

Wow, lol, I was just typing something up and I accidentally exited out of the page somehow. I was going to say I'll post more here tomorrow or soon thereafter about things I'll be trying soon (infrared heat lamps, stronger incandescent bulbs, etc.) as well as things I want to try. But I wanted to quickly put it out there that you guys (and gals!) should look into CES. I'm really hoping that these effects last, or at least become cumulative (as I'll be doing more 'treatments' in the morning or midday, along with before bed). I've been running this current through my head (or, technically my ears, lol) for almost 2hrs now. The first hour my emotional and cognitive symptoms were gradually decreasing, which includes DP/DR. My visuals seemed to get a little worse (ever so slightly), but I believe this was just me becoming more mindful of everything since for once my thoughts weren't racing or overwhelmingly repetitive with a negative demeanor (worrying about my symptoms causing anxiety which then causes symptoms to get worse). It became evident, though, that something was going on when I had a spontaneous memory of watching some videos for class on the Stanford Prison Experiment. That's when I decided to give it a second hour, and increase the intensity to its second highest (I believe) setting. I don't want to get my hopes up but right now my emotional/psychological symptoms are the lowest they've been in months (since I started TULIP which eradicated my symptoms until I stopped and stressors brought them back worse than ever), I have a slight tingly almost pleasant sensation in my head, and my visuals are much less 'trippy' than normal (my visuals are of moderate intensity, though when my DP/DR and/or anxiety/panic increases, so do my visuals, and it's not just visual snow, but the warping, trailers, etc; all extremely evident at night when I'm wearing blue-light blockers, too). Here's to hoping I wake up in a semi-positive state sans the anxiety-ridden demeanor!