Ashwaghanda?

[Laverdista]

Hi. Apparently I'm not allowed to ask about this on a certain Facebook group, but wondered if anyone on here had used ashwaghanda as a 'natural' treatment for B12 deficiency induced anxiety and depression?

If so, did it help?

Thanks!

[Regenallotment]

Tried it and nope it’s awful, especially for me with autoimmune thyroid too. Lots of talk about it on the thyroid forum. Makes me feel hungover and slow and tired. 😴 no mood lift. Sorry to disappoint 🙏

[Laverdista in reply to Regenallotment]

Thanks, that's good to know. I did read that it could possibly be harmful in the case of autoimmune conditions as it apparently supercharges the autoimmune response. Wasn't sure how that would work in the case of (non-PA) B12 deficiency.

[Regenallotment in reply to Laverdista]

Yeah I don’t know what I’ve got, started self treatment and didn’t get around to finding a diagnosis. Thyroid diagnosis was enough of a process so while I can self inject and stay well I am thinking I’ll avoid the stress. My levels look fine on blood tests, drop like a stone if I stop supplements or SI and symptoms come back in 4 -5 days if I don’t inject. I’ve tried so many alternatives 😬

[PlatypusProfit8077]

I have it in a herbal tea sometimes but hadn’t noticed a correlation between that and my mood. But it’s probably not at supplement levels in the tea so this comment is probably entirely redundant! Sorry!

[Regenallotment in reply to PlatypusProfit8077]

I had it in pukka relax and had to give the box away. Was like a zombie 🧟‍♂️

[PlatypusProfit8077 in reply to Regenallotment]

There you go! I haven’t got any of mine left as I finished the box. It’s crazy how people get affected differently (doctors please take note!)

[Technoid]

Avoid if you have PA or other auto-immune conditions.

"Ashwagandha might cause the immune system to become more active, and this could increase the symptoms of auto-immune diseases. If you have one of these conditions, it's best to avoid using ashwagandha."

medlineplus.gov/druginfo/na...

Medline is a US National Institutes of Health website.

[PlatypusProfit8077 in reply to Technoid]

Whaaaaaat

Now I’m trying to remember when I had the tea! Was it before my collapse?? 🫠🫠🫠🫠

[Healthyandwealthy]

Yes, Ashwagandha is really a natural helper for those who suffer from persistent stress and anxiety but it helps to stabilize cortisol, don't know about B12! It helps a lot, I don't know about immunity and everything, but anti-stress effect I feel myself. I started to take supplements for high cortisol amazon.com/Cortisol-Supplem... with Ashwagandha in it, and now I don't have any sleep problems at all - my thoughts are calm and clear even after a stressful day.

[scnuke]

I am across the pond and our healthcare systems are very different, but I suffered from undiagnosed PA for many years. Finally got answers and SI, but I still had horrible anxiety and depression. I was put on all of the usual medications with no success. Then I read about a treatment called TMS. (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) It changed my life and while I still have many issues related to PA, the depression and anxiety have mostly left me. It was covered by my insurance. I know it is available in UK, but I have no idea about the approval process. Check into it, it may be what you are looking for.

[Laverdista in reply to scnuke]

Thanks. I think I would consider that if all else failed. It seems very promising (if expensive) although I was worried that in a few cases it can actually make things worse, which would be hell on earth! I do think that we are only just getting started in exploration of neuroplasticity. I tried the headset from Flow Neuroscience but it didn't work for me.

[Oneash]

I bought some Cheerful Buddha Cocoa Bliss for a soothing night-time drink. It contains ashwaghanda amongst other ingredients. I would say it's helping with sleep. Interesting that many of the other active ingredients are to do with rejigging your gut bacteria, including getting rid of h-pylori, which is one of the causes of B12 deficiency by triggering the immune response to intrinsic factor. It's expensive for cocoa, but worth a try.

I'd still say milk thistle is the thing that I notice perks me up.

[Laverdista in reply to Oneash]

Thanks. I will check that out. The other thing I've been looking at is Passiflora Incarnata which is supposed to be very good for calming nerves.

[helvella in reply to Oneash]

Be careful with Milk Thistle and its effects on thyroid.

helvella - Milk Thistle, Silymarin & Silychristin

Some information and cautions regarding the use of Milk Thistle and its derivatives, especially in those with thyroid issues.

helvella.blogspot.com/p/hel...

[Oneash in reply to helvella]

Thanks. I don't have thyroid issues according to blood tests and I'm definitely not pregnant! I started taking it because of psoriasis, for its anti inflammatory effects. I'd been feeling a bit brighter since I started on it. But today I'm flagging again, so who knows?!