Any one else produce massive amounts of adrenaline and cortisol when exposed to loud sounds? Anyone jump at a noise that simply makes others turn their head, or pause a half second?
Here's something I think helps me. I had been taking it a few days when I got dragged out to lunch by co-workers, and they went to a sports bar. Dozens of huge TV screens, crowded, noisy. Suprisingly, it didn't phase me that much. After a while, I did give up trying to converse and just ate, but I left without being wiped out for the day.
Quote:
J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2000 Dec;20(6):680-4.
A double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the effects of Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) on acoustic startle response in healthy subjects.
Bradwejn J, Zhou Y, Koszycki D, Shlik J.
Royal Ottawa Hospital and the Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Investigations of the pharmacologic profile of medicinal plants have revealed that a number of plants with purported anxiolytic activity bind to cholecystokinin (CCK) receptors. This finding is intriguing in view of the proposed involvement of CCK in the pathophysiology of fear and anxiety. This double-blind, placebo-controlled study was undertaken to evaluate the anxiolytic activity of Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) in healthy subjects. Gotu Kola has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine to alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety. Recent studies in the rat have shown that long-term pretreatment with Gotu Kola decreases locomotor activity, enhances elevated-plus maze performance, and attenuates the acoustic startle response (ASR). In this study, the authors evaluated the effects of Gotu Kola on the ASR in humans. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive either a single 12-g orally administered dose of Gotu Kola (N = 20) or placebo (N = 20). The results revealed that compared with placebo, Gotu Kola significantly attenuated the peak ASR amplitude 30 and 60 minutes after treatment. Gotu Kola had no significant effect on self-rated mood, heart rate, or blood pressure. These preliminary findings suggest that Gotu Kola has anxiolytic activity in humans as revealed by the ASR. It remains to be seen whether this herb has therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of anxiety syndromes.
A single dose reduces the acoustic startle response. Longer term use associated with anti-anxiety effects. Considered nootropic by the traditional medicine of India. Relatively cheap (about the same as other herbal teas), and pretty easy to grow yourself.
Eaten as a vegetable in Thailand and India. Very large doses associated with a few side effects, but most people can handle a few cups of tea a day, which is a more normal dose. As with any food, sometimes people can't handle it.
08 Oct 2007, 8:55 pm
