Comment · Sat, February 7, 2015 · Ceretropic
Why do I feel so great after dosing icariin?
Original post in this thread
[deleted] · 15 points
I've noticed that, since starting occasional consumption of 500-750 mg of Icariin (40% from powdercity) - that I feel great! I feel confident, pro-social, my brain fog appears to lift and I can empathize with people easier. I originally got it for some intimate moments, but didn't think it would feel like an anti-depressant. To clarify, I've used this occasionally since two months ago, and whenever I use it, I get those effects. There appears to be tolerance if I use it everyday for a week though.
What is the mechanism? Does it increase dopamine/serotonin?
Other information:
I don't respond to MACA, aniracetam, pramiracetam is iffy, I respond to high-doses of piracetam, and noopept puts me in a weird headspace.
Here is what I found:
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0091305705003709
It is behind a paywall, so I've uploaded the paper here. http://www.docdroid.net/r373/1-s20-s0091305705003709-main.pdf.html
I may edit this with my summary of that paper.
Summary:
Introduction (this is study done on rats)
In depressed patients, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is impaired. Corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) acts to regulate the HPA. These scient…
What they were answering
Debonaire_Death · 1 points
I definitely needed it. I was way too uncomfortable asserting myself before attempting to correct my testosterone levels. I can still put myself in someone else's shoes, but I have to initiate it and I can maintain an emotional contrast with them (clear-headed if the other is panicking, upbeat if the other is sad) much better than before.
I just used up my fresh royal jelly, the last hormonal supplement I was taking before going hormone-boost-free leading up to my first endocrinologist appointment. I'm pretty excited to see what they can find, as many of my problems (digestion-related, most of them) have been a mystery to physicians, even a gastroenterologist. I'm really hoping my Raynaud's is connected to a hormonal imbalance, as well. It would be nice not to need gloves in 50 degree weather.
Do you have any idea what mechanism of testosterone action causes the antipathic effects? The mirror neurons don't seem to be malfunctioning on it, but I don't tune in as powerfully emotionally: it's like I have a more anchored emotional state in the face of social adversity.
It can make one irritable, but that might the racetam I'm taking overpriming my sympathetic responses. But surely testosterone modulates sympathetic response, too?
u/MisterYouAreSoDumb · Ceretropic
Man, I know what you mean about gloves. I have horrible circulation in my extremities as well. Doctors are not sure why either. I love snowboarding, but my feet kill me in the cold with boots on!