Comment · Sun, July 19, 2020 · ND Owner
Immune Defense & positive blood test results
Original post in this thread
solothesensei · 10 points
Hi ND team and u/misteryouaresodumb, a few months ago I started taking ND's Immune Defense. I also took two blood tests near the start and end of the bottle.
Interestingly, the scores on my WBC differential count improved quite significantly, especially with respect to lymphocytes (went from 2.5x10\^9 to 3.6x10\^9 per liter). I understand these include the NK cells, T cells and B cells.
This seems positive but can immunity be actually quantified by these numbers on a blood test? In any case, you guys are doing amazing work. Thank you for all that you do.
What they were answering
sirsadalot · 2 points
I began using kratom because I thought it was harmless and mostly beneficial. I used small doses of 3 grams 3 times a day for a year straight. This led to an extreme increase in depression and anxiety over time, and I felt like I couldn't learn anything. Then I quit and it was like I was trying to live with no dopamine which was horrible. I could barely move. I realized then that I had become completely reliant on kratom for all motivation and joy. I also experienced sexual issues, increased obsessive tendencies, and increased insomnia from my kratom use. I'm not demonizing the drug, it's just such a dangerous substance mentally, I feel like if you have alternatives, you could achieve similar benefits with less risk and side effects.
I'm also aware that you're the basically the god of nootropics. And definitely not downplaying what you go through. But I also worry for you because even though I know you know a lot, things like this come off as red flags for me simply because I can relate to them. And I fear that kratom is pretty much a one way street: I just experienced where that road leads to the fullest extent, but people could still walk down there partially and at least some-what suffer as I did, though the drug is blinding and kind of mind-controlling in how it makes all daily users defend it so strongly.
So my question is this: with all these things, have none really eve…
u/MisterYouAreSoDumb · ND Owner
Bromantane is okay. It's not the miracle some people make it out to be.
Why are you thinking it is a dopamine synthesis issue? It's likely a down-regulated receptor issue. Uridine can help up-regulate dopamine receptors. Agmatine is a good one that you are already taking. Polygala is one you should try with it. Cordyceps and magnolia bark would be other good ones to add in, too. I would also suggest berberine, CoQSol-CF, and our NMN tablets. If anhedonia is your issue, that will help a lot.
Then I quit and it was like I was trying to live with no dopamine which was horrible. I could barely move. I realized then that I had become completely reliant on kratom for all motivation and joy. I also experienced sexual issues, increased obsessive tendencies, and increased insomnia from my kratom use. I'm not demonizing the drug, it's just such a dangerous substance mentally, I feel like if you have alternatives, you could achieve similar benefits with less risk and side effects.
I've gone off multiple times without anything like that happening. I do a slow taper, then jump off from about 2g/day. I obviously take a lot of other nootropics that help with that process, too. The issue is that I am just more effective on a little kratom. It doesn't hinder anything for me personally, and I can more effectively accomplish things in my day. Could I recreate that effect with another combo of things? Sure, and I have before. I can also go off all caffeine cold turkey and not have any headaches or other issues. So perhaps my brain is just better at dips in reward center activation. I am not, and was not, using kratom to treat depression, though. I went through my depression years ago. Getting through tough days these days is not like when I was in the depths of my depression. It's more stress and mental exhaustion I am talking about there. When I say bad days these days, it's not like back then. Perhaps that's the main difference. You are comparing actual depression to me just getting through a stressful period. I would NEVER suggest someone that is depressed to take kratom. I don't even suggest kratom to anyone. I probably would not even be using it myself had I not had those stupid shoulder surgeries and been forced to take oxycodone for a year. I will say that getting off anything that activates the reward center like kratom is 1,000% easier when you are working out regularly. Always have an exercise plan as part of your taper plan. There is no replacement for natural endorphins.