I didn't know where else to post this article about L-Theanine. In the process of study, I came across an excellent article that may be helpful to many searching for a very safe product to take to induce relaxation, boost concentration and learning ability.
http://brain.web-us.com/l-theanine_anxiety_reducer.htm

I would like to know why our country hasn't caught on to the studies of other countries who have been using stuff like this, among other natural alternatives, for anxiety and other ailments. Why does it seem our country is far behind in studies of this kind?

Hi Susan..I often wonder why myself. I am not sure of the exact workings between our government, the FDA and drug companies, but the more I study and read about 'natural remedies' AND what I have experienced with doctors and antidepressants, I am convinced that this country doesn't promote them because they're not going to make the pharmeceutical companies millions of dollars.

Thanks for sharing this valuable info Susan. I've been using this product now for about a month. I don't use it often, but I do feel very confident about using it when I do. Definitely recommend it also.
And I agree with SuzanneMarie, and even Dr. Janet mentioned this same reasoning. I hope things will change in the near future, but am very thankful that at least for now, that we have access to obtaining "better" information and that we can share with others, as you have here.

Grateful,
You say you take this product? Do you take this product along with your Anxiety Control ? In what situations do you decide to take the L-Theanine? Just curious.

I ordered some Anxiety Control but it's on backorder and they said they probably won't have till after the 1st of the year.

The good thing is that I have a sister suffering with anxiety and she has agreed to take this product ( Anxiety Control) as long as I take it with her. So it looks like we will be taking it together.

Hi Susan,
I want to mention that I found the Anxiety Control too potent for myself. I had a headache for three days after taking it for about three weeks. I stopped taking it and the headache went away. I thought on this and realized that I rarely feel anxious anymore, so figured I didn't need this much GABA. I decided to take the Mood Sync instead. It had much less GABA and many other "good" amino acids, so I thought I'd benefit much better from this. If you'd like to ask me more about this just email me.

As for the L-Theanine. I take it when I'm going to be challenging myself and am feeling anticipatory anxiety. Sometimes I just take it to feel more relaxed in doing things out in public or in socializing. Many times I forget I have it and do well without it. But the times that I do take it, I feel I benefit from it. And yes, I did take it with the Anxiety Control and the Mood Sync and feel it's very safe to do so. The catalog I received when I received my products also stated "Can be taken with other amino acids such as the Anxiety Control, Mood Sync, BNC," etc. I use to take Kava Kava when I would challenge myself. Going out in public, socializing, to the dentist, doctor, etc. Most of these things aren't real challenges for me nowadays, as I've worked through them with the help of a relaxant like Kava Kava and L-Theanine, and my breathing, relaxation techniques, and of course also the healthy, positive, compassionate inner dialogueing. I believe the combination of these has helped to build my self confidence and has helped me to heal. Nowadays I surprise myself on how much I can do without any anxiety. And I believe it has to do with all these factors combined.
Any ways, I hope I might of helped here.

Thanks Grateful for your contribution to this topic. It does help to hear from someone who is taking these products and to hear them share what they think. Your experience is valuable to me and the many that are reading this thread.

I must admit, I haven't rec'd my Anxiety Control yet, but I am concerned that I may get a headache now! LOL j/k I guess I can always take half a capsule, twice a day if I had to.
I do experience stress on a daily basis with having little children in my home, but my anxiety has been slim although during the Christmas vacation I did experience a panic attack in line at the grocery store on Christmas Eve ( last minute items- you should have seen the crowd!)
I knew exactly why I felt that anxiety, partly because I was rushing around, trying to hurry. It was uncomfortable but not dangerous for me. I know too much now and I am no longer fearful of my symptoms.

I wish I could say that I barely experience anxiety anymore, perhaps when my little ones are grown and stop their whining and sibling rivalry. One can hope for unimaginable things!

I guess I'll be able to share my personal experience with Anxiety Control very soon.

One thing that has crossed my mind is that L-Theanine increases the GABA in your brain naturally, so therefore, what's the need for GABA ? Probably a hard question to ask Dr. Janet huh?

Anyways...thanks again for your contribution to this thread. You've been most helpful.

Hi Sunset,

Thanks for posting the link to this article...it is of special interest to me as I have high blood pressure. I see my Dr. on Friday and plan to discuss this with him.

Curly

Susan,
I've been thinking on what I shared earlier today. I started taking the GABA, two tablets a day which were 200 mg each, on the 19th of November, so I was taking that amount of it for about 4 weeks before the headache started. Before that I was feeling really good. More energy and sleeping better. I got that headache and reduced my GABA to one capsule a day. I still had the headache so by the third day stopped taking them altogether. I thought perhaps I may be getting too much GABA, and began to realize that I didn't need that as much due to rarely experiencing anxiety. But as I've been thinking today I realized that since I started the GABA I have been "challenging" myself and not feeling any anxiety. It's not until now that I can see that the GABA has probably been helping me more than I realized. But again, I don't want to undermine all the skills I've learned, that I know have helped me emensely.
I'm thinking that perhaps it was alright for me to start out with the amount I started out with, but that I should have tapered off as I felt better. Dr. Janet says to supplement when we need to. I guess we need to figure out when we need to supplement and when we need to cut back. Since I stopped taking the Anxiety Control I haven't had any headaches whatsoever, but I have noticed that I don't have as much energy. I thought the Mood Sync would benefit me since it's milder and especially during that time of the month when my hormones are out of whack, as it mentioned this in the description of the product.
Boy, how I wish I could sit down with Dr. Janet to discuss this more in depth. But like you mentioned these products also help to produce GABA to bring about that healthy balance that we need. And Dr. Janet mentions that when we have ongoing stress and anxiety our brains become deficient in the amino acids and magnesium. So, I guess we need to realize when we need to supplement, when we should cut back, as well as when we don't need to supplement with the amino acids. Will have to chart my progress as I continue moving forward with the amino acids. I really encourage you and others to do so also. I wrote down in my calendar when I started these products, and until now didn't stop to realize how much they have been helping me.
If you have any thoughts on what I've shared on this subject I'd greatly appreciate hearing them.

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Grateful,
Thanks SO much for going into greater detail about your recovery using amino acids. It was significant to hear just how much they have helped you overcome and make faster progress with doing those things that you were often uncomfortable with. From the sounds of it, they helped aid you in building your self-confidence. Life is always about "balance". Whether it be spiritual, physical or mental. There is a balance to all things. Perhaps the headache was a sign that you were "replenished".
Or perhaps it was another substance in the Anxiety Control causing the headache, for instance, the Passion Flower. Something to think about... I remember reading Dr. Janet's words on page 43 saying "GABA came to the rescue in my life and continues to keep my brain chemistry finely tuned." I am assuming that Dr. Janet still takes GABA. I am wondering how much she started with and how much she takes now to keep the balance "finely tuned". (???) You are right, I sure wish I could ask her all these things for a detailed answer.

Your experience is helpful to many. The idea of journaling when I start the amino acids is a good one. I've been thinking alot today and yesterday about making journalling a part of my everyday life. There is so much that I'd like to do but don't do because I am very limited for time. My children keep me busy, not to mention cleaning up after them ( an my husband too! )

You know....if they've been using L-Theanine in Japan for centuries and even include it in their foods and chewing gum....I think it's about time someone here invents a gum with L-Theanine and sold it in the checkout in the grocery store. Imagine the commercials?? A mom, with 3 kids, in the grocery store, stressing out, suddenly reaches for a pack of "stressless gum" ??????
Cool huh?

Thanks Grateful for sharing more with your experience. I am confident and excited about my experience with Anxiety Control. I'll be sure to post and let everyone know how it goes. I only wish it wasn't on backorder.

Curly,
Do let us know what your doctor says!
When I asked my doctor about GABA, he said he didn't know anything about it !!!!! Personally, I feel that all doctors should be educated about nutrition and supplements. My mother told me about a nutritionist in a town nearby. Not sure what he charges, but I'd love to go and have my blood tested to see exactly what I am deficient in. I wish you well in your own personal health journey!

Suzanne,

I completely agree with your ideas. I only wish it wasn't the case. I read an article yesterday about multi-vitamins and how the American Medical Association is now recommending a good multi-vitamin along with a good diet, whereas years ago they said it wasn't necessary if people ate well. Things are changing slowly. Perhaps if they find out how much money supplements are making and how many people want natural alternatives, they will consider getting into the business themselves and really take it more seriously. Money shouldn't be the issue but it is.

Grateful,
I hope you had a very Merry Christmas and great beginning to 2004 !!

As you know, I've been experiencing more anxiety around the holidays. I even had a panic attack in line on Christmas Eve at the grocery store and haven't experienced that feeling in such a long time.

Fortunately, this was not the last time I felt those feelings!!

I honestly believe that we all need to feel those symptoms of panic and I believe this is crucial to overcoming anxiety and panic disorder for good. One thing I noticed about myself is that the more I go through this experience the more I learn about myself and my ability to stay in control.

It is true when they tell you to practice, practice, practice. The idea of practicing is to get you used to feeling those panicky feelings in order to work through them.

I remember back when this was extremely hard for me. Although it's uncomfortable at times now, I am finding that it gets easier and easier to challenge those feelings.

I felt "powerful" at this anxious time in my life. Most likely because I am learning just how much control I have. I understand now where Lucinda comes from when she says "From panic to power".

I believe this year, is a whole new year for me in this recovery. I believe, with God's help, we are all going to make huge leaps and bounds!

Hi Susan,
Yes, practice, working through our "feelings" and "acceptance" of our feelings are vital to moving forward.
I too had a panic attack about a year ago after not having one for a long time and it was not fun. Have also had a few anxiety attacks afterwards that I had to work through. And these helped me to further learn to become "in tune" with my thoughts, feelings, and to take "better" care of myself, physcially, mentally and spiritually.
Actually I don't think I could ever get use to having those. But accepting them and working through them is so important as well as learning to tune into my body and thoughts to be able to "see" when I'm just beginning to feel anxious, and also why. When I can see the coming on of anxiety, this is when I would begin the relaxation techniques, and most importantly the compassionate self talk and doing what I could do to help alleviate the anxious feelings. A few key lines I would use with myself were: "I'm okay", "Dear Jesus, fill me with "Your" peace, "Your" strength and "Your" joy" (my constant prayer ), "I'm okay, I can leave at any time, no one is going to hold me down and force me to stay, or do anything. I have control of the situation here of what I want to do", "When I accomplish this, I'm going to reward myself with _____ and I'm going to feel so proud of my accomplishment", "It doesn't matter what anyone thinks. They are in their own worlds any ways. And "if" I do embarrass myself "so what", I'll find humor in my embarrassement as so many positive people do". I could go on and on regarding the compassionate things I have found to comfort and be truthful with myself with. Learning to not care what others think, learning to take things in baby steps, challenging myself, while not overwhelming myself, have all helped me to move forward gaining the confidence I needed to be "me" and to move forward in my healing. I also found how important my diet affected me physically as well as mentally. Twice I got back on the caffine as I started feeling better and ended up having several anxiety attacks. In journaling I was able to see what was going on. Sometimes it takes "realizing" what we're doing to help us see what is really going on.
I also want to mention that my "baby steps" have been so tiny, most of the time, in challenging myself. Sometimes I wondered if I was taking too little of steps, but I can see now that those teensy steps have brought me a long way in building my self confidence so that I again can live without fear of anxiety/panic attacks. I remember when I first started moving forward in going to stores, restraunts, dentists, doctors, the anxiety felt like too much. I'd be doing my relaxation breathing taking the greatest care that noone would notice, and wondered if they could. lol The beginnings of working towards healing were very hard, but have been worth it..
I'm proud for you that you allowed and accepted your "panic attack". This is truely a large part of healing when we can do this. I remember my last panic attack, I was right away racked with shame. Like it was my fault. My coach really helped me to work through that. She helped me to work through it by "accepting" my feelings. This helped me to learn to be compassionate with myself. To allow myself to feel what I need to feel and then move onward.
"Acceptance is powerful" as you have said.
I also am looking so forward to this new year.
And I want to say Susan that your insight, openness, and the wonderful sites you share here are such a wonderful contribution to this forum. I, for one, would like to thank you for all you do and share here.
Wishing you the absolute best as you move forward in your life. And I know the Lord will continue to guide and bless you.

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Grateful,

Such kind words! Thanks for all YOU do too!! You are also a big contributor to this forum and have helped many, many people through their struggle with anxiety and depression.

You know, there is such truth in your words....most of the problem with anxiety and depression is the pressure we put on ourselves for feeling nervous and/or depressed. It's almost as if, we believed at one point that we shouldn't be feeling those feelings, including fear. I remember getting so frustrated because I was feeling "fear" and knew I had no reason to be feeling those things. If I just accepted it for what it was and didn't analyze it all those years ago, I probably wouldn't have gotten myself into such a terrible mental disfunction with anxiety and panic.

You know, when I was in church yesterday, the message had to do with taking our time during our trials, in order to SEE and HEAR what God was trying to TEACH us during that experience.
Many times, we rush because want our experience to be over because it brings such discomfort, and many of us, rush through our experience, only to be facing that experience again and again and not understanding why. He shared that if we only "be content" even through our trials and tribulation and be open to what God is trying to teach us through that experience, we may never have to repeat that experience again in the same way.

I was giving what he said alot of thought and found it to be so true for myself. It's almost like rushing through our life, through our experiences that we don't get the "message" that is meant to reform, build and make us better people as we walk this path in life.

Then to top it off, I was looking through my bible and came across a devotional that supported the pastors message. This is what it said:

A Prison Experience by Millie Stamm
Joseph attained a place of prominence in Egypt by a difficult road of loneliness and injustice. His brothers, hating him intensely, sold him into slavery, and he was taken to Egypt. Separated from family and friends, he must have been lonely and homesick. But "the Lord was with Joseph."
Through a series of events over which he had no control, he was imprisoned. Joseph's imprisonment was a training period for God's future plans for him.
He learned patience while in prison. Authority given him over the prisoners developed his leadership ability. This was preparation for him later when he directed food distribution during a severe famine.
Joseph may have questioned why his brothers mistreated him; why he was sold into slavery; why he was imprisoned on a charge of which he was innocent. Yet he didn't let his prison experience embitter him. Although he didn't understand it, nor could he see what the future held, he was aware of God's presence with him in prison.
Today you may be in a prison. Perhaps you are misunderstood by your family. Or you may be far away from home, and lonely. Whatever your prison experience, humanly speaking, there may be now way out, no immediate solution. What is your reaction? Are you rebellious? Are you questioning God?
God knows the lessons we need to learn, lessons of patience, submission and self-denial. Our faith may need strengthening. We may be so concerned that God remove us from our prison that we miss the lessons he has for us in prison.
Our prison term may seem long, but the God who was with Joseph when he was taken into Egypt, and the God who was with him when he was put into prison, is the God who is with us today."

Another interesting article on L-Theanine written by a Naturopathic Physician......

https://www.integrativeinc.com/atd/L-Theanine%20For%20Relaxation.pdf

Has anyone here taken this amino acid? I ordered some and I'll be able to let you know my personal findings. I have read that taking L-Theanine with GABA enhances GABA in the brain.

I'll keep you posted on my experience.