Last night my son (25) said, "Mom, I don't believe this. I can think clearly!" He said he always felt like there were 7 doors and 7 keys and he couldn't figure out which key fit in which door. Now he said he can put each key in the right door.

What's different?

When we went to see the nutritionist on Tuesday she saw him "cycling" rapidly. Laugh, cry, laugh, cry. So, she suggested instead of merely 5HTP with B6 (to make more serotonin...feel good neurotransmitter), he switch to one that contains not only 5HTP, but additionally an amino acid called L-Theanine. The supplement is called Serene Plus and is made by Neuroscience. (That lab did his neurotransmitter testing via "spit", sputum.)

BINGO.

This amino acid is in green tea...tea contains L- theanine and caffeine and these are antagonistic. Hence decaf.green tea is actually better to relax. Green tea contains 1/3 less caffeine than black tea. It is also found in a few mushrooms.

Now...get this...this is what this amino acid does:

- stimulates the production of alpha brain waves, creating deep relaxation and mental alertness, similar to meditation.

- alpha waves go from the occipital to parietal regions of the brain (his first seizure showed spikes in the occipital - eyes - region of his brain on an EEG)

- it increases the release of dopamine and reduces serotonin - curtails synthesis or helps with increasing degradation (serotonin breaks down to other things...eventually melatonin - sleep). It increases brain levels of gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) - a CALMING nuerotransmitter while caffeine decreases it.

- it lowers BP (dose dependent)

- it decreases oxidative stress "antioxidant"

- it doesn't promote sleep because it does not produce theta waves in the brain

- it crosses the blood brain barrier

- doses in the range of 50-200mg are felt in 30 minutes and last for 8-10 hours

- it's used to combat stress

- no adverse reactions, no drug interactions

- it may have an anti-cancer effect and is beneficial when used in conjunction with chemotherapy

- it may help to protect against infections by priming a T-cell

- it may help prevent ischemic neuronal damage (damage caused by lack of oxygen to the nerves)

- caffeine and theanine seem to suppress body weight increases and fat accumulation

- may prevent a stroke (cerebral infarction)

- may , get this! ENHANCE LEARNING

- promotes concentration

- protects the brain from glutamic acid poisoning...ya know...MSG...Chinese restaurant syndrome - glutamates

- it shuts down the "worry" mode

- less PMS symptoms in women

- L- theanine is: gamma ethylamino - L - glutamic acid

- the key to orderly brain function is glutamic acid

- glutamic acid converts to glutamine which crosses the blood brain barrier

- glutamic acid removes ammonia - a nitrogenous by-product fo amino acids which is toxic to the brain

"Ancora Imparo"...I am still learning...boy is this complicated...neurohormones, neurotransmitters, amino acids, vits and minerals...how one impacts the others.

But...this could be a "miracle" for him. Keep your fingers crossed!

I contacted the company to see about ordering this product and was told I needed to go through my doc.

Now, if I can only get the brain in line enough to deal with this and the obstacles that go along with it...like the funds to do the testing if the doc agrees and the funds to purchase the product.

It would be great to have my mind back again.

It might be worth a try, but as with any supplement what works for one person may not work for another.