Mental Health: The missing link?
- The Supplement Advisor
- Apr 3, 2020
- 9 min read
This topic is insanely personal to me. I never thought I'd be so proactive with the whole mental health pandemic, don't get me or intentions mixed up - I was shy and always felt ashamed in one way or another to speak about the harsh realities of neglecting mental health. You never know if you are next, it's not something I ever anticipated due to my life being pretty much good during my high school days which pretty much levelled up my mistreated childhood days. There's no denying that we are not taught how to cope or handle stresses that life will eventually throw our way from deaths to debts. Stress is killer as it leads to more than just boosting cortisol but it leads to mental disorders that you can't just "get over". From anxiety to depression, I've been down all the hellish avenues and it's not easy talking about it still, there's a stigma attached to these mental issues - society doesn't see it as serious as it should even though millions take their own lives annually... Even that isn't enough. You feel almost ashamed to admit what you are going through and experienced it doesn't get any easier when you feel like you have no one to talk to, to explain - to ease the pain. It's something very ironic as we are just meant to accept everything society wants to accept yet they can't accept the plain truth that mental health is plainly overlooked.
A personal reflection, is there a solution?
Honestly to me, its a daily fight. There are ways to improve aspects but I have personally never recommended or ever wanted to be reliant on any drugs to help improve my condition. The fact is that dependence is formed and once that occurs addition is a big risk and its alot harder to come off these drugs. Its a fact that herbal compounds are never a first choice from your GP or doctor but just these drugs that give you a false sense of wellness that could just be a placebo effect as many think its the answer to their issues without ever facing their fears head on.
I have been on several compounds prescribed by doctors these included items such as stressam, xanax and ativan. Ofcourse they are different but they are given as a cure in essence. Once a panic attack hits and you feel as though you are dying, admittedly these drugs do help a ton but then again its kinda pushing the issue under the rug so to speak and not dealing with the issue at hand which is the answer. I always blamed my issues on everything but my way of thinking and the doubts I placed on myself . I was sure that the first time I ever got a panic attack in Matric was due to overdosing on a multivitamin and not the fact that on that night I was prepared to quit my bodybuilding dreams and aspirations (had these since the 8th grade) for soccer - and yes it sounds a bit wacky but those who knew me then knew I lived and breathed bodybuilding - it became my identity and had literally fought me out of depression and improved my life in so many various aspects that when I tried to let go it was soul breaking to me and caused so many mental issues. Let me remind you that I am a man of faith and when I doubted my dreams that I prayed for daily, it was a real test of my faith but the doubt I had indirectly made me doubt Him because if you doubt your dreams you doubt Him - this battle , again to me was more spiritual than anything.
These issues carried on throughout exams, I started experiencing rapid heart beats and I sold myself the notion that something is wrong with my heart - which was NOT factual and brought on by my negative thoughts and fears. I was actually surprised I passed my exams as I found it extremely difficult to concentrate and my memory was horrible during those times. Eventually panic attacks became less frequent but being on meds like stressam drains you of your energy and made me even more depressed you feel numb to the world and I decided it was time to quit this ... I did. It wasnt easy as everyone around you becomes an expert on mental health and I always heard the same thing "sometimes theres a chemical imbalance in the brain" But my question was ... Why? No one could answer me and I decided to find the answers myself. During this time there was basically no knowledge or focus on nootropics or adaptogens. I decided to go scott free, for a while it worked until I had common relapses and again it was brought on by negative thinking and just not facing myself or my past mistakes and more importantly I wanted to live up to OTHER peoples standards and NOT MY OWN. When you dont seek your own interests and goals you live a life of someone else and not your own.
There were many terrors I continued to face as the concept of doing ME was still fresh but during this time there was more information and knowledge on compounds that can assist with mental issues and help fight my anxiety and depression. I first stumbled across KSM66 and started doing my own dosing and testing - the adaptogenic properties were great. I felt the more extensively I used it the better the effects and I generally coped alot better. Once I was done and satisfied with the overall progress I then added more compounds to the mix and these furthered the facts that meds are a ploy to designed to kill your hopes and prolong your pain because they keep your mind in purgatory whilst depression still hits full force. Seeing the usefulness of nootropics and adaptogens certainly changed my mind for the better and the results were amazing. Here is what I noticed and experienced
-Reduction in anxiety
-Improved sleep quality
-Mood
-Energy levels
-Coped better with stress
What are nootropics
Nootropics are drugs, supplements, and other substances that may improve cognitive function, particularly executive functions, memory, creativity, or motivation, in healthy individuals.Wikipedia
There are many compounds classed as "nootropics" These include common pre workout staples such as L-tyrosine, Choline (various forms), stimulants (caffeine being the most common), L-theanine, huperzine A (clubmoss), advanced forms of L-carnitine such as ALCAR and others. Now each has their own dosage, I have always found that buying the exact compound of your choice is far superior than buying a "Nootropic blend" unless its something super dosed. More often than not companies throw in pixie dust amounts of nootropics with a hefty price tags so play around and find what works for you.
Nootropics DO NOT have to contain stimulants as many are sensitive to stims, have hypertension or are on meds. Stimulants can cause jitters and increase anxiety, there are components that can help alleviate those issues but I have always preferred stim free options which makes it really versatile especially if you consume other forms of stimulants throughout the days ie pre workouts and coffee.
What are adaptogens?
Adaptogens are non-toxic plants that are marketed as helping the body resist stressors of all kinds, whether physical, chemical or biological. These herbs and roots have been used for centuries in Chinese and Ayurvedic healing traditions...
There are many choices and options when it comes to adaptogens these include lions mane, cordyceps mushroom, chaga mushroom, Reishi mushroom, Shiitake mushroom, ashwagandha (ksm66, more specifically), sceletium tortuosum (kanna), bacopa monnieri and rhodiola rosea to name a few.
These require a certain amount of play, we react differently and so its worthwhile in testing these compounds to find what suits you. Nootropics have adaptogenic effects and visa versa they work very closely together depending on what you are using and how much is the determining factor. Mushrooms have been the talk over the past year or two thanks to peak02, a blend of mushrooms from compound solutions that improves oxygen utilisation, improves recovery and endurance.
Personal findings
This is my own regime I followed and this isn't a command nor am I deeming this the cure or answer, just what I used to improve my issues.
KSM66 500mg in the morning
500-600mg magnesium blend (dischem brand) (before bed)
Magnesium is gonna raise eye brows but quite truly this discovery has been prolly my most prized when it comes to improving sleep, muscle function and research confirms it fights against clinical depression. I have found a single tablet really does the trick, its affordable and extremely effective.
Daily (5/7 days) Pre workout (loaded with L-tyrosine and choline (either bitartrate or alpha GPC) if not added in L tyrosine 1G-3G and choline bitartrate 1G or Alpha GPC 600mg.
These added components are safe to use daily and as a whole productivity, sleep, focus and mood are greatly enhanced. Prolonged usage was my biggest fear but that was cleared up real quick once stress and anxiety jitters felt in my hands slowly but surely went away.
There is no denying I am a fan of the natural route, If finances are available I would certainly suggest adding in a mushroom blend for its continued benefits on brain health and performance. Its all down to you and your budget end of the day. Again this is just what I used, use common sense and judgement when it comes to adding in anything, more doesn't necessarily mean better when it comes to how many compounds and how much.
Other vital aspects
There are many variable when it comes to stressors, we all have different lives and types of stress but no doubt these do make a world of difference
Sleep
Ensure you are getting sufficient sleep, atleast 6-8 hours. There are herbs that help with sleeping issues such as valerian root and melatonin. Sleep issues are directed to lower life expectancy and increased levels of stress which increase cortisol.
Diet and training
A very common misconception is that diet and training have no direct correlation with mental wellness, they most definitely do. Ensure you are consuming as many calories as advised by your dietitian and avoid going excessively over or under your daily caloric goals. Training is as vital as diet when it comes to mental health, boosting mood, enhancing blood flow and improves heart health.
Remaining positive and optimistic
Very easy to overlook the obvious but negativity is not helpful in any way shape or form, try your hardest to keep negative thoughts out your head and replace them with hope and optimism. Always positively reinforce your mind with motivation no matter what that maybe - for me it's "you got this".
Speak to someone who you trust
This is not easy, but needs to be done. Find someone who you can trust and confide in. Open up and be vulnerable - in a life so unpredictable its far too short to hold it all in. There are those who legitimately care and opening up will help in more ways than one.
Always seek an alternative route
I am a very determined individual so I was determined not to become another statistic and live a life with no answers on meds that numb you. This lead me to researching many compounds with plenty of trail and error. These methods I found and use daily still work and help daily. This was not only cheaper than meds, came without any withdrawal issues, aided not only mental health but life - they are natural and do not require to be cycled if used correctly.
Keep your dreams alive
Never doubt yourself, the going gets tough but it was never meant to easy. Quitting always seems like the easiest way out but you don't fully give it a go how will you ever know what could have happened?
Never give up - this is not a battle but war
There were many times I wanted to end it all, where I felt I couldn't go on and just felt this fight was aimless but everyday I grew that much more determined to get to the bottom of my issues. It's still a fight, there are some days that are harder than others but I won't ever live for people again but for Him.
YOU GOT THIS.
Take home note
There is so much I let go to do this, it's a battle for everyone who suffers from mental issues but there is a silver lining - it's you. Only You can make walk your walk, these compounds as mentioned do help a great deal too. Don't just take the easy way out by not giving these compounds a go - I'm not saying it's the cure, I'm saying you hold the cure within. These battles I faced have caused for much pain but so much growth and resilience, there is always something to take out from negatives. Where there is destruction there is a new beginning. I learned much about myself and my life, and clearly helping and being truthful is what I'm best at. And my passion for the supplement Industry and bodybuilding isn't going anywhere because I have no quit or fear, I will reach my goals no matter what For me it was letting my insecurities go, my past regrets and mistakes - and letting Him in.
Much love
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