NAC (N-acetyl cysteine or N-acetylcysteine)

[voyteck]

@TheWayBack I understand NAC helped you in some ways. But did it help your akathisia?

[puthappinessfirst]

Any other updates on this supplement? Love to give it a go, maybe. 

[Ryder]

Give it as much go as you like. Say goodbye to the person you know, once you take it.

 

Pray when you try get off of it as well. 

[puthappinessfirst]

50 minutes ago, Ryder said:

Give it as much go as you like. Say goodbye to the person you know, once you take it.

 

Pray when you try get off of it as well. 

 

It obviously made you worse, huh?

[Ryder]

Yes and I reported the doctor for prescribing it. Once I was on it, I started buying other supplements to get off it. 

 

Why would you try something that’ll make you worse than now. Do yourself a favour.

[SkyStreamer]

I just had a few questions for those of you who have used n-acetylcysteine for any extended period?

 

1) Some categorize n-acetylcysteine as a supplement, and others categorize it as a medication? Do you know which it is?

 

2) Do you still use this? And, if so, in what amount?

 

3) When during the day is the ideal time(s) to take this? 

 

4) Is it ok to take around the same time I take my AD?

 

5) Can you become addicted to or dependent on n-acetylcysteine?

 

6) If you stop using it, would you have to taper off it, much like we do ADs?

 

@Altostrata - I'd love to hear your answers to these questions, since you seemed to benefit from n-acetylcysteine for a period of time.

[Altostrata]

Everything I know about this supplement is posted in this topic. I took it many years ago. I don't remember the details anymore.

 

Whatever you try, try a very small amount first to see what effect it has. Do not continue if the effect is unpleasant.

[SkyStreamer]

Thanks @Altostrata !

[gardenlady]

On 2/9/2019 at 3:08 AM, Ryder said:

Can I just say, I took NAC about 2.5 years ago. I was on Zoloft and Clonazepam and i was able to drive.

 

Once i started NAC, yes it really took the burden off my withdrawal symptoms. But, I eventually stopped driving because of it. I wouldn't wish NAC on anybody my cognition and concentration just went funny.

 

Also it has a really short half life, I took it up to 3xtimes in a day at one stage, that is including before bed.

Do you recall what dosage you took?  

[Faithgrl]

Ok you guys, I tried NAC again due to seeing a naturopath and having allergic conjunctivitis during winter. I lasted 2.5 months before coming off about a week ago. Here is my take 

 

1) Some categorize n-acetylcysteine as a supplement, and others categorize it as a medication? Do you know which it is? NOPE

 

2) Do you still use this? And, if so, in what amount? It was Biomedica NAC, and I was taking about 1/3 measuring spoon that came with the jar. The measuring spoon was pretty small, so I reckon I was taking 1/4 of a teaspoon, twice a day. Almost a large pinch. 

 

3) When during the day is the ideal time(s) to take this? Morning and lunchtime. 

 

4) Is it ok to take around the same time I take my AD? I have been off AD for 2-3 years now. 

 

5) Can you become addicted to or dependent on n-acetylcysteine? No. I came off completely overnight and it was fine. 

 

6) If you stop using it, would you have to taper off it, much like we do ADs? No. I came off about a week ago when I started reacting to it on a sustained basis, with scalp eczema (which was weeping and not healing despite having cortisone pour on it every night) and increasing anxiety. Saying that, it did kill my sugar cravings as well as help me work ALOT better. Now I am back to feeling slightly down here and there, but the eczema is almost 80-90% healed. It also helped with the allergic conjunctivitis initially. So for me, I saw initial benefits, then it went backwards such that the reactions outweigh the benefits. Back to just cold-turkeying sugar (lol) and putting some music on when I feel down...

[Hakn]

It can decrease glutamate excitation, anyone tried nac while in wd? 

[mva96]

Hi yes I have used NAC with great success both before and during WD. 

 

I only take it during waves, and even then i take it sparingly. It won't do anything for the unpleasant emotions WD/Waves can produce but it dramatically quiets my mind for about 6-8 hours. I usually take it at night when in a wave, as during waves i wake up several times a night with racing thoughts. With NAC the awakenings still happen but there is no racing thoughts.

[lucidity]

Like glutathione and whey, it makes me relaxed, removes any anxiety and depression but only for about 2 hours then all hell breaks loose -- severe anxiety almost to panic with insomnia lasting several days.  This is an uncommon reaction.  I wish I knew why this happens and how to prevent it, because If I could feel like I feel those first 2 hours, I would never have needed any ADs to begin with and I'd actually be able to sleep.  I suspect I'm experiencing glutamate excitotoxicity from it

 

 

[Patti2057]

@Ryderwhat did NAC do to you ?

 

[ChessieCat]

@Patti2057

 

Here is the link to Ryder's Intro topic:

 

ryder-zoloft-to-clomipramine

 

[Patti2057]

Thanks @ChessieCat 

[Hopela]

Fairly new study says NAC might reduce neuronal degeneration (lobotomy) from antipsychotics (Olanzapine):

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-75356-3

[fullofdetermination]

I am considering starting taking NAC daily while I am still tapering sertraline. Is it, in theory, safe?

 

Through the topic I saw people that used on wd after jumping but I might have missed something as I've been exhausted these days. Sorry for that.

 

Any thoughts on this would be great.

[Ryder]

If you want to get addicted to supplements then yeah go for it. Go and take NAC. It works very well until you start taking it 3-4 times per day.

[fullofdetermination]

21 minutes ago, Ryder said:

If you want to get addicted to supplements then yeah go for it. Go and take NAC. It works very well until you start taking it 3-4 times per day.

 

I don't seek an addiction, I want to be functional again while I taper Valium. But it seems it revvs my symptoms up too. Anyway, thank you.

[Ryder]

I took NAC many years ago so will share what was only my own experience with it. I really wish i hadn't taken this stuff.

 

I used to be able to drive on about 100mg of Zoloft and 4mg of Clonazepam. Once i started taking NAC i was literally anxiety free - yup, it took away the anxiety. BUT, if was for only 2-3 hours at a time. And i ended up taking throughout the day as it lasted for really short periods! When i was driving on this stuff i was drifting on the road like Tokyo Drifting thinking of no consequences. I remember one time i drifted across lanes and thought that was OK driving at the time. It really messed with my ability to think clearly as i had no more back pain or anxiety pain. However, if you are willing to stay near a chemist to take what you need and keep the anxiety pains away then ok go for it.

 

What really was the icing on the cake for me was my specialist at time added more suplements which then added more addiction to a trove of more supplements down the line. Not only was i researching SSRis and whatnot, but i started going deep into the healthfood industry selling me what could be added to what. You can imagine how Gluten free etc etc i became looking over every ingredient. I can even remember buying stuff i didn't need such was the promise of what supplements could offer. I am sure there are some good ones out there, just not NAC for me.

If you are going to try it, try NAC only and dont add any other supplements and see what happens. I would like to know your feedback.
It definitely is a pain killer of somesort, and imho should be a prescription drug. However, you will feel a little drugged when you take it.

[fullofdetermination]

I am sorry for such an experience. I suspect I have neuro inflammation due to being over exposed to screens. I took one month licence from my job and I still deal with my most annoying and debilitating symptom: my right temple feels like is burning, as if someone is throwing acid on it, and this always happens when I try to engage on anything with too much stimuli such as videogames or work (I can barely watch TV) for like 20 min or any activity that demands intellectual effort. Feels too much for me and I feel slammed after.

 

I came across this link that described too well what I am feeling in almost all listed symptoms:

https://thefnc.com/research/do-you-have-brain-inflammation/

 

I bought resveratrol that is listed in the end of the page but now idk if I can take it.

 

I already have NAC... took it sometimes. I took it 2 days ago and it really intensified the symptoms I described in the following days. It could be the swiss water decaf coffee I was taking some days, it could be the chickpeas I ate, idk. I am doing an anti inflammatory diet now that seems to help but I need a bit more to work at least part time I guess. "Benzo brain" gives so much restrictions...

 

I really don't want to lose this job. I hope I find a solution without taking anything harmful and I hope I become happy and functional again soon.

 

Thank you for sharing your experience.

[hayduke]

This is an interesting one.  I noticed good effects the first few times, but then more tending to either neutral or slightly off after that.

 

I seem to be taking a pinch about once a week now.

[Brioche]

Be carefull with nac when u have problems with histamin

[Ventus]

I am testing nac out myself. I was hoping it would help with insomnia since sleepiness is a side effect but it just makes me feel weird  for a few hours. So far I have tried it for about a week some days 1g in the morning other days 1g at night. I can't really report anything good or bad about it. 

[SeekingAnswers]

We had a zoom meeting with a new psychiatrist today who is an "integrative psychiatrist". My son told her about the intrusive thoughts and she recommended N-acetyl cysteine. Just wondering if any of you have tried it and if it helped with intrusive thoughts.

[SeekingAnswers]

A new doc recommended it for my son's intrusive thoughts. I'm afraid to have him try it until I know if it's safe. Have any of you used it? @Altostrata  @getofflex  Thank you!

[Altostrata]

If you have questions about supplements, please use search in the Symptoms and Self-Care forum and add your question to the most appropriate existing topic before starting new topics.

 

Please do not tag me or the staff to discuss supplements. There are too many supplement fads and too much supplement hype for us to keep up with. You can use Google to research as well as we can. Post what you find in the appropriate topic.

 

It is unlikely that any one supplement or proprietary mixture would correct any kind of mental pattern, neurological condition, or withdrawal symptom. Supplements often make good placebos, though.

[SeekingAnswers]

On 9/19/2021 at 12:04 PM, Altostrata said:

If you have questions about supplements, please use search in the Symptoms and Self-Care forum and add your question to the most appropriate existing topic before starting new topics.

 

Please do not tag me or the staff to discuss supplements. There are too many supplement fads and too much supplement hype for us to keep up with. You can use Google to research as well as we can. Post what you find in the appropriate topic.

 

It is unlikely that any one supplement or proprietary mixture would correct any kind of mental pattern, neurological condition, or withdrawal symptom. Supplements often make good placebos, though.

It seems to be difficult to find info on this supplement online. Sorry to bother you, just trying to help my son who is suffering badly.

[Altostrata]

On 9/19/2021 at 10:32 AM, SeekingAnswers said:

A new doc recommended it for my son's intrusive thoughts. I'm afraid to have him try it until I know if it's safe. Have any of you used it? @Altostrata  @getofflex  Thank you!

 

Why do you not ask this doctor your questions, and ask him for more information about NAC, which is an extremely common supplement -- but is claimed to work miracles only by quacks?

 

Please post here what you find out.

[SeekingAnswers]

29 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

 

Why do you not ask this doctor your questions, and ask him for more information about NAC, which is an extremely common supplement -- but is claimed to work miracles only by quacks?

 

Please post here what you find out.

His new integrative psychologist said it can help with intrusive thoughts, so we are trying it, but honestly it seems like the moderators on this site actually have more knowledge than many doctors about SSRI WD. So that's why I was asking here if anyone had any experience with it. I didn't realize that only quacks believe in it, that's sobering. My son has been taking it for 5 days and I honestly can't tell if it's helping or not, but I will post about it in a few weeks if it seems to be helping. Grasping at straws here because I haven't heard of anything that helps with intrusive thoughts other than distracting the person, and them just waiting it out. I'm hoping it will take weeks for the thoughts to go away and not months, but you know how it is . . .  every person is different and we have no idea how long these symptoms will last. Taking it one hour at a time right now.

[Altostrata]

If your son is suffering from withdrawal syndrome, NAC is unlikely to help. A common adverse effect is an upset stomach.

 

Unfortunately, people here are going to have to learn how to weed out advice from quacks from possibly good advice from integrative or alternative medicine. We cannot keep up with the false claims. One sign of quack advice is claiming that a single supplement or supplement program can cure a so-called mental condition.

[SeekingAnswers]

45 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

 

Why do you not ask this doctor your questions, and ask him for more information about NAC, which is an extremely common supplement -- but is claimed to work miracles only by quacks?

 

Please post here what you find out.

His new integrative psychologist said it can help with intrusive thoughts, so we are trying it, but honestly it seems like the moderators on this site actually have more knowledge than many doctors about SSRI WD. So that's why I was asking here if anyone had any experience with it. I didn't realize that only quacks believe in it, that's sobering. My son has been taking it for 5 days and I honestly can't tell if it's helping or not, but I will post about it in a few weeks if it seems to be helping. Grasping at straws here because I haven't heard of anything that helps with intrusive thoughts other than distracting the person, and them just waiting it out. I'm hoping it will take weeks for the thoughts to go away and not months, but you know how it is . . .  every person is different and we have no idea how long these symptoms will last. Taking it one hour at a time right now.

[SeekingAnswers]

Thank you for the info, much appreciated.

[Altostrata]

If you follow the advice of such a doctor, please ask questions of the doctor, not here, particularly if you think the treatment has adverse effects.

 

Let us know what you find out, to inform others.

[Shashal]

I tried the NAC in late January, it helps the muscle tension immediately but I don’t know if it was a coincidence, but after taking it 3 days in row I felt agitated and worse tinnitus (but now I thought it was caused by curcumin) then I stopped.

 

Until today I had bad akathisia caused by curcumin withdraw, I gave NAC another try and it worked better than Propranolol and L-Theanine which I used for Akathisia before. And I noticed that the burning and tingling were more tolerable today.