Expert: Dr Alan Galbraith - 9/19/2009

Question
Hello i hope you can help. i would like to know what you would recommend for chronic anxiety in the following supplements: Gaba, inositol, niacinamide?
Firstly Ive just started a course of: gaba-1700mg, inositol-2600mg, niacinamide-2000mg, 5htp-300mg. Is this a safe yet effective combination at these doses? – Does this combination pose any risk of SEROTONIN SYNDROME??????
(Also i take daily 1200mg skullcap, 3000mg complex valerian, passion flower, hops, 800mg l-theanine).
Secondly apparently benzodiazepines with alcohol are fatal!? Is alcohol ok with my supplements or would that cause problems like OVER SEDATION or liver TOXICITY??? If so how much can you drink and what amount of time should there be between the above combination and alcohol???
I take no other supplements, drugs etc and have no disorder/medical problem. Finally would you recommend any other supplements as being more effective than the ones i take mentioned above?
Thanks for your help.


Answer
Dear Gary

As i told you before 100mg of 5-HTP is the recommended maximum because of the risk of serotonergic syndrome. None of the other preparations should pose a risk. Whether they are beneficial or not is a matter of conjecture as there is no hard and fast evidence that they are. However, I would say they are worth a try. I cannot comment further as I am not a naturopath and my knowledge of these substances is limited.

Benzos only can be fatal on occasion with alcohol if both are taken in large amounts. Moderate consumption of alcohol  (2-4 standard drinks per day) should be OK with your preparations.

Regards

Dr Alan Galbraith