Expert: Eric Brandt - 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
Hi Gary,
I do not have experience in using these supplements for anxiety. When taking niacinamide I recommend avoiding alcohol as the combination is hard on the liver.
Too much 5-htp could lead to serotonin syndrome. 5-htp is a useful and beneficial sleep aide for people. I would suggest trying a homeopathic medication called Calms Forte for occasional anxiety the disturbs sleep. For daytime use or ongoing chronic anxiety I would see a medical doctor.
Thank you for using Allexperts
Sincerely,
Eric Brandt, B.Sc. Pharm