[lbo-talk] The epidemic of mental illness

[Ann]

I take St. John's Wort. In Germany it has 50% of the market share for 
antidepressants, compared to 2% for Paxil. It has SRRI activity as well 
as having mild anti-anxiety and sedative effects, according to various 
double-blind studies. I used to get this swallowed by a nightmare 
feeling, and a low dose (.9 mg of hypericin, the active ingredient) 
prevents it, or if I've forgotten to take it that day, within an hour. 
Hypericin is absorbed and metabolized very slowly and accumulates in the 
brain and skin, so that's not so good. I grew up (evolved) with these 
nightmare feelings motivating a lot of creative and interesting things. 
Sometimes I feel like I should let the nightmare feelings loose again, 
but life's more pleasant if less dramatic without them.