SJW: "Will It Make Me Worse?"

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squirtleSquirtle
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SJW: "Will It Make Me Worse?"

Unread post by squirtleSquirtle »

I think this question is misguided and based on some of the scientifically erroneous assertions that seem to be perpetuated about SJW.

“Can” SJW make PSSD worse? Can an airplane spontaneously fall out of the sky and kill you where you sit right now? Can any person have a brain aneurysm at any given moment and die instantly? Yes, in an absolute sense. Any system as complicated as the human body can have unforeseen consequences when disturbed sufficiently. The better question is “what does the weight of published scientific evidence, historical use, and individual case reports logged on this forum suggest?”

SJW is commonly compared to SSRI’s on this forum, and from what I can tell that is based largely on some out of context cherry-picked studies in which some of the individual psychoactive components of SJW are assessed (like hypericin for example). However, it has been well established in the published scientific literature that the ultimate psychoactive effects of SJW are due to the combined effects of a large number of active compounds within the hypericum perforatum plant. It is also well known that the SJW simultaneously modulates regulation of serotonin, norepinephrine, AND dopamine receptors (and MANY others), and exerts its therapeutic effects using a mechanism that is not yet understood. This is in stark contrast to SSRI drugs which are thought to directly take action specifically on a targeted subset of serotonin receptors (hence the name selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor). Unique to SJW is that it is also a powerful antioxidant and continues to show promise as a nootropic substance for improving memory related cognition.

In short, SJW cannot be compared to any pharmaceutical drug with any kind of scientific honesty or validity. It is a serious psychoactive substance that should be taken cautiously (especially in terms interactions with other drugs you may be taking), but it is irrational to assume that it is likely to make PSSD worse based on the distinctions of how it works relative to antidepressant drugs, as well as the numerous case reports on this forum of people being restored to good sexual and emotional health. Additionally, SJW was used extensively by some of the most hypersexualized civilizations in human history, including the ancient Greek’s and the Roman Empire. It has a long legacy of positive and restorative neurological effects that have been downplayed in the modern era by the powerful pharmaceutical industry that makes nearly 100 billion dollars annually on the sale of antidepressant drugs.

Based on the weight of EVIDENCE, SJW is far more likely to help you than hurt you if the product you take is reputable and not refined to only specific ingredients, taken appropriately, over a sufficiently long time-frame (long enough for significant epigenetic changes to occur and alter homeostasis), at reasonable doses, and in combination with other healthy lifestyle behaviors. For a good primer on some of the current research on SJW please see the link below to some papers I have put on google drive.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/ ... -8IpK1N0_O

Squirtle Squirtle!
-Squirtle
20 mg Prozac, March-May, Septemeber-December 2015
Problems starting at discontinuation: very low libido, erectile dysfunction, watery semen, no morning wood
Current Problems: mild erectile dysfunction
Jaxx
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Re: SJW: "Will It Make Me Worse?"

Unread post by Jaxx »

However, it has been well established in the published scientific literature that the ultimate psychoactive effects of SJW are due to the combined effects of a large number of active compounds within the hypericum perforatum plant. It is also well known that the SJW simultaneously modulates regulation of serotonin, norepinephrine, AND dopamine receptors (and MANY others), and exerts its therapeutic effects using a mechanism that is not yet understood
As there are multiple cases of PSSD (or it seems, looking at the symptoms), this is exactly the issue. It is a messy supplement, with multiple effects.
My advice is to look at reviews of others and make your own assessment about the risk. In my personal experience it took over 2 weeks to see any effect, unfortunately they decreased over time and did not stick. But we have already seen it did help others.
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Optimist
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Re: SJW: "Will It Make Me Worse?"

Unread post by Optimist »

Thanks for this Squirtle. I’m going stop my own experiment with SJW though ( three days, one on 450 two on 900). The idea that it could make my PSSD worse makes me anxious. I found that it numbs out the worst of my anxiety. Do you find that it numbs you out a little bit? This feeling is akin to the feeling I got on SSRIs.

I've also been looking for your intro/story. Haven't been able to find it (if you ever wrote one). Wanted to know whether your symptoms were similar to mine.
My symptoms are ED and very low libido. I am able to get an erection to porn sometimes. Have had sex several times, I got an erection each time but was not able to sustain it beyond ten minutes.
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squirtleSquirtle
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Re: SJW: "Will It Make Me Worse?"

Unread post by squirtleSquirtle »

Jaxx wrote:
However, it has been well established in the published scientific literature that the ultimate psychoactive effects of SJW are due to the combined effects of a large number of active compounds within the hypericum perforatum plant. It is also well known that the SJW simultaneously modulates regulation of serotonin, norepinephrine, AND dopamine receptors (and MANY others), and exerts its therapeutic effects using a mechanism that is not yet understood
As there are multiple cases of PSSD (or it seems, looking at the symptoms), this is exactly the issue. It is a messy supplement, with multiple effects.
My advice is to look at reviews of others and make your own assessment about the risk. In my personal experience it took over 2 weeks to see any effect, unfortunately they decreased over time and did not stick. But we have already seen it did help others.
I respectfully disagree with your implied opinion of how case reports should be interpreted.

Due to the variability in how SJW has been taken (dosages, frequency, duration.. most failed attempts only seem to last for a few days to a couple of weeks… not long enough for full effects to occur according to the published literature, good product vs questionable ones with no consistency in critical ingredients, inappropriate usages such as combining SJW with other drugs and supplements… very risky, diet, exercise, ect…) scientifically speaking, almost nothing can be concluded from ANY failed SJW case report.

The opposite is true for successful case reports however. Since the probability of recovering from PSSD after it has been consistent for over a year is very low (as we all all have come to know and as the emerging published literature confirms officially), we have great confidence that SJW use was in fact responsible for recovery in successful SJW case reports.

In short, successful case reports are conclusive while unsuccessful case reports are largely inconclusive as to the ultimate efficacy of SJW when taken appropriately, and the associated risk profile. Additionally, in terms of risk assessment, one must be extremely critical of negative case reports and understand that the details of how SJW was taken by participants are critical in determining its biological effects.

I maintain that the weight of evidence suggests that prolonged appropriate SJW use combined with other healthy lifestyle behaviors is a powerful strategy for resolving CNS related PSSD with a very acceptable risk profile. The community would do well to focus on the commonalities in the successful SJW case reports to better understand it’s efficacy and adopt clear guidelines of best practice for usage.

Squirtle Squirtle!
-Squirtle
20 mg Prozac, March-May, Septemeber-December 2015
Problems starting at discontinuation: very low libido, erectile dysfunction, watery semen, no morning wood
Current Problems: mild erectile dysfunction
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