top of page

Alternatives to Abilify/ Bi-Polar Disorder Conventional Medications


I was diagnosed with cycolothymia and bi-polar disorder a few years back when I was on a raw vegan diet and had become deficient in B12 and folate. I also tested low in testosterone back then. I had a bunch of issues. I can't remember all of them... But I had definitely taken steps to fix my B vitamin levels. I learned that I had the MTHFR gene mutation and that I needed to take natural B12 and folate. Synthetic B12 and folic acid, along with the vegan diet is what made me become deficient in these very important vitamins! I took a lot of supplements to fix my imbalances but I never made a serious effort to fix my testosterone levels. I didn't wish to take any synthetic hormones nor did I wish to take any psychotropic drugs. I was determined to fix everything naturally. To this day I've never ingested a psychotropic drug, however my own father, and quite a few doctors, have attempted to prescribed them for me, including my newest psychiatrist who just prescribed me with Abilify. Abilify is an antipsychotic medication that helps treat several kinds of mental health conditions, including schizophrenia, bipolar I disorder, autism spectrum disorder and Tourette syndrome. It balances the levels of dopamine and serotonin in your brain to regulate your mood, behaviors and thoughts. Honestly, my psychiatrist almost prescribed me with St John's Wort until I told her that St. John's Wort as well as SAME and 5HTP can cause mania in people with bi-polar disorder. I told her a quick story and she switched me to Abilify. She actually wanted me to take something else that would build up in my blood and would require me to get my blood monitored constantly. I was against that so she switched me to Abilify.


Now, ever since my college days, when I had an awakening to the bad energy of the pharmaceuticals I was taking and immediately stopped taking them, I've always been quite hesitant to take pharmaceuticals, especially psychotropic drugs, due to the many side effects and toxic chemicals that these pharmaceutical drugs contain. So instead of making things easier on myself, at least in the short term, and just taking the drugs that doctors tried to prescribe for me, I've engaged in a life long search for natural alternatives to psychotropic drugs.


Being prescribed Abilify recently was a blessing in disguise... It gave me a great starting point on my newest search. I ended up finding some real good information... Now, before finding this great information I was already taking some important supplements such as Natural B vitamins, CO Q10, Berberine, NAC, L-Tyrosine, Glycine, Mucuna Pruriens, Curcumin and CBD oil! And ofcourse eating a very healthy non processed diet and detoxing with organic sulfur, chlorella, etc... I have actually been doing quite well... just not well enough! My energy levels have been particularly low which has made it difficult for me to deal with stressful situations... So the good news is... I found this incredible website: https://www.alternativetomeds.com/blog/abilify-alternatives/

I scrolled to to Natural Alternatives to Abilify and found this info:


Natural Alternatives to Abilify

We know that much better alternatives to Abilify exist compared to having to take antipsychotic medication for a whole lifetime. Would you or a loved one like to become more familiar with a better way forward, one that you can have confidence in? In this article, we cover some of the supplements that are Abilify alternatives, dietary corrections, and other therapies that we have found useful in working with clients at our center.


Natural Alternatives to Abilify Include:

  • Overhaul the diet, choose whole foods, organic where possible, avoid processed foods.15,25-27

  • Probiotics, fermented foods, and yogurt for healthy gut flora.16

  • Eliminate neurotoxic accumulations from the body.17,19,31

  • Test for and correct micro-nutrient/vitamin/mineral deficiencies.20

  • Psychotherapy/psychosocial therapy such as CBT.1,11,12

  • Holistic treatments for symptoms such as insomnia, and depression.13,17

  • Exercise.14

  • Orthomolecular treatment such as NAD+ IV treatment, high-dose vitamin C, and inositol niacinate.18,26

  • Avoid neurotoxic chemicals such as MSG or glutamate in foods.21

  • Avoid sugars and artificial sweeteners.22,23

  • Exposure to sunlight 17,32


I immediately ordered NAD + supplements, Lipsomal C and Inositol Hexanicotinate on amazon. I started taking these supplements along with the other supplements I was already taking. I also decided to buy individual B12, Folate, B1 and B6 by Thorne. Then I contacted the website to find out more info... I received a text back. Thus began our conversation...


Hello Jennie, my name is Nick and I’m calling you from Alternative To Medications Center in  Sedona, Arizona. I see you filled out a form on our website and just wanted to reach out to see if there’s anything I can do to help or answer some questions you might have. please don’t hesitate to reach back out to me if there is something I can do or if you do have some questions I would be glad to answer them.


Hi Nick, thanks for reaching out to me. I found your alternatives to abilify and I was hoping to learn more. I starting taking nad plus pills, inositol hexanicotinate and lipsomal c 2000 mg a day. Just wondering if you can provide any more info? Dosage? Good Brands? Anything else you can tell me? Appreciate it!


Hi Jennie, 

You're on top of things. I like your plan. I have a great contact for NAD patches and a number for you to reach out to talk to about that. Hang tight I'll send it over.



Give them a call. Ask them about their NAD patches as well.


Awesome! Thanks! Yes, I am very proactive. I have the MTHFR gene mutation so I also take methylfolate, methylcobalamin, etc. Any info you have... I will try it! I am always experimenting on myself. I greatly appreciate it! 👍😃


Of course.


Thanks! Have a great day!


You too. Also look up ATMC on you tube. We have a ton of videos that might answer your questions.

Start with this one and check out the others that pop up.



Awesome! Thanks again! 😃


So I contacted Free Range psychiatry and wrote

"Hi, I was referred to you by Nick at Alternative to Medications Center in Sedona Arizona. I was looking into alternatives for abilify and Nick told me to contact you regarding your services and NAD patches.... 

Thanks!

Jennie"



I'm still waiting to hear back from Free Range Psychiatry and I haven't had time to look at the youtube videos yet... However, in the meantime I started adding protein powder back into my diet... specifically pumpkin seed protein along with peanut and almond butter... I spoke to my close friend about taking creatine. He was a body builder in the past and is very knowledgeable on the subject. He was against me taking creatine (or anyone for that matter) but told me that I should be taking BCAA's. I decided to see what Dr. Peter Attia is recommending. He recommends creatine and BCAA's. Yes, Dr. Peter Attia recommends taking branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) to help gain muscle and regulate muscle protein synthesis: Recommendation: Attia recommends supplementing with leucine, which is a BCAA. He also says that most BCAA supplements are made from crushed bird feathers, and that he only trusts two BCAA companies: Ajinomoto and Biosteel.


So I ended up purchasing California Gold Nutrition BCAA, AjiPure® Branched Chain Amino Acids, 500 mg, 60 Veggie Capsules which is sourced from Ajinomoto/AjiPure. I actually wanted to get the powder but it is out of stock everywhere and 6 times the price on Ebay. So I took one pill and immediately felt calmer... but with more energy to get things done! It's been a few days now and my energy levels are increasing and my mood is improving! How could this be? I did a little research and found this info:


1) There is some evidence that branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) can help with bipolar disorder, but there's not enough reliable information to say for sure: 

  • Acutely reducing manic symptoms

    A study found that a BCAA drink reduced manic symptoms in patients with mania. The BCAA group had a persistent advantage over the placebo group one week after the end of treatment. 

  • Biomarkers for current health state

    A study found that BCAAs can be used as biomarkers for current health state in people with bipolar disorder. 

  • Metabolic parameters

    A study found that people with bipolar disorder had lower leucine levels than healthy controls, but otherwise similar BCAA levels. 

However, supplements are not usually a proven alternative to medication for treating bipolar disorder. Supplements can interact with medication, even if they are natural


2) Yes, there is evidence that testosterone levels may be associated with bipolar disorder

  • Hormonal imbalances

    Hormonal imbalances can lead to mood disorders, including bipolar disorder. Testosterone levels can decline with age, or due to injuries, medications, or other medical conditions. 

  • Neurobiological abnormalities

    Some studies suggest that disturbances in testosterone levels may be a key neurobiological abnormality in bipolar disorder. 

  • Role in suicidal behavior

    Testosterone may play a role in suicidal behavior in people with bipolar disorder. Both high and low levels of testosterone may contribute to the neurobiology of suicide. 

  • Puberty-related changes

    Pubertal hormonal changes may increase the risk of the first manic or depressive episode in boys


3) Yes, branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) can increase testosterone levels

  • Resistance training

    A study found that men who took a BCAA supplement before and during high-intensity resistance training had significantly higher testosterone levels than those who took a placebo. 

  • Pre-workout supplements

    A combination of BCAAs, caffeine, creatine, and beta-alanine in a pre-workout supplement may increase testosterone levels. 

  • Exercise

    A study found that testosterone levels were higher in groups that exercised with or without BCAAs compared to control groups. 

BCAAs are essential amino acids that the body can't produce, so they must be obtained through diet or supplements. They can help with muscle recovery, building muscle, and preventing muscle damage during exercise. However, BCAAs can cause side effects like fatigue, loss of coordination, nausea, diarrhea, and bloating


Wow! The universe sure does provide answers doesn't it? Ask and you shall receive!

And yes, I sure will be trying those NAD+ patches soon enough!


Jennie H is a Reiki Master Energy Healer, Co-Founder of Self Saviorz Society California Non-Profit 501(c)(3), Poet, Author and Entertainer with goals to help raise the vibration and consciousness of humanity!

댓글


Featured Posts
Recent Posts
Archive
  • Facebook Basic Square
  • Twitter Basic Square
  • Google+ Basic Square
Search By Tags
Follow Us
bottom of page