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Recently, I've been doing research on how the different mood stabilizers work and what kind of actions they perform to help bipolar and other mood disorders. Here's a list of each mood stabilizer I take and how each work:

Lamictal (Anticonvulsant/Mood Stabilizer)

-NMDA glutamate modulator

-Works on sodium and calcium voltage channels

-Affinity for Sigma Opioid and Serotonin receptors

Topamax (Anticonvulsant/Mood Stabilizer)

-AMPA glutamate modulator

-Works on sodium and calcium voltage channels like Lamictal

-Affinity for Kainate receptors

-Enhances GabaA receptors (like Klonopin)

-Works on temporal lobes in brain

Taurine (Anticonvulsant/Mood Stabilizer)

-NMDA antagonist

-Works on sodium, magnesium, potassium, and calcium voltage channels (similar to Topamax and Lamictal)

-Enhances GabaB receptors (kinda similar to Topamax)

-Modulates Dopamine and Norepinephrine

Magnesium (Mood Stabilizer)

-NMDA glutamate modulator (like Lamictal)

-Calcium Channel Blocker (similar to Veraprimal)

-Kinase Activity Modulator

-Affinity for Serotonin, I think

Overall, with all of these mood stabilizers, I get some work done on:

Both AMPA and NMDA glutamate receptors

Sodium, magnesium, potassium, and calcium channels

GabaA and GabaB receptors

NMDA antagonism

Serotonin and Sigma Opioid

Temporal Lobes

Calcium channel blocking

Kinase activity

D2 and NE modulation

Kainate receptors

Pretty interesting. I wonder which symptoms each of those functions effect.

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I thought Taurine was a stimulant--isn't that the active ingredient in Red Bull?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Taurine is actually a mild sedative. The Taurine itself in the Red Bull isn't a stimulant at all. It's the caffeine in the Red Bull that is a stimulant. The Taurine is in there to balance out the energizing effects of the caffeine.

For an anticonvulsant, the dosage of Taurine ranges from 500mg up to 3,000mg/day. I don't take as much since I'm taking other mood stabilizers. My doctor told me that it's a gaba agonist for GabaB receptors (similar to Topamax's agonist of GabaA). Taurine also actually blocks the release of Dopamine and Norepinephrine as well.

Dr. Stoll (who studied Fish Oil for bipolar) is doing a study for Taurine and he says it works well for bipolar.

Some pages say to be cautious of too much Taurine because it can have a depressing effect (much like higher doses of anticonvulsants).

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That was really interesting, MG.  Thanks for sharing your summary.  Wish I had the attention span to do it for my own meds  B)

Taurine is actually a mild sedative. The Taurine itself in the Red Bull isn't a stimulant at all. It's the caffeine in the Red Bull that is a stimulant. The Taurine is in there to balance out the energizing effects of the caffeine.

I've had long "discussions" with my sister over this very thing.  Taurine is getting a weird reputation, isn't it?!

Taurine also actually blocks the release of Dopamine and Norepinephrine as well.

Hm.  Interesting.  That would explain why while I find myself mellower and needing less of a benzo while taking it, I'm also more lethargic and less motivated.  Damn double edged sword again.  I've tried taurine's "evil twin" tyrosine, and it just makes me edgy and irritable.  I seem to be pretty sensitive to NE.  I wonder how they'd work together?  I figured they'd just cancel each other out, but maybe I'll give it a try someday when I'm feeling brave.

Dr. Stoll (who studied Fish Oil for bipolar) is doing a study for Taurine and he says it works well for bipolar.

You know, I've been Googling Stoll and taurine periodically since first seeing that announcement, and find <zip> beyond that same sentence.  Has anyone heard if this study is actually proceeding?

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Dr. Stoll (who studied Fish Oil for bipolar) is doing a study for Taurine and he says it works well for bipolar.

You know, I've been Googling Stoll and taurine periodically since first seeing that announcement, and find <zip> beyond that same sentence.  Has anyone heard if this study is actually proceeding?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I just Googled it. I couldn't find it, either.

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