What Is N-Acetyl Cysteine And How Can It Be Used For Depression?
N-Acetyl Cysteine is a form of amino acid that is commonly used in therapy for cancer patients as well as an antidote for acetaminophen overdose. It is derived from the amino acid, L-Cysteine, which form the building blocks of protein. This means that for depression, your brain is supplied with a myriad of amino acids that help it to better create your own natural “happy chemicals” such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine.
The supplement is used to counteract carbon monoxide poisoning, used to counteract chest pains that are unstable angina, bile duct blockage in infants, Alzheimer’s disease, Lou Gehrig’s disease, allergic reactions to anti-seizure drug phenytoin and an eye infection known as keratoconjunctivitis. Other medical experts employ the use of the drug in the cure of heavy metal poisoning, infections, the healing of wounds as well as therapy for HIV infection.
In the field of psychiatric medicine, the drug is used dues to its impact upon glutamate and dopamine in the brain. The drug is known to be a strong neuroprotective substance thanks to its antioxidant properties. The bump in your immune system, as well as impact on your neurotransmitters, is what makes this such an effective, long-term nootropic for depression.
Benefits
N-Acetyl Cysteine is known to have many benefits as well as clinical applications. They include:
- Cures hangover
The active ingredients in the supplement which are amino acids help to cure hangover that is brought about by binge drinking. Hangover brings with it a pounding headache and queasiness the morning after one has drunk in moderation or overindulged in it.
The hangover has been an age-old problem since ancient times when alcohol was first brewed. The substance works by eliminating common symptoms that are associated with a hangover such as dry mouth and headaches. Other symptoms that one may experience include changes in the immune system, changes in glucose metabolism, metabolic acidosis, increased cardiac output and sleep deprivation among others. The supplement also helps to prevent damage to the liver due to excessive alcohol intake.
- Cures Tylenol overdose
Tylenol is pain medicine and an overdose usually occurs accidentally or intentionally when an individual takes more than the recommended amount. It is one of the most common poisonings around the world because people think it is safe but in large doses, it is dangerous. Tylenol is a brand name for acetaminophen and is contained in medicine like Anacin-3, Liquiprin, Panadol, Percocet, Tempra, and various cold and flu medicines. Some of the symptoms one may experience when they have overdosed on Tylenol include abdominal pain, appetite loss, coma, convulsions, diarrhea, irritability, jaundice, nausea, sweating and upset stomach among others. The amino acid in the supplement helps to cure Tylenol overdose, therefore, preventing damage to the body.
- Used in psychiatric practice
For patients who have a low mental drive or are having difficulty in controlling thoughts and attention span, the supplement can help them to overcome this thanks to the amino acid present in it among other active ingredients.
It is also used in the treatment of patients with ADHD, OCD, bipolar disorder, depression, and schizophrenia.
- Other Uses
The supplement has also been used efficiently in aid smoking cessations and also in helping to reduce other addictive behaviors. The high content of anti-oxidant in the drug makes it well suited for preventing heart and lung disease as well as repairing damage from overdoses and toxic metal poisoning. The drugs anti-infection qualities have shown promise in the treatment of HIV.
Recommended Dosage
The drug has varied the broad range of dosage recommendation which suits different uses. Adults who are in good health can take the drug as a general cognitive wellness supplement at a dosage of up to 600 mg, twice in a day. The dosage will generate mental focus, increased motivation, and improved focus, as well as a significant boost in your mood.
N-Acetyl Cysteine may be considered as an energy-boosting stimulant but it still has the same mental focus effects which can be achieved without excess stimulation via cholinergic or racetam supplementation. This helps to boost cognitive strength.
Dosages can be provided to treat certain ailments such as asthma and one may take around 200 mg per day.
Side Effects
The drug can produce strong gastrointestinal side effects for some people. Side effects people will experience include vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and nausea. Just like all supplements, the best way to avoid the side effects is to start with small doses before increasing amounts.
The drug dilates blood vessels and increases blood flow, therefore, it should be taken with any blood thinning medication or blood pressure medication. The drug should not be taken in conjunction with strong stimulants that affect dopamine levels. N-Acetyl Cysteine for depression uses, and as a way to improve symptoms, is very commonly used in modern western practices.
Long-Term Use
Thanks to its anti-oxidant properties, it helps to prevent alcohol damage to the liver as well as treating Tylenol overdose and heavy metal poisoning among others. The drug is used for glutamate and dopamine interactions, therefore, promoting mental energy and attention control.
Psychiatric patients also benefit from the drug especially those who have low mental drive and difficulty in controlling thoughts and attention span. The drug is also used to treat ADHD, OCD, bipolar and schizophrenia among others.
Short-Term Use
The drug is used to treat hangovers, therefore, preventing the occurrence of headaches and other symptoms associated with hangover. The drug contains organic compounds which are needed by the body for metabolism, immunity and healthy cognitive function.
Research
Several studies have been conducted on the drug. You can follow the links below to read more about the studies conducted on the drug.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3044191/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23369637
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24683506
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18990082
Is N-Acetyl Cysteine Legal?
The drug is legal in the US and other countries as it is used in the formulation of other drugs such as panadol, cold and flu medicines.
Online Reviews
The drug has been used as an antidote for toxic poisoning from Tylenol and heavy metals too. Its strong antioxidant properties make it ideal for fighting severe infections which include HIV. As a cognitive enhancement supplement, it has the ability to increase metabolism and boost dopamine levels, therefore, increasing mental focus and energy too.
Final Thoughts
N-Acetyl Cysteine is a drug that has many uses such as in the production of pain killers as well as flu and cold medicine. It is widely used in the treatment of heavy metal poisoning as well as Tylenol overdose. Due to its anti-oxidant properties, it is widely used among psychiatric patients especially those with serious neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s, addiction, depression, and schizophrenia among others. N-Acetyl Cysteine is extremely beneficial in helping to curb depression long-term and can start having a positive effect on your mood within an hour after taking the supplement.
It is also used in the promotion of mental energy as well as attention control especially among patients who have difficulty in controlling thoughts and attention span. It has also been used in aiding smoking cessation as well as helping to reduce other addictive behaviors.
Leave a Reply