Is there a connection between Panic Attacks & taking St. John’s Wort or Soy Lecithin softgels?
Do these supplements make panic attacks more frequent or severe?
Both of these have been put forward as treatments for anxiety, and some people swear by one or both. Lecithin has not been shown to be effective in the little research that has been done; St. John’s Wort has had some clinical success, but nothing that I find compelling. Since SJW is supposedly an SSRI, I’d expect occasional reactions like panic attacks; I can’t imagine what mechanism lecithin could possibly have.
Thanks, Nametag!
Any extra input, from Nametag, or anybody else.
There have been some studies on St. John’s wort in Europe; you might want to search for those. It’s a mild drug, but has negative interactions with some other prescription drugs - especially HIV medications. I’ve never heard of the anxiety connection. Best to see a real doctor and be evaluated.
Anything can “cause” a panic attack. As a suffer of them in the past, and one who has beaten them with and without drugs, that’s the whole point behind them. You are pretty much causing them by associating things that have nothing to do with it, with the attacks.
For instance, maybe one day you didn’t eat enough, and that same day you happened to try St John’s Wort. You feel off, and you panic, because you didn’t eat. But you now associate taking St John’s Wort with the attack.
In terms of treating them Paxil and Imipramine are the best choices to treat them, though the latter has more annoying side effects, such as dry mouth and constipation