@ChroncStresChris if you're aromatizing at a high rate, TRT will make it worse

@engineer said: Therefore, what I'm wondering about is a strategy to ease the switch from FAO to glucose oxidation. Hi, your analyze if fine but it won't do the job whenever you stress. I can develop if needed (adrenalin => cortisol => no glycolysis allowed). Of, course your body must be accustomed to lipolysis and ketosis. It takes time (progressively improved). If you don't manage this staple very well, your brain is going to slow carburation down. When going out of a real fast (3-4 days), the return must be very progressive with carbs. It seems you've got problems too to manage insulin spike, if I decode well. It won't function well if ....

Ray was asked the difference in effect between using T and using DHT: https://lowtoxinforum.com/threads/ray-peat-email-advice-depository.1035/post-669099 Q: What is the major difference in impact between testosterone and dht? Assuming all the foundational stuff is sorted first (-thyroid good, calcium intake, etc.) Peat: Stress and inflammation increase the risk that testosterone will turn to estrogen.

@jamezb46 thanks @jamezb46 @sunsunsun @lobotomize @bio3nergetic

@lobotomize

bgpharmadrugs?

@sunsunsun said: I learned this from Chris Masterjohn's article where he explains it has to do with CoA and if you are taking b6 it is a good idea to take b5. After reading Sunsunsun’s comment on B5/CoA, as a likely kinetic bottleneck in cellular energy and side-effects on nerve cells, I decided to go deeper in the mechanism. Here are the main points (excerpts) if you are taking HD B6 or trying to optimize the energy levels, when talking about interaction from some supplements like betaine (as a traffic controller) or the Choline-Egg-TMG Connection (role in cell energy & signaling). Summary of the pathway In short, B6 PLP acts as the accelerator pedal for creating cysteine. If you step on that pedal with 20–25 mg of PLP, you must dramatically increase the supply of Vitamin B5 (at a 2:1 ratio) to prevent the system from exhausting. The extra B5 safely captures the excess cysteine, escorts it into Coenzyme A production, and prevents the cellular energy depletion that triggers a neurological shutdown. [image: 1786964093985-bottelneck-b5-coa.png] Even before I even introduce the higher-dose B5 (200 mg), my setup was already highly defensive. The combination of TMG, Choline/Eggs, and periodic Methyl-B9/B12 creates a massive upstream buffer. It actively prevents a massive, sudden tidal wave of cysteine from hitting the B5 pathway all at once, while Inositol protects the nerve membranes. Further details can be found on my forum to see how I manage and more, e.g.: “How I Manage Brain scrambling following admin issues” in order to block “the noise”, enhance alpha brain waves and synergize GABA-like effects when combining magnesium bisglycinate (1.3 g), L-theanine (200 mg), taurine powder (500-1000 mg). NB1: You’ll need caffeine to go through the doc (10 pages docx), with references. NB2: These references don’t go through when I post here on bioenergetic forum.

@ChroncStresChris said: Any ideas? Hi, HD riboflavin is a good choice but drowsiness is a side effect. I cite: High-dose riboflavin (vitamin B2) may improve sleep quality by reducing perceived stress, fighting cellular oxidative stress in the brain, and supporting the nervous system and energy metabolism. [1, 2, 3] Symptom Check: Drowsiness is not a standard toxicity symptom of B2, but clinically reflects a sudden parasympathetic shift or "rebound fatigue" when a chronically exhausted nervous system finally drops its stress drive. [1, 2] What I would manage and how I see the problem: Every other day 200 mg B2. 3 times a week a B50 complex (co-enzymed) (the 3 other days). Not every day. Mg bisglycinate powder 2 x 1.3 g at the beginning. Then 3x when accustomed. You’ll probably need beginning with half the dose when suffering from SIBO (tolerance). Don’t force the speed or your brain will register it as a toxin. L-theanine 200 mg 1 hour before bed. To help relax and improve deep sleep. One week later, we'll see for dysbiosis and energy. Explanation: The Reason: Magnesium acts as a natural brake for the nervous system. It works hand-in-hand with B2 to stabilize the mitochondria and prevent the "emergency brake" feeling that causes daytime fatigue. Smaller, frequent doses maximize intestinal absorption and prevent bowel tolerance issues (diarrhea), while the glycine bound to the magnesium acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter to calm her fried nervous system. The L-Theanine (200 mg) Knockout: L-theanine increases alpha brain waves and blocks glutamate receptors. This directly dampens the neurological "noise" and hyper-arousal caused by her high estrogen and chronic stress, allowing her to transition into deep sleep Splitting the dose B2 (in 2 takes 100 mg, the same day). The B2 / B-Complex Alternate Balance: High-dose B2 pushes the mitochondrial and liver pathways hard. Giving it every other day prevents her system from getting overwhelmed (+ rate-limited assimilation). The B50 co-enzymed complex on the off-days ensures her body has the necessary cofactors (like active B6, B9, and B12) to actually utilize that energy without hitting a metabolic bottleneck. When the sleep gets better, we’ll manage dysbiosis. You’ll probably have to calm over-reaction from the stomach linen with plant extract from melissa and curcumin (both are here required but only in the liquid form, otherwise curcumin is irritable). We call it: EPS (Extrait de plantes standardisées) (Plant extract liquid). Very soft approach for irritable bowels. They are generally available as an alcohol-free oral solution and can be prescribed as a custom blend tailored to individual needs. PS: You need a plan. If you try one molecule after the other, it won't match. Let me see how you see it / how you perceive the pieces of advice.

I have tried some Cytomel later in the PM, and it doesn’t seem to disturb my sleep architecture like PM Armour does, So is the T4 the problem? I got my hands on NP thyroid, and this week I will try that and see if I have the same issue. By the way, has anyone noticed that NP Thyroid has actually the same formula as the original Armour?

I think I might have figured it out. Unknown to me he had started taking calcium carbonate supplements and was taking his thyroid in the morning together with it for the past few months. It looks like calcium carbonate can prevent thyroid medication from absorbing properly. This may not be the entire reason but something to keep in mind for those who take both calcium and thyroid.

@zaaku, what helps me during these "bad energy" encounters is making sure I breathe through the nose only and only with the frequency of 12-24 breaths per minute. This is to activate the hippocampus rather than the amygdala, which evokes the fight-or-flight response and which is activated when we breathe fast. Humming (for about 5 seconds at a time) calms me down too.

Progesterone can only do good, especially after taking hellacious finasteride, I would be grateful my body can produce any amount and leave it alone. For men, in the short term progesterone's benefits might not be obvious, but in the medium and long term it is spectacular. What to definitely avoid and keep low is estrogen, which progesterone is good at doing.

@CrumblingCookie thanks for your response. I was thinking it might be fungal, but due to the fact, I have bangs and its not on my forehead and concentrated around my jaw, I am certain it’s hormonal. That’s why spironolactone , metformin, and inositol reduce it. I agree with mold I will look into that. I’m also looking into getting a gut microbiome and Dutch test. My partner also recommended taking iodine. I’ll give you feedback once I have more results. In the middle of my 30 day cleanse my cheek acne has reduced, but I still have some jaw acne so hopefully that’s a sign that it’s a combination of hormonal and gut so time will tell, thank you!

@alfredoolivas agreed! You want to keep a steady flow of dhea and preg. Otherwise you can take it standalone assuming you're not taking an outrageous amount 10 times a day. Taking it for years, I never experienced suppression

@engineer Reporting back on this: CrumblingCookie said: Topical application on the lower abdomen reportedly does not bring about these tense and stressful cardiovascular sensations. Lower abdomen application consistently caused the same. Only more delayedly after a few hours in comparison to the rather fast onset by application on the chest/thorax. Surprisingly, however, it showed that increasing thyroid hormones alleviated this dis-ease. Assumedly and in line with many thoughts before this the extra DHT administration spotlights basic metabolic insufficiencies. Wouldn't limit this to thyroid hormones at all but expand the need for them into a wider picture of metabolic disturbances (which supplemental thyroid hormones may or may not cover-up in part). I.e. no shortcut to better health but more like a possibly powerful booster to override adverse effects from other supps or habits when already in good metabolic health IMO.

@sunsunsun in case you don't already know, on the old rp forum Haidut said it can be a result of extreme hypothyroidism, over-training or over-excercising

@peatqqq maybe switch the Apple juice for orange juice if it appeals to you. Ray Peat used to caution about mold in (store bought) apple juice. And mold can cause or exacerbate all kinds of symptoms/conditions. I guess if you can juice the apples yourself you'd know that won't be a problem.

would preg/dhea and proviron be interesting?

@jakethesnake did you make sure to cook the mushrooms well?