Taking Inositol for OCD Relief in Adults and Children

Taking Inositol for OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) represents a cutting edge approach to mental health which has its roots in timeless practices.

As a psuedovitamin that is similar in structure to glucose, and similar in function to the B-vitamins, Inositol has been included in general health supplements like multi-vitamins for years. But this natural nutrient has been consumed from common food sources like eggs, spinach, and meat since the earliest days of man.

Over that time, this compound has been used by the body to reduce stress, improve mental health, contribute to cellular integrity, and improve fat burning. Now, we can apply some of the time-tested benefits of Inositol supplements to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

Read on to find out how Inositol and other potent nootropic remedies may bring relief to OCD sufferers naturally and without side effects.

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How It Works:

• Supports brain & liver health
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Dosage:

Between 500 mg - 18 g per day

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Rated Possibly Safe

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Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Supplements

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or OCD, is a fairly common mental imbalance which currently afflicts more than 3 million people in the U.S. alone.

It is estimated that about 1 in 200 people have the condition, at least half of which began exhibiting symptoms in childhood.

The disorder is characterized by repetitive fear and anxiety-based thoughts which compel people to perform a particular behavior. A commonly cited example of this is the nagging fear of illness causing a person to wash their hands over and over.

While it was once thought that OCD was strictly a psychological condition that arose from past mental trauma, it is now widely believed to at least in part be caused by Serotonin imbalances. This discovery is good news for patients, as Serotonin levels may be able to be balanced by taking supplements like Inositol for OCD symptoms.

While pharmaceutical medications like Prozac and Zoloft are frequently prescribed for OCD, natural approaches like Inositiol supplements may provide relief with far lower costs and no side effects.

How Inositol for OCD Works

Inositiol is commonly used for relieving daily stress. It is often marketed as a part of stress-relieving combo supplements, though most people don’t understand how it actually works. Inositol, a natural sugar alcohol, cuts stress and anxious thoughts in a few major ways.

First, it is able to bind with GABAergic receptors in the brain and performs the same inhibitory effects as natural GABA, the neurochemical which soothes over-excited nerves. GABA deficiencies can be challenging to compensate for with supplementation.

Inositol, able to cross the blood brain barrier, can activate these receptors and provide relief from over-firing nerves, the stress reaction at the heart of over-taxed, hyperactive minds. This action reduces feelings of urgent panic and can diffuse the tension associated with stress triggers, such as the external conditions which upset OCD patients.

Next, Inositol aids in the release of Serotonin, the neurotransmitter which is most closely associated with Obsessive Compulsive behaviors. This natural chemical fosters feelings of peaceful confidence when it is released. Worries become more manageable and an overall calming effect pervades the mind, even in times of high stress.

The tranquilizing effect of these mechanisms make taking Inositol for OCD a viable therapy, providing relief for overactive minds.

One study compared patients’ reactions taking Inositol to taking placebo in a double-blind placebo-controlled crossover trial. Thirteen patients with OCD either took 18 g of inositol orally for 6 weeks or took a placebo, and then at the end of the 6 weeks were switched to the opposite treatment for a following 6 weeks.

Based on their Yale-Brown Compulsive Scale scores, the patients had significant improvement when taking the Inositiol compared to when they took a placebo. The trial, while robust in its methodology, was relatively small in its sample size (13 patients) and larger trials are needed to confirm these results though.

The Natural Medicines database has rated Inositol as Possibly Effective for improving lithium-induced side effects, OCD, panic disorder, polycystic ovary syndrome, and respiratory distress syndrome. While research has been promising, more large-scale double-blind placebo-controlled studies are still needed to confirm the results of smaller studies.

At this time, Inositol is available as a dietary supplement only, and the FDA has not approved Inositol as a drug to prevent or treat any conditions.

How to Use Inositol for OCD Relief

Inositol does not require a prescription of any kind, and is widely available in many forms, including both food and powder supplements. It can be taken daily in combination with vitamins and nootropic supplements safely.

In fact, many people have found that Inositol works best when combined with supplements which boost Choline, another supplement which is widely taken for improved mental health.

The combination of these two supplements can dramatically improve the feeling of calm, clear thoughts and bright mental energy.

Reviews from OCD patients who complain of hyperactive, “tangled” thoughts say when they take Inositiol and Choline they find it easier to reason, articulate ideas, and find balance in the face of stress. Choline is the precursor to Acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter which is the key to reasoning, memory and focus. It can be effective for balancing mood when added to therapies of Inositol for OCD.

Dosage and Side Effects

Proper dosage depends on many different factors, and it is recommended that you speak with your doctor to determine the best dosage for your needs. The following dosage recommendation are general guidelines only, and your personal dosage may differ.

What is the best dosage of Inositol to use for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder? Well-tolerated by the vast majority of people, this pseudovitamin is safe and easy to take at a wide range of dosages. There are 9 different stereo-isomer forms, but myo-inostiol is the most commonly used.

Most people who supplement with Inositol for general stress relief and overall mental health can feel benefits from small doses of 500 mg per day, up to 2-3 grams. In more severe cases of OCD symptoms, such as bipolar disorder, doses as high as 18 grams per day are still considered safe, however it is highly recommended that you speak with your doctor first.

Doses of Inositol for OCD are often calculated by body weight. For example, 200 mg of Inositol are recommended for every kilogram of body weight. That would amount to 10 grams for an individual who weighs 50 kg or 15 grams for someone who weighs 75 kg.

Children typically need much less and may be instructed to use 5 g per day by their physicians. If you are the parent of a child with OCD, it is important to speak to a doctor before giving your son or daughter this supplement to determine if it is appropriate for them.

At very high doses, some nausea may occur, but as most people do not need to consume Inositol in these amounts, these symptoms are rare. Overall, Inositol, especially when paired with Choline supplements such as CDP Choline, could mean relief for millions who are dealing with the symptoms of OCD, via safe and proven natural remedies.

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