Complementary and Alternative Therapies Q&A
7 experts · 20 questions answered
Latest Q&As
Melatonin Beats Vitamin C for Sleep
I don't know what the nature is exactly of your sleeping problems, other than you're going through a period of not using cannabis. Since I'm not a medical practitioner, I can't suggest to you what to try, but I can tell you that 1 mg of Melatonin works for me. All brands are not created equal, so if
Answered by Dr. Mark Abrahams
Amino Acids Can Help Various Symptoms, But Be Advised...
Amino acids may be available without a prescription, but they can have serious side effects. For example, if someone has the Herpes simplex virus, L-Argenine can induce a herpes attack. On the other hand, if one takes L-Lysine, one can prevent that same herpes attack. "NAC" or N-Acetyl Cysteine deri
Answered by Dr. Mark Abrahams
The Concept of Anxiety...
...is a book by Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard, that I finished recently. I have a Bachelors degree in philosophy, and a Master of Theological Studies degree as well. I read Kierkegaard in the seminary too, 37 years ago. Why do I mention this? Because of all the existential problems that peopl
Answered by Dr. Mark Abrahams
Diet is Important...But Not Sufficient
Firstly, I am not a registered dietitian, nor a medical doctor or a doctor of oriental medicine (like an acquaintance I just returned an e-mail to). But I'll use an example based on my own medical condition to illustrate the point that diet, regardless of the claims made for it, are not always suffi
Answered by Dr. Mark Abrahams
Take Your Time
As I surmised, the fat-soluble THC and associated cannabinoids can be released into the body more quickly with serious fasting. It is not advised to fast according to Marijuana Anonymous® https://www.marijuana-anonymous.org/literature/pamphlets/detoxing-from-marijuana As far as eating is concerned,
Answered by Dr. Mark Abrahams
Do Herbs work for anger management?
I don't think so. Anger itself is not a psychiatric illness, and even though it can be a symptom of both anxiety and depression, it is not a part of the diagnostic criterion for these conditions. Anger has a unique status as being a part of most emotional illnesses but not defining any condition. I
Answered by Dr. Stuart Shipko
Ginko Biloba Alone is a No-Go for Blow
However, there is a book that's been around since the mid 1980s. I read it then, and I can tell you that the director of the substance abuse clinic I was working at back then did not like the idea of me suggesting an herbal routine to my clients. I was not a naturopath, an herbalist, or in any certi
Answered by Dr. Mark Abrahams
Qigong for Depression
I am not averse to other models of health, but admittedly, I am not a practitioner of Qigong, Tai Chi, or other Chinese systems. Aside from having read a handful of books on Taoist practices and having taken a course on the short Yang form of Tai Chi, I must admit ignorance. I have, however, been a
Answered by Dr. Mark Abrahams
Off the Record
The recommendation of substances that may be used medicinally is not the province of a non-medical, mental health professional, so I am not going to recommend anything to you for ethical and legal reasons. However, I would direct you to your own physician and inquire about the amino acid L-Theanine.
Answered by Dr. Mark Abrahams
Art Therapy Can Be Helpful
Art therapy is an excellent way for patients especially those with autism to facilitate emotional expression and improve self-confidence and self-esteem through the use of the group therapy format. It is use to improve and enhance the well-being of individuals of all ages not just children. Accordin
Answered by Dr. Carol Bunch
Sorry! I'm not familiar with that treatment, so I cannot comment!
Research it well, and ask them for references you can contact. Good luck!
Answered by Kent Kinzley
Melatonin naturally occurs in your system, hence it's not a downer or depressant.
It helps to regulate your circadian rhythms, which in turn can help regulate your sleep patterns. It is not so much an aid to sleep onset or sleep maintenance as prescription sleeping medications are. Since it naturally occurs in your system, there is less chance of addiction and overdose, though yo
Answered by Kent Kinzley
Social Anxiety is a Heavy Load
There are several things you can use to temporarily control your social anxiety. Unfortunately, some of them can end up controlling you such as alcohol. Many times people with social anxiety suffer from distorted thinking, including false beliefs about social situations and the negative beliefs of o
Answered by Dr. James Strawbridge
Vicodin Withdrawals
Vicodin is a semi-synthetic opioid based prescription drug commonly marketed as either Hydrocodone, Lorcet, Lortab, or generically as Hydromet. Normally prescribed as a pain reliever or cough suppressant, Vicodin’s effects are similar to other opioid derived drugs like, morphine and heroin when abus
Answered by Dr. James Strawbridge
Abstinence and Stress
Stress is not all bad. It all depends on how much you have, how long it lasts, and how you handle it. If you have no stress at all, you don't grow and learn---there's no incentive. If you have too much, you fold under it, and suffer a wide range of physical and psychological ills. A moderate amount
Answered by Dr. James Strawbridge
Opiate Addiction & Spirituality
All drugs started out in history as medicines, and, like their nonaddictive cousins, they are also poisons. They affect the highest functions of the central nervous system---our intellectual and emotional intelligence.Hence the street language for an addiction: getting "wasted" or "stupid" or "mello
Answered by Dr. James Strawbridge
Hypnosis & Meditation
Many psychologist use hypnosis as a means for treating mental dysfunction. The process of hypnosis is relatively easy, which is surprising considering the power that is associated with the phenomenon. In short the process is one of distracting the conscious mind long enough to implant alternate sugg
Answered by Dr. James Strawbridge
Getting off Opiates
I wish I could help you with this. I have not heard much about this new drug. I have seen many detox off of suboxone and it is as bad a detox as the opiate they were trying to get off of in the first place. Do your research and find out what the withdrawl symptoms are, understand the risk of getting
Answered by Kelly Miller
Abusive Relationships
Hi MJ This is one of the toughest subjects to talk about especially for the one who was in the abusive relationship. There is a lot of shame and judgment on self when you are in or have just left a relationship that is abusive. If she is a strong person she is more than likely telling herself she is
Answered by Kelly Miller
Treating the Adolescent: Art Therapy as a Bridge to Communicate
I'm not sure the age of your son, however based on your question, I will assume he's somewhere in the vicinity of adolescence. During the ambivalent and confusing years of adolescence, teenagers have a strong desire to express themselves, though they may resist authority and be wary of talking to ad
Answered by Jennifer Breslow