SurvivingInfidelity.com^®

I see a psychiatrist for ADD, but our talks cover other topics.

At a session 18 months ago or so, he talked about session he attended at professional meetings. The presenter asked the audience (mostly docs) about anxiety. He asked how many of the docs who weren't anxious if they took selenium. My shrink said it looked like 90% said they did. Apparently very small doses of selenium can reduce or prevent anxiety. I've forgotten the numbers, but the average amount in 2 Brazil nuts is a good starting dose.

The topic of anxiety appeared in a thread here today, and that got me to post about it, FWIW.

I hope it helps someone. The evidence is anecdotal, so no guarantees.

Thanks for posting; had not heard of this. I used CBD oil - high quality - to manage the PTSD anxiety that came and didn't want to let go of me. I was stubborn and refused to even consider other pharmaceuticals because I didn't want to have to ween myself off of them. I would have asked for some had the CBD not worked for me. I kept a bottle by my bedside every night.

Now I have it and don't use it really at all but I know it is a safety net for me. Perhaps selenium is too?

Seems there is an oft cited study on this:

The impact of selenium supplementation on mood
D Benton 1, R Cook

Abstract
The possibility that a subclinical deficiency of the trace element selenium might exist in a sample of the British population was examined by giving a selenium supplement for 5 weeks. Using a double-blind cross-over design, 50 subjects received either a placebo or 100 mcg selenium on a daily basis. On three occasions they filled in the Profile of Moods States. A food frequency questionnaire was used to estimate the intake of selenium in the diet. Intake was associated with a general elevation of mood and in particular, a decrease in anxiety. The change in mood when taking the active tablet was correlated with the level of selenium in the diet, which was estimated from a food frequency questionnaire. The lower the level of selenium in the diet the more reports of anxiety, depression, and tiredness, decreased following 5 weeks of selenium therapy. The results are discussed in terms of the low level of selenium in the food chain in some parts of the world.

I have a prescription for busperone. It's pretty mild but effective for me in regards to anxiety but I haven't needed to use it for over 9 months. It was just enough to knock the edge off on the days I needed it, but not habit forming and is an older and time tested drug.

Hi sisoon,

I just bought a large bag of brazil nuts from the bulk food section at my grocery store because of your post. I have suffered from anxiety my entire adult life. I usually avoid supplements, but eating a few nuts a day is definitely something I can do. We'll see what happens! Thank you.

Thanks for the suggestion! My local grocery store didn't carry Brazil nuts, so I just ordered a small bag online and will try it.

Anxiety creeps up now and then, maybe the nuts will help.

Interesting! I used to eat 2-3 Brazil nuts per day during the latter part of my cycle when I was trying to conceive years ago. I can't remember if it was the selenium or something else, but there is something in Brazil nuts that supposedly helps babies stick. I'm far removed from infidelity anxiety at this point, but I have plenty of coparenting and other anxiety that hounds me so if a couple of nuts will help, I'm game. Plus they are delicious.

Editing to add - ok, Google told me it IS the selenium that supposedly helps with implantation. Cool!

[This message edited by JanaGreen at 4:13 AM, Friday, December 3rd]

*adds to cart

Can't hurt me - might help me - and I can always dip them in dark chocolate :)

I'll give it a go...

Thanks Sisoon!

Great post, Chaos!