Ginkgo Biloba

[Moloch]

Grungehead on Tue Dec 04, 2012 1:36 pm

Hokay,Firstly im a totally Anti Herb/Supplement person..have never prescribed one and even discourage the use.This one however has a couple of placebo controlled trials in favor and there is a senior in my department who cant stop raving about the no. of patients he has 'cured' of sexual dysfunction with this herb.

So ive decided to give it a try..couldnt find the darn capsules so ive gotten the syrup form..will start with 120mg a day and go to 240 quickly.

Anyone of you ever tried this?

[Moloch]

Sonny on Wed Dec 05, 2012 6:37 am

Yea it was thought to improve memory, but that turned out to be false. Never heard anything about using it for this though. Let me know how it goes.

[Moloch]

latinboy7 on Wed Dec 05, 2012 7:59 am

I tried it. It didnt notice anything.

The only herb that I have noticed to do something was Maca. It made me have nocturnal emissions everytime I took them. But appart from that, not much...

[Foxx]

I think that this herb deserves its own thread, although it's not a miracle drug. Someone called it a subtle rejuvenator and I tend to agree.

[dosing]
Two years ago I didn't know what the HED (human equivalent dose) is. Overall it means that 50mg/kg for rat translates as 7.5mg/kg for human.
http://i53.tinypic.com/t4zma0.png
Dosing differ from 240 to 600mg of EGb761.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/ginkgo/dosing/hrb-20059541

[mechanism of action]
Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb761®) influences monoaminergic neurotransmission via inhibition of NE uptake, but not MAO activity after chronic treatment
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/24413261_Ginkgo_biloba_extract_EGb761R_influences_monoaminergic_neurotransmission_via_inhibition_of_NE_uptake_but_not_MAO_activity_after_chronic_treatment

[well and less known reasearches]
Stress-induced 5-HT1A receptor desensitization: protective effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761).
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7628830

The effects of sub-chronic cold stress on the functioning of hippocampal 5-HT1A receptors in old isolated rats and the possible protective effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) were investigated. Cold exposure during five days, produced a significant reduction of the inhibitory effect of 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetraline (8-OH-DPAT) on forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity. In contrast, neither the affinity nor the density of hippocampal [3H]8-OH-DPAT binding sites were affected indicating that the reduced sensitivity of 5-HT1A receptors induced by stress is probably due to a modification of their coupling mechanisms to adenylyl cyclase. The stress-induced desensitization of 5-HT1A receptors was prevented by the administration of EGb 761 (50 mg/kg per os/14 days). These results clearly indicate that 5-HT1A receptors are desensitized by stress and point out the reduced capacity of old rats to cope with the adverse effects of a chronic stressor. EGb 761 appears to restore the age-related decreased capacity to adapt to a chronic stressor.

Decreased cerebral 5-HT1A receptors during ageing: reversal by Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761).
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8051617

Investigation of [3H]8-hydroxy-2(di-n-propylamino)tetralin binding to 5-HT1A receptors in cerebral cortex membranes of Wistar rats showed that the maximal number of binding sites (Bmax) was reduced significantly (22%) in aged (24-month-old) as compared with young (4-month-old) animals. Chronic treatment with Ginkgo biloba extract did not alter binding in young rats but increased binding density significantly (33%) in aged rats. These results confirm previously described age-related 5-hydroxytryptaminergic alterations. Together with data in the literature, they also suggest a restorative effect in aged rats, associated with decreased receptor density resulting from the protective action of Ginkgo biloba extract treatment on neuronal membrane.

The Ginkgo biloba extract, EGb761, increases synaptosomal uptake of 5-hydroxytryptamine: in-vitro and ex-vivo studies.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1361545

Ginkgo biloba extract treatment increases noncontact erections and central dopamine levels in rats: role of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and the medial preoptic area.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20411379

Ginkgo biloba extract enhances noncontact erection in rats: the role of dopamine in the paraventricular nucleus and the mesolimbic system.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21640798

Ginkgo biloba for antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9611693

Effect of Ginkgo biloba Extract (EGb-761) on Recovery of Erectile Dysfunction in Bilateral Cavernous Nerve Injury Rat Model.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25772481

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Ginkgo biloba in Neuropsychiatric Disorders: From Ancient Tradition to Modern-Day Medicine
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3679686/

An anxiolytic-like effect of Ginkgo biloba extract and its constituent, ginkgolide-A, in mice.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14575433

[some stuff]
Reflections from a Med Student
http://www.longecity.org/forum/topic/58410-reflections-from-a-med-student/
Ginkgo Biloba - The Neutral Nootropic
http://www.longecity.org/forum/topic/52495-ginkgo-biloba-the-neutral-nootropic/
Gingko Biloba and Testosterone: Gingko Will Help Your Testosterone To Cortisol Ratio
https://www.anabolicmen.com/gingko-biloba-testosterone-gingko-will-help-testosterone-cortisol-ratio/

[my experiences]
Like I said before it is not a miracle antidote, but I think it's a best auxiliary herb out there however sometimes I thought Ginkgo doesn't work, so it's fairly close to placebo overall, nevertheless stuff doesn't need to hit between the eyes in order to give some benefits I guess. I think that I've learned to see Ginko's action after some time, at first it seemed to be a sugarpill. Dosage and brand is very personal, I suspect not every one batch works the same, but it could be just ocd.

For me personally No.1 is Now Foods Ginkgo extract with Gotu Kola and Eleuthero (dried leaves and root) 120mg/100caps with old label graphics:
https://www.amazon.com/Foods-Ginkgo-Biloba-120mg-Vcaps/dp/B0013OVZCO/ref=sr_1_1_s_it?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1476357199&sr=1-1&keywords=ginkgo%2Bextract%2Bnow%2Bfoods&th=1.

I think it's very calming and pro-sexual. I've tried custom made Ginkgo extract with quality Gotu Kola and Eleuthero extract and had some interesting, more pronounced but short lived results (quite pleasureable ache around kegel's muscles). 5-HT1A forms heterodimers with GABA(B) (which Gotu Kola increases) namely shares same pool of g-proteins, but it sounds too baloney honestly, nevertheless:

GABA(B) receptors in 5-HT transporter- and 5-HT1A receptor-knock-out mice: further evidence of a transduction pathway shared with 5-HT1A receptors.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15140188

I suspect Ginkgo with newer label could be different, yesterday I've received 200cap bottle and extract was slighty more greenish, I felt it was different (worse). I've tried also other brands of Ginkgo, but still I like best Now Foods combo. Things are to investigate, like I said, it could be just ocd. For sexual dysfunction 240mg is recommended. I don't know why. If there is only vascularity considered it makes sense, but for neurological benefits I feel I need more. 2x240mg is fair in my opinion, but it's out of label somewhat. I've been taking way more, one or two single 1200mg doses gave me once very strong lust, it was 6 months after stopping SSRI when I didn't know what HED is. Don't recommend, could damage kidneys(?) One of the guys here on forum claimed that Ginkgo gave him nephritis. Personally I'm going to heal my gut (IgG screening) before starting seriously taking Ginkgo again. If gut/blood barrier is permeable then long-chains molecules from Ginkgo could enter bloodstream and mess around - just speculations though, could be BSing. About desensitization: I've been on 720mg for one month, then I started Triiodothyronine (T3 - active thyroid hormone) which is known from desensitizing 5-HT1A autorecpetors. I think I felt that 5-HT1A were really reinforced and desensitization came later than usually, moreover stress doesn't hit so hard while on Ginkgo.

So overall I think this herb speeds up recovery, has a lot of benefits like increased blood flow, 5-HT1A stuff, dopamine, SERT, cognition, etc. One sure thing about pssd is that 5-HT1A autoreceptors are weak (if it's due to g-proteins, sert downregulation, or other mechanism is unclear) and Ginkgo strenghtens them I believe. Papers shouldn't lie. Ginkgo acts like a 5-HT1A agonist which doesn't desensitize which is kind of amazing since even Buspar (in higher doses?) is reported to desensitize. All in all I like this herb (or Now's mix) it's subtly calming and brings good mood kind of through the back door in opposite to benzos.

Alongside Shilajit probably I think it's the best herbal stuff to take long term.

[silverstar]

Thanks for researching this. I will give the brand you posted a try

[Twentyoneguns]

Can you fucking believe it?
For the last 7 months I’ve been suffering from PSSD caused by taking just three Sertraline tablets.
Being early days I was pretty nervous of trying any drugs or supplements to try and lift me out of this nightmare. I did try Maca Root, as it had been mentioned here and didn’t seem to have any negative effects. I took it for a few days, but suffered from constipation and decided to stop. There was a slight lift in mood, but that was about it.
Next thing to try? Well, Ginkgo Biloba seemed to be another innocent herb to try.
I ordered some from the internet…Q NeuLife Health and Fitness Ginkgo Biloba General Health it says on the box. Take one tablet a day…Ginkgo Biloba Extract (50:1) 120mg providing 6000mg it says on the back of the box.
Yesterday I took one tablet in the afternoon and left it at that.
Attempted a fap at bed time, usual manually stimulated, slow to achieve erection but I seemed to be hitting a wall just before the pre orgasm stage…on and on it went…nothing! Bumped into the wall several times…eventually pushed through to the normal orgasm…but what a job!
One tablet of Ginko Biloba…anyone else had this happen? or am I unique ? am I so sensitive that even this innocent supplement caused me to worsen my PSSD…what next coffee? Paracetamol?
Ive not tried to see what the situation is today, but will not take any more GB…I’ll let you know how things go in the next few days…fingers crossed.
21G

[Ghost]

Merged topics 7/25/17.

[Twentyoneguns]

Hi

Just an update on my last post.

After taking Ginkgo Biloba for the first time I experienced great difficulty in reaching an orgasm...this was not a problem before.

Ive given it a few days to let things calm down and try to see how I responded today, but I seem to be left with a feeling of total disinterest in sex and a feeling that I dont want to try to find out if there is any improvement...I get the feeling I wouldnt be able to get an erection anyway (which is quite a process in itself since PSSD)

It seems strange that just one does of this could have affected me so profoundly.

I realise that it may just be a psychological problem and I need to calm down over the whole issue.

I also suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), which seems to make me sensitive to any drug.

I see many people on this forum trying lots of supplements....either they improve things slightly or do nothing...never make things worse.

Seems like it is best just to wait things out while trying to live a healthy lifestyle.

21G

[Twentyoneguns]

Hi

After a couple of worrying days, the problem with being unable to orgasm has sorted itself out...as has the total inability to get any sort of erection (though I think this was just psychological)

These herbal supplements are not to be taken lightly...seems the brain has to sort itself out naturally...without the "aid" of some herb to confuse it.

Not sure if this is connected but my totally missing libido showed just a few tiny sparks today...perhaps healing is on the way...nice!

Step away from those herbs

21G

[Bigmum]

So you gonna carry on with it?