Yes. I just did this for the first time this morning.
It is valproic acid.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valproic_acid
It is an extract of valarian root and that's been around in medical use for milleniums.
I was diagnosed bipolar about a year ago. I seem to have worked my way out of it, then one day I was hit with seizures, and they wouldn't let up. I tried doing the keto thing, and that worked but I felt other strange side effects from that, so I decided to go to the doctors, after a trip to emergency, and they put me on the valproic acid.
Apparently the stuff "stretches" stem cells. Stem cells are also said to be responsible for the regeneration of myelin sheaths. It also pumps the body full of noadrenaline in some parts of the brain.
If you are interested. (norepinephrine is the same thing as noradrenaline)
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8130737
Sodium valproate is a well established anticonvulsant drug but its exact mode of action is not yet clear. With a view to find out whether the mechanism of action of sodium valproate is mediated by alteration in monoamine levels, apart from GABA, in brain, sodium valproate (200 mg/kg body wt) was administered i.p. to male adult Wistar rats for 45 days. The levels of norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) were assayed in different brain regions using high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method. It was noted that at the end of the experimental period there was no change in body or brain weight nor were there any neurological deficits as a result of sodium valproate administration. However, after administration of sodium valproate there was a significant increase in norepinephrine levels in hippocampus (P < 0.01) and brainstem (P < 0.01) while a significant decrease was noted in hypothalamus (P < 0.001). Dopamine levels were significantly increased in motor cortex (P < 0.01), hippocampus (P < 0.01) and hypothalamus (P < 0.001). Serotonin levels were significantly increased in striatum-accumbens and brain stem (P < 0.001). However a marginal increase was also observed in motor cortex and hippocampus. 5-HT levels were significantly decreased in hypothalamus (P < 0.001) and cerebellum (P < 0.01). The present findings suggest the possibility that the anticonvulsant effect of sodium valproate could be due to alterations in monoamine levels apart from its action on GABA, which would indicate also the efficacy of this drug in different types of seizures.
Before I took the stuff, I tried reducing my seizures with off the shelf octopamine which is an extract of octopus saliva, and that worked temporarily however I do not fully trust the biological role of dosing myself with too much of that. Apparently it pumps the system full of noradrenaline as well, but perhaps a little too much, so you have to be careful. Noradrenaline is a counter balance to adrenaline, and it basically does alot to shut the body down. Imagine being trapped in an octopus mouth, what would you expect the saliva to do? Increase your pain threshold, or reduce your sensitivity, stiffen your arteries and muscles, giving you tension, so you are not prone to spastically wriggle around and escape, and so on...
So imagine your bipolar mania. Tons of adrenaline pumping through your system with no counter balance. Not only will you burn out, but you will waste precious energy in the long haul.
The counter balance in the right amounts may potentiate the adrenaline in your system putting it to more efficient and less manic use.
That's my current working theory.
How is it going for you? I am very worried about the potential side effects so I am only doing 1/2 to 14/ my recommended doctors dose, changing my eating habits a little more towards the paleo/keto diet, and supplementing with appropriate neuroplastic OTCs.
Hopefully that will get me through another few years.
Anyways, I do not believe it is something you want to become dependent on as your body may not adjust properly. Watch for the side effects, and if they come on, you know you have pushed your body too far in the wrong direction. Only my opinion.
This morning I was tired and trying to go back to sleep due to exhaustion. I was having constant mild seizures of the electrical pressure type. I think it might be a temporal lobe epilepsy or something similar, that does not effect my motor skills.
Anyways. One pill and I've been wide awake for hours now, no more exhaustion and my body has been suppressing the seizures so I can feel them very lightly under my skin as electrical buzz, basically. I think the stuff is okay. But not something to become dependent on.
Get it? I think my body was leaking adrenaline, in the form of electrical vibrational energy, and that takes it's toll on you eventually. This stuff is pumping my system with noradrenaline to counter balance that and level me out.
Anyways, stay away from all MAOIs. Even the light stuff, as the side effect of combining is hypotension. Your muscles will become permanently relaxed and you will basically be flacid. Only my opinion. I am no doctor.
It also seems to have long term consequences on testostrone and other endocrine systems, as a side effect with long term use is loss of hair temporarily (usually), to return after discontinuation, with hair returning in a different texture than before. Curly. Seriously. That's what they say. Maybe that's a good thing? I don't know. Anyways, it is putting additional strain on your endocrine system bascially, or that's what my fundamental understanding of the situation says to me.
Something of interest.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sympathetic_nervous_system
Medicine to make you well. Medicine to return your body to a sympathetic state. Only my opinion. Good healing opportunity.
I think one can see the downfalls of becoming too sympathetic though, perhaps?
