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You are diagnosing and recommending medical treatment to a complete stranger based on a comment on an internet forum. Worse, you're doing so with all the exper

You are diagnosing and recommending medical treatment to a complete stranger based on a comment on an internet forum. Worse, you're doing so with all the experience and wisdom of an avid googler of nootropics. Getting shitfaced on beer and Scotch works for some people as they self-medicate their social anxiety. For some people that turns from harmless social drinking to alcoholism and can destroy their lives. In this particular case, excessive energy drink consumption (I personally tend to self-medicate with coffee to avoid the sugar in red bulls) can lead to heart attacks, high blood pressure and associated complications. "Taurine is involved in a number of crucial physiological processes. However, its role in these processes is not clearly understood and the influence of high taurine doses on these processes is uncertain" L-Theanine has more studies and is slightly better understood, but there still have not been full human trials and studies sufficient for you to provide medial information to a stranger. Advancing a supplement as a cure can be harmful even if the supplement is harmless. If a person takes it for a cure instead of, say, talking to a therapist/doctor/psychologist, they could be missing out on an approach that actually DOES help. You may be familiar with Steve Jobs who delayed medical treatment for his cancer in an effort to use "alternative" cures.

jeremyt 11y ago
Hey, you know what, it goes both ways. Just because something is approved by the FDA doesn't mean that it's safe and effective. And, conversely, just because something isn't approved by the FDA doesn't mean it isn't safe and effective. There isn't something magical about a clinical trial that suddenly removes all doubt about a substance. And this magical government agency isn't infallible, and has frankly made mistakes, some of them pretty major, in the past. Let me share something with you. I've been suffering from severe RSI for close to 13 years. I've seen about five different doctors; I've had nerve conduction tests; I've had three rounds of physical therapy. Nothing works. I keep going back to the doctor, and they keep assigning physical therapy. Do you know why? Because, it's the only approved treatment that they can offer. Most of the doctors that I've seen refuse to even talk about anything else. So I go out on my own, and I do some research, and I start trying things. Some herbal supplements, some alternative treatments. And you know what? This thing called trigger point massage therapy, in the span of about four months, improved my symptoms about 80%. I also found that B vitamin supplements helped with the nerve tingling issues. And that was several years ago and I'm still almost completely functional. If I listened to people like you, I'd still be practically incapacitated and unable to support myself. I think he's probably intelligent enough to look into any suggestions himself. After all, that's why people have ultimate control over their medical care. You're just being closed minded and pedantic, and your lecture on medical ethics is naïve. So, if I may, get off your fucking high horse. It's not like I'm telling this guy to go cut his left arm off. I'm basically doing the equivalent of telling him to go drink a bunch of cups of green tea and try a supplement of a compound that's so safe that it's approved for human consumption without a prescription. If it was dangerous, your precious FDA would yank it off the shelves in five minutes, right? And if he tries my suggestion and it relieves his symptoms, even a little bit (even if it's placebo), then it's worth it. By all means, go see a doctor, but don't assume that doctors are all-knowing and all powerful and they are aware of and can prescribe the perfect treatment for your illness. /edit I'll add that this is what happens when you leave mental health treatment exclusively to doctors. Hammer; nail, indeed. http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/10/23/study-two-thirds-patients-anti-depressants-not-depressed/ http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/10/23/study-two...
- tamaatar 11y ago
  I just want to say this is an excellent comment and puts into words what I was thinking.
- lotharbot 11y ago
  "Be civil. Don't say things you wouldn't say in a face-to-face conversation. Avoid gratuitous negativity. When disagreeing, please reply to the argument instead of calling names. E.g. "That is idiotic; 1 + 1 is 2, not 3" can be shortened to "1 + 1 is 2, not 3." " https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html
- socially-awk 11y ago
  > So, if I may, get off your fucking high horse. You asked why the down-votes, but clearly didn't parse what I wrote. I made no statements as to the efficacy of your proposed remedy, just that the problem is giving medical advice is dangerous, even if the substance is ultimately harmless (or even beneficial!). There's nothing wrong with pursuing your own treatments, and I'm glad you've found things that work for you. I don't wish RSI on anyone. It is, however, extremely wrong to give medical advice to strangers based on a single comment on an internet forum. You know virtually nothing about the individual, their symptoms or really anything at all about the specifics of the situation at hand. Experts will want to know more about the specifics before providing advice. Fools tread where angels fear to go. I'm sure you're in an expert in something. Whatever it is, think about the people who think they're experts in that from reading a wikipedia or newspaper article. Or heck, the newbies just starting out learning about that something. They are almost always so confident that they know the answer and share it with everyone around them. That confidence can be endearing and usually nothing horrible in consequences. Not in the case of people's health. Consequences are too severe.
  - jsudhams 11y ago
    But should not people know what exists?, similar to the case above i had/have severe sinus almost blocked all of em. But symptoms are veery mild but all the english medical doctors (Allopathic) mentioned was that i need to go for surgey many of them not even willing try longer one week medicine where i had great releif with something like naso clear. But they would not try anything else but recommend surgery and tell me that it is not permenant cure??... so based on recommendation i tried Homeo it work only when take medicine and i did not like the achohol or similar substance in those medicines so tried Ayurvehda (did not want Siddha due to diet restriction) and took a 10 day message etc in ayuvedha medical college ($250 for 10 days can u beleive in with 2 bed and flat tv in room and neat and clean)... now i feel far beter... and have no headaches and can sleep well... yeah i think it is ok recommend but receiver should verify or go to experts
trentmb 11y ago
> For some people that turns from harmless social drinking to alcoholism and can destroy their lives. What I'd give to go back five years and slap 20-year old me around... I've turned my life around but I have zero friends to show for it- and I don't blame them.

jeremyt 11y ago

Hey, you know what, it goes both ways. Just because something is approved by the FDA doesn't mean that it's safe and effective. And, conversely, just because something isn't approved by the FDA doesn't mean it isn't safe and effective. There isn't something magical about a clinical trial that suddenly removes all doubt about a substance. And this magical government agency isn't infallible, and has frankly made mistakes, some of them pretty major, in the past. Let me share something with you. I've been suffering from severe RSI for close to 13 years. I've seen about five different doctors; I've had nerve conduction tests; I've had three rounds of physical therapy. Nothing works. I keep going back to the doctor, and they keep assigning physical therapy. Do you know why? Because, it's the only approved treatment that they can offer. Most of the doctors that I've seen refuse to even talk about anything else. So I go out on my own, and I do some research, and I start trying things. Some herbal supplements, some alternative treatments. And you know what? This thing called trigger point massage therapy, in the span of about four months, improved my symptoms about 80%. I also found that B vitamin supplements helped with the nerve tingling issues. And that was several years ago and I'm still almost completely functional. If I listened to people like you, I'd still be practically incapacitated and unable to support myself. I think he's probably intelligent enough to look into any suggestions himself. After all, that's why people have ultimate control over their medical care. You're just being closed minded and pedantic, and your lecture on medical ethics is naïve. So, if I may, get off your fucking high horse. It's not like I'm telling this guy to go cut his left arm off. I'm basically doing the equivalent of telling him to go drink a bunch of cups of green tea and try a supplement of a compound that's so safe that it's approved for human consumption without a prescription. If it was dangerous, your precious FDA would yank it off the shelves in five minutes, right? And if he tries my suggestion and it relieves his symptoms, even a little bit (even if it's placebo), then it's worth it. By all means, go see a doctor, but don't assume that doctors are all-knowing and all powerful and they are aware of and can prescribe the perfect treatment for your illness. /edit I'll add that this is what happens when you leave mental health treatment exclusively to doctors. Hammer; nail, indeed. http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/10/23/study-two-thirds-patients-anti-depressants-not-depressed/ http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/10/23/study-two...

tamaatar 11y ago
I just want to say this is an excellent comment and puts into words what I was thinking.
lotharbot 11y ago
"Be civil. Don't say things you wouldn't say in a face-to-face conversation. Avoid gratuitous negativity. When disagreeing, please reply to the argument instead of calling names. E.g. "That is idiotic; 1 + 1 is 2, not 3" can be shortened to "1 + 1 is 2, not 3." " https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html
socially-awk 11y ago
> So, if I may, get off your fucking high horse. You asked why the down-votes, but clearly didn't parse what I wrote. I made no statements as to the efficacy of your proposed remedy, just that the problem is giving medical advice is dangerous, even if the substance is ultimately harmless (or even beneficial!). There's nothing wrong with pursuing your own treatments, and I'm glad you've found things that work for you. I don't wish RSI on anyone. It is, however, extremely wrong to give medical advice to strangers based on a single comment on an internet forum. You know virtually nothing about the individual, their symptoms or really anything at all about the specifics of the situation at hand. Experts will want to know more about the specifics before providing advice. Fools tread where angels fear to go. I'm sure you're in an expert in something. Whatever it is, think about the people who think they're experts in that from reading a wikipedia or newspaper article. Or heck, the newbies just starting out learning about that something. They are almost always so confident that they know the answer and share it with everyone around them. That confidence can be endearing and usually nothing horrible in consequences. Not in the case of people's health. Consequences are too severe.
- jsudhams 11y ago
  But should not people know what exists?, similar to the case above i had/have severe sinus almost blocked all of em. But symptoms are veery mild but all the english medical doctors (Allopathic) mentioned was that i need to go for surgey many of them not even willing try longer one week medicine where i had great releif with something like naso clear. But they would not try anything else but recommend surgery and tell me that it is not permenant cure??... so based on recommendation i tried Homeo it work only when take medicine and i did not like the achohol or similar substance in those medicines so tried Ayurvehda (did not want Siddha due to diet restriction) and took a 10 day message etc in ayuvedha medical college ($250 for 10 days can u beleive in with 2 bed and flat tv in room and neat and clean)... now i feel far beter... and have no headaches and can sleep well... yeah i think it is ok recommend but receiver should verify or go to experts

trentmb 11y ago

> For some people that turns from harmless social drinking to alcoholism and can destroy their lives. What I'd give to go back five years and slap 20-year old me around... I've turned my life around but I have zero friends to show for it- and I don't blame them.