Glutathione, Oxidative Stress and N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) in Psychiatric Disorders - Prof Berk

Professor Michael Berk is currently an NHMRC Senior Principal Research Fellow and is Alfred Deakin Chair of Psychiatry at Deakin University and Barwon Health, where he heads the IMPACT Strategic Research Centre. This video at the Psych Scene Symposium takes you through studies that have demonstrated that there is reduced glutathione in major psychiatric illness, i.e. Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder. Oxidative stress can alter redox status impacting on methionine synthase, gene transcription, and protein expression.
N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) has robust effects on neurogenesis and apoptosis, directly reverses mitochondrial dysfunction, potent anti-inflammatory effects, and indirect effects on dopamine and glutamate.

Take-home Points

• Glutathione, the brain’s primary antioxidant, is decreased in schizophrenia and increased by NAC.

• Altered epigenetic signaling through oxidative stress may explain the relationship between childhood stress and vulnerability to developing adult illnesses.

• C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and TNF-[Symbol] are important immune markers.

[marijabu]

I began taking NAC for its immune-boosting during this COVID 19 pandemic. I found myself feeling especially well with improved mood and sense of well-being. I had been in a mild depression for months so I was curious as to why this was occurring. Videos such as this are giving me a wonderful insight into the great benefits of NAC. Thank you.

[gregcooper]

This has done wonders for my brother-in-law with Alzheimer's the results have been wonderful!!! Everyone should know!

[tiffanyharcz]

I’ve been taking this for 5 years for endo, my depression has become much more manageable. I mean, it’s incredible. I pray everyday that we win the fight to keep our right to use it.

[Testty]

I fought anxiety my whole life maybe even when i was 3-4 years old and i couldn't do anything about it and i didn't want to take medications. I tried every supplement (B vitamins, ashwagandha, vegetable powders, L-theanine, phenibut, chelators, keto, etc... i cant even name them all), but nothing worked.

I recently started taking NAC and oh my god. I took 1000 mg first time. It started with an excited state feeling, like inner tremor but it wasn't unpleasant. It was like something was cleaning out of my system and i haven't felt it since then.

After my first dose my anxiety is gone, i couldn't believe it, i never felt calm in my whole life. My muscle tenses are gone, chronic sinus congestion is better. Unfortunately i recently picked up an addiction (before NAC). After every dose of that addiction i feel great anxiety and depression but every time i take NAC it kills it and i feel calm again.
Its saving my life.

[dreamstarworld]

My family & I met a lady who had cancer and her daily dietetic regime was to maintain high levels of her glutathione... Now I also understand why my late daughter took NAC which caused her to function in spite of a ganglioglioma...The value of N-acetylcysteine as a precursor for great health and well-being cannot be underscored!!! Great lecture piece...

[kilroy]

And Vitamin D is important for glutathione production. Recent studies suggest proper glutathione levels really helps reduce the oxidative stresses that cause the more deadly COVID complications for people with comorbidities like hypertension.

[SavedbyGrace]

My son came down with Covid last Wednesday. Had high fevers Thursday too. My shipment from my uncles health food store came Thursday night. Gave him NAC and vitamin D, and zinc. By Friday morning he was totally fine. No fever, no runny nose which he had for weeks and no muscle aches ect. He has been perfect since. So blessed I found videos talking about NAC. Doctors need to be recommending this. Which they won’t
Now my husband and I take it too.

[irina]

Is that true that FDA removed NAC from the list of recommended supplements? And that Amazon removed NAC from their stores as a result?
Is big tech now going to prohibit anything that helps improve people's health?

[bargaingrocery]

Also, based on what he is saying NAC prevents alzheimers, dementia, and the like. It would also help people who have had a concussion and other traumatic brain injuries.

[Manchessollte]

I could listen to Dr Berk talk all day, thanks for uploading. So much good info.

[exploringdimensionsall]

I've been taking 600 - 1000 mg. of NAC for two years. I was wondering where my OCD went. Now I know.

[LemonChieff]

I suffer from a series of neurological and psychiatric disorders. Nine years ago, by mistake I once took 600mg of acetylcysteine a day when I was sad and whether through the placebo effect of from it's pharmacological profile I noticed that was doing better after a while and when I googled it I noticed that it was researched for psychiatric disorders.
Although my experience is anecdotal I genuinely believe that there might be some misunderstood or even unknown mechanism of action that could be used for patient with psychiatric disorders.

[oibal]

Am on 600mg NAC for COVID19.
NAC interferes with the pathway to thrombosis.

[lilolmecj]

This is very, very exciting, obviously anything that is not working properly at the mitochondrial level is not working properly on any level. Wish I had more lifetimes so I could be a researcher!

[treasuringpricelesstime]

In trials for endometriosis they took 600 mg 3x daily for 3 days a week only. The reason being, it's effectiveness can lessen if taken for prolonged periods. If anyone knows anything about how to properly take long term, please comment. Thank you.

[debrajanzen]

Thanks for sharing all of this vital information. NAC worth a try.

[Moist_yet_Crispy]

I really wish we had the rest of the presentation.

[stayfit]

You know I started taking last 6 months. But Thomas Delauer says he doesn't like to take nac daily because he likes to create his own and it shuts down your own production that you aquire through your workouts

[katherinejones]

Can you take glutithione instead of NAC I have issues with Nac supplement not glutithione

[Cooliemasteroz]

NAC seems to help with Alzheimer's disease as well.