Helminthic therapy and neuropsychiatric function

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All four species of therapeutic helminth appear to be capable of improving neuropsychiatric function.

Reduced depression / improved mood

HDCHymenolepis diminuta cysticercoids (Hi-men-o-lep'is dim-a-nu-ta sis-ti-sur-koid) - the larval cysts of the rat tapeworm, Hymenolepis diminuta is mentioned a lot in this context, and William Parker’s team at Duke University are proposing to test its effect on depression.

• Duke scientists treat depression with intestinal worms

Since HDCHymenolepis diminuta cysticercoids (Hi-men-o-lep'is dim-a-nu-ta sis-ti-sur-koid) - the larval cysts of the rat tapeworm, Hymenolepis diminuta is taken regularly, usually every 2 weeks, its users can benefit from a repeated post-inoculationThe introduction of an infectious agent into an organism. [http://helminthictherapywiki.org/wiki/index.php/Helminth_inoculation Helminth inoculation] 'bounce’, which is a brief period of temporary symptom relief accompanied by a sudden feeling of unusual wellness, perhaps with a strong sense of calm, focus, happiness and lightheartedness.

I like how it puts me in a good mood for a day or two when I first take it.

I also experienced a significantly elevated mood that night after taking just 10 HDCHymenolepis diminuta cysticercoids (Hi-men-o-lep'is dim-a-nu-ta sis-ti-sur-koid) - the larval cysts of the rat tapeworm, Hymenolepis diminuta, the elevated mood lasted until the end of the next day. [1]

For some people, this effect may be repeated after every dose.

... every dose of HDCHymenolepis diminuta cysticercoids (Hi-men-o-lep'is dim-a-nu-ta sis-ti-sur-koid) - the larval cysts of the rat tapeworm, Hymenolepis diminuta's is followed by a delightful stream of energy that lasts almost a week. [2]

Within 24 hours of taking HDCHymenolepis diminuta cysticercoids (Hi-men-o-lep'is dim-a-nu-ta sis-ti-sur-koid) - the larval cysts of the rat tapeworm, Hymenolepis diminuta I feel much calmer. That feeling lasts a few days, before it lets up a bit, but I still continue feeling calmer than usual up to 30 days after dosing, when their effects completely wear off… If I could regularly dose, say, weekly, I probably would see my anxiety completely resolved. [3]

In other cases, this effect may reduce over time.

The first day I take HDCHymenolepis diminuta cysticercoids (Hi-men-o-lep'is dim-a-nu-ta sis-ti-sur-koid) - the larval cysts of the rat tapeworm, Hymenolepis diminuta it usually puts me in a really nice mood, especially the first time I did it. It's not exactly euphoric but I noticed it and counted on it… First time, (it lasted) 48 hours. Second time, 24 hours. Third time, 12 hours. Fourth time, 12 hours.

However, this effect on neuropsychiatric function is not unique to HDCHymenolepis diminuta cysticercoids (Hi-men-o-lep'is dim-a-nu-ta sis-ti-sur-koid) - the larval cysts of the rat tapeworm, Hymenolepis diminuta. It is also seen with TSOthe ova (eggs) of the porcine (pig) whipworm, Trichuris suis, NAthe human hookworm, Necator americanus and TTOthe ova (eggs) of the human whipworm, Trichuris trichiura.

My mood was the first indicator that TSOthe ova (eggs) of the porcine (pig) whipworm, Trichuris suis was working. I became calmer and happier despite my physical symptoms. [4] I find TSOthe ova (eggs) of the porcine (pig) whipworm, Trichuris suis is the best for mood and general feeling of well being as well as increased energy. HookwormA helminth that lives in the small intestine. Necator americanus (NA) is the only hookworm species used in helminthic therapy. Its microscopic larvae are applied periodically to the skin. and (human) whipwormA helminth with a tapering whiplike body that lives in the colon. In helminthic therapy, the microscopic eggs of either the human Trichuris trichiura (TTO) or pig Trichuris suis (TSO) are taken in a drink. both work as well, it just takes longer. [5]

My daughter started TSOthe ova (eggs) of the porcine (pig) whipworm, Trichuris suis last week and we are already seeing an improvement in her mood and energy on a low dose of 500 ova. [6]

The following comment was made 6 weeks after inoculationThe introduction of an infectious agent into an organism. [http://helminthictherapywiki.org/wiki/index.php/Helminth_inoculation Helminth inoculation] with 25 hookwormA helminth that lives in the small intestine. Necator americanus (NA) is the only hookworm species used in helminthic therapy. Its microscopic larvae are applied periodically to the skin. larvaeThe active immature form of an insect, or an animal such as a helminth, which develops from an egg and eventually transforms again into its adult state..

What is already interesting is my steady and calm mind.

For further accounts of how helminthic therapyThe reintroduction to the digestive tract of a controlled number of specially domesticated, mutualistic helminths (intestinal worms) in the form of microscopic eggs or larvae to reconstitute a depleted biome to treat and prevent chronic inflammation, autoimmune disease and other immunological disorders including allergy. has reduced depression, see the following.

• Helminthic therapy personal stories: Depression / low mood
• Practices and outcomes of self-treatment with helminths based on physicians' observations -- PDF (In particular, see Table 1.)

Temporarily increased depression

Occasionally, depression may increase temporarily following initial inoculationThe introduction of an infectious agent into an organism. [http://helminthictherapywiki.org/wiki/index.php/Helminth_inoculation Helminth inoculation] with helminthsAn intestinal worm which grows large enough to be seen with the naked eye when mature but which is microscopic when administered in helminthic therapy. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helminths Wikipedia:Helminths]. This is usually, but not necessarily, the result of using doses that are too high.

After first small group of NAthe human hookworm, Necator americanus, I became much more depressed for about 10-12 weeks, then got back to previous mood level. [7]

A few individuals experience increased depression after every dose of hookwormsA helminth that lives in the small intestine. Necator americanus (NA) is the only hookworm species used in helminthic therapy. Its microscopic larvae are applied periodically to the skin., especially if the doses contain too many larvaeThe active immature form of an insect, or an animal such as a helminth, which develops from an egg and eventually transforms again into its adult state..

3.5 years in, I now have times where I even feel positive and optimistic, which is a huge improvement over a lifetime of clinical depression. But it’s also the first symptom to return, especially if I take a dose of NAthe human hookworm, Necator americanus that’s a little too much. Last dose was 7, and 3 days later I started 9 days of deep despair. I know it’s temporary, so I just hang on and get through it, but now I know 7 is too many. [8]

I experience plummeting mood following an NAthe human hookworm, Necator americanus inoculationThe introduction of an infectious agent into an organism. [http://helminthictherapywiki.org/wiki/index.php/Helminth_inoculation Helminth inoculation]. Dosing amounts are important with NAthe human hookworm, Necator americanus. [9]

Reduced anxiety

The potential for helminthsAn intestinal worm which grows large enough to be seen with the naked eye when mature but which is microscopic when administered in helminthic therapy. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helminths Wikipedia:Helminths] to reduce anxiety can be seen in the reports in the following page section.

• Helminthic therapy personal stories: Anxiety

And in this paper. (See Table 1 in particular.)

• Practices and outcomes of self-treatment with helminths based on physicians' observations -- PDF

Temporarily increased anxiety

There have been a few reports of anxiety increasing temporarily following the initial inoculationThe introduction of an infectious agent into an organism. [http://helminthictherapywiki.org/wiki/index.php/Helminth_inoculation Helminth inoculation] with NAthe human hookworm, Necator americanus, TTOthe ova (eggs) of the human whipworm, Trichuris trichiura and HDCHymenolepis diminuta cysticercoids (Hi-men-o-lep'is dim-a-nu-ta sis-ti-sur-koid) - the larval cysts of the rat tapeworm, Hymenolepis diminuta. This can be dose-related.

I think it aggravated the anxiety component for me. Not sure why. (After dosing with HDCHymenolepis diminuta cysticercoids (Hi-men-o-lep'is dim-a-nu-ta sis-ti-sur-koid) - the larval cysts of the rat tapeworm, Hymenolepis diminuta)

I had mild/moderate diffuse anxiety for about a week at ~19-20 weeks. (After a supplementary dose of 65 NAthe human hookworm, Necator americanus.)

My anxiety and more-so paranoia seems to have increased significantly after hosting. Its a strange feeling but I "feel" like its the worms interacting with me somehow.

I had a major increase in anxiety when I started whipwormA helminth with a tapering whiplike body that lives in the colon. In helminthic therapy, the microscopic eggs of either the human Trichuris trichiura (TTO) or pig Trichuris suis (TSO) are taken in a drink. (TTthe human whipworm, Trichuris trichiura). But with hookwormA helminth that lives in the small intestine. Necator americanus (NA) is the only hookworm species used in helminthic therapy. Its microscopic larvae are applied periodically to the skin. my anxiety has improved greatly. I terminated the whipwormA helminth with a tapering whiplike body that lives in the colon. In helminthic therapy, the microscopic eggs of either the human Trichuris trichiura (TTO) or pig Trichuris suis (TSO) are taken in a drink. after 6 or 8 weeks when my reaction to them still hadn't eased, so I can't say if that feeling would have persisted or eventually passed.

If anxiety does arise, or worsen, after introducing helminthsAn intestinal worm which grows large enough to be seen with the naked eye when mature but which is microscopic when administered in helminthic therapy. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helminths Wikipedia:Helminths], this should eventually resolve along with any other symptoms that appear during the initial side effect period. Resolution is usually complete by the end of the 14 week period of immune activation following inoculationThe introduction of an infectious agent into an organism. [http://helminthictherapywiki.org/wiki/index.php/Helminth_inoculation Helminth inoculation], but it has been known to persist for longer.

Increase in energy and exuberance the first month, restlessness the second month, worsening anxiety/OCD third and 4th month, increased to day-long panic attacks fifth month. Directly due to hookwormsA helminth that lives in the small intestine. Necator americanus (NA) is the only hookworm species used in helminthic therapy. Its microscopic larvae are applied periodically to the skin. as symptoms are 90% improved after 3 days of abendazole.

See also

• The helminthic therapy 'bounce’