Necessary Pre-Warning:Before I propose a theory that Ive been working on for the past 10 years that POIS has been altering my life, I want you to know who I am. I am not a brilliant mind like nanna1 or Quantum. I don't claim to be a scientist, a health guru or any sort of innovator. But, I do think I can help. One thing I am really good at is absorbing information, sorting it and making sense of the bigger picture. Ive read over 300 books. Ive been reading this forum for years. I've researched each hormone involved with orgasm probably 100 times, often to no avail, circling back to the drawing board. This is how this theory came to be.
Now, lets jump in...
TheoryI have a theory, that seems to tie into all the other supported explanations of what is causing our bodies to react incorrectly. It seems to play well with the allergy theory, the methylation theory, the niacin remedy, and a lot of other factors.
This theory does not apply to everyone. Just a subset who experience specific symptoms of POIS, you'll read more about in a moment. Sources are cited at the bottom of the article.
POIS has something to do with your dopamine / adrenaline / noradrenaline cycle. Specifically, it appears to be dumping too much adrenaline after orgasm.The ProcessWhen you orgasm, your body skyrockets in dopamine.
(1) Dopamine eventually converts to adrenaline. Adrenaline eventually metabolizes out of your body, as it reaches the end of the neurotransmitter chain.
I cannot tell you if our dopamine skyrockets, then converts to noradrenaline, then adrenaline and that's why we feel like crap. Or if it all metabolizes and we eventually are depleted in all 3 (the more likely theory) and that's why we don't feel well. I haven't figured out where the hang in the process is. But stay with me as I explain why this theory seems to be substantial.
I discovered one day after taking l-tyrosine on an empty stomach, that I recovered A LOT quicker than normal. Nowhere near bulletproof, but it worked. Note that tyrosine is one of the beginning building blocks for dopamine, adrenaline and noradrenaline. So if you're depleted, this would be where you start.
Ive also cited the blood tests thread at the bottom of this article, where you can go and check out blood tests from other users who have had adrenal anomalies.
Parallel / Supported Evidence1. Niacin - Niacin is one of the most popular remedies for POIS. Note that it is best taken BEFORE O. Niacin also does something else very magical.
Niacin slows the conversion of dopamine to epinephrine.(2) 2. Ginger - Ginger tea seems to help people IMMEDIATELY AFTER O.
Ginger's main component, gingerols, increase the secretion of adrenaline by the body. Thus helping the body resupply itself of missing epinephrine.(3)3. Nanna1 Stack - Nanna1's stack supports methylation. Nanna's stack consists of lots of good supplements, but the main ones are B-vitamins and methyl-donors.
Methylation increases our neurotransmitter production. Specifically dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine. (4,5)4. High Dose B-Vitamins - See previous support. B-vitamins also support methylation.
5. CBD - CBD oil seems to help treat POIS after an episode.
CBD or cannabidiol increases epinephrine levels in the blood after consumption.(6)6. Circumin - It appears turmeric and circumin are helpful immediately before or after an episode.
Circumin is a COX inhibitor. (COX is usually an inflammation marker) Adrenaline increases COX levels in our body.(7)Coinciding Theories1. The Allergy Theory - Some people believe that the cause of POIS is a histamine issue, an allergy perhaps. It IS a histamine issue, but its because your epinephrine levels are low.
Epinephrine is a histamine antagonist. Also, undermethylation, which may be happening because we depleted our neurotransmitters, causes high histamine. If you want to simulate what's happening, you can take high doses of glycine (an amino acid that mops up your methyl donors) and force yourself to experience undermethylation symptoms. I have never had allergies in my life. But when I force myself into undermethylation, I get runny nose, red eyes and other symptoms you guys report after O.
2. The Methylation Theory - For reasons explained above, this coincides with the theory that our methylation cycle isn't doing well and assisting it will help us recover.
3. The Gut Theory - Neurotransmitters are created in the gut. About 50% of dopamine is created in the gut. This could 100% be an autoimmune reaction, or our body failing to produce dopamine fast enough to recover. More exploration is needed, but there is certainly a link to adrenaline, noradrenaline, dopamine and digestion. (I reduced my POIS symptoms by 90% only eating prebiotic foods. I did it for 30 days and it was a great experiment but not viable long term. Not enough vitamins & minerals.)
Supplement / Treatment SuggestionsBelow is the personal stack I use to get through my days. You can modify it as needed, add in your own favorites. These are listed in order of importance.
1. L-Tyrosine - 500 mg, twice a day, take ON AN EMPTY STOMACH. (Idk why, but it works way better. Probably competition for absorption.)
(Tyrosine is the basic essential building block for dopamine, noradrenaline and adrenaline.)
2. Niacin - 500mg - For reasons discussed above, always take niacin before an O. I also take it after as well.
(Niacin slows the conversion of dopamine to epinephrine.)
3. Glycine - 2g - (This one is controversial. You don't have to use this one.) I take glycine about 30 minutes before an O. Its dirt cheap. Now I know we just talked about glycine causes undermethylation. But when your body overproduces dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine during O, its actually in a state of OVERmethylation while its overproducing neurotransmitters, then it moves to undermethylation after orgasm when you're deficient. I use low dose glycine before O to slow down the production of neurotransmitters and blunt how much I lose when orgasm happens.
4. High Dose B Vitamins / Nanna1 Stack - B vitamins have been a savior for us all for awhile. I always include them in my stack. Some people take TMG or a methyl donor. I choose not to for personal reasons, but it has helped many people. I suggest checking out Nanna's stack for more info if you need it.
5. ZMA - Take ZMA right before bed & immediately after O. Zinc / Magnesium combo has always reduced my symptoms after sleep. This one Im not sure what causes it, but it works, so I included it.)
6. CBD Oil - I use CBD oil periodically if I feel particularly bad. It curbs the anxiety and increases adrenaline.
ConclusionHey guys, if you've made it this far, thanks for reading. Ive posted on our reddit thread, and probably will crosspost it there. Any questions, feel free to ask. Im open to all suggestions, theories or even someone smarter than me debunking this entire thread. I don't claim to be a scientist, a genius or anything else. I am just leaning on the 10 years of experience with POIS I have had thus far.
Talk soon!
Nick Dash aka NickPlusYou
Sources1. (The body's dopamine cycle during orgasm)
https://www.sciencealert.com/here-s-what-happens-to-your-brain-when-you-orgasm2. (Page 97, niacin limits the production of adrenaline)
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/21565872113995793. (Ginger aids body's production in epinephrine)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/171766404. (Undermethylation means low neurotransmitters like dopamine, norepinephrine & epinephrine)
http://www.mensahmedical.com/common-symptoms-of-overmethylation/5. (Undermethylation treatment similar to Nanna1's stack)
https://www.jillcarnahan.com/2018/07/05/is-undermethylation-keeping-you-down-what-you-can-do/6. (CBD enhances adrenaline levels)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S00145793060081557. (Circumin inhibits COX markers)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/200655068. (Adrenal anomalies in blood tests)
https://poiscenter.com/forums/index.php?topic=2684.0
