Active Ingredients

Passion Flower

• A recent study entitled “Passionflower in the treatment of opiate withdrawal: a double-blind randomized controlled trial”, comparing the effects of passion flower with Clonidine, showed use of this herb significantly decreased depression and anxiety associated with withdrawal as well as, if not better than, Clonidine.1

• Passion flower shown to be as effective as “Oxazepam” in the treatment of anxiety, WITHOUT the adverse side effects of the drug.2

5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)

• Multiple scientific studies have shown that short-term supplementation with 5-HTP dramatically alleviates depression.3-9

• It does so by bolstering serotonin levels in the brain.

Rhodiola Root Extract:  (Rhodiola Rosea)

• 300% increase is neurotransmitter levels in the brain with Rhodiola supplementation.10

• Significantly increases the biosynthesis of natural opioid peptides in the body.11

• Decrease the symptoms of depression in patients by up over 35%.12

L-Tyrosine

Has been stated in a comprehensive review study to “. . .significantly enhance levels of vital neurotransmitters. . .” in thebrain, thus acting as a powerful anti-depressant.13

L-Theanine

• “L-theanine significantly increases activity in the alpha frequency band in the brain, which indicates that it relaxes the mind without inducing drowsiness.”14

• L-theanine reduces anxiety and calms nerves during stressful events.15

Vitamin C & B1, B6, B12-Vitamins

FACTOID:  A large number of people suffering from depression are deficient in one or more of the B-vitamins or vitamin C.16

• Correction of these deficiencies through supplementation with the proper forms and amounts of these vitamins (as found in Withdrawal Relief Complex©) “. . .may result in complete resolution of mental symptoms in some individuals.”16

Mucuna Pruriens Root Extract (Mucuna Pruriens)

• Standardized for 20% L-Dopa in our formulas.

• This herb, standardized for L-Dopa content, has been found in research to have potent anti-depressant actions.17

• Also acts as an aphrodisiac and libido enhancer due to its dopamine enhancing actions.18

Insomnia:

Sleepless nights are a very common symptom of opiate withdrawal. Long-term use of opiates tends to disrupt the sleep / wake cycle by disturbing the proper production of melatonin and other sleep-inducing chemicals in the body. In order to re-establish healthy sleep cycles, allowing you to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer, it is necessary to support the production of natural sleep chemicals.

The Withdrawal Relief Complex© contains a healthy dose of pure Melatonin and these other below all-natural sleep support ingredients to help you sleep through the night and give your body the rest it needs to recover.

Melatonin (Sleep Aid)

• Use of melatonin in the evenings to induce sleep has been shown to help insomniacs fall asleep much faster and to significantly increase the amount of sleep achieved throughout the night.19, 20

5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) (Sleep Aid)

• 5-HTP has been shown to be treat insomnia by increasing serotonin levels in the brain, with one study showing a 53% increase in REM sleep during the night.21

Valerian (Sleep Aid)

• Studies show it “. . .may be as effective in reducing sleep latency (time to fall asleep) as small doses of barbiturates or benzodiazepans.”22

• Also, increases sleep quality and with no “hangover” the next morning.23

American Skullcap (Sleep Aid)

• This powerful herbal sedative helps decrease anxiety, restlessness and irritability. These effects take place within 30 minutes of ingestion, and have been shown in research to help people fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.24

Passion Flower (Sleep Aid)

• Passion flower extracts found to be as effective as barbiturates at inducing sleep in prolonged sleep tests.25

Nausea & Gastrointestinal Distress:

Nausea and GI distress (including intestinal cramping and diarrhea), is one of the most uncomfortable and disruptive physical symptoms of opiate withdrawal. This symptom generally presents 2 or 3 days after abstaining from opiates, and can last for up to a week.

Opiates have a very strong sedative effect on the stomach and intestinal tract. Once opiate use is discontinued, these organs become over stimulated. Nerves that have been suppressed for a long time begin to come back to life. This enhanced neural input to the smooth muscles of the stomach and GI tract can be shocking to the system, thus causing cramping and hyper-motility, which leads to diarrhea. The overstimulation and cramping often leads to severe nausea and vomiting.

To treat these symptoms, the Withdrawal Relief Complex© formulas include the below powerful ingredients that not only help to provide natural, moderate sedation to overactive GI nerves, but also help sooth the stomach.

FATIGUE:

The fatigue most people experience during withdrawal is profound. It can be severe enough that you literally will not be able to get out of bed. This is particularly damaging for those needing to maintain a consistent work schedule and/ or care for their family.

The fatigue that comes from opiate withdrawal is both physical and mental. Many recovering opiate addicts feel a complete lack of motivation and desire to engage in life. This leads to reclusive behavior, poor diet, and a host of other actions that tend to prolong withdrawal and lead to relapse.

It is imperative therefore, that you support your ability to stay energized and motivated as you push through your acute phase of withdrawal. The below nutrients in our formulas will help you do this in the following ways:

Vitamin B6 (Reduces Fatigue & Lethargy, Aids GI with Nausea & Vomiting)

• A recent study, using 342 pregnant women with severe morning sickness, showed 30 mg / day of Vitamin B6 significantly decrease nausea and vomiting episodes over a 5-day trial period.34 Researchers stated that “. . .larger doses would likely have
been even more effective.” That is why we included 70 mg in our combined formulas. . .over twice the dose of the study. . .to ensure best results.

Guarana seed + Panax Ginseng (Aids Lethargy & Increases Focus/Attention Span)

• In a very recent study it was shown that the combination of Guarana seed & Panax ginseng increased energy, focus, attention and task performance throughout the day. Researchers stated, “These results provide the first demonstration in humans of the psychoactive effects of guarana, and confirmation of the psychoactive properties of ginseng.”35

5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) (Aids Lethargy, Fatigue, Anxiety, Sleep Aid, Pain Reducer) 

• A study of 50 Fibromyalgia patients with chronic fatigue showed that 300 mg of 5-HTP per day lead to “. . .significant improvements in fatigue, number of tender points, pain intensity, anxiety and sleep quality.”36

L-Tyrosine (Aids Lethargy & Fatigue)

• In a 6-month study looking at the effect of L-Tyrosine supplementation in narcoleptic patients, researchers found that L-Tyrosine, “. . .resulted in complete elimination of daytime sleep attacks and cataplexy.”37
• This anti-fatigue effect is due to L-Tyrosine’s ability to stimulate production of energy-enhancing neurotransmitters such as epinephrine and norepinephrine.

Restless Leg Syndrome:

Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) RLS It is characterized by “twitching” or “jumpy” leg muscles, and is experienced by nearly everyone going through opiate withdrawal. This symptom is not so much painful as it is disruptive and highly irritating. RLS causes agitation during the day and disrupts sleep during the night. This exacerbates the symptoms of insomnia and creates further daytime agitation, locking you into a vicious cycle.

RLS is caused by the depletion of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the system. Research has shown that providing nutrients to help stimulate dopamine production can quickly and effectively decrease or eliminate the severity of this syndrome.  The below ingredients in our Withdrawal Relief Complex aid in the reduction of Restless Leg Syndrome:

Vitamin B12 (Aids Chronic Fatigue, Restless Leg Syndrome) 

• Levels of vitamin B12 are shown to be deficient in those with Chronic Fatigue.38
• Supplementation with B12 in one study found that up to 80% of subjects, “. . .responded with and increase in energy, stamina and well being. . .”38

Mucuna Pruriens:  20% L-dopa (Aids Lethargy & Restless Leg Syndrome, Increases Sleep Quality) 

• Research has shown that oral administration of this powerful herbal extract significantly enhances levels of dopamine in the brain.39
• This herb is so effective at increasing dopamine levels in humans that it is now being used as a medical treatment for Parkinsons Disease.40
• Over 35 clinical research studies have shown that increasing dopamine levels in the brain significantly decreases RLS, increases quantity and quality of sleep and decreases daytime drowsiness.41

Folic Acid (Anti-Depressant, Aids Fatigue & Restless Leg Syndrome)

• Two separate research studies show that supplementation with pharmacological doses of Folic Acid (like those found in Withdrawal Relief Complex©), in patients experiencing long-term RLS, depression and fatigue, was able to, “. . .improve all symptoms
in all patients, even in patients with normal RBC folic acid levels.”42, 43

Valerian Root Extract (Aids Sleep & Restless Leg Syndrome)

• In a very recent study entitled, “Does valerian improve sleepiness and symptom severity in people with restless legs syndrome?” researchers found that, “All patients reported improvement in RLS symptom severity and sleep.”44 This study used nightly doses of Valerian Root extract like that found in the Withdrawal Relief Complex© Nighttime formula.

Magnesium (Aids Restless Leg Syndrome)

• Researchers testing the effects of supplementation with Magnesium in the evening before bed for treatment of RLS state, ”Symptoms were decreased by an average of 59% in the magnesium group.”45