Glossary

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As a rule, adaptogens are plant products that support immunity and protect the body from adverse environmental influences. Their regular use has a positive effect on the ability to cope with difficult life situations. It serves either to optimize mental strength in periods of stress and anxiety, as well as to support the body's defenses during physical stress. In the period of unfavorable temperature conditions, it also serves as a prevention against the development of the disease. They stimulate the body, promote vitality and slow down the aging processes. Due to their high content of building materials, they also optimize the functions of body organs.

Alkaloid

Alkaloids represent a group of chemicals that occur in the bodies of plants, fungi and animals. Alkaloids are significant for their psychoactive effects on the human body – they affect the functioning of the nervous system in a variety of ways. Therefore, we divide alkaloids into several main groups:

euphoria – cause bliss and euphoria
hypnotic – successive effects
analgesic – soothes pain, soothes

Analgesic

Groups of substances that reduce the perception of pain. They help the user to relieve acute injuries and painful diseases. However, it does not solve the cause of the pain.

Anxiolytic

Anxiolytics are groups of substances that remove anxiety, tension, nervousness or stage fright. They are suitable for more shy individuals. They improve the ability to communicate and socialize, remove inhibitions. It is not suitable for people suffering from chronic stress.

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Gaia

Gaia, according to the original Greek mythology, is the name of the earth goddess. Today, this name is associated with the planet Earth itself and refers to its consciousness or soul. Gaia is thus considered to be the living intelligence that gave rise to life on Earth. The original cilivizations worshipped this intelligence, even giving it a multitude of gifts and offerings in the form of hunted game, fruits and other food.

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Lucid dreaming

Lucid dreaming, or waking sleep, is a condition in which the sleeper during the sleep phase is aware of the fact that he is dreaming. This creates an opportunity to consciously manage and control the dream. The dreamer can thus alter objects, people and the entire dream scenario at his own discretion. Psychologists agree that the ability to lucidly dream is a journey into the human unconscious in which we can become more aware of our patterns of behavior and thinking, as a result of which an improvement in the quality of life can be achieved.

There are plenty of techniques for inducing lucid dreaming . The main method, according to most experts, is the introduction of a dream diary. By capturing our dreams, we connect the unconscious and conscious parts of our mind, and by regularly strengthening these connections, we achieve better remembering of dreams, which can eventually lead to a situation where we actually realize that we are dreaming. Other aids are directing attention to the topic of lucid dreaming, affirmations and so-called "dream herbs" – plants improving the quality of sleep and dreaming, supporting colorful and vivid dreams. Among the most famous plants provoking these abilities is Calea Zacatechichi. It also includes, for example, Bobinsana.

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Serotonin

Serotonin is a chemical compound found in our nervous system, the optimal amount of which causes feelings of joy, satisfaction and mental well-being. However, its deficiency causes negative mood swings, aggression, depression or sleep disturbances. Optimally, it can be naturally supplemented with a healthy lifestyle, psychohygiene, satisfying social ties and movement. If there is no other option, it can be artificially supplemented with means with antidepressant effects.

Serotonin Syndrome

Serotonin syndrome is a very dangerous neurophysiological condition that is caused by excessively high levels of serotonin. It usually gets to such a dangerous level by using an excessive amount of drugs or an inappropriate combination of drugs. Therefore, it is not advisable to combine antidepressants and other means with similar effects, especially those that act on different bases. For example, the combination of MAOI and SSRI is very dangerous!

Acute symptoms of serotonin syndrome include sweating, hot flashes, increased blood pressure, nausea, vomiting. There may also be impaired muscle coordination, convulsions and body tremors. Hallucinations, confusion and loss of consciousness are also common. Serotonin syndrome can be a very serious course in some cases and can even end in death.

SSRIS

SSRIs, i.e. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, are types of today's antidepressants and other substances acting on the same basis (e.g. the Kanna plant). The principle of its effects is based on the fact that they block the reuptake of serotonin in the presynaptic part of the neuron, thereby increasing the amount of serotonin in the synapse. The increased presence of serotonin synapses thus helps to eliminate depression and other neuroses that otherwise arise from its deficiency. They must not be combined with other types of antidepressants and substances acting on their basis, e.g. MAOI antidepressants and plants acting as MAOI – Banisteriopsis Caapi or Harmala.

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MAOI

MAOIs, i.e. monoamine oxidase inhibitors, are antidepressants of synthetic or vegetable origin (e.g. Banisteriopsis Caapi, Bobinsana). The principle of their effects is that they inhibit or suppress the function of the enzyme monoamine oxidase, which normally breaks down the neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine. Thus, they are able to compensate for the deficiency of these neurotransmitters, which arises in states of anxiety and depression, and help the user to elevate the mood.

They must not be combined with other antidepressants and substances acting on the basis of SSRIs (for example, Kanna). It is also necessary to follow a certain type of diet – dairy and fermenting products should be completely excluded from the diet before, during and after taking it for some time. Dangerous are combinations with alcohol and other substances affecting the concentration of serotonin – MDMA. Complete list of substances to avoid in combination with MAOI : http://www.upmc.com/patients-visitors/education/nutrition/pages/maoi-diet-facts.aspx

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Nootropic

Nootropics, or plants with nootropic properties, are those means that support the cognitive functions of the nervous system. They improve concentration, attention, memory and sharpen the senses. They are popular among students who use them to increase mental performance. They are also useful for older individuals with neurodegenerative diseases.