Please see conventional, complimentary and alternative medical treatments for important background information regarding the different types of medical treatments discussed on this page. Naturopathic, Complimentary and Alternative treatments that may be considered include:
The use of Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) in treating autoimmune, neuroinflammatory, and certain microbial diseases and cancers was pioneered by the late Dr. Bernard Bihari [Bihari2003], [Bihari2013].
[LdnResearchTrust_conditions] reports that panic attacks are a condition that LDN could help. Please see [LDN_Story] for an excellent documentary video, and [Elsegood2016] and [Moore2008] for books.
Dr. Weyrich notes that these reports are considered anecdotal, and without expensive double-blind placebo-controlled trials (which are unlikely to be funded, since LDN is a generic drug that cannot be patented), these results cannot be proven to be anything more than "spontaneous remissions"; however, given the low cost (less than $40/month) and extremely low side effect profile, a therapeutic trial may be in order.
It is believed [LDN] that LDN works by temporarily blocking the body's opioid receptors, which induces a reflex increase in the body's natural endorphin and enkephalin levels, which then modulates the immune system to restore balance and reduce inflammation. However, [Younger2014] has proposed an alternative mechanism in which naltrexone exerts an antagonist effect on Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) that are found on macrophages and microglia; additional mechanisms involving astrocytes, NADPH oxidase 2, and the opioid growth factor receptor (OGFr) have also been proposed. The result is reduced neuroinflammation, which is generally associated with all neurodegenerative diseases.
The main caveats are that patients cannot also be being treated with extended release opiates for pain control and cannot be organ transplant recipients. This is an off-label use, and as such is not likely to be covered by insurance.
Dr. Weyrich has been trained in the use of Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) and offers these protocols as a complement to other therapies; however at this time Dr. Weyrich has not treated any cases of panic attacks using LDN.
HPN has been reported to be useful for treating panic attacks [Snook]. Dr. Weyrich has been trained in the use of Neuro-Gen High Performance Neuromodulation system by it's inventor, Corey Snook. However, Dr. Weyrich has not treated any cases of panic attacks with this technique.
Please see What is Neuro-Gen High Performance Neuromodulation? for more information.Neurofeedback has proven useful for treating anxiety, and may be useful for preventing panic attacks. Dr. Weyrich has been certified in neurofeedback since 2008, and more recently completed an additional residency training program at ADD Clinic of Scottsdale, AZ. However, Dr. Weyrich has not treated any cases of panic attacks with this technique.
Please see What is Neurofeedback? for more information.
Neuro Research [Hinz2015] reports that panic attacks are associated with GABA dysfunction and glutamine and can be benefited by balancing neurotransmitter levels in the body.
Dr. Weyrich has been trained in neurotransmitter balancing protocols, but has not treated panic attacks using this technique.
Please see What is Neurotransmitter Balancing? for more information.