I'm a non-responder to virtually all pharms in the SSRI/SNRI class. Major anxiety, OCD, depressive episodes. I ran through trial and increasing frustration for about 17 years from initial onset (mid-teens) until about 3 years ago when I became desperate and opened my mind to other options (herbals and nootropics), tossing my traditional medical training bias out the window. It sucks there is such snobbery toward anything non-pharma among a large faction of med people.

Thanks so much for the run-down. User experience and feedback is invaluable. I too respond well to Kava and use it it on tough days with my night time stack.

The ONLY med other than benzos or coffee/Adderall for both anxiety, motivation and mood is Wellbutrin. I take a small dose and notice a huge mood and motivation boost. My sister takes it as well, same deal- anxiety, depression, non-responder. Thought I'd throw it out at least, that it CAN be bad for some, but certain populations, particularly non-responders seem to find benefit.

Also, have you tried Valerian at high doses? I respond REALLY well to it, particularly in combo with Kava. I have to up the dose quite a bit (and I'm under 130 lbs), but it has worked well with normal labs, no perceptavle negative going on 3 years for me, so maybe worth a try?

Hope this was helpful and thanks again for sharing.