I am helping a family member who has paranoid schizophrenia. She was taking clozapine (only antipsychotic that helped) and it caused her white blood cells to drop to dangerous levels. She is only taking supplements now and we will soon be receiving the results vitamin/micronutrient blood tests. We are trying L-theanine, NAC, DMG, Folate (methylated), methylated B-12, Mangosteen (antioxidant), Vitamin B Complex, Niacin, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Melatonin. So far, it seems that the Vitamin B Complex is helping a tiny bit with the hallucinations/delusions. The voices are much more reduced when on the B-complex versus when she only takes B-12, Folate, and Niacin. So I am guessing she may be deficient in a B vitamin other than the B-12, Folate, and Niacin. Has anyone here had success treating the voices/hallucinations with only supplements?
I haven’t improved solely because of supplements, but I think it was a big factor. She should try manganese and white mulberries as well. White mulberries are very effective. Curcumin is helpful as well as vitamin b1 (thiamine) and Omega 3. Choline can help too.
If she can handle being off the meds it can be better for her. Many on this site struggle with residual symptoms, and have different degrees of functionality. For a few, like me, with an extensive family history the symptoms are harder to manage. If her symptoms are not extreme the focus should be on preventing degeneration of the brain. Over time her brain may degenerate and develop structural abnormalities like reduced cortical thickness. Once this happens you cannot regrow the lost brain tissue. And her cognitive processes may degenerate as a result. And she will be an old burned out schizophrenic. So maybe keeping the antipsychotic even at a lower dose is better. It can be neuroprotective.
Thanks for the advice!
There are certainly people on here who have been aided by supplements in those regards, but the general consensus is that antipsychotic medication is necessary for recovery and that supplements are only add-ons in the overall treatment plan.
That said, everyone is different and some people find supplements to be incredibly beneficial - just make sure the psychiatrist is kept ‘in the loop’.
Also, look into sarcosine and CBD to add to your supplements list. Coenzyme q10 could be helpful too. Melatonin could also help, but there are lots of differing opinions on that one. Good luck and feel free to ask any more questions that you may have - I’m sure others will chip in as well 
I found COQ10 to be detrimental for me. It raises dopamine. However, PQQ is similair to COQ10 but didn’t affect me negatively. But it may work for others, I’d just be cautious with COQ10.
Ok thanks! COQ10 may also have the same detrimental effect on my family member because she seems to be sensitive to dopamine increases. She improved slightly with white mulberries and 5-htp since they raise serotonin and from what I understand, increasing serotonin automatically lowers dopamine. Though we did not further increase the dose of 5-htp for fear of serotonin syndrome.
No problem. Hope she feels better.
@HelpingFamily I’d like to encourage you to join our forum for Family and Caregivers that can be found at:
While this is a peer support forum for people with schizophrenia and other closely related psychotic disorders, the Family forum is specifically for people like yourself, who have a loved one they are concerned about.
Also, please let your loved one know about this forum as they may find it helpful.
Best of luck,
Moonbeam
Volunteer Moderator
If they get by with out meds I would think a very low dosage of antiphycotic would help. I think it’s the high doses with the debilitating side effects. Everyone has some side effects though. I’ve tried some supplements that made me feel weird, so there not all perfect either. You probably noticed that it’s all try ,wait and see. Nobody has the answer there’s nothing magic formula. Best wishes finding something to work.
I think level j reported no voices at 6gms of niacin .just check up
@rhubot @Moonbeam @Ninjastar @Jayster
Ask for a lock on this thread? It’s one of those that attracts the anti-med nuts.