Although I have a big sweet tooth, I am already depressed enough. I have been enjoying splenda in deserts; made black bean brownie today. I feel stressed, weepy; nothing new, but I don't what to add fuel to the fire. Is there anyone who knows if depression is a side effect of Splenda?
Thank-you all so much for your help.

Hi MarthaJeanne I mostly lurk here but had to write and answer to your question. I went through a severe depression over ten years ago. the depression has since lifted but I recently felt something was off balance again. I was using spenda in everything (coffee, cereal, snack foods). I decided to stop using the splenda to see if I would feel better and within 3 days I felt 100% better. I went to see my doctor and asked him if it was possible that the splenda was causing an imbalance and he said yes. I don't remember the specifics but the general explanation is that artificial sweeteners can effect your production of seretonin in two diferent ways. One way is When your body makes the seretonin and the other is by blocking the seretonin after it is made. Sorry I can't give you a more accurate description of how it affects the seretonin. I have steered clear of artificial sweeteners since then and have had no problem. Hope this helps. I am sure there is someone who can give a more professional explanation, but this was my experience.

Dear SunnySky,
Thank-you for taking the time to answer my question. I don't need a more acuate discription. Your testimony, story, and experience was good enough for me right now. I need simple, at this time...I wish you success.

Wow ..this is interesting ..
My hubby seems depressed and goes thru a lot of Spenda.
We put 17 packs into 3 quarts of tea and he drinks that much
everyday and that does not include the other sources.
I think we should try drinking water ..

MarthaJeane, are you in Phase 1? If so, you may just be suffering the "SBD flu" or the side effects of detoxing--it causes a lot of bad feelings, tiredness, irritability, and a host of other complaints. If you're still in your first 2 weeks, wait until you start Phase 2 to decide if Splenda is the culprit, okay?

There are lots of alternatives to Splenda, but if the issue is the sweetness of the sweetener affecting your seratonin production, it might not matter what kind you use. You'll have to work to see what works for you. Perhaps a lower amount of sweetener will help (and I have to say, SBD helped me need FAR less sweetener in things!), and perhaps you'll have to go without.

It's worth talking with your doctor (or your psychiatrist, if you are on medication for depression) about this and asking what he/she suggests.

In the meantime, you can search the forum here for lots of articles on splenda, stevia, sweeteners, etc. You can try things like agave (in P2 & 3), stevia (any phase), erythritol, xylitol, ascesulfame-K, and others.

I wish you luck!

Laurie, thank you for a very thoughtful post.

MarthaJeanne, it had also crossed my mind that you might be having some "SB Flu". I think that Lauries suggestion to wait it out during P1 may be a good idea.

Personally, the P1 recipes that imitated foods such as brownies just didn't do it for ME. I decided I don't like the taste of splenda in quantity, so in P1 I stuck to the basics. Perhaps staying off spenda as you work through P1 would give you an idea where your weepy feelings are coming from. And certainly, if you have other issues other than detoxing from bad foods, I would suggest seeing a professional.

In P2, I am very happy to be experimenting with recipes using WW and Agave , as well as sweetening with fruit. I am finding the modified desserts to be very satisfying. I think part of that is liking things now that taste less sweet.

Have you guys found that Stevia has that black licorice after taste?
I HATE black licorice!! However I did notice a big drop in my need for sweet when I'm not chugging crystal light and dosing with splenda
I'm definitely going to reinvest in some agave when My cravings are totally under control

Marthajeanne, best of luck to you as well. Please see a doctor if your symptoms continue. Nancy maybe your husband could do a trial test and give up the splenda for a few days and see how he feels. I too encourage him to seek medical help if the symptoms do not pass. I am not familiar with the sb flu although I have heard much mention of it, so it is possible this could be part of the issue as well. Best wishes everyone.

speaking of xylitol, anyone here use it? It was recommended in a book I'm reading. I could not find any locally and ended up ordering some online a couple of days ago. I got the one that is made out of birch bark. I was told to be sure and make sure it was the birch bark kind and not the corn kind.

I was wondering how it tastes..?

Cat - is that the stuff that's in a lot of gums and toxic for dogs? That's all I know about it, not too useful.
I use erythritol and really like it.

Cyndi, yep, that's the stuff. It is absorbed VERY quickly into dogs systems whereas slowly in humans. I'm not really worried about it for my use. I've done a lot of reading on it before I ordered. There are so many things like grapes etc that are toxic for dogs and not people. weird.