Drug info - OTC stimulants in Japan

[JoeM]

SWIMs in Japan. Wondering if there's anything worth having OTC here. They have lots of ads for stimulants, tonics etc mostly for higher work productivity. Tried to find out what's in them but SWIM's Jap is not flash and the chemist just got confused.

[lysenergy]

OTC stims in Japan are for the most part caffeine mixed with various Kanpo (chinese herbal medicine).

For instance, the mainstay of the "working productivity" uppers that you are referring to, Yunker is nothing more than caffeine mixed with things like ginseng and B vitamins.

The more expensive products contain various other roots and animal parts (snakes of some sort)

SWIM has taken 2 of the expensive ones at once, to see what would happen. SWIM says that it made him nothing more that a bit giggly. On par with a cup of strong coffee.

SWIM would also like to note that some also contain maca root. But as SWIM has never had any problem getting it up, he has never tried these

Reputation Comments on this post:

Thanks for the info.

[100mg Methylphenidate]

It's a bit off topic...but you still might find it interesting to know...

Swim has heard that Japan stopped giving out Ritalin like candy a while back due to problems with abuse. And apparently, from what he's heard from somebody who came back from Japan, there is no 'adult ADHD' there and I can't remember if the drugs are now only prescribed for narcolepsy, or if it's just a lot harder to get a script for ADHD.

Fortunately (in swim's opinion), there is an abundance of illicit methamphetamine and methyldioxymethamphetamine.

OTC Stimulants in pretty much any country SUCK. Swim would highly recommend combining ginseng and ginkgo biloba and highly recommend avoiding yohimbe at all costs. 4mg of yohimbine with caffeine is enough to make swim feel rather jittery.

[Roads]

SWIM has heard about herbal stim formulas in Japan and other Asian countries. SWIM suspects the products SWIY is seeing advertised are not unlike western energy drinks; in that they are mostly containing caffeine, large doses of B vitamins and some minerals, all in addition to traditional asian herbal remedies that have questionable scientific merit.

SWIM is unsure as to the legal status of prescription stims in Japan, but suspects that SWIY could find a number of formulas containing herbal additions known to augment/stimulate energy; Ephedra, Ginseng and Ginkgo biloba for example. A lot of herbal stuff like that, and a lot of brain food in Asia in general are often available as a part of a flavored tea. SWIM is certain that SWIY could find some local tea's that help with energy boosts.

SWIM recently read about a line of unusual energy drinks in Japan called "Unagi Soda" (I think it was called that anyway). The beverage contains essential vitamins and some energy promoting additives of course, but the main ingredient is a measure of "eel extract".
... yes... soda that is made from, and apparently tastes like Eel. Anyway, the cultural folklore of the Japanese say that Eel extracts give a powerful energy boost similar

SWIM cautions however that many OTC drugs you could find in drug stores, but especially in local herb/health shops, are often nothing more than traditional herbal concoctions that are not necesarilly scientifically verified. In the United States we have our millions of shelves of poorly regulated, improperly tested, over-the-counter self-help meds, that when used don't produce the desired effects. You could expect to experience a similar level of worthlessness, but more because of traditional herbal remedies. Odd formulas and concoctions that are culturally established, ingrained and "believed" in by local users are common, but likely have little to no level of scientific fact and soundness behind them; and a non Japanese speaking person such as SWIY would probably never be able to figure out exactly 'what' is in such substances.

[lysenergy]

SWIM believes that he has an ADD-like personality. Wether this is a condition or just a personality-type is up for debate, but anyways....

In Japan, you can be diagnosed with ADD, even though properly trained practitioners are few and very far between.

SWIY used to be able to get Ritalin here by walking in and asking for it, something SWIM found out in 2005, when he visited a place called the Tokyo Clinic in Shinjuku (kabuki-cho). To get his ADD diagnosed.

SWIM was prescribed 4 10mg a day in 3-week packets. Which SWIM normally finished in 1 week. Also, upon demand he was presented with Pemoline, lorazepam, and an SSRI of his choice. All for $20 a visit INCLUDING meds.

This place is the place that changed Japanese drug law concerning Ritalin. It was closed 2 years ago in the fall and the chief doctor was stripped of his license, fined, and imprisoned.

The doctor even got punched in the face when he would refill one of his "patient's" meds. It was famous and in the newspapers.

Now, I think pemoline is the only stimulant that can be prescribed for ADD. Adderall and Desoxy is illegal to possess in Japan.
Ritalin is only available as extended release for ADD to people 18 and under.
Stratera is also only for those 18 and under.

So if SWIY are an adult, it's sink or swim baby. Japanese tend to be sadistic in the way that they take care of each other, and they hate pills.

The Japanese say "Fix the problem, not the condition." I agree.

To SWIM, drugs are only to be used for good times and life threatening illness.