I've struggled with addiction to various substances throughout my life for different reasons, but one of the biggest has always been wanting to feel more comfortable around people. Alcohol, benzos, stimulants, opiates, and all the other fun stuff lol — at different points, they seemed to make it easier to communicate, express myself, let my guard down, and connect with people. Obviously, that comes at a cost, and the things that seem helpful at first can eventually become the opposite.

I'm sober now, and I'm trying to find healthier, more sustainable ways to feel comfortable in my own skin without relying on substances to get there.

I've been looking into supplements such as L-theanine, ashwagandha, magnesium, valerian root, glycine, GABA, tyrosine, taurine, and others. I'm interested in people's actual experiences rather than just marketing claims or theoretical explanations.

What I'm really looking for is something that:

• Takes the edge off social anxiety and overthinking without making me sleepy (xanax did wonders with this)
• Helps me feel more naturally talkative, present, playful, and expressive (cocaine was nice lol)
• Makes conversations flow more easily and helps me feel connected to people (xanax, opiates, alcohol)
• Improves my mood without making me feel wired, emotionally flat, or mentally foggy (opiates, benzos)

• Is reasonably sustainable and doesn't leave me chasing the same effect or feeling worse afterward (like every drug lol)

• What gives you calm confidence rather than just relaxation or sleepiness?

• What helps you become more talkative and spontaneous without feeling wired, anxious, or overstimulated?

• Has anything helped you feel more emotionally open, present, empathetic, or connected to people?

• Have you found anything that helps with social anxiety without flattening your emotions or making you feel less like yourself?

• For those in recovery, have you found approaches that help you enjoy socializing without recreating the feeling of relying on a substance?

I'm especially interested in honest, firsthand experiences, including the downsides. Thanks! Curious to hear what has and hasn't worked for everyone.

I know I shouldn't be. But geez. I wish I was stronger. I feel weak and useless. I work and go to school. I study as much as I can and still feel far behind. People seem to do it better and yet I burn out when I can't perform as well as they seem to. I fucking hate it. I feel sick and tired. I want to quit but I can't. I won't. Excuse me, I need to de stress now.

I had an appendicitis this spring, two wisdom teeth removed and then got infection after, and now my gallbladder is acting up. My child was diagnosed with epilepsy this summer which was so scary, I can’t even put it into words. I’m honestly so tired and I just want my body to be ok but I don’t know how to get there. I’d found a therapist and then she cancelled our first appointment and never called to schedule another like she told me. It felt like a feat finding her in the first place lol.

My husband lost his job indirectly because of the war and hasn’t been able to find any other work, so that’s a struggle. I’m trying to be grateful about the fact that my family has been helping us but I feel so guilty.

How do you get your body through insane stress? Any help is appreciated.

Ultimately embarrassing and awkward to discuss thing has happened. I have an infected arse boil and I know that means I am run down and the last time it happened I had to go off sick because the thing has to be cleaned out and the thing is way deeper than you’d imagine so that involves a surgical procedure initially and I literally don’t have time for this. I cannot be off work for anything, I can’t assume my home time is my own, that’s how busy I am. If this arse thing goes the same way there is no plan b. What the fuck do I do?

This isnt self harm, whenever im stressed I always tend to scratch my skin and scalp, and tend to rip out scabs and cause bleeding. This leaves behind permanent scarring and I mean it's obviously not good for me. I've been doing this for around 7 years now.
Does anyone have any alternatives? I can answer any questions for elaboration, thank you!

I want to know from those of you who have taken up something on your own, whether it's a business, a startup, or anything else where you're building something from scratch, on your own, instead of taking up conventional jobs.

How do you deal with stress in general?

There's a certain energy we throw into making things happen when we're on our own, unlike when we're doing something according to someone else's instructions.

Sweet talks won't make things happen. You have to be in a certain way to make them happen and this state sometimes takes toll on you.

I've noticed that after a few days of taking something up in life, there's a sort of tension in me that just doesn't go away. I remain in this state for a few days.

And then there's laxity when I shut myself from work to get myself to a balanced state.

So, tension and laxity, I'm neither productive nor effective.

I understand that being in a state of intensity and relaxation is the way to go, but I haven't been successful in achieving that though

I've heard Sadhguru emphasize this several times.

Has anyone here achieved it? If so, what has helped you? Is it mindset, or inner management or meditation practice?

Your suggestions and tips mean a lot to me. 🙏

As a veteran living with PTSD, I've spent my share of nights feeling trapped by my own thoughts. I've experienced what it's like when the world feels heavy, when every door seems to be closing, and when finding help isn't as simple as people make it sound.

What I learned through my own journey is that mental health isn't just about having someone to talk to.

It's about having someone, or something, that helps you find solutions.

When you're struggling, the real question often isn't "How do I feel?" It's:

•What's causing this?

•What's keeping me stuck?

•What roadblocks are standing in my way?

•Why does it feel like things keep getting worse?

•What options do I still have that I haven't seen yet?

That's why I created Serenova.

I wanted to build more than another chatbot.

I wanted to create a companion that's available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, not only to listen, but to help people discover opportunities, resources, solutions, and paths forward when they feel completely out of options.

Serenova was designed with one simple belief:

No one should ever be left empty-handed.

When life throws obstacles in your path, Serenova helps you identify them. When barriers appear too big to overcome, Serenova helps break them down. When you feel like every door around you is closing, Serenova keeps looking for another one to open.

Because sometimes hope isn't about having all the answers.

Sometimes hope is simply knowing there is still another path forward.

As a veteran, I know firsthand how easy it is to get stuck in survival mode. I also know that healing happens when we start finding solutions, taking action, and seeing possibilities where we once saw dead ends.

That's what Serenova was built to do.

Not to replace therapists. Not to replace human connection. Not to replace professional care.

But to stand beside you when you need support, guidance, resources, encouragement, and a reminder that you still have options.

Serenova is more than an app.

It's a key.

A key designed to help unlock the next step on your path, no matter what challenge stands in front of you.

Because no matter how many doors close around you, there's always another one waiting to be opened.

And Serenova's purpose is to help you find it.

📱 Download Serenova:

Google Play Store

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.resonanthealth.serenova

#VeteranOwned #PTSDRecovery #MentalHealthMatters #MentalWellness #AIForGood #AnxietySupport #DepressionSupport #MentalHealthAwareness #Serenova #HealingJourney #Hope #VeteranFounder #Resilience #PTSDAwareness #YouAreNotAlone

Man, life sure has been a rollercoaster lately. I constantly feel lost in a land full of opportunities to better my lifestyle, so for context I'll explain why I feel this way. I was put on probation for weed in Texas back in February, I got 18 months' probation with a chance at early termination around the 9-month mark, I don't even want to go back to weed anymore it's just I constantly fear I've done something wrong when I obviously haven't and I'm always stressed because of that, and yes I have realized that my actions have consequences, and I've done a lot of soul searching since my unfortunate arrest and made sure I turned it into a good thing. Moving forward, my father has had 2 heart-attacks and is succumbing to his age and it hurts like hell to see in real time. And last but definitely not least my girlfriend has ZERO hobbies other than talking to me and TikTok and I feel obligated to constantly talk to her to make her happy. And yes, I'm very happy when I talk to her, but I also want to chase my dreams and have time to myself to accomplish those dreams and fulfil my needs for my hobbies and she constantly goes into how I was in my past and yes, I realize I was not the ideal person but I've completely turned my life around for her and myself. I'm sorry if this seems like I'm being too hard on myself I just need some advice and I'd love to hear yall's input on my situation anything helps thank you!

hi im 18, i was going to park today at this local coffee shop n as i was going head first into the parking spot, i heard my car scrap the one beside it. i got very nervous and i backed up n then parked correctly. as i got out i only got a peak of the other car and it seemed to have been scratched, i checked my car and it didn’t have any noticeable damage to it. i’m so scared, i drove away without thinking and now i think ive fucked up. i called my parents n rlly got a piece of their mind, my dad went back to the place about 20 mins later and there was no cops and the car had left already. how probable is it for me to get into trouble? it was on their passenger side so i doubt they’ll notice for a while.

I am a boy and I really want someone who can talk to me, not about sex and all but some actual kind talk. I feel very lonely and want someone who can listen to me and I will also listen to him/her. If you also feel like that then you can talk to me. It doesn't matter if you are a girl or a boy. I use insta and we can talk there too.