To test this supplement I conducted an experiment on myself. Over the course of a month I had my girlfriend lay out my pills and write down which days included NAC and which days did not. I did not look at my pills when I took them and did not know which days I was taking NAC. I then recorded my Anxiety and stress levels each day. At the end of the month there was a noticeable difference in my ratings of Anxiety between days that I did and did not take NAC. I therefore believe that, for me personally, this supplement appears to be effective. JUST MAKE SURE TO NOT TAKE IT AT LEAST 2 DAYS A WEEK! The reasoning behind this is that NAC increases your body's glutathione levels. But if your levels are chronically elevated, your body may begin to decrease glutathione levels in order to keep them at a consistent level (this is called homeostasis). Therefore (as with all antioxidant supplements) you want to stop taking it at least 2 days a week so your body does not decrease glutathione production

I'm a skeptical RN and have a younger brother whose heart nearly conked out on his when he was 50, and now he's 55 and doing better than ever, after a scare last year, when he hit a bad patch of life stress. His doctors told him he might need a second surgery but he has 5 kids, some of which are still at home. So they made him do a medical management plan vs another surgery. BUT IT WORKED, he has now been taking this and 3 other supplements and chelation IVs once a month and his heart disease has been 90& reversed. He's lost 60 lbs w diet modification, and he credits these Amazon products with unclogging his cardiac arteries. Now I'm taking these and the others his cardiologists ordered for him. It's all about reducing inflammation, and I say this as an RN for 39 years. So much misinformation out there, but this is working for us

I suffer from OCD and social Anxiety, and NAC really helps with both of these conditions. NAC also seems to lift depressive moods. Physically, I feel healthier too. As with most nootropics, I take this first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. I feel the effects after about 10 minutes to an hour, and I continue to feel them all day to some degree until bedtime. My personal experience with this product: Pro's: -HUGE reduction in Anxiety -HUGE reduction in “ruminating thoughts” (Anxiety or distress over past events or mistakes) -HUGE increase in focus and productivity -Overall sense of well-being, reduction in depression -Increased creativity Neutral: -Colors seem brighter -HUGE increase in libido (may be a pro or a con for you) Cons: -NAC is very stimulating for me. One time I took it before bed, and it took me much longer to fall asleep. Now, I simply never take it before bed. -I can't lie, NAC sometimes makes me feel “weird” but it not unpleasant, but I do not take it daily for this reason. I simply cannot deny that there is a change in consciousness, but it is nowhere near the change that you would experience from a low dose SSRI, for example. Finally, There is no denying that NAC helps tremendously with alcohol hangovers. I typically take 2 right before I go to bed after drinking (this is the only time I take it before bedtime). I used to get headaches that last for several days after drinking, but this product pretty much eliminates these. Some people have said that they take NAC before drinking, and I've noticed that when I do this, it typically takes 3x as much alcohol to get the same effect. This may be a placebo however. I put this at the bottom because I don't want to encourage unsafe drinking habits. Some people experience a reduction in asthma symptoms, but I did not notice any change. I have Samter's Triad so maybe I am not a good one to assess this benefit as we tend to not respond to conventional treatments. Overall I strongly recommend this product

*Overview* In a few words, I can say that this supplement is the closest supplement I've ever used to a miracle product. Why do I say that? As a precursor to glutathione (Coined “The Mother of All Antioxidants” by Mark Hyman, MD), NAC serves to help my body overcome environmental and dietary toxins. In brief, I no longer feel "sluggish" like I once did or experience hangovers (even from minimal alcohol) like I once did. Since taking 1200-1800mg/day (2-3 capsules) in September of 2015, this has become a (long-awaited) staple in my supplement drawer and boost to my overall health. I am never without this product. *Dosage* I take, like I said, 2-3 capsules a day. First thing in the morning on an empty stomach with a large glass of water. Second one around lunchtime. Third one middle of the afternoon or so. If I plan on going out for a few drinks in the evening, I take another one before heading out the door to spend time with friends. I rarely miss doses but if I do, it is not as if my whole system crashes or I feel I have become so dependent on it I cannot function or am worse off than when I started. *What does it do?* If you're interested in the breakdown of what exactly this product is meant to do, I would recommend your own research or read some of the other reviews. I merely want to offer my own experience. I have taken a variety of supplements since I was a teenager (15 years) and never really felt that most products lived up the hype or could back up their claims. As a former smoker, I stumbled across this product while researching "What products help mitigate lung damage from smoking" and found this on a random forum buried somewhere in the text. That's where I first encountered the name NAC. I was skeptical and more than a little nervous about taking it but was somewhat assured when I read this is used in hospitals for acetaminophen overdoses so, if used by the medical community, maybe there was something to it? The effect was initially subtle. I was bursting with energy or bouncing off walls but found certain things that used to be VERY hard for me started to lift. A few examples. I found myself picking up the phone more often and calling a friend where before I felt a dark lining on life that made it harder to be myself. I found myself breathing easier and experiencing less sinus pressure (which makes sense as this thins out mucus) which was hugely helpful as I am allergic to most everything and experience an overload. It didn't take all allergy symptoms away, but my need for anti-allergy meds has decreased. In fact, I can't remember the last time I bought a bottle of allegra. I found myself able to better focus in class and while I still experience a certain level of brain fog from time to time, clarity of thought is more the norm for me than the exception. This has corresponded to a lifting of a sense of depression and darkness making it easier to be myself in social situations (and move past the worst parts of social Anxiety). Last, but certainly not least, I process alcohol WAY faster. I can't explain the effect but, like most adults, I have a drink from time to time. Like some adults, I have nights where I have more than one drink from time to time. Unlike most adults after a night of drinking, I don't have concerns for how I'll feel the next day. I can feel the effect even at the bar where I remain lucid and focused while drinking as opposed to becoming...sloppy? In the last year I've woken up with a headache once as opposed to formerly experiencing a headache after 1 beer. So...it seems to be doing something... Like I said, I cannot recommend this product enough and continue to share my experience with everyone I encounter. While I continue to experiment with other supplements, adding or removing items for specific things, NAC remains a baseline of health for me and will not go without. No, my hair has not fallen out (as another reviewer mentioned they experienced). No, this product will not allow you to drink like a monster without effect at all. Qualifiers aside, this product might help you and would be worth considering if you've tried everything out there (like me) and want a good baseline for health to continue to build upon. Best of luck in your search for better health! *edited 10/06/16 for clarity.

I randomly came across a thread online where a lot of people mentioned that NAC helped them with their OCD/anixety, and as someone who has generalized Anxiety and has been on medication for it (but want to try something more natural) I gave this a shot and after ONE dose (2 pills/1200mg) I noticed a SIGNIFICANT decrease in my Anxiety (specifically the rising wave of impending doom in my stomach). It was weird because these pills don't make you feel good and it was only after several hours when I was like "Huh...I haven't felt anxious all day." So don't expect to "feel good" on this stuff, but (at least for me) it has (so far) taken my Anxiety and whooped its butt. I'll update my review if my Anxiety comes back or if I notice any negative side effects. I've only just started it so anything could happen but right now I'm ecstatic and just crossing my fingers that this isn't temporary and I can take this instead of xanax every day as it is more natural. I can't speak to the efficacy for OCD as I do not have that, but for generalized Anxiety, it's already something that has brought me relief

I was researching for a supplement that protects the liver when taking Acetaminophen. I found the following information in an article by Julius Goepp, MD. NAC is a defense against some of today's most deadly public health threats. 1. Acetaminophen toxicity and acute liver failure: the number one cause of acute liver failure in the United States. 2. Influenza: whose victims are primarily aging individualsâ€"three quarters of all flu-related deaths occur in the elderly. 3. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: the fourth-leading cause of death in the United States (includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis). 4. Helicobacter pylori: the bacterial culprit behind stomach ulcers, and a potentially lethal pathogen closely linked to malignant gastric cancer, the second most frequent cause of cancer death worldwide. N-ACETYL CYSTEINE'S BROAD-SPECTRUM BENEFITS 1. NAC replenishes levels of the intracellular antioxidant glutathione (GSH), which is often deficient with advancing age and in chronic illness. 2. NAC also regulates expression of scores of genes in the pathways that link oxidative stress to inflammation. 3. These dual effects give NAC a unique role in the prevention and treatment of many common diseases, both acute and chronic. 4. NAC can protect against avian influenza and more common seasonal flu symptoms. 5. NAC reduces the frequency and duration of attacks of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and may slow the clinical course of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). 6. NAC protects tissues from the effects of exercise-induced oxidative stress, adding value and safety to your workout. 7. NAC improves insulin sensitivity in people with some of the most difficult-to-treat metabolic disorders. 8. NAC blocks cancer development at virtually every step in the process, and through multiple mechanisms, making it an important cancer chemo preventive agent. 9. NAC fights the stomach infection Helicobacter pylori on two fronts, inhibiting the organism's growth while reducing production of inflammatory cytokines that can lead to gastritis and cancer. Though most individuals gain benefits from 600-1,800 mg/day, clinical studies have found that doses of up to 2,000 mg/day are safe and effective. A recent study demonstrated the safety of 2,800 mg/day for 3 months in patients with COPD

I've been taking N-A-C on and off for more than three years, and it's helped a great deal with alleviating sinus congestion and improving lung capacity. First, a little background on N-A-C... I'm not a scientist, but I've read up a bit on N-A-C, and I'll attempt a brief overview. N-A-C supplements provide the body with extra amounts of L-cysteine, a precursor to a substance called Glutathione. In other words, taking N-A-C gives us more L-cysteine, which then gives us more Glutathione. Glutathione is a critical substance in the body, maintaining our antioxidant defenses in the face of everyday assaults. Acting as an antioxidant, it detoxifies and provides intracellular defense against oxidative stress. Think of Glutathione as a street sweeper for our body. It is a major supporter of our liver and lungs. (So, why not simply skip the L-cysteine and just take Glutathione supplements instead? The reason is that Glutathione is not well digested by the body.) Our body's supply of Glutathione may need a boost for several reasons, including alcohol consumption, acetaminophen use, chronic disease, physiological and physical stress, inadequate diet and environmental toxins. N-A-C is preferred to cysteine, or cystine, as a supplement because of its stability and solubility. The extra boost of Glutathione provided by N-A-C has a noticeable effect on reducing my sinus congestion during cold and allergy season. It's apparent within a few days of beginning the supplement that I can breathe easier and have less difficulty with my allergies -- especially dust. For example, within a week of using N-A-C I was able to discontinue my nightly use of nasal strips for congestion relief. I also notice a difference when I'm jogging or playing soccer. I seem to be able to pull air deeper into my lungs, improving my stamina

By the second day of two per day I began sleeping through the night and not needing a sleeping pill at 3am. This was AMAZING. By day five of 2 per day I actually "found myself" singing out loud and laughing. I have not sang around the house in a year. My Anxiety level appears to be lessening after five days on this also. There I was walking into a room and found myself singing; it was so weird as I never do this anymore! Today is day six and I can't wait to see if anything else changes. Oh, I just remembered: I am finding myself emotional with tears and sobs over certain tv shows or animal cruelty commercials. It's like a veil has been lifted or something. I'm not full of joy or anything but I can tell my emotions are changing for the better. I also might add it appears I am not as negative about annoyances as in the past. I feel more optimistic; that's the word

I'm actually shocked. I've bitten at and picked my cuticles for well over 25 years. I started taking this and the urge is just gone. It's actually a bit unexplainable

NAC is an effective mucous thinning agent and has been used for years in patients with serious lung conditions such as COPD and cystic fibrosis. I originally started taking it because it is a precursor to glutathione, which is essential to my methylation protocol for my MTHFR, without even realizing it had implications for lung health. I have been pleasantly surprised to find that this product has indeed helped my chronic asthma, as well. I was at a point where I was taking 3 daily prescribed medications for my asthma and now I am down to taking just the rescue inhaler as needed, without a need for daily medications unless I am actually sick (like when the kids are gracious enough to share their colds). When researching other formulations of NAC, I was amazed to find that everyone seems to take it for their own reasons and they are as varied as the people themselves. stress, Anxiety, depression, sleep, liver detox, and more. Again, this goes back to the fact that cysteine, an amino acid, helps boost the body's level of glutathione. Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant, but the body doesn't absorb it well, it does better if it is created in the body... enter NAC. Long term use may deplete your levels of zinc and copper, so it is suggested that you supplement both if you are using NAC for more than a couple of months. At just 8 cents a capsule, this is a great value for your NAC needs