Posted by A. on March 28, 2000, at 21:09:54
In reply to Re: 5HTP, posted by Linda on March 28, 2000, at 9:00:30
> I've read that 5HTP increases the production of tryptophan which is the precursor to serotonin. It should help with sleep and depression, and there may be other uses. I have been thinking of trying it for sleep problems. I have tried several antidepressants to help with sleep, but I seem to be extremely sensitive to all of them and have had to discontinue them due to side effects. I am currently trying out Trazadone. Has anyone had experience with 5HTP?
>
> LindaActually, serotonin is 5-HT, which is made from 5-HTP itself. The 5-HTP route is an alternative to tryptophan, not the precursor to it. Vitamin B6 is a catalyst that helps convert 5-HTP to 5-HT. This is why taking 5-HTP is such a great antidepressant.
I have been through two bottles of 5-HTP. I find that 2 pills (50mg) per day works best, along with the B6 (whatever is the recommended dose for v-B6 per day). I feel sky high! Once, I was incredibly depressed -- just in a funk that I couldn't shake after a bad day. I willed myself to get up off the sofa and take some 5-HTP (I hadn't taken any in a week or two), and about two hours later, I was in a great mood! Not just normal, but great!
However, a warning - if you are taking an SSRI, you should NOT take 5-HTP! SSRI's slow down how fast serotonin is taken through the reuptakes and broken down, so creating too much serotonin in your brain that is unable to be broken down fast enough can lead to dangerously high levels of serotonin in the brain, and can cause Serotonin Syndrome, which can cause nausea, blackouts, dizziness, and may require hospitalization as it can result in death.
5-HTP is a good alternative to those that aren't on any AD. Taking too many pills of 5-HTP in the hopes of making you super happy tend to just produce excess anxiety and nausea (general anxiety disorder has been linked to too levels of serotonin in the brain).
But a regular dose of about 100-150mg to day (depending on the individual) along with v-B6, can really make you feel great. Unfortunately, it's expensive here - $27 per bottle of 30.
poster:A.
thread:27789
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000321/msgs/28352.html