Posted by Larry Hoover on December 16, 2003, at 9:42:03
In reply to Larry Hoover, Re: Great news, mac!, posted by McPac on December 15, 2003, at 17:28:06
> Lar,
> quick question. We've talked about how tryptophan + an ssri (and lithium) increases the risk of serotonin syndrome (which is why I DON'T take the tryptophan regularly).
> BUT...does 5htp carry the SAME risk of serotonin syndrome when combined with an ssri and lithium as the tryptophan does?
> Or does 5htp possibly carry a LOWER risk (or none at all?)? I don't know if I would respond as well to 5htp as I do trypto...but IF I did, could I possibly SAFELY use 5htp with my ssri & lithium? Or would the risk be the same? Thanks!!!I can't tell you that X dose of 5-HTP would be safe, or not. I can't tell you if 5-HTP would give you a similar effect. Taken with an SSRI, both tryptophan and 5-HTP carry some risk of serotonin syndrome.....but, used as you're using it, the tryptophan should be entirely safe. In fact, I think taking the tryprophan intermittently may be a good way to take it, for some people. Your body can't adapt to the increased intake of tryptophan if you have periods where you're back at baseline intake levels. Your body gets all ready to adapt, and then decides it doesn't need to adapt....over and over again. So, you get the enhancement, without risk of developing anything like tolerance. Just my philosophy....but who knows.
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:289268
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20031204/msgs/290465.html