Posted by Larry Hoover on September 19, 2004, at 9:56:39
In reply to Pharmaceutical-grade 5htp - VERY DIFFERENT, posted by LOOPS on September 16, 2004, at 18:29:40
> Hello -
>
> I hate to say this, but I've been experimenting for a long time with tryptophan and also different brands of 5htp, and it seems that pharmaceutical grade 5htp has VERY different effects to 'normal' brands.Why do you hate to say it? It's an important distinction, apparently.
> It seems with the pharmaceutical quality stuff, the effects don't 'conk out' after a couple of weeks. Also, there seems to be a stronger stimulation of norepinephrine-type response (in me) along with serotonin - I've tried a lot of brands and the same thing happens with 'lesser' brands - depression sets in again in a lethargic kind of way after about a week. Could be just me, but I've heard this from others as well. Could quality really differ that much??
Oh, absolutely. Typical 5-HTP supps are from an African herb, Griffonia. It's very hard to be certain that the 5-HTP content is as advertised on the label, or to know what other effects are associated with the herb itself.
A pharmaceutical product must meet very clearly defined purity standards. It only stands to reason that this standardization is important.
> Experiences appreciated.
>
> BTW still going strong with taurine, and 'playing around' with a few other supplements as well, trying to maintain a balance and not get too manic or depressed (the secret, after all, is in the balance).
>
> LoopsAbsolutely, finding a balance is key. But don't forget, balance isn't in maintaining a rigorous intake. It's in adapting intake to the moving target that you are as you interact with your environment.
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:391670
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20040901/msgs/392572.html