![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by qbsbrown on November 2, 2007, at 0:38:13
It seems like i have a high tolerance for all meds and supplements.
It seems that I need 6mg of tryptophan just to fall asleep, and it works great.
Is Tryptophan supposed to be taken throughout the day, or just once at night?
Thanks,
Brian
Posted by qbsbrown on November 2, 2007, at 20:30:20
In reply to What is the range dosage of Tryptophan????????????, posted by qbsbrown on November 2, 2007, at 0:38:13
I can't be on SSRIs due to causing mania. Is there any history of Tryptophan doing this?
Regards,
Brian
Posted by bleauberry on November 3, 2007, at 19:45:41
In reply to What is the range dosage of Tryptophan????????????, posted by qbsbrown on November 2, 2007, at 0:38:13
I believe at doses higher than 6mg tryptophan stimulates enzymes that actually steer its conversion in other directions instead of serotonin. So the more you take, the less you get. Tryptophan turns into a lot of other things besides serotonin. Under ideal circumstances only about 10% of tryptophan converts to serotonin. At very high doses, less than that.
You might consider a lower dosage boosted with a low dose of 5htp.
Considering time of dosing, it could be night only, day only, both, one dose a day, or three doses a day. It varies for everyone. With experimention you can find what you like best. Sometimes that isn't as easy as it sounds though, is it. Not for me anyway. Whatever, I think the key is to not take too much. 6 grams tryptophan is a lot. Some people do better with tryptophan, some better with 5htp, and some better with both combined. When combined, be even more careful to keep doses cautious.
Because serotonin meds caused mania doesn't mean serotonin itself will. The drugs are much more complicated, and affect a lot of other things, than just pure serotonin. Could tryptophan or 5htp cause mania? Sure, anything can. If that is a gut instinct concern you have, it might be a good idea to think of adding lithium orotate and/or magnesium and/or taurine to your natural arsenal.
Posted by Mistermindmasta on November 14, 2007, at 21:53:39
In reply to What is the range dosage of Tryptophan????????????, posted by qbsbrown on November 2, 2007, at 0:38:13
>> Is Tryptophan supposed to be taken throughout the day, or just once at night?
I don't really know. Probably for depression, you should take it multiple times per day. For sleep, probably just at night.
I take around 2.5 grams L-trp per day. It's a lot smoother than 5-HTP and doesnt cause the stomach discomfort of 5-HTP. I take 1.5 grams in the morning and a gram at night and it really seems to prevent any negative moods and anger.
I suppose 6 grams wouldn't be too terribly high a dose throughout the day. But once at night seems like a high dose. But, as long as you aren't on any other meds, I don't see the harm. The only side effect I have from my 2.5 grams per day is that I seem to get shoulder and neck cramps which go away when I stop tryp and start again when I start it back up - but for the pleasant effects on my mood, it's worth it. 2.5 grams per day ends up being rather expensive, unfortunately.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Alternative | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.