4 ms·

After feeling very down, so much that I didn't felt like myself, I started to experiment with herbal supplements. Valerian to sleep, but my problem wasn't lack

After feeling very down, so much that I didn't felt like myself, I started to experiment with herbal supplements. Valerian to sleep, but my problem wasn't lack of sleep. St John's Wort for mood, but I didn't feel moody. I tried 5-htp, which from my understanding is a precursor to the biosynthesis of Serotonin. The effect was immediate. I felt light headed, buzzed even. I felt as if I had suddenly woken up in a bright new world. I went groceries shopping could barely keep myself from gaping at all the colours, products and people. The next day, those effects were gone but I felt fine. Simply fine. I tried to take more 5-htp, but those strong effects are gone. I am no brain scientist, but to me this is anecdotal evidence that I was very much lacking in Serotonin and that this herbal supplement boosted me right back up. It's not magical, I still feel anxious about deadlines and stressed about hard to deal with clients. However, some kind of dark blurry veil has been lifted from my perception of life. Edit: Since then, I increased my weekly physical activities and improved my overall eating habits. I can't say if it's directly linked with my increase (or rather closer to normal) Serotonin but my instinct says yes.

carleverett 11y ago
Relevant part of this comment: "I am no brain scientist." You probably could have had the same effect from a sugar pill.
- Raphmedia 11y ago
  Why would you claim this? From what I have read 5-Hydroxytryptophan seem like a widely accepted supplement for issues with Serotonin and/or depression and mood. The only articles that I have found that say it might not be of use are studies that simply say that 5-HTP is better than placebo but that we can't say more yet because of lack of researches. Edit: and possible heart valves issues if you do not take it correctly "5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), also known as oxitriptan (INN), is a naturally occurring amino acid and chemical precursor as well as a metabolic intermediate in the biosynthesis of the neurotransmitters serotonin and melatonin from tryptophan." (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5-Hydroxytryptophan https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5-Hydroxytryptophan) "Preliminary studies indicate that 5-HTP may work as well as certain antidepressant drugs to treat people with mild-to-moderate depression. Like the class of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which includes fluoxetine (Prozac) and sertraline (Zoloft), 5-HTP increases the levels of serotonin in the brain. One study compared the effects of 5-HTP to fluvoxamine (Luvox) in 63 people and found that those who were given 5-HTP did just as well as those who received Luvox. They also had fewer side effects than the Luvox group. However, these studies were too small to say for sure if 5-HTP works. More research is needed." (https://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/5hydroxytryptophan-5htp https://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/5hydroxytry...) etc, etc, burden of proof to you... https://scholar.google.ca/scholar?q=5-Hydroxytryptophan&hl=en&as_sdt=0,5 https://scholar.google.ca/scholar?q=5-Hydroxytryptophan&hl=e...
  - coldtea 11y ago
    >Why would you claim this? From what I have read 5-Hydroxytryptophan seem like a widely accepted supplement for issues with Serotonin and/or depression and mood. The problem is lots of the core science behind brain chemistry is sort of bogus, non reproducible stuff. And a lot of it is sponsored by pharma companies who have an extra motivation for getting (and showing) only the "good" results.
  - carleverett 11y ago
    Admittedly my doubts are solely based on the fact that I see the 5-HTP next to the fish oil pills and other non-FDA approved supplements at the pharmacy. It fits into the profiled of what I consider "alternative medicine," and generally I agree with the idea that if alternative medicine actually worked, it would be called medicine. You've done more research than me though. I'll defer to your judgment here.
    - rudolf0 11y ago
      5-HTP and omega 3 fatty acids (fish oil pills) are not "alternative medicine" supplements. They're regular medicine supplements. It's believed most people are probably deficient in omega 3, unless they eat a lot of fish. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3415362/ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3415362/ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17392137 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17392137 In my opinion, the "alternative medicine" label shouldn't be thrown around recklessly at substances that clearly have psychoactive properties and strong theoretical or proven mechanisms of action. They may be insufficiently researched regarding their potential treatment of specific conditions, but you shouldn't throw them in the same boat as homeopathy or acupuncture or reiki. I think 5-HTP probably isn't a suitable supplement to treat depression in the long term (risk of downregulation and cardiac issues), but it's definitely one form of treatment for many people.
    - Raphmedia 11y ago
      It must depend on where you live and what kind of stores sell those supplements around you. I purchased this bottle of 5-HTP at a pharmacy in the health supplements aisle next to vitamins and other products such as melatonin. At this pharmacy chain, this aisle is as important big and prominent as any regular medecine aisle. If you ask for over the counter medecine, there are chances the pharmacist will refer you to this very aisle (melatonin for sleep, etc.)
- stuaxo 11y ago
  5HTP definitely works. In fact the ones you get in the health food shop (in the UK), seem to have too high a dose. I seem to get sleepy from them, (but unable to sleep), + a very buzzy mood - similar to other things that can cause too much serotonin.
  - mobiuscog 11y ago
    It did nothing for me - no noticable effect.
    - Raphmedia 11y ago
      Did you take it daily for 2 weeks and/or are you certain you have issues with your Serotonin? Also, did you try taking it with green tea extracts to make sure most the 5-HTP is going to your brain and not your gut? Personally, ever since it did have an effect and improved my mood, I can't notice any effects from it.
- DanBC 11y ago
  that's an unnecessarily mean way to make a reasonable point.
dustingetz 11y ago
PSA for people to be careful with 5-HTP, it can be dangerous to stack with various prescription medications and if you're taking it OTC you need to remember to disclose it to your doctor
- Raphmedia 11y ago
  Yes! Also, do NOT mix 5-HTP with St-John's Wort (don't mix St-John's Wort with anything, really.). You may want to look up L-Tryptophan instead of 5-HTP. From my understanding (I am no doctor or scientist, but I do research what I put in my body), here is the order your body synthesize Serotonin: Tryptophan > 5-HTP > Serotonin > Melatonin. You may want to start with the Tryptophan itself. However, since taking 5-HTP, I have no interest in trying this out or taking any more of those supplements because I am feeling well now. It's also recommended to take EGCG (green tea extract) along with 5-HTP to keep your gut from absorbing the supplement and producing Serotonin there instead of in the brain. (It could possibly lead to heart valve failure if you don't!)

carleverett 11y ago

Relevant part of this comment: "I am no brain scientist." You probably could have had the same effect from a sugar pill.

Raphmedia 11y ago
Why would you claim this? From what I have read 5-Hydroxytryptophan seem like a widely accepted supplement for issues with Serotonin and/or depression and mood. The only articles that I have found that say it might not be of use are studies that simply say that 5-HTP is better than placebo but that we can't say more yet because of lack of researches. Edit: and possible heart valves issues if you do not take it correctly "5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), also known as oxitriptan (INN), is a naturally occurring amino acid and chemical precursor as well as a metabolic intermediate in the biosynthesis of the neurotransmitters serotonin and melatonin from tryptophan." (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5-Hydroxytryptophan https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5-Hydroxytryptophan) "Preliminary studies indicate that 5-HTP may work as well as certain antidepressant drugs to treat people with mild-to-moderate depression. Like the class of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which includes fluoxetine (Prozac) and sertraline (Zoloft), 5-HTP increases the levels of serotonin in the brain. One study compared the effects of 5-HTP to fluvoxamine (Luvox) in 63 people and found that those who were given 5-HTP did just as well as those who received Luvox. They also had fewer side effects than the Luvox group. However, these studies were too small to say for sure if 5-HTP works. More research is needed." (https://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/5hydroxytryptophan-5htp https://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/5hydroxytry...) etc, etc, burden of proof to you... https://scholar.google.ca/scholar?q=5-Hydroxytryptophan&hl=en&as_sdt=0,5 https://scholar.google.ca/scholar?q=5-Hydroxytryptophan&hl=e...
- coldtea 11y ago
  >Why would you claim this? From what I have read 5-Hydroxytryptophan seem like a widely accepted supplement for issues with Serotonin and/or depression and mood. The problem is lots of the core science behind brain chemistry is sort of bogus, non reproducible stuff. And a lot of it is sponsored by pharma companies who have an extra motivation for getting (and showing) only the "good" results.
- carleverett 11y ago
  Admittedly my doubts are solely based on the fact that I see the 5-HTP next to the fish oil pills and other non-FDA approved supplements at the pharmacy. It fits into the profiled of what I consider "alternative medicine," and generally I agree with the idea that if alternative medicine actually worked, it would be called medicine. You've done more research than me though. I'll defer to your judgment here.
  - rudolf0 11y ago
    5-HTP and omega 3 fatty acids (fish oil pills) are not "alternative medicine" supplements. They're regular medicine supplements. It's believed most people are probably deficient in omega 3, unless they eat a lot of fish. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3415362/ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3415362/ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17392137 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17392137 In my opinion, the "alternative medicine" label shouldn't be thrown around recklessly at substances that clearly have psychoactive properties and strong theoretical or proven mechanisms of action. They may be insufficiently researched regarding their potential treatment of specific conditions, but you shouldn't throw them in the same boat as homeopathy or acupuncture or reiki. I think 5-HTP probably isn't a suitable supplement to treat depression in the long term (risk of downregulation and cardiac issues), but it's definitely one form of treatment for many people.
  - Raphmedia 11y ago
    It must depend on where you live and what kind of stores sell those supplements around you. I purchased this bottle of 5-HTP at a pharmacy in the health supplements aisle next to vitamins and other products such as melatonin. At this pharmacy chain, this aisle is as important big and prominent as any regular medecine aisle. If you ask for over the counter medecine, there are chances the pharmacist will refer you to this very aisle (melatonin for sleep, etc.)
stuaxo 11y ago
5HTP definitely works. In fact the ones you get in the health food shop (in the UK), seem to have too high a dose. I seem to get sleepy from them, (but unable to sleep), + a very buzzy mood - similar to other things that can cause too much serotonin.
- mobiuscog 11y ago
  It did nothing for me - no noticable effect.
  - Raphmedia 11y ago
    Did you take it daily for 2 weeks and/or are you certain you have issues with your Serotonin? Also, did you try taking it with green tea extracts to make sure most the 5-HTP is going to your brain and not your gut? Personally, ever since it did have an effect and improved my mood, I can't notice any effects from it.
DanBC 11y ago
that's an unnecessarily mean way to make a reasonable point.

dustingetz 11y ago

PSA for people to be careful with 5-HTP, it can be dangerous to stack with various prescription medications and if you're taking it OTC you need to remember to disclose it to your doctor

Raphmedia 11y ago
Yes! Also, do NOT mix 5-HTP with St-John's Wort (don't mix St-John's Wort with anything, really.). You may want to look up L-Tryptophan instead of 5-HTP. From my understanding (I am no doctor or scientist, but I do research what I put in my body), here is the order your body synthesize Serotonin: Tryptophan > 5-HTP > Serotonin > Melatonin. You may want to start with the Tryptophan itself. However, since taking 5-HTP, I have no interest in trying this out or taking any more of those supplements because I am feeling well now. It's also recommended to take EGCG (green tea extract) along with 5-HTP to keep your gut from absorbing the supplement and producing Serotonin there instead of in the brain. (It could possibly lead to heart valve failure if you don't!)