5-htp (medication)

Quark · 13-12-2007, 06:57 AM

Has anyone tried it?

surprising mystery · 13-12-2007, 08:00 AM

No, but I want to cos its supposed to help depression, PMT, appitite and it seems less like a scam cos I have read about it, and it doesnt claim huge benefits. If I see it when I am out, I might try it for a month and see what happens.

x

Quark · 13-12-2007, 04:36 PM

They sell it in Holland and Barratt so I'm thinking how bad can it be? All the stuff they sell there is herbal. Hmm. Oh well I bought some at around 0.005p per pill so it won't be a terrible waste.

sopranonut · 14-12-2007, 12:21 AM

I'd never heard of this before, but just looked it up. It looks interesting. I'd be careful if you're taking any other meds, but if not give it a go and let us know how you get on!

Quark · 14-12-2007, 12:23 AM

Hmm well all I'm taking at the moment is herbal, nothing too major. Will let everyone know.

{[holding on]} · 15-12-2007, 12:05 AM

I'm on it have been for quite a few months now, you have to give it time like all meds.
For me it's helped alot with anxiety not so much my depression,but with anxiety being out the way can deal with the depression more.
Hope it helps you,
take care
Grace x

juleia · 18-01-2008, 01:01 PM

5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) being an amino acid is essentially a protein. The Human body is capable of making 5-HTP from tryptophan which is also an essential amino acid. This 5-HTP is then converted into an important chemical of the brain (neurotransmitter) known as Serotonin. Lower levels of Serotonin may lead to the following symptoms.

• Lack of sleep
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Aggressive behavior
• Fever
• Muscular aches and pains
• Others

Tryptophan and 5-HTP dietary nutritional supplements may have good effect on sleep, behavior, mood, appetite disturbances, sexual behavior, pain sensation, temperature, etc.

More doctors are gradually beginning to recognize that natural supplements such as St. John's wort, SAM-e, and the nutrient 5HTP are as potent as pharmaceutical medicines in terms of mood enhancement, with far fewer side effects.

Blossom · 18-01-2008, 03:41 PM

There's alot of info on this sort of thing in the Patrick Holford book, Optimum Nutrition for The Mind. The guy is a nutritionist and a psychologist; some very interesting points are made and proper nutrition can have a great impact.

Artychik · 18-01-2008, 10:50 PM

ooooooooh you mean tryptophan!

not up on my chemical equations.

Yeah I've been on this... it was fine, I found it helped my sleeping out quite a lot, didn't get any side effects off it... didn't get much off it to be honest

Usually used to boost another anti-depressant by psychiatrists. Don't really know about the herbal stuff as I was prescribed it.

If you are on other medication make sure your doc knows you're taking this stuff as there are some interactions.

EDIT: It has interactions with SSRI's, Duloxetine and a couple other things.

Please do not assume because something is herbal it's harmless!!!

surprising mystery · 19-01-2008, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Artychik

Please do not assume because something is herbal it's harmless!!!

Exactly what I was gonna say, afterall weed is a plant, as is tobacco, but they are really harmful.

Holland and Barret may be a health store, but if something doesnt agree with you, it can have disastarous consequences.