5-HTP??

Ami · 08-07-2009, 02:20 PM

hii, Has anyone taken this? I'm thinking about trying some just to see if it helps a little!

If it helps with appertite and sleep too, thats also a bonus!

x

08-07-2009, 02:42 PM

I've tried it, but it never really worked for me, moodwise.
Helped with sleep a little bit though. Made me drowsy enough to go to sleep, anyway.

LaurieR · 08-07-2009, 02:43 PM

As you might already know (I didn't mean to be condescending at all), 5-HTP stands for 5-Hydroxytryptophan, which is a precursor to Serotonin (therefore its antidepressant/ mood/ sleep/ regulation).

I didn't expect that it will help increase your appetite though, because it is actually an appetite suppressant...also there is no evidence that it is more effective than existing antidepressants. I have not taken it myself but by all means try it, different people react differently to meds... (what a cliche :P)...

Ami · 08-07-2009, 02:56 PM

Ah yeah i meant it would help reduce my appetite! (because i eat loads!)

Thanks everyone x

rockaroni · 08-07-2009, 03:23 PM

Personally, I found it helped take the edge off my emotions, as opposed to it acting like a full blown AD.

Laurie, do you know how it acts with other antidepressants? (sorry to thread hijack)

LaurieR · 08-07-2009, 03:25 PM

To rockaroni: Do you mean how 5-HTP acts compared to other antidepressants, or how it interacts with other antidepressants?

rockaroni · 08-07-2009, 03:47 PM

Interacts. Like if you were already taking ADs and taking 5htp on top of it.

LaurieR · 08-07-2009, 03:55 PM

5-HTP itself does not increase or decrease the concentration of other antidepressants but it is NOT recommended to take it together with an antidepressant because the vast majority of antidepressants work by increasing synaptic serotonin availability (i.e. increased serotonin concentration) by inhibiting its reuptake by serotonin transporters (5-HTT)whereas 5-HTP does the same thing by increasing serotonin production. Therefore if you take them together you might have too much serotonin in the system and are more likely to experience side effects. In people sensitive to serotonergic medications (meds which increase serotonin), such a combination may even induce Serotonin Syndrome, which is rare but can be fatal.

Hope this answers your question and I didn't sound condescending.

justapuppetonastring · 08-07-2009, 04:24 PM

Ive never heard of it. DO you like get it froma doc or just like over the counter? Hope it helps if you decide to try it xx

Ami · 08-07-2009, 04:30 PM

holland and barrets i think!! x

LaurieR · 08-07-2009, 04:36 PM

Still, it's not a good idea to take it if you are already on an SSRI. x

Ami · 08-07-2009, 07:48 PM

so i shouldnt take it if im on sertraline? I just feel it needs a boost!

LaurieR · 08-07-2009, 08:32 PM

It's not strictly forbidden but it is not recommended. The 'boost' might be too much. Please speak to your doctor first before you add 5-HTP to Sertraline or increase the Sertraline dose.

Artychik · 09-07-2009, 12:14 AM

I've been on this before - (called L-Tryptophan or Optimax)
it helped a bit with sleep.

I was prescribed it from a psychiatrist, please do not take this without consulting a doctor.

If you feel your current medication is not working you are best to discuss it with your doctor.

Kuwairo · 09-07-2009, 02:00 AM

I tried it for a while and it did help slightly. I just wasn't very good at remembering to take it.

09-07-2009, 03:33 AM

i'd say talk to your dr. if they think it's ok, then try it!