5-htp

Question: 5-htp????????????? I have been very depressed over a break up and someone suggested I take this for the time being. Has anyone had any experience with it? Positive/Negative?

Answer: I have used it on and off for many years. I've had positive experiences with it. With NO side affects you would get with prescripton antidepressants. I took 3 a day.

Question: How long does it take 5-htp to become effective in my body? I was wondering, how long will it take to see the effect of 5-htp in my body, if I begin taking 50mg, twice a day. Please leave as much info as possible on the 5-htp. Thank you!

Answer: I too take 5-htp to help regulate my seratonin levels. I have been taking for two years now, and I found that after a good two weeks I felt a difference. I think it depends on how much or how little seratonin you are already producing, but I am really not sure. You really should consult a doctor to see if the levels you are using are going to help with your problem, albeit mental health or to help you sleep better. Best of luck, and remember that like any other drug you have to use it daily as reccomended and allow it time to work. Like I said it was two weeks with me!

Question: What is the difference between 5 htp and melatonin supplements? My neurologist just prescribed me melatonin supplements for sleep and anxiety headaches. I read that melatonin supplements can lead to depression and was wondering if it's acceptable to use 5 htp instead.

Answer: All I know about melatonin is that it's used for jet lag and sleep issues. I take 5htp, 100 to 200mg a day and they really help me sleep. They also lift my mood but I take sjw as well. At first I felt spacey but this goes after a few weeks. i would recommend 5htp, although they do give me palpatations at a higher dose.

Question: Will taking 5-HTP reduce the harmful effects of consuming ecstacy? I hear from some sources that taking 5-HTP a few days before and a few days after consumption of the drug ecstacy helps to reduce some of the harmful effects of the drug on one's brain. However, from other sources, I have been told that it merely works to help with the depression and crack out seen after ecstacy use. So my question is, does taking 5-HTP help one not become "etarded" or slow or stupid in the longrun, or does it just act to help the crackout?

Answer: The best option is too stop taking ecstasy altogether. However if you have doubts about medication consult your local practitioner.

Question: what is the difference between tryptophan and 5-htp? I have been taking 5-htp for a few days but appear to be developing an allergic reaction in the form of rashes. However I have felt less stressed at the same time from the serotonin production. I read the tryptophan is the precursor to 5-htp which ultimately results in the same production of serotonin. My question is, is there a difference in taking tryptophan or 5-htp and the resulting serotonin production? I want to have the serotonin production without the rashes. Would taking tryptophan do the same thing as 5-htp?

Answer: 5-htp is 5-hydroxy tryptamine which is serotonin, so if u r taking 5-htp then u r taking serotonin, and yes tryptophan is the precursor of serotonin in the body If u take tryptophan, the allergic reactions probably will be gone but this may decrease the reqiured therapeutic level of serotonin badly, so if u want to change, u must consult ur doctor first

Question: How long does it take for 5-HTP and Valerian root to take any effect after taking it for the first time? For a sleep aid and mood lifter. I took 100mg of 5-htp and 2 valarian root capsules. Will it help me at all tonight? How long does it usually take?

Answer: I've personally taken both at the same time and they work pretty fast. Usually 30 to 45 min's for valerian root, you should sleep deeper than you have in ages. 5-htp increases melatonin and very well may cause you to have some pretty spectacular dreams, and also works in about 45 min's. Try Kava Kava, this also helps as a sleep aid. Maybe you should cut down on caffeine and nicotine if you smoke or chew. It has been widely published that there is a direct correlation to amounts of caffeine and nicotine ingested and quality of sleep.

Question: How long does it take to feel the effects of 5-htp? I have been taking 50mg of 5-htp 3 times a day for the past 10 days. This was the dosage recommended on the bottle and I decided to try it to see if it would help with my anxiety and mild depression. All I've felt in the past 10 days is tired and even more irritable than before! Is this a normal side effect that will go away or does this mean I am taking too little or too much of the product?

Answer: I think if you have taken this for 10 years with no beneficial effect until now then it is not the solution to your particular problem. But if you are going to stop it and try something else you should wean yourself off this in stages because you don't want a worsening of symptoms. Try to do this by introducing foods rich in tryptophan [boost serotonin naturally]....eggs, fish, meats [particularly turkey], milk, bananas and nuts are rich sources. Perhaps your anxiety and mild depression is underpinned by some other medical condition or a nutritional deficiency. Getting a thyroid function test and test for various anaemias would not be a bad idea. But the downside with seeking a GP's help at this stage is their likely suggesting you go on antidepressants. I would avoid those at all costs because they can certainly make you feel much worse in the long run and give you a whole host of other nasty symptoms to boot. Plus they do not tackle the cause and mask that in a sense. One could certainly say you have been feeling tired which is one of your recent symptoms and suggest those tests on that basis. I would not mention the mild depression and anxiety at this stage however. I would first of all try vitamins and minerals that are known beneficial for the nervous system as a whole. These being vitamin B complex and a combination of magnesium and calcium. I would opt for B50 time release format and take one of these every morning. Magnesium combined with calcium take as per instructions on the bottle. Fish oil [omega 3] is also great for the nervous system. Avena sativa [oat sraw] extract combined with Passiflora incarnata [passionflower extract] might add extra help for anxiety and mild depression. Also for mild depression: try to get out in the sun, when it does come out, for at least 15 minutes a day. Vitamin D production is beneficial for depression by way of immune system support. In the winter however in the UK, the sun does not offer major benefit so it is worth taking cod liver oil as a source of vitamin D and also highly beneficial omega 3 which will also help with immune system support and help against depression. You can still take cod liver oil alongside fish oil. Exercise is also known to help with depression by way of endorphin production. Try to get regular exercise. You could also consider taking up Yoga or Tai Chi which could help with relaxation. Lemon balm tea, rooibos tea, chamomile tea, and raw unpasteurised honey can be beneficial for anxiety and stress too. Try adding these to your daily diet. Hope that helps. Best wishes.

Question: How long does it take for the beneficial effecs of 5-htp to kick in? My reason for taking 5-htp is for a general mood boost...i've been very down and defensive for the past year, but not so much so that I cannot function throughout the day, or that i'd need a presciption. So far, i've only felt prominent nausea and slight drowsiness during the day after taking the pill. I've been taking them for about 2 weeks, 100mg two times a day...before bedtime and once sometime during the day. How long before the mood enhancing takes affect? Any tips on maximizing it's effectiveness would be helpful as well.

Answer: I've been giving my daughter 5-HTP for her mood swings/depression/anxiety and I could tell a difference within about 3 weeks. I started her with 100mg. at night, 2 hours before bed. Then I gradually increased the dosage to 300mg per day. (100 mg. in the morning with food, along with a B-complex vitamin - - - then 100mg at dinner, then 100 mg. 2 hrs. before bed). I also supplement it with Omega-3 Fish Oil (which the brain needs) (1 coated oil capsule per day). This week I also have added 1 capsule of Evening Primrose Oil (which can be found in any vitamin section). You can also get 5-HTP in 50mg. capsules. You might want to buy the 50mg. and bump your daytime dosage down to prevent you from getting sleepy. Also, drink a lot of water and try to start walking/exercising a little bit each day. All of this helps. Stay with taking the stuff at least a couple of months though, to give it a chance.

Question: How long after taking 5-HTP may I take an SSRI? Took 100mg of 5htp for one month for anxiety and insomnia. Now, I will be taking Zoloft soon. I have stopped 5-htp usage for 5 days. How long should I wait until it is safe to take Zoloft?

Answer: five days should be sufficient---if you want to be on the safe side, ask your doctor....

Question: How long after weaning off lexapro can someone start taking 5 htp? Lexapro vs 5 htp

Answer: If you are totally off lexapro and have been so for 5 days or more, I would say it's ok to go ahead and start with 5 HTP. I"m not a doctor obviously, but I think that would be safe. 5 HTP is not essentially a drug although it has powerful effects on the brain.

Question: How can I adverse the effect of not feeling hungry when taking 5-HTP 100mg? I want to go back on 5-HTP for stress and depression, but I remembered the last time I was on them I felt like it is controlling my hunger and resulted in weight loss, I want to gain weight but at same time not feel depressed. How can I do this?

Answer: do not use medication, They may help but you don't have the feel of doing it yourself which is more then anything any tablet could ever do. With you wanting to gain some weight just up your calories a bit..maybe to 3000 calories a day

Question: Any harm in taking ginkgo biloba and 5 htp? I have taken ginkgo for several months (there are no side effects for me) to help with memory. Now I am interested in adding 5 htp to my daily routine. Is there any harm in taking both these supplements? I wouldn't be taking them at the same time, of course, and I would slowly be easing the 50mg of 5 htp in. Thanks!

Answer: I know of none. Google: "5 htp; absorption" MEMORY IMPROVEMENT: Ensure adequate sleep, and exercise moderately. Take 4 Omega 3 fish oil supplements*, daily: (certified free of mercury) it is best if consumed with an antioxidant, such as an orange, or its FRESHLY SQUEEZED juice. If vitamin E is added, it should be certified as being 100% from natural sources, or it may be synthetic: avoid it, as with the B vitamins, should you decide to take them. Vitamin and health food stores are good sources, because they specialise in this area, and have a high turnover, so their products are less likely to be old. Memory improvement is addressed in considerable detail, with many weblinks, in section 41, at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris... Playing certain games, regularly, can improve memory. PUZZLES, ETC. http://www.brainbashers.com/index.php & http://www.everydayhealth.com/longevity/mental-fitness/brain-exercises-for-memory.aspx?xid=nl_EverydayHealthEmotionalHealth_20081222 Many more free games are shown in sections 0, & 16, at ezy build. I am informed that the recent Nintendo games console has some for improving memory, so you may wish to ask your retailer. Google: "nootropics". The supplements, DHEA & Phosphatidyl Serine are some worth trying. Although ginkgo biloba has also been recommended, there are mixed reviews. Most people are suggestible, to some degree, so you could either seek professional hypnotherapy, or, quicker, cheaper, and more conveniently: Some free ones are at: http://www.freehypnosistreatment.com/hypnosistreatment.html or (not free) http://www.asktheinternettherapist.com/ Increasing Memory CD - MP3, & Concentration and Focus CD - MP3 or, at http://www.hypnosisdownloads.com/ enter "memory improvement" in the searchbar. *Note: Dr. Mercola at http://www.mercola.com/ asserts that krill oil is superior to standard Omega 3 fish oil, or that, at least the brands he recommends are, and I am persuaded that he is probably correct. See: FISH OR KRILL OIL? IS KRILL OIL 48x BETTER THAN FISH OIL? in section 81, at ezy build, or, preferably via the Mercola.com searchbar. Lecithin* (phosphatidyl choline). A phospholipid found mostly in high-fat foods. It is said to have the ability to improve memory and brain processes. Lecithin is necessary for normal brain development. Lecithin capsules are available, but many people prefer the soft lecithin granules. These are a nice addition to fruit juice smoothies, adding a thicker texture. Lecithin is oil-based, and it gets rancid easily. It should be refrigerated (from health food stores).

Question: 5-htp and getting headaches throughout the day, important? I just started taking 5-htp about a week ago, I started at 50 ml and 3 days later increased it to 100 once a day. I then have gotten very bad headaches and felt a little anxious in a calm environment. Why is this? The headaches are pretty bad and I don't take anything else. Should I stop taking it?

Answer: Yes you probably should stop taking it. At a minimum you should talk with your doctor about using things like 5-HTP because they can cause side effects. Headaches is a common side effect of 5-HTP. If you stop taking it and the headaches and anxiety are gone then you have your answer.

Question: How long does 5 htp remain in the body? I'm a 20 yr old female, took 100 mg 5 htp the other night and it still feels like it's in my system. How long, theoretically, should it take for 100 mg to go bye bye??

Answer: 5htp remains in your body for approximately 96 hours. If you need to flush it out faster, drink plenty of water and take 6 activated charcoal capsules.

Question: Can you take 5 HTP 8 hours before taking Percocet? I know you shouldn't take it at the same time as Percocet, but is it going to be hurtful to me taking 5 HTP in the morning and Percocet at night? Like an 8 hour span in between taking them.

Answer: You should be asking your Doctor or Pharmacist.

Question: Where can I find the best quality of 5-htp? I am just wondering where online I could order the best/safest brand of 5-htp. If you could just find a store that is just orientated with healthy lifestyles and they carry 5-htp that would be great! Thanks Also, find something that is not too expensive! Thanks, preferred 50 mgs! Thanks

Answer: I couldn't tell you where, don't know where you stay. Here are some brand names that I have tried and they are pretty good. Viridian Solal Solgar Foodstate They are supplement manufacturers if you type in the brand name ie Viridian / Solal 5-htp that should bring you directly to their web page and you can probably order online.