[Icare dixit]

Does anyone use 5-HTP (hydroxytryptophan), tryptophan or melatonin prophylactically/long-term for BP/anxiety?

All (except for melatonin) are precursors of 5-HT (hydroxytryptamine or, better known as, serotonin) and melatonin.

I just started with 5-HTP. Just as an experiment. I don't think long-term use is a good idea (same reasons why I think antidepressants aren't a good idea), but it may be interesting at least.

[st0psign]

nope I only use hardcore pharmaceuticals to manage my symptoms.

I've never heard of these (except Melatonin for sleep) do doctors approve of their use? My neurologist once prescribed me to take Melatonin. I read it can have effects on hormones or something and I stopped. I never noticed a difference in being able to sleep. I'm currently very interested in natural supplements for mood and wellness. I'm taking fish oil and vitamin D currently and need to get some magnesium supplements once I figure out the dose.

[Out There]

Yes , I take 5- HTP and do well with it.

Originally Posted by ElsaMars

My neurologist once prescribed me to take Melatonin. I read it can have effects on hormones or something and I stopped.

melatonin itself is a hormone, so yeah, it definitely has an effect on your hormones. you're not supposed to use it for more than 2 months.

i don't think there's enough research to conclude whether or not it's okay to take it for more than 2 months.... but seeing as it can (sometimes) cause depression, anxiety, and irritability, i wouldn't use it. i have awful irritability as is!

[token451]

I take 50mg of 5htp every night. If I'm really feeling depressed I'll double it but a low dose keeps me from getting too depressed but too much and my mood gets too elevated. I love it though and I've been taking it for a long time, 2 years or so. I only had issues with certain brands, the NOW brand doesn't have anything extra added. Some you can get with vitamin b which kinda screwed with me a lot.

[raspberrytorte]

What is this 5htp? I've never heard of it. It helps with depression? Can you get it over the counter at any stores?

I take melatonin sometimes. I really like it. Works well. Wake up feeling fantastic.

[token451]

It is a "positive mood" supplement. They sell it at gyms, gnc, and health food stores.

[darkcomesoon]

5HTP is actually great for a variety of things! It can help those who have problems sleeping, helps anxiety, mood swings, etc ...

[BastetsMuse]

Originally Posted by Icare dixit

Does anyone use 5-HTP (hydroxytryptophan), tryptophan or melatonin prophylactically/long-term for BP/anxiety?

The closest I get to this is taking L-methyl-folate by prescription, which helps tremendously.

[Icare dixit]

Originally Posted by Out There

Yes , I take 5- HTP and do well with it.

What dosage? Mornings or evenings?

Methylfolate (and methylcobalamin) are probably better than melatonin or serotonin precursors.

They make your brain less toxic while also increasing serotonin levels. That it causes more serotonin (and dopamine) synthesis is actually rather paradoxical given what we know, but it does.

[Icare dixit]

Does anyone use SAM(e)?

If you use it, you should probably also use methylfolate (and methyl-B12). But it also elevates serotonin and dopamine levels.

[Icare dixit]

If there is anything remarkable that might be related to use of hydroxytryptophan, I will post it here. Only sporadically.

After day 1 (150 mg dose in the evening), it doesn't have a positive effect on my mood (mostly depressed; maybe a negative effect), but it may have had an effect on my self-harming urges: I didn't have any (which is exceptional).

[Icare dixit]

Originally Posted by darkcomesoon

5HTP is actually great for a variety of things! It can help those who have problems sleeping, helps anxiety, mood swings, etc ...

But do you use it?

[token451]

For me it does nothing for my sleep, makes my anxiety and mood swings worse if I take too high of a does, but helps a lot for depression so I take a very low dose every night.

[Icare dixit]

Originally Posted by token451

For me it does nothing for my sleep, makes my anxiety and mood swings worse if I take too high of a does, but helps a lot for depression so I take a very low dose every night.

It should probably be taken at least twice a day to help with anxiety and in high doses (serotonin clearance/metabolism is faster than 5-HTP metabolism, but both are fast). There's a considerable chance that much of the 5-HTP isn't used in the brain (it can't enter it after it has been metabolised into serotonin).

So it makes sense it works for one's mood and not for anxiety, I'd say: it's almost like some shock therapy, like a flare in the darkness, guiding you towards the end of depression.

Has anyone used it with an antidepressant or atypical antipsychotic?

I use it with quetiapine, which causes serotonin to be retained longer.

Anyone using SAMe?

[czarina1984]

I was on 5HTP for about 4 months. Did great. Mood stabilized. Went off because it caused acute liver failure due to some compound in the brand I bought. Apparently its been fixed since.

[Icare dixit]

Yes, it is somewhat prone to impurity. It's not synthesised but extracted (from certain plants). I need risk, so that's fine.

The weather doesn't help with serotonin either. Humid and warm.

[Icare dixit]

It could be all coincidences, but 5-HTP, together with other supplements and a mood stabiliser has worked in 100% of cases in alleviating severe depression (to the point of mania, being in a mild mixed period of sorts), so far.