[crazylife321]

So i don't get on with any of the anti's, been through about 30 different types for different things, i was going to try St John's wort or/and 5HTP anyone got any experience with them? How much do you take? Can you take both at once? Any tips?

[CANDC]

It is hard to know about how much herbal treatment to take. It is not well defined. NOt familiar with either of those.

Find I can make very very strong peppermint tea and it feels mellowing. Chamomile tea is similar although have not made very strong.

Since you don't do meds what about life style changes like high protein lo carb diet, yoga, exercise, artistic expression and mindfulness?

I have taken a sleep remedy that contained 5-HTP, L-theanine, and melatonin and liked it a lot. I considered trying 5-HTP alone, but since I take Cymbalta/duloxetine, was concerned about mixing the two (risk of serotonin syndrome.)

I looked at the drugs.com site and it said: "Studies in depression have used 5-HTP 200 to 300 mg/day given in 3 to 4 divided doses to prevent possible nausea."

The sleep remedy I took had only 15 mg 5-HTP per tablet, and I took 2 at bedtime. If I were going to try 5-HTP for mood, I think I'd start off at a low dose and increase it slowly.

I like l-theanine, too. It's more for anxiety. It makes me feel mellow.

Some other supplements that I've taken that have helped my mood are SAM-e and omega 3s.

I'm not a fan of St. John's wort personally although I know a few people who have taken it and said it helped.

[CANDC]

Talking to a pharmacist even about over the counter products might yield info.

[Captinbipolar]

St. John's wort carries many of the same side effects as An ssri not to mention its unregulated so one pill isn't always the same as the next pill. That to me seems like trouble. I do believe it doesn't effect sexual function as much due to it also having an effect on dopamine receptors. 5htp is useful short term but overtime it will down regulate your serotonin production and receptors I believe I've read..But I'm no doctor. 5htp and St. John's wort both blew me into a angry mania tho but that is just due to me being bipolar.