[desperado]

Anyone ever tried 5 HTP?

I'd appreciate any feedback; thanks.

Des

[Maven]

I haven't tried it, and I've barely heard of it, but I recognize it from an alternative treatment for OCD. It apparently can help Tourette's symptoms, and it promotes the growth of serotonin. Possible drawbacks of taking this supplement include "Feelings of paranoia possible. Not enough known to suggest without caution." There are no known drug interactions. Please be aware this information is from OCD-Free.org, and I'm not claiming it to be accurate!

[Liberada]

I saw this on Wiki

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
Contrary to the recommendations of supplement providers, 5-HTP should not be taken concomitant with Vitamin B6, as the combination can lead to toxic accumulation of 5-HT (serotonin) in the blood[14].

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

I would like to know too, if any one else has used it and what their experience was.

[withit]

My naturopath has told me to take 100 mg. afternoons and 100 mg. at bedtime, combined with l-tyrosine. She says it's supposed to help with mood. I think she said it's a precursor to serotonin.

[Rhapsody]

YES...... I have tried it and it did wonders for both my self and my husband..... but in the long run I needed something stronger - I now take Celexa and use Valerian Root to fill in the gaps.

Good for: ............. Anxiety, Depression, PMS, Headaches, PMDD, Stress and over all Good Mental Health.

[Rhapsody]

<font color="red"> Anxiety – </font>

1.) Valerian: 1 pill 3x qd
2.) 5-HTP: 50 mg 1x qd (morning)

<font color="red"> Depression – </font>

1.) 5-HTP: 50 mg 1x qd (natural serotonin)
2.) St. Johns wort (natural antidepressant)
3.) SAM-e: 400 mg 1x qd (depression & pain)

<font color="red"> Headaches – </font>

1.) Magnesium
2.) GABA
3.) B Complex
4.) Evening Primrose oil
5.) Gingko Biloba
6.) 5-HTP (calming effect)
7.) DLPA for pain
8.) Green tea (sweetened with Stevia)

<font color="red">PMS / PMDD – </font>

1.) 5-HTP: 50 mg 1x qd
2.) Evening Primrose oil: 1500 mg 1x qd
3.) B Complex
4.) Flax Oil
5.) Magnesium: 400-600 mg 1x qd
6.) Calcium: 600 mg 2x qd

<font color="red"> Stress – </font>

1.) GABA
2.) Siberian ginseng
3.) Valerian (or) Passionflower
4.) 5-HTP
5.) Exercise (walk 30 minutes a day)
6.) 8-10 glasses of water (each day)

STANDARD DAILY VITAMINS for GOOD HEALTH:

1.) Multi Vitamin with Minerals
2.) Flax Oil
3.) B Complex
4.) Calcium: 600 mg 2x qd
5.) Zinc: 80-90 mg
6.) Magnesium: 200-400 mg
7.) Vitamin C: 1000 mg
8.) Vitamin E: 400 IU
9.) Fiber
10.) 5-HTTP: 50 mg (mental health)

[mrstumnus]

I'm really interested in this too ! I can't get it on prescription ( I'm in UK) so will have to search the net, hope it's not prohibitively expensive ! I may well give it a go ! Anyone know if it can be taken with St John's Wort ?

Thanks !

[Maven]

The only problem is, these vitamins cost too darn much! I still plan to go on a certain vitamin and mineral regimen, though.

[Maven]

mstumnus, vitamins aren't prescribed. You can buy them in any health store. Some things might be harder to find, I don't know, but certainly should be obtainable over the Net. I will caution everyone to be careful who you buy from...I'm sure it's safer than buying drugs on the Net, but like buying anything, you want a company with a good reputation.

Also, always remember, just because it's natural, doesn't mean it's safe. These supplements and such can interact with drugs in a dangerous way, or even each other. Also, you don't want to overdose. In short, do your research!!!

And that's very smart of you to ask mrstumnus! I don't have an answer for you based on my own research, but Rhapsody's list above does show it can be taken with St. John's Wort for depression. Just be careful with amounts.

[desperado]

Thx, Maven. Interesting re: helpful for Tourette's. Wasn't aware re: potential paranoia.

Someone whom I'm close to is trying out 5HTP.

LOL; got your disclaimer -- no worries.

Howya doing, btw? Long time no chat.

Des

[desperado]

Hey Liberada,

Thank you for your post.

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
I saw this on Wiki

Quote:
Contrary to the recommendations of supplement providers, 5-HTP should not be taken concomitant with Vitamin B6, as the combination can lead to toxic accumulation of 5-HT (serotonin) in the blood[14].

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

That makes sense for the person I know taking it. She is concurrently taking celexa (w/ 5HTP -- I know, not a gd idea, according to many health professionals) ALONG w/ Vit B6. The other day, I researched 5HTP & printed some info off for her to read. She noticed that "serotonin syndrome" (excess accum'ltn of serotonin) can cause fibrosis of the heart (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5-HTHP, 2007, LOL) -- (I gather that that is the [reactive] formation of excess fibrous connective heart tissue/ "myocardium hypertrophy). Funnily enough, since she has been adding 5HTP (50 mg qhs) to her celexa, she's had heart pain. She went off it on Tues night (the night after I showed her the printed info on serotonin syndrome). Funnily enough, no heart pain since she's gone off of the 5HTP.........

I'll try to keep you posted if she ever tries it again......

Des

[desperado]

Thanks, Rhapsody, for your post, too.

You don't have any contraindications whist taking celexa & Valerian rt???

Wow. That's gd, though.

Des

[desperado]

Libs,

Just read your quote under your sig. Love it!!!

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
You must never underestimate the power of the eyebrow.
Jack Black

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

(And I'm not too keen on Jack Black, so that says a lot).

[desperado]

Thx for the thorough post, Rhaps.

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
PMS / PMDD –

1.) 5-HTP: 50 mg 1x qd
2.) Evening Primrose oil: 1500 mg 1x qd
3.) B Complex
4.) Flax Oil
5.) Magnesium: 400-600 mg 1x qd
6.) Calcium: 600 mg 2x qd

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

Btw, herbal raspberry tea is awesome for taking away bad menstrual cramps. So is avoiding consumption of caffeine & sodium (for me, anyway).

A gd friend of mine has an interesting remedy for migraines or bad headaches:

Take 2 Execedrin & wash them down w/ a certain brand of "black" pop........LOL...........but I prefer the other brand that supposedly "keeps you young" ha ha ha.

Also, (for me), a good high-potency Vit B complex vit & sub-lingual Vit B6 has worked very well to help alleviate my depression & helped me cope w/ extreme stress.

[desperado]

Yes, mrstumnus; I think it's worth giving it a try........but, pls know that I am no dr.

Prob is, 5HTP is quite expensive.

Btw, perhaps Dr. Wylie or Dr. John know more re: 5HTP & St. John's Wort? I'll leave it up to them to comment.............

[desperado]

Yeah, no kidding, eh, Mav.........very expen$ive.

Yes; gd pt; we all react differently to drugs.

I would never buy meds online, btw.

[Liberada]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
desperado said:
Libs,

Just read your quote under your sig. Love it!!!

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
You must never underestimate the power of the eyebrow.
Jack Black

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

(And I'm not too keen on Jack Black, so that says a lot).

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

LOL

[desperado]

*** giving you a look w/ my left eyebrow significantly raised & chin tilted down *** (like Mike Myers does)

"Eoh, be-hiave !"

LMAO

[Maven]

I haven't done chats too often lately, because I spend too much time online as it is, LOL!

We need to get these alternative treatments covered by prescription drug plans. Then, they'd be easier to afford.

[Rhapsody]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
Maven said:
The only problem is, these vitamins cost too darn much! I still plan to go on a certain vitamin and mineral regimen, though.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
desperado said:
Prob is, 5HTP is quite expensive.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

Hmm - I am not sure where you two are looking (as to buy 5HTP) - but I got mine at the local Wal-mart and it was just $7.39 for a months worth, and in my book that is fairly cheap for a 30 day supply of mental meds.

Hope this INFO helps........

[desperado]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
We need to get these alternative treatments covered by prescription drug plans. Then, they'd be easier to afford.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

My thoughts, exactly, Mav (or instititute a system that covers alternative meds & alt Tx's)........

Des

[desperado]

Rhaps said: </font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
Hmm - I am not sure where you two are looking (as to buy 5HTP) - but I got mine at the local Wal-mart and it was just $7.39 for a months worth, and in my book that is fairly cheap for a 30 day supply of mental meds.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

Holy cow, Rhaps..............that's darn cheap..........what brand & how many mg??

Don't know off-hand which one the person whom I know used to take..............but 50 mg's for ~ one mo cost ~ $30 - $40 (CDN).

Thanks,

Des

[Rhapsody]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
desperado said:
Rhaps said: </font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
Hmm - I am not sure where you two are looking (as to buy 5HTP) - but I got mine at the local Wal-mart and it was just $7.39 for a months worth, and in my book that is fairly cheap for a 30 day supply of mental meds.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

Holy cow, Rhaps..............that's darn cheap..........what brand & how many mg??

Don't know off-hand which one the person whom I know used to take..............but 50 mg's for ~ one mo cost ~ $30 - $40 (CDN).

Thanks,

Des

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

Hmmm -

Sorry, but I don't recall the brand name for I no longer take it -
but it comes in a Purple Box and it is in the vitamin section at Wal-Mart.

[Rhapsody]

OK - here is a PIC of the box I was able to locate online..... just look for it in the vitamin section.

P.S.

................ it comes in 50mg and 100mg

[mrstumnus]

Just to say I have ordered my 5HTP !

re the prescription thing, 5HTP is sometimes available on prescription in the UK but only some doctors will prescribe it , mine won't !

I'll be taking SJW and a selection of vitamins too.