Hi all,

I have been taking 5HTP recently, but only 50mg per day, since that is what the bottle said. However, I just read the book, "Boost Your Serotonin Levels: 5HTP, The Natural Way to Overcome Depression, Obesity, and Insomnia," by Michael Murray, N.D., and he recommends starting at 50mg three times a day, and increasing to 100mg three times a day if needed. So, Saturday evening, I took a second 50mg, and then on Sunday, I began the three-a-day routine. Sunday night, I found myself to have a lot of anxiety, and I am still feeling that way today (Monday morning).

So, I was wondering if anyone else has had increased anxiety as a side effect, and if this dissipates over time, as many side effects do? I am hoping this is temporary and I can wait it out.

Thanks for any input.

Edit........

I suggest doing a thorough search online for more information, and to get both sides of the story. Personally, I would not touch it.

Hi all,

I have been taking 5HTP recently, but only 50mg per day, since that is what the bottle said. However, I just read the book, "Boost Your Serotonin Levels: 5HTP, The Natural Way to Overcome Depression, Obesity, and Insomnia," by Michael Murray, N.D., and he recommends starting at 50mg three times a day, and increasing to 100mg three times a day if needed. So, Saturday evening, I took a second 50mg, and then on Sunday, I began the three-a-day routine. Sunday night, I found myself to have a lot of anxiety, and I am still feeling that way today (Monday morning).

So, I was wondering if anyone else has had increased anxiety as a side effect, and if this dissipates over time, as many side effects do? I am hoping this is temporary and I can wait it out.

Thanks for any input.

From what I gather, 5 htp has the same effect as antidepressants, boosting your serotonin but what most people don't get is that we really don't need as much of this as we think, in fact, high levels of serotonin can create nervous system problems(anxiety is but one) because serotonin is an excitatory neurotransmitter and a powerful vasoconstrictor.

You are probably taking too much. I suppose you can just cut down a bit, but why even take it at all? Serotoin is produce primarily from protein synthesis of tryptophan....carbohydrates seem to release the typtophan into the brain, helping create the serotonin.

So if you eat tryptophan rich foods like fish, fowl, dairy, nuts and meat, and get some complex carbs in there, chances are you will be able to make enough. But if not, some 5 htp might help but slow down a bit on it....we are told that we can have too much sometimes of even a good thing....

P.S. It's not really a good idea to take an amino acid by itself; in protein foods, amino acids are together, not separate. So that's why high-quality protein is best....but if you want to supplement(if you don't eat enough protein) then a good protein powder will usually have not only tryptophan but the other aminos with it! Taking in the complete amino chains is better than just one.

I'm with Jennita on this one. I'm not comfortable with supplementing with single amino acids. Complete proteins are safer.

I have had problems with depression my entire life. Eating right is not enough for me. Why take it at all? For the same reasons people take Celexa or Prozac or all the other ADs. It's been proven to relieve depression. 5HTP has been studied for decades (mostly in Europe and Japan) and shown to be very safe. I was just curious if anyone had any initial side effects. And yes, I have researched it. In fact, I worked in medical research for 10 years before changing careers, so I look quite critically at information, as I am used to reading journal articles and such.

Actually, I am curious... do you feel that people should not take anti-depressants either, or is it only natural supplements that you don't advocate? I prefer to try natural things first before moving on to man made chemicals. Natural substances often have lower side effects.

FWIW, the anxiety subsided, and this morning I am feeling quite good.

I have had problems with depression my entire life. Eating right is not enough for me. Why take it at all? For the same reasons people take Celexa or Prozac or all the other ADs. It's been proven to relieve depression. 5HTP has been studied for decades (mostly in Europe and Japan) and shown to be very safe. I was just curious if anyone had any initial side effects. And yes, I have researched it. In fact, I worked in medical research for 10 years before changing careers, so I look quite critically at information, as I am used to reading journal articles and such.

Actually, I am curious... do you feel that people should not take anti-depressants either, or is it only natural supplements that you don't advocate? I prefer to try natural things first before moving on to man made chemicals. Natural substances often have lower side effects.

FWIW, the anxiety subsided, and this morning I am feeling quite good.
Lisa, there have been quite a few studies done about the benefits of exercise and I know that my husband has been using light therapy and has received great benefits from it in a short amount of time. I am a firm believer of using meds as a last resort cause I have seen first hand what damage meds can do to people (my husband and friends). My husband has dealt with depression and anxiety and the docs pushed more and more meds and in his case it did more harm then good. But a lot of docs don't push natural remedies to try first like diet, exercise, sunlight, etc. They are definitely things to consider first before meds. I wish you luck... Lv Summer

I usually work out three times a week or more, but my depression has worsened lately, and it makes it very difficult to motivate myself to get back to the gym. Several years ago, I took Celexa and had fantastic results. I ended up with no insurance for a couple years, so I went off it. Anyway, I do know from that experience that I respond well to ADs. I just thought I'd try a natural route first this time. I have contacted my insurance company to find out about therapists, and am researching the ones they have in network now. Hopefully I'll be seeing someone within a couple weeks, and then I'll have a professional to discuss this with. I was just a bit upset yesterday because I was feeling very anxious. That is much better today, and I do not seem to have any other side effects either, so, so far so good!:-)

I usually work out three times a week or more, but my depression has worsened lately, and it makes it very difficult to motivate myself to get back to the gym. Several years ago, I took Celexa and had fantastic results. I ended up with no insurance for a couple years, so I went off it. Anyway, I do know from that experience that I respond well to ADs. I just thought I'd try a natural route first this time. I have contacted my insurance company to find out about therapists, and am researching the ones they have in network now. Hopefully I'll be seeing someone within a couple weeks, and then I'll have a professional to discuss this with. I was just a bit upset yesterday because I was feeling very anxious. That is much better today, and I do not seem to have any other side effects either, so, so far so good!:-)
Lisa, I know that everyone has up and down days in general. Believe I have been going thru a lot of downs since basically waiting for the man I married to come back into my life. He is recovering from taking so much and so many meds. It has been very hard on me since we don't have the kind of relationship that we used to have. I go thru spurts of sadiness, but I try to keep or get my mind focused onto something else and if I feel anxiety, I start cleaning or exercising or something to try to help relieve some of it. Believe I know that its easier said then done, but I am right now so anti med because of what it has done to my husband and our family right now. But like I have said, the light therapy has really been helping him, which I really didn't expect it to. Even using a therapist if very beneficial since they can show you ways to help yourself when you have a rough time. I wish you the best of luck... Lv Summer

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I agree Breeze. Its true that natural doesn't always mean without side effects and always safe. Its always good to do research and consult with someone who specializes in that arena.

I have had problems with depression my entire life. Eating right is not enough for me. Why take it at all? For the same reasons people take Celexa or Prozac or all the other ADs. It's been proven to relieve depression. 5HTP has been studied for decades (mostly in Europe and Japan) and shown to be very safe. I was just curious if anyone had any initial side effects. And yes, I have researched it. In fact, I worked in medical research for 10 years before changing careers, so I look quite critically at information, as I am used to reading journal articles and such.

Actually, I am curious... do you feel that people should not take anti-depressants either, or is it only natural supplements that you don't advocate? I prefer to try natural things first before moving on to man made chemicals. Natural substances often have lower side effects.

FWIW, the anxiety subsided, and this morning I am feeling quite good.

I do not advocate antidepressants; they are strong drugs with many adverse health effects, plus it is hard to know if they are metabolizing properly to avoid a buildup of too much. Ability to metabolize them changes in time. Also, giving someone a SSRi to keep serotonin in the brain longer may cause, according to a new study, some damage to receptors over the long haul.

Too much serotonin is not good for us either. Too much effects the nervous system, heart, REM sleep and can cause mania or worst case hallucinations. In fact, that's how people hallcinate on LSD...LSD is a serotonin releaser, flooding the brain with too much serotonin.

Now, since the doctor can't measure how much serotonin is "normal" levels or how much you as the patient actually have in your brain, it's like giving insulin to someone without blood tests or monitoring their blood sugar daily for proper amounts. A bit sloppy IMHO.

So, I don't think supplements are as dangerous but anything that is synthetically prepared/changed could be a problem especially at very high intake.

I agree Breeze. Its true that natural doesn't always mean without side effects and always safe. Its always good to do research and consult with someone who specializes in that arena.

Here's the thing: 5HTP isn't actually natural. It is a processed tryptophan. Tryptophan is the actual natural substance; 5htp is the substance the body processes from tryptophan, only the bottled 5htp is synthetically processed. Tryptophan goes through several stages or processes to end up as serotonin.

So, it's kind of like taking a synthetic vitamin form of Vitamin A....now, we know if you eat a ton of Vitamin A foods, chances of overdosing on that vitamin is pretty much impossible but take a few too many megadoses of synthetic Vitamin A and well, you might have a problem.

So although supplements are much less potent than pharmaceuticals, you just can't assume more is better.

Moderation is key to success when it comes to supplements because they are called "supplements" for a reason...they are not meant to substitute for food but aid our most times poor diet habits....and we all have those habits, even if we know better, me included! :eek:

Jennita, I totally agree. I am more for the natural way, then the medicated way. I am already dealing with the remanence of what ADs plus other meds have done to my husband and our family. My husband has come off of Effexor XR 2 months ago, plus many other meds and we now live like roommates. Actually his irritability is much better since using light therapy, but we have a long ways to go with everything else. Lv Summer

Jennita, I searched and read many of your other posts, and I can see that you do have a lot of knowledge on the subject. But I realize you are pretty much anti-medication. As someone who has worked in medical research, I just have a different perspective on that. Medications and supplements have literally been lifesavers for so many people. I was almost suicidal when I started Celexa, and it was like waking up from a nightmare. Unfortunately, when you have any form of mental illness, the organ affected is the one in charge of decision-making, so I allowed myself to get sick again. I know several people besides myself who got their lives back due to medications and supplements.

I know exercise is good, and eating right is good, but I believe that some people need extra help, and I am grateful that the scientific community has discovered options that can help us so much.

I feel like I should just bow out of this forum now, though, because there seems to be an anti-medication bias, and I know these forums aren't supposed to be for debate.

While I lean the opposite way from you on this issue, I do respect your knowledge of the topic, and I see that you go out of your way to help people here.

Thanks sincerely for your input.

Jennita, I totally agree. I am more for the natural way, then the medicated way. I am already dealing with the remanence of what ADs plus other meds have done to my husband and our family. My husband has come off of Effexor XR 2 months ago, plus many other meds and we now live like roommates. Actually his irritability is much better since using light therapy, but we have a long ways to go with everything else. Lv Summer

I'm very sorry to hear that but I've heard your story alot from many others. These drugs do not help everyone and sometimes even hurt. I hope your husband can make a swift and complete recovery; be patient it does take some time...

I've also read that fish oil or better yet eating salmon or tuna 2-3 times a week is a good thing for fighting depression, along with the light therapy and vigorous exercise at least 4 times a week.

I'm telling you, a bit of weight resistance exercise and I'm feeling younger and better even on a bad day....I look at it not as tiring exercise or a chore, but as something I do only for myself, a treat so to speak and that makes all the difference in attitude towards exercising.

Your husband will feel younger and more feisty again with a few months of regular exercise. Have him weight train, there is something about having even a little muscle that invigorates you even in your daily routine. Round it out with some cardio and he'll feel great in no time!!

I'm very sorry to hear that but I've heard your story alot from many others. These drugs do not help everyone and sometimes even hurt. I hope your husband can make a swift and complete recovery; be patient it does take some time...

I've also read that fish oil or better yet eating salmon or tuna 2-3 times a week is a good thing for fighting depression, along with the light therapy and vigorous exercise at least 4 times a week.

I'm telling you, a bit of weight resistance exercise and I'm feeling younger and better even on a bad day....I look at it not as tiring exercise or a chore, but as something I do only for myself, a treat so to speak and that makes all the difference in attitude towards exercising.

Your husband will feel younger and more feisty again with a few months of regular exercise. Have him weight train, there is something about having even a little muscle that invigorates you even in your daily routine. Round it out with some cardio and he'll feel great in no time!!
Jennita, I agree with the fish oil (or trying to get him to eat fish) and exercise, and I tried that with my husband but he won't do it. He is a very stubburn man. I at least got him to try the light therapy and that seems to be working and it was quick to turn around the irritability and hopefully with spring around the corner I can at least get him to go on walks with me and our daughters for some exercise. I am trying to be patient, its just hard after 4 years of this. Thanks for the understanding and support.... Lv Summer

Jennita, I searched and read many of your other posts, and I can see that you do have a lot of knowledge on the subject. But I realize you are pretty much anti-medication. As someone who has worked in medical research, I just have a different perspective on that. Medications and supplements have literally been lifesavers for so many people. I was almost suicidal when I started Celexa, and it was like waking up from a nightmare. Unfortunately, when you have any form of mental illness, the organ affected is the one in charge of decision-making, so I allowed myself to get sick again. I know several people besides myself who got their lives back due to medications and supplements.

I know exercise is good, and eating right is good, but I believe that some people need extra help, and I am grateful that the scientific community has discovered options that can help us so much.

I feel like I should just bow out of this forum now, though, because there seems to be an anti-medication bias, and I know these forums aren't supposed to be for debate.

While I lean the opposite way from you on this issue, I do respect your knowledge of the topic, and I see that you go out of your way to help people here.

Thanks sincerely for your input.

Well, we really don't have to debate the issue.... I'm glad you respect my opinion and I will respect yours to stay on your medication. I do hope you can avoid the health risks and such things as tolerance....of course, being in the medical field you probably are more able to know and recognize any trouble that may arise from the drugs and act accordingly....alot of people don't have that so I think all in all you are a good candidate for giving meds their chance.

I agree, there may be a small population who may benefit from SSRi's but as we know, the prescribing of SSRi's these days goes way beyond the few who have no other options. And the long term health problems that can arise from them concerns me. I've also read countless stories of people ending up diagnoised with bi-polar when SSRi's caused them to become manic, yet some who chose to discontinue the SSRi's noticed the mania disappered, never to be heard from again. This is cause to be very leary of the theories involved in psychiatry as some are either completely wrong or they make no connection to real causes of certain symptoms to the drugs themselves.

IMHO, just because some people don't get manic on SSRi's doesn't mean the people that do are bi-polars......I think since some people react differently to any drug or substance (aka allergies to foods, drugs and environment; drug tolerance levels, etc.) then the simple truth is some people cannot tolerate certain drugs or substances in their systems. To put in another simple example, why can't my husband eat some tomato sauces without having a horrible stomach problem while I can eat that same sauces and feel just dandy? He has no other stomach problems, so what's the difference??....well, like I said, we all have different systems that react differently to not only drugs but foods and also environment too (I can't breathe well around hay on a farm!)

But I notice psychiatry does not take in all factors; instead, they are ready to whip out another mental disorder to explain everything. In fact, when I've briefly looked up some things on the internet that come from the DSM manual I start to wonder what behaviors aren't considered a mental disorder...it seems nail biting to psychosis and everything inbetween is in that manual.

What are the odds that anyone is normal enough not to need either stimulants, AD's, antipsychotics or tranquilizers these days? It's like if you aren't on any of these, your'e either in denial or very rare!

But don't get me wrong; I feel psychiatry has it's place and even meds do. But they've stepped out of that place and gone where they shouldn't, IMHO.

Anyway, I wish you nothing but the best. I'm anti-med, not anti-human and if meds do in fact end up helping you, I'm very glad.

Thanks again for not attacking my position, I hope I don't come across as attacking yours or anyone elses, sometimes I get so angry about what the profession is doing to people and when I hear about it I react, but I don't mean to attack the patients.

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I take a blend of flax, fish, and borage oils that provides Omeags 3,6,and 9, along with B-comlex and a multivitamin.