Question 1

should i take 5htp for depression or tryptophan?

Accepted Answer

Neither: Frankly, there is little evidence that either chemical treats depression. Both substances may get absorbed from the intestine, but they don't change brain levels of serotonin. Even if they did, depression is much more complicated than 'low serotonin'. Many people get a placebo boost from taking such products, double blind studies don't show them to be effective.

Question 2

taking 120mg of 5htp for one month for mild - moderate depression. built up a tolerance. want to move to l- tryptophan. how long after stopping 5htp can i start tryptophan?

Accepted Answer

: "5-HTP" and l-tryptophan are essentially the same, and can raise serotonin levels, but "5-HTP" can get into the brain more quickly.  Taking l-tryptophan will not improve the effect if a "tolerance" has been acquired.

Question 3

i am struggling with anxiety, panic attacks insomnia and depression although i don't know what triggered it, maybe stress at work? this has not happened to me before. my dr prescribed tryptophan to help sleep and told me to take vit d. tryptophan made me

Accepted Answer

May need more: It sounds like your symptoms are recent and reactive and that your doctor suggested an initial approach.  Another supplement which helps with sleep is melatonin.  However, I would check with your doctor about this.  If your,symptoms persist, you may want to speak with a therapist about stress management.  In addition, your doctor can prescribe an antidepressant if all of these options don't solve

Question 4

if 5-htp causes anxiety, isn't it a little pointless to take it for depression?

Accepted Answer

Makes sense: If you consider anxiety and depression as opposite ends of a spectrun of neurotransmitter activation, it makes sense.

Question 5

does 5-htp help fibromyelgia patients? if so, how does it help? im having a hard time finding something that helps me. all other meds i've been on i get bad side effects or depression.

Accepted Answer

Fibromyalgia : Fibromyalgia , sometimes is not a simple disease to treat , a lot of excersice could help , the more exercise the better it works . 5 htp is an over the counter  food product , not a medication , that like many claim results in many areas, depresion , fibromyalgia and many other . I am not an expert on these products and believe that  fibromyalgia is a medical condition that requieres medical care.
If none of the medication worked , increse exercise progresively until control , try yoga and thai chi.

Question 6

can i try 5 htp in morning for depression if i take a 50mg of tramadol in early afternoon?  thank you.

Accepted Answer

There is risk here.: I have seen a couple of patients who developed serotinergic syndrome on the combination of a serotonin medication &amp; tramadol. 5-Hydroxytryptophan is chemical precursor to serotonin.

Question 7

which natural depression remedy is better st john's work.. 5 htp or sam e for getting off methamphetimes?

Accepted Answer

All are good: Each of the products you mentioned are good. You could try them individually or in combination.  Another important supplement to try is fish oil. Remember that your brain is mostly fat and you need to give it proper support. Take 2-3 grams of fish oil per day.

Question 8

5 htp and l tyrosine stack for anxiety and depression?

Accepted Answer

Beware long term use: No scientific evidence that these herbal supplements are useful against psychosocial stressors. In fact, a 2007 Canadian study warned against the effects of long term use. No shortcut here, so better to exercise, relaxation technique and prescription if necessary.

Question 9

what's 5-htp, and is it an implication for weight control, social anxiety, and depression?

Accepted Answer

No go.: 5-htp is a precursor to tryptophan the Amino Acid used to create serotonin. The national institute of health recommends not to use 5-htp until more is known. 5-htp might be unsafe. Some people who have taken it have come down with eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (ems), a serious condition involving extreme muscle tenderness (myalgia) and blood abnormalities (eosinophilia).

Question 10

is 5 htp or l-tyrosine effective for depression and anxiety?

Accepted Answer

Probably not: This has been studied, and 5-htp, the precursor for serotonin, is sold in healthfood stores for this purpose.  The idea is to flood the body and brain with precursor to increase serotonin (or with tyrosine, norepinephrine), having the same effect as getting an antidepressant.  Problem is, you flood the whole body, not just specific parts of the brain, so lots of se not much specific benefits.

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Doctor answers about:

5 htp vs tryptophan depression

A member asked:

Should i take 5htp for depression or tryptophan?

A member asked:

Taking 120mg of 5htp for one month for mild - moderate depression. built up a tolerance. want to move to l- tryptophan. how long after stopping 5htp can i start tryptophan?

A member asked:

I am struggling with anxiety, panic attacks insomnia and depression although i don't know what triggered it, maybe stress at work? this has not happened to me before. my dr prescribed tryptophan to help sleep and told me to take vit d. tryptophan made me

A member asked:

If 5-htp causes anxiety, isn't it a little pointless to take it for depression?

A member asked:

Does 5-htp help fibromyelgia patients? if so, how does it help? im having a hard time finding something that helps me. all other meds i've been on i get bad side effects or depression.

A member asked:

Can i try 5 htp in morning for depression if i take a 50mg of tramadol in early afternoon? thank you.

A member asked:

Which natural depression remedy is better st john's work.. 5 htp or sam e for getting off methamphetimes?

A member asked:

5 htp and l tyrosine stack for anxiety and depression?

A member asked:

What's 5-htp, and is it an implication for weight control, social anxiety, and depression?

A member asked:

Is 5 htp or l-tyrosine effective for depression and anxiety?

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