Question 1

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 2

i've been on l-tryptophan (1000 mg) daily and l-tyrosine (1000 mg daily) for a couple of weeks for depression but now i'm working out and using whey protein which already contains tryptophan and tyrosine. should i stop taking the supplements?

Accepted Answer

: The amino acid supplements you were using are not adequate treatment for depression. You should see a physician as effective treatments to deal with depression are available.
For healthy diet: http://www.choosemyplate.gov/., exercise 30 minutes/day, drink enough water daily so your urine is mostly colorless, have safe sex, no tobacco alcohol weed or street drugs. 
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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

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 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

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.

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

can i take 100mg of trazadone for insomnia and 100mg 5-htp during the day for depression?

Accepted Answer

Trazadone: will "act" as a sleeping pill for a while since one it's SIDE EFFECTS is drowsiness!  It is actually classified as an ANTI-DEPRESSANT... 5HTP  is a so called "natural" antidepressant and has doubtful benefits.....MY OPINION ONLY ...hope it's helpful!
Dr Z

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Doctor answers about:

L tryptophan vs 5 htp depression

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've been on l-tryptophan (1000 mg) daily and l-tyrosine (1000 mg daily) for a couple of weeks for depression but now i'm working out and using whey protein which already contains tryptophan and tyrosine. should i stop taking the supplements?

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:

5 htp and l tyrosine stack for anxiety and 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:

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

A member asked:

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

A member asked:

Can i take 100mg of trazadone for insomnia and 100mg 5-htp during the day for depression?

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