5-HTP: Why isn't it a household name?
I want to talk about a supplement that I’ve been taking since late November of last year: 5-HTP, or otherwise known as 5-hydroxytryptophan which is a derivative of the amino acid, tryptophan. The reason I started taking it was due to my inability to properly handle stress, which was causing me to sleep less, which in turn, made me irritable and frustrated during the day… A vicious circle that ended when I found 5-HTP.
I found out about this supplement through another blogger, who, after trying a number of fairly serious drugs for a mood disorder and insomnia turned to 5-HTP as a last resort, and it turned out to completely resolve her issues related to lowered serotonin levels in the brain. After reading about her results, and doing hours of research myself on this topic, I decided to give this natural method a try.
Starting off at a dose of 100 mg per day (50 mg x 2), I slowly increased my intake to 300 mg per day over a couple of months. After about a month of taking 5-HTP, my mood normalized and my insomnia all but went away.
Now, after about 6 months of use, (other than a 3 week hiatus which reminded me that I should continue the use of this supplement) I feel much more able to deal with daily stresses without taking hours to calm down after work, and my sleep problems have gone away (when I actually allow myself to go to bed at a reasonable hour) — There was a time late last year when I was suffering from some fairly serious insomnia, and it didn’t matter how tired I was, I couldn’t fall asleep, or when I did, it was only to wake a few hours later and be unable to get back to sleep.
I have to ask… Why the heck don’t more people take this supplement? People seem to take anti-depressants that are extremely expensive, with serious side effects, without talking to their doctors about alternatives. After my serious car accident in 1997, I too took an SSRI out of necessity without discussing alternative therapies with my doctor. I wish now that I had. My doctor had described Paxil to me to deal with the PTSD (post traumatic stress), and it did help — But not without some serious side effects, including sexual disfunction, and constant fatigue. I was sure glad to get off of that drug six months after it was prescribed.
5-HTP seems to be a miracle supplement for many people, as I’ve since read. As it is the natural precursor to serotonin, it is a mood-enhancing chemical, it increases pain tolerance, induces sleep, and affects how hunger is perceived. Apparently, Europeans have been taking this for years with amazing success.
If you are suffering from anxiety, irritability, sleeplessness, or chronic fatigue syndrome, I urge you to talk to your doctor about this. You may find you are one of the lucky people that do see some amazing results from this natural treatment.
I welcome your thoughts…
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um, how quick are the results? I’m studying for the GMAT (& just so you can understand the situation, UBC has requested I take it again, getting accepted into the program depends on passing the GMAT now, & only that), and I’m getting nervous again.
Thanks for taking the time to answer my query.
Richie: How come you decided to remove it from your daily routine? I’m curious…
Michelle – Hope it helps, if you decide to go that route. My doctor thinks it’s a great way to deal with the daily ‘little crap’ and has endorsed my use fully…
Rog, you kill me, as usual.
anon: While I agree with you to a point (and esp. about talking to a doctor before trying any new substance that might affect your body in any way) I don’t necessarily agree with the short-term effects. St. Johns Wort, and traditional SSRIs work very differently than 5-HTP. That’s perhaps why some find that this works for them when other options haven’t. Besides, if you are living with severe side effects from SSRIs, and perhaps not getting the benefit (as a troubling percentage do not) maybe this is a viable alternative, which is far less harmful to your day-to-day life, and certainly a ton easier on the pocketbook. Afterall, our body gets lower doses of this by eating day to day foods like turkey, and other proteins.
(just my 2 cents worth).
Heather… I’m so happy to hear you are finding potential benefits… Glad I could be a small help.
i’ve been taking 5-htp for a little under two months now. i have absolutely noticed a difference even with such a meager dosage, although i’m still not 100% convinced it’s not partially placebo (“i forgot my 5-htp, no wonder i’m crying!”), but i feel so much more level when i do take it, it’s incentive to continue.
i have you to thank for that, btw. so, thanks! =)
Interesting… I’ve never heard of it. I have taken Paxil before which was very helpful but I hated the side effects. I’m not handling stress very well lately either, so maybe I’ll look into it. Thanks!
Booze works for me.
The downside of 5-HTP is that it is metabolized quickly. Your serotonin levels spike, then drop off over a few hours. Traditional antidepressants (and St. John’s Wort) supress the metabolism and/or reuptake of serotonin, which should give a more even increase than 5-HTP does.
If you’re on an antidepressant, check with a doctor before trying 5-HTP. The combination could conceivably lead to serotonin syndrome (too much serotonin in the brain). Keep in mind that some antidepressants remain in the body for quite a while after you stop taking them (Prozac takes weeks to clear if I remember right).
Disclaimer: I am NOT a doctor.
i took 5htp before, and it seemed to help a lot. especially with a guy like me who’s mood swings are compared to a girl’s monthly period on ‘roids.