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5-HTP for Depression Treatment

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Posted 4/27/2014 3:34 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,

I recently heard that 5-HTP can help with depression. The reviews I've read say that it feels like a night and day improvement for many of the people who have tried it. I'm a little concerned about potential side effects though. Are any of you familiar with taking this supplement? I would like some advice in how to start it. I'm  trying to start on the lowest dosage, just in case it doesn't agree with me. How much should I start with, and what time(s) of day should I take it?

Thank you :)

Posted 4/27/2014 7:21 PM (GMT 0)
I've never tried it myself. Did you tell your doctor about it? Are you taking any prescription meds for depression? Because they might not mix well. What about asking where you bought it? They might know something.


If heard o other trying it, but don't know how it went.

I wish you the best.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 4/27/2014 7:46 PM (GMT 0)
Reviews can be very subjective. Your best course of action would be to run it past a pharmacist and/or your doctor, especially if you are combining it with other supplements/drugs.
Posted 4/29/2014 1:31 AM (GMT 0)
I am not taking any medications and I haven't ever used them for my depression. I've been avoiding prescription medication for my depression and focused on natural approaches like exercise and valerian, holy basil (tulsi) tea, magnesium, etc. I heard about 5-HTP through a book about Magnesium called The Magnesium Miracle. It's listed as a supplement in the book to help with depression and anxiety, among other supplements also included. I started researching it to see how it did for other people after reading that. It seems very promising from the reviews I've read about it. Most say that it made a significant improvement in perspective and quality of life, with none or minimal symptoms. I asked a woman at a natural foods store what her take was on it and she said to start on the minimal dosage first to see how I do. I was just wondering how others on this site may have experienced using the supplement for their depression.
Posted 4/29/2014 2:21 AM (GMT 0)
I did half-think about trying 5-HTP the other day, but would like to find out more about it first. Personally, I wouldn't be surprised if I was entirely serotonin-depleted, but haven't had good results with traditional antidepressants.

Found this article about 5-HTP (and tryptophan), including possible drug interactions:
umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/5hydroxytryptophan-5htp

As long as you take the recommended precautions and start at a low dose, you should be fine. Unfortunately I don't think you'll get much feedback here, as most folks on the Depression board take conventional drugs. Probably be better off asking on the ulcerative colitis board, tbh. In fact, you've just given me a new idea for a thread... >_>
Posted 5/2/2014 1:39 AM (GMT 0)
NiceCupOfTea, thanks for your feedback. I think you're right about starting out with a low dose. I'm just nervous about starting a new supplement, as you never know how something will work with one person's body versus another's. Everyone is different. Thanks for your honesty as well. It doesn't seem like people are familiar with 5-HTP on this board, but that's ok. Hopefully my posting about it will bring it to people's attention and help other people research more into it and potentially feel better. I also came across a company that makes supplements for depression called EMPower Plus. Their reviews are extremely good and the products are said to be super effective in treating depression. I have not tried them, but I hope this could help some of you. I know how hard it is to struggle with depression.
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