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Posted 5/3/2007 2:38 PM (GMT 0)
Has anyone tried 5-HTP for depression? I've been taking it for 2 weeks now and I feel so much better. I did a lot of research on it and I know it shouldn't be taken with SSRIs because of serotonin sensitivity syndrome, but it seems to me that the two of them should work together. The prozac makes your cells stay in the serotonin that you have for a longer period of time, right? So what if you don't have much serotonin? The prozac is just making the cells float around in tiny drops of serotonin sludge. So you take the 5-HTP and this makes actual serotonin. Then the cells have something to float around in. Does this make sense?

I realize at large doses, it could be dangerous. I'm only taking 20mg/day of prozac and 50mg of the 5-HTP. I'm not recommending this to anyone, I just want to know if anyone else has tried it.

Thanks,
GM
Posted 5/4/2007 9:46 PM (GMT 0)
always hard to know whether these things help or is it just placebo effect

Posted 5/10/2007 4:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hi GM, I am also taking 5-HTP right now, along with a few other amino acid supplements and I definitely have been feeling better.  I take 50mg 2 times a day.  I go to a holistic doctor and he has put me on the 5-HTP and other things for depression and anxiety.  If you have any more questions feel free to ask.

 

Posted 5/10/2007 5:57 PM (GMT 0)
hi.  im taking a supplement called HTPCalm that makes a very noticeable difference with anxiety/depression. i take it 3 times a day and it has 50 mg 5-HTP.  it also has b-6, passion flower, gotu kola, kava kava, and st. johns wort.  i dont know much about any of these ingredients but within 20 mins of taking it i feel alot better.
Posted 5/11/2007 2:56 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the replies. I'm now taking 100mg of 5-HTP every other day and 20mg of Prozac/50mg of 5-HTP the other days. It's a little convoluted, but I'm trying to wean myself off the prozac. I actually do feel a difference in my sleep and mood on the days that I only take the 5-HTPD. Which is why I'm looking forward to getting off the Prozac entirely. The 5-HTP has definitely helped my migraines. The only problem I have with it is that I'm not eating. I don't have any appetite at all. I know that should be a good thing, but a body needs fuel. It's hard to find any food that appeals to me. Anyone else have this "problem"?

Alexy: Would you mind telling me what other supplements you take? I've been thinking about adding magnesium.

Twiggy: How long have you been taking HTPCalm? Do you have any seasonal allergies? I've found that some herbs from dried flowers make my allergies worse so I try to avoid them.

Harry4: Real/placebo.... does it matter? As far as I''m concerned, if it makes me feel better, it works. :)

Take care,
GM
Posted 5/11/2007 7:50 PM (GMT 0)
I have been taking the HTPCalm for a little over a year now. I have horrible allergies to pretty much everything outside (i live on claritin in the spring/summer/fall) and all animals but am not allergic to the HTPCalm. Also, I have been taking magnesium as well for headaches and insomnia, and it helps alot. i only take doctors best high absorbtion mag because i cant asborb the other kinds for some reason.
hope this helps :)
Posted 5/16/2007 1:54 AM (GMT 0)

Ghost mom said...
Thanks for the replies. I'm now taking 100mg of 5-HTP every other day and 20mg of Prozac/50mg of 5-HTP the other days. It's a little convoluted, but I'm trying to wean myself off the prozac.

Now that you've been at it a few more days how's it helping with the Prozac weaning so far?
Posted 5/24/2007 2:36 AM (GMT 0)
Hi GM. What's the latest on how this is working for you? Any updates for us?
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