anyone tried 5htp?

[nzric]

Does anyone here have experience taking 5htp?

I have never taken anti-depressants but have started taking 240mg of 5htp every night, and it has made a world of difference to my moods (what I usually call stasis and permanent borderline melancholy) during the day.

Although I have never tried prescribed anti-depressants, I have tried other natural remedies over the years including ginkgo, omega 3, st johns wort and B-complex, but haven't seen much effect from them at all - apart from maybe Siberian ginseng. With 5htp I've found I have a much better mood, without any of the side effects or issues I have heard about from more powerful prescribed anti-depressants. I'm surprised it's not more well-known.

Anyone had experience with both 5htp and any of the prescribed range? how do they compare?

Also, the dose I am taking (240mg daily) is more than the recommended dose but less than some studies I have come across on the net. But I can't find anything consistent about what is safe for regular (daily) use. Also, there seems to be some hesitation in recommending it for ongoing use because it hasn't been fully studied...?

 

[This is The End]

Wiki link just to make sure we are talking about the same thing:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5-Hydroxytryptophan

 

[jdc324]

Cochrane summary on tryptophan and 5htp for depression: http://summaries.cochrane.org/CD003198/tryptophan-and-5-hydroxytryptophan-for-depression

More evidence is needed to assess efficacy and safety, before any strong and meaningful conclusions can be made. Until then, the reviewers propose that the use of antidepressants which have no known life threatening side effects remain more attractive.

The wiki page that OnlyTellsTruths linked to has this as a reference: http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/5-hydroxytryptophan-000283.htm

The sections "How To Take It", "Precautions" and "Possible Interactions" might be of interest.

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor. Just an idiot with a keyboard.