Strange question about amino's and addiction.

[duckandcover]

This is going to sound a little weird but I've been getting relief from 5-HTP lately through my latest round of anxiety/PAWS.  Today as I was popping one a couple of strange thoughts popped into my head simultaneously.  

One: is it possible to form a mild psychological addiction to these things?  Maybe on the level of caffine (or worse)?  It's my understanding that these help boost seratonin.  Isn't this something you can mentally lean a little too hard on?

Two: It's strange but I seem to get some perverse pleasure in the act of popping a pill and anticipating a mental response.  It's not overwhelming or anything.  It's almost like a veeeery subtle trigger of some type.  Is this unusual?

On the other han I might be full of it.  Sleep hasn't been plentiful and I'm very tired tonight.  

Anyway.  Just curious if I'm reading waaaaay to much into a simple amino.

[duckandcover]

Thanks for the replies!  There is a lot to chew on here.  Boy am I doing some things wrong.  First of all I work in a dimly lit office all day and only get out for lunch so I don't get nearly enough sunlight during the weekdays.  Weekends are a better sleep period though as I'm usually outdoors all day.

Also,  I've been taking 5-HTP well into the evenings. Unless my anxiety is high I'm going to cut back on that for sure.   I didn't realize the balance between serotonin and melatonin that important to good rest. My goal is to do this naturally so it looks like I'lll have to get out of the office a little during the day and get some sun.  Never a bad idea anyway.

Thanks!

[SableZen]

No I don't think there is really much danger from increased serotonin levels (unless like GoingToMakeIt says and you are already taking an SSRI - which could result in an even fatal amount of serotonin in the system) or you are taking an insane amount. I was just reading that at the levels you would see from taking 5-HTP you could notice your sex drive decreasing and nightmares from the increase in serotonin.

Over the long-term, if you start to feel 'stretched' or worn-out all the time: take a break from 5-HTP for awhile. Or some recommend taking it only 5 days a week.

[worried878]

If you research your aaminos u can find what they do for the body..thanine relaxez, 5htp and methione aids with moods and sleep..tyrosine,  taurine, glutamine more for energy, phehylalinine for pain relief,,,valerian root, melatonin and cal/mag also help...calme forte can help stress levels too....my fave for energy is 1000 mg of tyrosine,,,gets me going

[GoingToMakeIt]

The use of opiates put your seratonin levels at an all time low. Along with your endorphin production too. The only danger I can think of with 5htp is if you are already on a seratonin enhancer anti-depressant. Also as you get older your melatonin production can be low, so it is not uncommon to need to take that too.

[SableZen]

By the way, serotonin and melatonin levels need to be in good regulation or you aren't going to sleep well or on the top of your game when you are awake. When serotonin levels are high, melatonin levels are going to be low and you aren't going to sleep well. Also, serotonin is naturally produced while you are asleep and melatonin levels are high. So throwing one or the other out of balance will result in both your sleeping and waking periods being messed up... i.e. you won't sleep for long when you do sleep, and you will be groggy when you are awake.

Sunlight and darkness play a huge role in seratonin/melatonin production. To help regulate your sleeping, make sure you are getting a lot of sunlight during the day and make sure it is dark (no TV or lit computer screen) when you are wanting to get some sleep. Sounds like common sense - but most people aren't really aware how big of an affect this has.

[SableZen]

There have been studies done to see if 5-HTP is effective for treating depression... none of the studies were really done well though.

However, it is pretty clear that 5-HTP does increase blood serotonin levels... which is exactly what a lot of antidepressants do. There is supposedly some risk if you artificially elevate seretonin levels too high. Not sure if 5-HTP is metabolized well enough to increase blood seretonin levels too high... but I wouldn't be surprised in the least if it was.

Just because it's a 'nutritional supplement' doesn't mean it can't have dependence potential. Psychologically of course, anything that artificially affects seretonin levels can have ramifications. And there is always the placebo effect of popping a pill!

It's good to educate yourself on any supplements you are taking - you'd be surprised at how many of them haven't every been studied and yet have such a great effect on our physiology.

[Sportsguy86]

You're freaking out, man.  Just try to relax.  You're talking about a nutritional supplement here. They are good for you.

[Becky102]

I don't know the answer to your question, but  I'm glad to hear that 5-HTP works for you.  It's on my list of supplements to buy for my husband as he tries to get off methadone.  He's understandably worried about going through withdrawal, but I'm just as worried about afterwards.  From my reading on this forum it seems like PAWS can be awful.  Anything that can lessen that is something I want to know about!