Yes you can take both together. Not true that the rhodiola helps to keep it in the body. Rhodiola rosea is a stimulant adaptogen with affinity to dopamine. 5-HTP on the other hand is a the raw material to synthesize serotonin. Increasing you 5-HTP intake would suggest increased serotonin levels.
I suggest you take the 5-HTP after diner or/and before bedtime. See serotonin is not stimulating, in fact, serotonin gets converted into melatonin that is a hormone used for sleep and balancing you circadian rhythm. Basically you want to have your 5-HTP to calm and get ready to bed and your rhodiola rosea to help with energy during the day.
M4
As with any substance affecting brain chemistry, 5-HTP does have odd side effects on people. Everyone will have their own individual experience. Now, those side effects might go away, or they might not, and if it's giving you palpitations and you're sure it's the 5-HTP that is the cause, I wouldn't personally fool with it. There are other anti-depressants you can try, such as St. John's wort, DLPA (though it, too, can be very stimulating as it affects norepinehrine), and SAMe, to name three. But the rhodiola can also cause palps, as it is also stimulating and can charge the adrenals. Which brings up the question -- are you dealing with pure depression here, or depression and anxiety? It makes a difference, especially regarding the rhodiola and how long it'll take to notice if the HTP works or not.
When I had a anxiety a few years ago I took 5HTP with some success, I like you had mild internal trembling, I also found Sam-E helpful, recently when feeling stressed I took the serenity forulma by stress relax with sensoril ,it had rhodiola in it, I was amazed how quickly it worked and how good I felt..it says take a break from it after about 3 weeks .I have found more help with supplements and herbal remedies than any of the prescribed drugs with their side effects and interactions . .Not saying that conventional meds are not necessary at times but contrary to some beliefs they do work and are not quackery ...in my opinion ..
last sentence should read Herbal meds and supplements do work .....
I was curious about your question since my Naturopath just suggested I go on 5-HTP. While my social worker wants me to go on an antidepressant. But she says she's curious about what my Naturopath has to suggest also. But obviously both professionals believe I need something to help with mild depression and anxiety. Does 5-HTP help with anxiety also? To be honest, I'm a bit nervous about taking anything. Seems there are as many people struggling with side effects of antidepressants as there are people who feel they are helped by them. Maybe the same for the antidepression supplements. But my Naturopath said that 5-HTP is an amino acid and shouldn't have the bad side effects that a prescription antidepressant may have. Just a bit worried with tinkering with the brain chemistry either way, ya know. But I know I have to do something to be happier and more productive. Thanks to all who posted since all are very informative! We read so many conflicting things about drugs vs supplements and it's hard to digest it all, especially when depressed. Good luck to you!
In my opinion the drugs they give whilst necessary for some do have side effects, so can herbal remedies ,I dont take anything other than a daily supplement now , but a few years back tried the 5HTP as I said and found it good ,this was for anxiety, Sam-E the same, recently I took the serenity Formula with sensoril and Rhodiola ..it worked quickly and I felt very relaxed' I took it for 3 weeks then read one should take a break I was feeling better anyway ,,I did have some upset stomach whilst on it ... I do know that I must have needed this supplement I am taking. ' One a day Womens Formula high potency multi-mineral supplement I have felt so much better in myself .
I am suffering from stress generated by work, I am a nurse. I cannot change the situation at the moment as it is a small hospital, there have been lots of people leaving lately so its not just me.I am having to take a Zopiclone to get to sleep most nights, but wake at 3 or 4 and cannot get back to sleep on my day off. I have some Rhodiola but have no idea how old and read about 5HTP which I have taken in the past for panic attacks, a one off thou. The lack of sleep is perpetuating the anxious as obviously my performance is diminished and we are mega busy, so going home late and not getting breaks. Any advice which drugs to take, the docs have wanted me to take antidepressants, but in the '90s they made me feel dead so don't want to go there again. I need to leave nursing now as 31 years non stop is killing me, but it will take a while to find where I am going from here. At the moment I feel like my life has ended, as I can see no light at the end of the tunnel.