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5-HTP instead of an SSRI
I have done extensive research down to the cellular level as I have been suffering from terrible anxiety for the last 18 mos. I had much trouble getting on an SSRI and my MD wanted me to titrate up as much as I could as I was getting NO therapeutic response. Well, Lexapro at 30 mg seemed to be making things worse. I seem to carry the "Short arm allele" or in other words, I have a "Polymorphism" of the Serotonin transporter gene.
I have recently weaned off of the Lexapro completely and going through the withdrawal that follows which for me is the Zaps, Increased anxiety, fatigued, etc.
My question is that because 5-HTP is a direct precursor to Serotonin and crosses that blood brain barrier, might I see a clinical response (i.e. a nice reduction in my anxiety) even though I carry the short arm allele ? It would make sense since I'm bypassing the transporter mechanism that the SSRI's need in order to be effective (i.e. I'm making more serotonin and thus making more available compared to the SSRI's where I'm not making more Serotonin but relying on the transporter to "re-use" what I already have over and over again). It seems to make sense to me, but I just wanted to get some imput from anyone else out there that may be familiar with what I'm talking about.
Thanks in advance.....
Gary..........BSN, RN
I have recently weaned off of the Lexapro completely and going through the withdrawal that follows which for me is the Zaps, Increased anxiety, fatigued, etc.
My question is that because 5-HTP is a direct precursor to Serotonin and crosses that blood brain barrier, might I see a clinical response (i.e. a nice reduction in my anxiety) even though I carry the short arm allele ? It would make sense since I'm bypassing the transporter mechanism that the SSRI's need in order to be effective (i.e. I'm making more serotonin and thus making more available compared to the SSRI's where I'm not making more Serotonin but relying on the transporter to "re-use" what I already have over and over again). It seems to make sense to me, but I just wanted to get some imput from anyone else out there that may be familiar with what I'm talking about.
Thanks in advance.....
Gary..........BSN, RN
This isn't true as I know it -- B6 is an essential co-factor for tryptophan to manufacture serotonin. Most of the serotonin in the body is in the gut and the muscles and blood vessels. The gut is thought to be now a whole different and independent neurotransmitter system than the brain. While tryptophan is very hard to get past the blood/brain barrier when taken as a supplement, 5-HTP is a step up the metabolic ladder and gets there better. I agree you don't need B6 with it, you just need B6 in the body for the manufacture of serotonin. Most people probably get plenty to do this without having to supplement. But a lot of supplement manufacturers put B6 in all kinds of supplements -- Solaray, for example, seems to put some in everything. But if you don't have enough B6 you can't make enough of something it's involved with, and it's involved with a whole lot of things. If you have too much you can get B6 neuropathy. It's a tricky nutrient to supplement for some people.
2 Comments
I have been taking ssri's for over 10 years, and looking back, never really felt a sense of peace or happiness.Anxiety and the fear of relapse or going ' nuts' has taken so much sparkle out of my life.The menopause has now compounded much of the distressed emotions.I stopped HRT, ecitalopram 40mgs and an antibiotic I was taking long term for acne. Nearly four weeks and I have terrible days, crying all day,worthlessness and anxiety to days where I cope.I started taking 50 mgs of 5Htp raised to 200mgs.Still feel blank, and a have bad days, feel quite disposed but do not want to go back to being a slave to pharmacology.Any suggestions?
The last post was 2015 so I don't think they will read it although someone else might. You are free to start your own thread though.
B6 causes 5-htp to convert in the gut before it passes the BBB, which leads to excess peripheral serotonin which can cause heart valve issues. Taking B6 with it at the same time is not a good idea. Taking it an hour or so beforehand, less so.
I've been taking it about three weeks and loving it... Sleeping well.. A little panicky right after menstruated but pretty normal..
5-HTP could never get FDA approval, but it wouldn't be covered anyway. Tryptophan is a natural substance, an amino acid found in many foods. Pharmaceutical companies isolated it many years ago for use to help people sleep and as an antidepressant before most of the antidepressants we know of now were invented. Because it's found naturally in nature it can't be patented, and therefore there would never be the monetary return to pay for the animal studies and human trials FDA requires. But because it's been used for so long, back before the FDA Act created the agency I believe, it wouldn't be covered by the statute anyway anymore than aspirin is, which was grandfathered in. But we have a long history of its use. HTP is a metabolite of tryptophan that is better absorbed by the brain, and is usually sourced from a particular plant. It came into use after one tainted batch of tryptophan from one lab some decades ago allowed the FDA, at the behest of its captors, the pharmaceutical industry with its now patented products, to get rid of a competitor to its drugs by banning tryptophan (it's now on the market again), so science came up with 5-HTP to get around that ban and it worked better than tryptophan, but as with any other substance including medication sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. But it does take some time to work, and you do want to buy a good quality product and take the proper amount. A decent book on natural medicine for this which includes proper dosing is Natural Highs by Hyla Cass, a psychiatrist at UCLA.
To all you other anxiety sufferers out there, you are not alone and if you feel you relatives or the care givers dont understand at least you can know that those of us that have suffered do. All i can see is it does get better, your attitude towards it plays a big part, there is no magic wond and you have to do alot of the work yourself, keep positive thinking an deep breathing if your mind had the power to put you in this state it has the power to pull you back out.
Beautifullly said! ALL very true! Please feel free to stick around and use the forum for info and support. Most of us with chronic anxiety are stuck with it unfortunately, but that doesn't mean it can't be managed.
Also, as far as our loved ones go, don't always assume they don't care. It's very hard for people who have never experienced debilitating anxiety to understand what we go through. I've learned to find acceptance in just being acknowledged, even if they don't fully understand it.
Take care!
Beautifullly said! ALL very true! Please feel free to stick around and use the forum for info and support. Most of us with chronic anxiety are stuck with it unfortunately, but that doesn't mean it can't be managed.
Also, as far as our loved ones go, don't always assume they don't care. It's very hard for people who have never experienced debilitating anxiety to understand what we go through. I've learned to find acceptance in just being acknowledged, even if they don't fully understand it.
Take care!
Hello All,
I ave been suffering sever anxiety of and on for the past 17 years.I know how scary it is, how horrible it feels and how it is just so damned hard to exo I have had it three times during this period the first time i had it for a year and the two other times significantly less.
The first time i was able to get rid of my anxiety was complely naturual I went for hypthorepy and learned to control my anxiey by acknowledging its presence and even trying to make it worst in order to control it rather than it controlling me, this was very tough but it worked.
Unforunetly 5 years later it was back and this time i was perscribed lexapro(SSRI) by my doctor, you go throu a few rough weeks but then things seem to even out. You still giet the feeling that you are painting over rust and not really dealing with the underlying issue. I took lexapro 10MG for two years and gradually reduced. I've had two good panic free years since then.
A month ago after a very stressful and busy month the panic was back, full force. I have been seeing a therpist and doing breathing exercises and trying the natural route. After a month of the therapy i feel like im getting worst and so scared of losing my job because im unable to perform as normal.
A doctor recommended 5 HTP to me, I took it for a week so far and have and good days and bad days, I saw another doctor today who wants me to go back on SSRI. I figure i will give the 5 htp another week before trying going back to the SSRI since i knew that worked before.
I see alot of good reviews about 5 HTP but also alot of concerns since it apparently does not have to go though all the approvals that an FDA approved drug does.
To all you other anxiety sufferers out there, you are not alone and if you feel you relatives or the care givers dont understand at least you can know that those of us that have suffered do. All i can see is it does get better, your attitude towards it plays a big part, there is no magic wond and you have to do alot of the work yourself, keep positive thinking an deep breathing if your mind had the power to put you in this state it has the power to pull you back out.
After three times i just wish i could be rid of this curse once and for all, it should be a much more recognised disorder than it is, its the worst thing i have ever had to deal with in my lfe.
God bless you all, keep faith that things will get better!
Alan S
I ave been suffering sever anxiety of and on for the past 17 years.I know how scary it is, how horrible it feels and how it is just so damned hard to exo I have had it three times during this period the first time i had it for a year and the two other times significantly less.
The first time i was able to get rid of my anxiety was complely naturual I went for hypthorepy and learned to control my anxiey by acknowledging its presence and even trying to make it worst in order to control it rather than it controlling me, this was very tough but it worked.
Unforunetly 5 years later it was back and this time i was perscribed lexapro(SSRI) by my doctor, you go throu a few rough weeks but then things seem to even out. You still giet the feeling that you are painting over rust and not really dealing with the underlying issue. I took lexapro 10MG for two years and gradually reduced. I've had two good panic free years since then.
A month ago after a very stressful and busy month the panic was back, full force. I have been seeing a therpist and doing breathing exercises and trying the natural route. After a month of the therapy i feel like im getting worst and so scared of losing my job because im unable to perform as normal.
A doctor recommended 5 HTP to me, I took it for a week so far and have and good days and bad days, I saw another doctor today who wants me to go back on SSRI. I figure i will give the 5 htp another week before trying going back to the SSRI since i knew that worked before.
I see alot of good reviews about 5 HTP but also alot of concerns since it apparently does not have to go though all the approvals that an FDA approved drug does.
To all you other anxiety sufferers out there, you are not alone and if you feel you relatives or the care givers dont understand at least you can know that those of us that have suffered do. All i can see is it does get better, your attitude towards it plays a big part, there is no magic wond and you have to do alot of the work yourself, keep positive thinking an deep breathing if your mind had the power to put you in this state it has the power to pull you back out.
After three times i just wish i could be rid of this curse once and for all, it should be a much more recognised disorder than it is, its the worst thing i have ever had to deal with in my lfe.
God bless you all, keep faith that things will get better!
Alan S
Just FYI, this thread is pretty old, and the person you're addressing doesn't seem to be around anymore. A lot of people dont think to look at the dates, and most times, if an old thread is bumped, it doesn't get too much attention.
Great comments though!!
Great comments though!!
It takes time for 5HTP to do its effect. Several weeks(2-4) may be needed.
It has as an adverse effect to stimulate, but that is only for the first week. You should start at low dose and then increase gradually to the desired one. But after all remember: it might not be good for YOU. It depends on your condition and the needs of your body. Have consulted a doctor prior use?
Good luck!
It has as an adverse effect to stimulate, but that is only for the first week. You should start at low dose and then increase gradually to the desired one. But after all remember: it might not be good for YOU. It depends on your condition and the needs of your body. Have consulted a doctor prior use?
Good luck!
It might make withdrawal worse, though some report it as helpful. 5-HTP is a metabolite of tryptophan, an amino acid. Along with B6 and other co-factors, it's responsible for manufacturing serotonin in the body. An ssni targets both certain serotonin and norepinephrine receptors. Part of withdrawal will be serotonin receptors that the body has determined haven't been needed because of the increased activity of the targeted receptors will begin to wake up, as they will be again needed. This is believed to be part of the withdrawal, particularly brain zaps and some other problems. Taking 5-HTP might, and I emphasize might, increase the efficiency of serotonin production while your body is trying very hard to work normally again and this might actually prolong withdrawal. Some people have had some success using fish oil and St. John's Wort and some other supplements to ease this process, but I'd be careful about HTP.
I'm currently taking SSNI's (specifically venlafaxine) and have been considering coming off them for a while now, however am extremely nervous about the withdrawal symptoms involved as I've experienced these before and they're horrible. I was wondering if 5HTP during the final stages of the weaning off of the SSNI's would help control some of worse withdrawals when the dosage is stopped completely.
I was wondering the same thing before I take it, if that's what it would do b/c thats the one thing I dnt want it to do.. I fear it doing that. I have random panic attacks and fear if I take this, that it will send me back into a panic attack. I have been diagnosed with anxiety disorder & have been put on several medications in the past which alot of them gave me more anxiety like you are describing. I was told to only take it before I go to bed at night, but if I wake up with a racing heart I'll be in the ER before the morning.. Now I'm scared to take it..
i have been taking 5-htp for a week and so far it has done NOTHING but give me MORE anxiety!
I have developed this crazy anxiety attacks in the last week. I've never felt anxiety in such a way ever in the past and is scaring me like hell. I have been feeling like my hearth is not working properly, either beating too hard or too slow so I went to see a doctor and she said my hearth and everything was fine, I was just feeling anxiety (which never crossed my mind) and since the moment she said it I have been feeling it off and on all day everyday. She also gave me some Ativan 5mg which do absolutely nothing for me, my mind just keeps going like crazy thinking and thinking and thinking about this and that, I've even felt Im going crazy. Anyway Im not taking the Ativan, yesterday morning and this morning II had one pill of 5-HTP, I believe is the small dose pill and I feel good, the disturbing thoughts are 95% gone and I'm feeling very well. I did my research about 5-HTP and it seems to be a decent supplement. Im not planing on higher the dosage at all, I'm more looking into finding what the source of my sudden Anxiety is because I'm 23 years old and this is absolutely new to me. I should also point out that Im not taking any other medication or supplement, except Yazmin which is a birth control pill and maybe aspirin once every two months. I have not had any bad feelings about 5-HTP but I just started
I hope this helps someone like me who is new to anxiety. Remember to always do your research before taking any pills.
I hope this helps someone like me who is new to anxiety. Remember to always do your research before taking any pills.
Wala131.....after consulting my doctor and people who practice in natural medicine,i have found that the recommended dose is between 50 to 100mg per day and no more. so im affraid to say it looks like you were overdosing. I personally take 50mg per day in the morning and have been advised to take regular breaks throughout the month, so i take it during the week and have the weekends off. I find that taking 5-HTP takes the edge of the general anxiety and so i feel more comfortable in my own skin. Plus i also take a Calcium, magnesium and vitamin D3 supplement along with Omega 3 and vitamin C. Although the supplements i have only been taking for a couple of weeks or so, the 5-HTp for far longer.
In general....... I think some people can be extremely irresponsible in what they write on this forum, take for example inrenton184, who goes into a scientific scare mongering of 5-HTP & how it can blinking kill you!! 5-HTP compared to the prescribed anti-depressants (in my opinion) carry FAR less side effects and dangers, however it all goes back to properly doing your research from trained professionals who work with these products on a daily basis, you need to know how much to take, how often and just listen to the advice you are being given. These forums can be really good for getting advice but from experience (trust me on this) i now tend to not ask on here and refer my questions and concerns to the people who are trained.
sgately11 - you are a prime example of how someone commenting can defer you from trying something that could potentially make a big difference to how your feeling. I would advise you not to take the above commenters words as a gospal certainty that if you took 5-HTP this would be the outcome for you.... Please be assured that every individual is different and so therefore what is one person poisen is another persons miracle. There are millions of people who can take SSRI's successfully and live happy lives but in the same breath there are just as many who have horrendous horror stories.... saddly however you only seem to hear the stories with unsuccessful outcomes in this world, it is human nature. so i really think that before you right it off as a no go, go your local health food centre and talk to trained staff about the product, have a chat with your GP/PC doc and someone who is a doctor of natural medicine before you make a decision.
In general....... I think some people can be extremely irresponsible in what they write on this forum, take for example inrenton184, who goes into a scientific scare mongering of 5-HTP & how it can blinking kill you!! 5-HTP compared to the prescribed anti-depressants (in my opinion) carry FAR less side effects and dangers, however it all goes back to properly doing your research from trained professionals who work with these products on a daily basis, you need to know how much to take, how often and just listen to the advice you are being given. These forums can be really good for getting advice but from experience (trust me on this) i now tend to not ask on here and refer my questions and concerns to the people who are trained.
sgately11 - you are a prime example of how someone commenting can defer you from trying something that could potentially make a big difference to how your feeling. I would advise you not to take the above commenters words as a gospal certainty that if you took 5-HTP this would be the outcome for you.... Please be assured that every individual is different and so therefore what is one person poisen is another persons miracle. There are millions of people who can take SSRI's successfully and live happy lives but in the same breath there are just as many who have horrendous horror stories.... saddly however you only seem to hear the stories with unsuccessful outcomes in this world, it is human nature. so i really think that before you right it off as a no go, go your local health food centre and talk to trained staff about the product, have a chat with your GP/PC doc and someone who is a doctor of natural medicine before you make a decision.
Ha Ha. Wala131 you just killed 5-HTP for every health anxious person reading this. I am glad of your honest feedback because I had been considering it, but typically dont like to take anything new or not proved.
Since my last comment pointing out Life Extension's refuting inrenton184's post (Dr. Harris and the risks of using 5-HTP), I have had the following happen to me:
After using up to 300mg/day 5-HTP for the last 3 weeks or so, some capsules containing B6 and some not, I started losing partial vision in my right eye. An opthamologist diagnosed hemorrhages in the retina which seemed to get somewhat better when I started taking low dose aspirin and simvostatin, but which virtually disappeared starting the morning after discontinuing 5-HTP. Could this have to do with "abnormal platelet aggregation" described in inrenton184's post? I will put this hypothesis to a doctor who I am seeing for a second opinion next week.
After using up to 300mg/day 5-HTP for the last 3 weeks or so, some capsules containing B6 and some not, I started losing partial vision in my right eye. An opthamologist diagnosed hemorrhages in the retina which seemed to get somewhat better when I started taking low dose aspirin and simvostatin, but which virtually disappeared starting the morning after discontinuing 5-HTP. Could this have to do with "abnormal platelet aggregation" described in inrenton184's post? I will put this hypothesis to a doctor who I am seeing for a second opinion next week.
The so-called scientific analysis of 5-HTP does not sound so scientific to me. Tryptophan has a hard time crossing the blood brain barrier, but 5-HTP does cross. The reason isn't that tryptophan can't cross, obviously it does or nobody would have any serotonin in their bodies, given that it's made from tryptophan. The problem is that most serotonin in the body isn't in the brain, it's in the blood vessels and digestive system, and the body will direct the tryptophan where it's most needed. Second, without B6, 5-HTP can't convert to serotonin -- B6 is an essential cofactor. Too much B6 can cause problems, however, as it can cause a neuropathy in some people, but if you have too little you can't make serotonin no matter how much tryptophan you have. But for most people, excess B6 doesn't store in the body, it just washes out in the urine. The body will only use as much as it needs. Third, there is no evidence whatsoever that anyone has more or less serotonin in their brains than anyone else. What makes ssris work isn't creating more serotonin, it's using it longer in some synapses while not using it at all in others. 5-HTP allows for more efficient production of serotonin, but it won't cause serotonin syndrome because again, the body will only make as much as it needs. It generally causes serotonin overload only in people who are also taking an ssri or other med that increases the effects of serotonin, but even then, it's mostly theoretical, as reporting of such cases is rare. Serotonin syndrome itself is quite rare. I also have no idea where the information comes from that Europeans are vitamin deficient; if anything, they are less deficient than Americans because they eat more vegetables and fruits and are generally healthier. Now, I can't guarantee I'm right here, or that the above post is wrong -- who could? -- but it sounds quite inconsistent with what we know of these things, which unfortunately is a lot less than we would like given the lack of actual real world studies double blinded and using a sufficient number of people for a sufficient amount of time.
just from personal experience i didnt like it, it made my heart race and seemed to give me more anxiety, this may have been a psychological response but it wasnt for me. everyone is different, go see a natruopath i highly recommend it :)
Life Extension refutes all your points regarding the dangers of 5-HTP. Here is the link:
http://www.life-enhancement.com/article_template.asp?ID=46
http://www.life-enhancement.com/article_template.asp?ID=46
A Word of Caution About
5-Hydroxytryptophan or 5-HTP
Taken from the Life Extension Foundation newsletter
The reasons for the potential risks of 5-HT were brought to our attention by Steven B Harris, M.D. He explained that: 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HT) is one step closer to serotonin than tryptophan. The sequence is as follows.
Tryptophan > 5-Hydroxytryptophan > SerotoninBased on the above metabolic sequence it would appear desirable to use 5-HT instead of tryptophan since 5-HT more readily converts to serotonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is often deficient in the brains of depressed people. Boosting serotonin can alleviate depression in some people and reduce carbohydrate cravings in others, thus inducing weight loss.
Here's why 5-HT will not work for most Americans, and could be lethal to some people: The blood-brain barrier does not allow significant absorption of serotonin from the blood. The brain does have a large neutral amino acid pump that freely allows tryptophan and 5-HT into the brain for conversion into serotonin. The process by which 5-H is converted into serotonin is called decarboxylation. If decarboxylation occurs before 5-HT is absorbed by the brain, than blood levels of serotonin will elevate significantly, but very little serotonin will enter the brain.
When Europeans take 5-HT, they are often prescribed the dopa decarboxylase inhibitor carbidopa that prevents 5-HT from being converted into serotonin until it reaches the brain. Americans do not take carbidopa with 5-HT and the result is possible serotonin overload in the blood, with virtually no serotonin reaching the brain. We will describe later the dangers of overloading the blood with serotonin. Americans taking 5-HT are more vulnerable to blood serotonin overload because, unlike most Europeans who are vitamin deficient, Americans who use 5-HT usually take large doses of vitamin B6 as well. Vitamin B6 rapidly converts 5-HT into serotonin before it can reach the brain. Even when combined with carbidopa, high levels of vitamin B6 will break through the carbidopa barrier and insure that 5-HT converts into serotonin in the blood before the it can reach the brain.
The multiple health benefits of vitamin B6 are too important, we believe, to recommend that people avoid taking vitamin B6 just to enable them to try using 5-HT to boost brain serotonin levels. This may be difficult anyway without also taking carbidopa, which is available in the US only as a prescription drug. At the very best, those who take vitamin B6 with 5-HT are probably wasting their money. Unfortunately, high serotonin in the blood in not benign. Anyone suffering from heart disease should avoid 5-HT because the elevation in blood serotonin could cause coronary artery spasm an/or abnormal platelet aggregation, which are risk factors for sudden death heart attack.
Here is the real frightening aspect of serotonin overload, as described by Dr. Harris: "Serotonin causes not only harmless flushing and diarrhea, but people with serotonin secreting tumors (hindgut carcinoids) also have problems with fibrosis of the endocardium and valves of their right hearts with can cause heart failure. The effect can also be seen with dietary intake of only modest amounts of serotonin, and there has actually been described in the medical literature, a tribe of South Sea islanders with right heart fibrosis as a result of eating green banana mush, which poisons them with its serotonin content" Dr. Harris goes on to state that people who ingest several hundred milligrams a day of 5-HT with B6 and without a decarboxylase inhibitor would expect to see urinary excretion of a serotonin metabolite in the same range as a person with a serotonin secreting tumor.
Based upon Dr. Harris' report the Foundation had its analysts conduct an extensive review of the medical literature and have come to the following preliminary conclusions:
1) For 5-HT to boost serotonin levels in the brain it is necessary to: a)Take 50 mg of carbidopa before each 5-HT dose. Carbidopa is a prescription drug. b)Limit vitamin B6 supplementation to a small dose taken at least six hours before or after 5-HT carbidopa dosing. c) Have a urinary test to measure a metabolite of serotonin called 5-hydroxy indoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) on a regular basis. As long as 5-HIAA levels are normal, than 5-HT intake would be safe.
2) Those with existing cardiovascular disease, including atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, cardiomyopathy, valvular disease or pulmonary hypertension may want to avoid 5-HT completely. One Foundation analyst felt that 81 mg a day of aspirin and 500 mg a day of magnesium would reduce the risk of 5-HT inducing a heart attack.
3)The effects of 5-HT by itself elevating blood serotonin levels are extremely individualistic. Some people may not experience any blood serotonin increase, while others could suffer from a lethal serotonin peripheral overload.
4) Despite the potential dangers of 5-HT, most FDA-approved drugs to treat depression and obesity appear to be more toxic.
5-Hydroxytryptophan or 5-HTP
Taken from the Life Extension Foundation newsletter
The reasons for the potential risks of 5-HT were brought to our attention by Steven B Harris, M.D. He explained that: 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HT) is one step closer to serotonin than tryptophan. The sequence is as follows.
Tryptophan > 5-Hydroxytryptophan > SerotoninBased on the above metabolic sequence it would appear desirable to use 5-HT instead of tryptophan since 5-HT more readily converts to serotonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is often deficient in the brains of depressed people. Boosting serotonin can alleviate depression in some people and reduce carbohydrate cravings in others, thus inducing weight loss.
Here's why 5-HT will not work for most Americans, and could be lethal to some people: The blood-brain barrier does not allow significant absorption of serotonin from the blood. The brain does have a large neutral amino acid pump that freely allows tryptophan and 5-HT into the brain for conversion into serotonin. The process by which 5-H is converted into serotonin is called decarboxylation. If decarboxylation occurs before 5-HT is absorbed by the brain, than blood levels of serotonin will elevate significantly, but very little serotonin will enter the brain.
When Europeans take 5-HT, they are often prescribed the dopa decarboxylase inhibitor carbidopa that prevents 5-HT from being converted into serotonin until it reaches the brain. Americans do not take carbidopa with 5-HT and the result is possible serotonin overload in the blood, with virtually no serotonin reaching the brain. We will describe later the dangers of overloading the blood with serotonin. Americans taking 5-HT are more vulnerable to blood serotonin overload because, unlike most Europeans who are vitamin deficient, Americans who use 5-HT usually take large doses of vitamin B6 as well. Vitamin B6 rapidly converts 5-HT into serotonin before it can reach the brain. Even when combined with carbidopa, high levels of vitamin B6 will break through the carbidopa barrier and insure that 5-HT converts into serotonin in the blood before the it can reach the brain.
The multiple health benefits of vitamin B6 are too important, we believe, to recommend that people avoid taking vitamin B6 just to enable them to try using 5-HT to boost brain serotonin levels. This may be difficult anyway without also taking carbidopa, which is available in the US only as a prescription drug. At the very best, those who take vitamin B6 with 5-HT are probably wasting their money. Unfortunately, high serotonin in the blood in not benign. Anyone suffering from heart disease should avoid 5-HT because the elevation in blood serotonin could cause coronary artery spasm an/or abnormal platelet aggregation, which are risk factors for sudden death heart attack.
Here is the real frightening aspect of serotonin overload, as described by Dr. Harris: "Serotonin causes not only harmless flushing and diarrhea, but people with serotonin secreting tumors (hindgut carcinoids) also have problems with fibrosis of the endocardium and valves of their right hearts with can cause heart failure. The effect can also be seen with dietary intake of only modest amounts of serotonin, and there has actually been described in the medical literature, a tribe of South Sea islanders with right heart fibrosis as a result of eating green banana mush, which poisons them with its serotonin content" Dr. Harris goes on to state that people who ingest several hundred milligrams a day of 5-HT with B6 and without a decarboxylase inhibitor would expect to see urinary excretion of a serotonin metabolite in the same range as a person with a serotonin secreting tumor.
Based upon Dr. Harris' report the Foundation had its analysts conduct an extensive review of the medical literature and have come to the following preliminary conclusions:
1) For 5-HT to boost serotonin levels in the brain it is necessary to: a)Take 50 mg of carbidopa before each 5-HT dose. Carbidopa is a prescription drug. b)Limit vitamin B6 supplementation to a small dose taken at least six hours before or after 5-HT carbidopa dosing. c) Have a urinary test to measure a metabolite of serotonin called 5-hydroxy indoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) on a regular basis. As long as 5-HIAA levels are normal, than 5-HT intake would be safe.
2) Those with existing cardiovascular disease, including atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, cardiomyopathy, valvular disease or pulmonary hypertension may want to avoid 5-HT completely. One Foundation analyst felt that 81 mg a day of aspirin and 500 mg a day of magnesium would reduce the risk of 5-HT inducing a heart attack.
3)The effects of 5-HT by itself elevating blood serotonin levels are extremely individualistic. Some people may not experience any blood serotonin increase, while others could suffer from a lethal serotonin peripheral overload.
4) Despite the potential dangers of 5-HT, most FDA-approved drugs to treat depression and obesity appear to be more toxic.
My personal experience with 5htp is much better than any of the medication that i have taken......i would suggest you to give it a go......you ll se a difference within an hour of taking it....
but even though i am taking it..... i still dont feel normal or happy.....which means i might have problem with other neurotransmitters....so i am thnking of taking wellbutrin with 5htp....i have heard that it is safe combination if you take it 2 hrs apart......
i wish you best of luck with it.....and would definitl recommend you to take it....
but even though i am taking it..... i still dont feel normal or happy.....which means i might have problem with other neurotransmitters....so i am thnking of taking wellbutrin with 5htp....i have heard that it is safe combination if you take it 2 hrs apart......
i wish you best of luck with it.....and would definitl recommend you to take it....
I have been going to a Naturopathic physician (has the pre-med schooling that the MDs have + the Naturopathic 4 yr college work) and she has me on 250 mg of 5-HTP and other supplements for the many issues that I've been having with menopause. I've weaned off of Prozac with NO problems after having been on it for 9 years (a very small dose of 5mg). The only recommendation my Naturopath had was to go up on my 5-HTP by 50 mg.. hence the 250mg dose that I currently take. She had my brain chemistry tested to find out that I was low on serotonin; too high in norepinephrine (caused a lot of anxiety) and I was too high in GABA (but I was taking GABA to help me sleep). I stopped the GABA. She has me on L-Theanine (active ingredient in Green Tea) to counteract the too high norepinephrine... it helps tremendously with anxiety! My naturopath is: Dr. Renee Young located in Los Gatos, Calif. and I believe the company that provides testing of neurotransmitters is: www.neurorelief.com - Hope this helps!
5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan or 5-hydroxy-l-tryptophan, also abbreviated as 5HTP or 5 HTP) is a natural supplement that converts in the brain into serotonin. Serotonin is an important brain chemical involved in mood, behavior, appetite, and sleep. Serotonin is also involved in impulse control. For instance, low serotonin levels may lead to addictive behavior such as gambling or other habits caused by weak will power. Serotonin is known as 5-HT, or 5-hydroxytryptamine, and is found in many places in the body particularly the brain, gastrointestinal system, and blood cells. On this web page I will discuss the proper use of 5-HTP along with mentioning 5 HTP side effects and information on the use of 5-HTP for depression, or anyxiety in your case.. therefor in my conclusion i dont think it would be a bad idea and i also DONT feel it would do any harm ''ALONE'' however because it is basically serotonin and your lexapro is increasing extracellular level of the neurotransmitter serotonin by inhibiting its reuptake into the presynaptic cell, increasing the level of serotonin available to bind to the postsynaptic receptor so im not sure if it would have a ''ADVERSE'' effect to the lexapro sense your pumping more into as well as upping with the lexapro my only worry would be something very severe which is serotonin syndrome. I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND DOING THIS WITHOUT SPEAK TO ATLEAST YOUR MD.. good luck if you have any question feel free to contact me.
Shawn (Student Of Psychotherapy) DCC
Shawn (Student Of Psychotherapy) DCC
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