Does 5-HTP really work?

[Alidora]

Hi all,

My naturopath suggested that I try 5-Hydroxytryptophan. I suffer from mild insomnia, mild depression, anxiety disorder (panick attacks), generalized muscle pain and extreme fatigue.

Could 5-HTP be the answer to some (or even all?) of my problems, without having to turn to conventional anti-depressants like Remeron or Effexor? I have an appointment with a psychiatrist on August 10, and I would prefer not having to take strong meds...

Thanks,

Alidora

[ERROR_ASMR]

COMING OFF THIS IS NO JOKE. IM TAPERING BENZOS AND EVERYONE SAID TO USE 5 HTP...iVE MISTAKENLY TAKEN IT FOR 3 MONTHS, NOW WEENING OFF IT, TONS OF FEAR THOUGHTS...THIS IS AWFUL, I WISH I NEVER TOOK THIS STUFF, it most literally making my liver fail to come off of

[Paxiled]

How do you know your liver is failing?  Get any testing at your doctor that showed elevated liver enzymes that would show liver problems?  I'm guessing not.  You say you're tapering off benzos -- who told you to try HTP when you were tapering off a drug?  It's not recommended to do that, as playing around with your neurotransmitters while trying to avoid withdrawal from playing around with your neurotransmitters isn't a great idea.  I'm sorry you're having problems, but if you're still tapering off the benzo, how do you know the problem isn't from benzo withdrawal?  Or from both?  My own view is that when you want to stop taking a medication, get through that as slowly as you need to before you start something else so you know what's causing what and can make a plan to deal with it.  I know psychiatrists don't believe in this -- they believe in starting up the new drug as you taper off the old one, but to me, that would make it a lot harder to tell what is causing a problem if one arises.  I believe my view is not the view of most practitioners, and I'm sure they would look at HTP and say since it affects different neurotransmitters than the benzo does, this is just my opinion.  So I have to say, tapering off a benzo can cause severe anxiety especially if done too quickly for the particular person, and HTP, like any other thing you take that affects brain neurotransmitters, can have adverse effects.  Usually, though, quitting the things our brain contains naturally is easier than quitting the things that alter the way our brains work naturally.  Just so you know, if your brain does not perceive the HTP as being necessary, it will just break it down and evacuate it.  If it does see a use for it, it will take it up, and you can become used to it and cause problems if you stop it.  It isn't common with natural substances -- and while HTP is natural in that you have it in your brain naturally, it isn't found in isolated form in nature, it is found as part of protein in the form of tryptophan which the body then turns into serotonin or isolated from a plant that contains the metabolite of tryptophan called HTP.  Because tryptophan does not pass the blood brain barrier for many people taking it as a supplement, HTP has become more useful, as it does usually pass, but it does have to be treated with respect.  But I'm still seeing what you're writing here and you're reporting what happens to so many when they go into benzo withdrawal that it's impossible to know which is which.  I hope it eases over time, but at some point you will have to make a judgment as to which substance is causing the main of the problem.  Next time, quit the drug completely and successfully before experimenting with natural remedies.  Peace.  

[Paxiled]

Sorry, should have said before experimenting with natural remedies that directly target brain neurotransmitters in any more than a very mild way.  You took HTP because it's the closest thing to an ssri in nature, and that's not the most mild thing in the world.

[chrispondy]

I would definitely say it's worth a try, and especially as 5-HTP is popularly seen as a more generic and cheaper alternative to anti-depressants. It's not for everyone though and takes times to work. I have a couple of friends who swear by it, but they take the patches rather than the tablets because apparently they are slow-release which is better at keeping the serotonin levels balanced.

[Paxiled]

No, 5htp has to be taken regularly, and takes time to work.  

[somemonkey]

I've never heard of it. Can it be used as needed? For an attack?

[Alidora]

My norepinephrine (24-hour urine test) was 686 (should be below 440). My doctor had me do a plasma norepinephrine test last week; will get result next week.

My BP is always low. On Friday it was 108/69 (apparently normal for a skinny girl). My pulse was 65. It sometimes goes to 85, but I'm usually around 73.

My blood glucose is also acting up (early June, it went to 23--max on an empty stomach is 6.0--and I'm not diabetic). I think my adrenals are playing a number on my other glands. I need more testing.

I feel like **** indeed (and I also have Lyme disease, but that's a whole different story!).

Thanks for your feedbacks!

[anonymous680]

Oh, and if your adrenal glands produce way too much adrenaline, you are not likely to have more energy. Since your body is basically stuck in fight or flight mode, it would most likely be exhausting. Most likely you will have elevated pulse and/or blood pressure, severe anxiety, and overall just feel like ****.

[anonymous680]

"What I don’t understand is how I can be in a constant state of exhaustion when a recent 24-hour urine test revealed that my norepinephrine levels were very high."

They weren't elevated 3x normal, were they? Honest question.

[Paxiled]

Try lowering the melatonin dosage to 1mg and see what happens.  Studies show it actually works better at lower dosages.  As for dosing 5htp, like most herbal remedies (the 5htp is extracted from a plant called griffonia), you usually take it more than once a day, but you're right, you should discuss that with your naturopath.  And when you have high adrenaline or any other body part works overtime, it wears you out and makes you tired.  Same with the thyroid.  Same with anything.  That's why I recommend you discuss adaptogens and holy basil with your naturopath.

[Alidora]

Hensley, I would say the depression is very mild, if we can even call it that. Anxiety is my big problem. That and extreme fatigue/weakness.

What I don’t understand is how I can be in a constant state of exhaustion when a recent 24-hour urine test revealed that my norepinephrine levels were very high. I mean, if my adrenal glands produce too much noradrenaline, shouldn’t I feel like I have more energy?

I’m glad to hear Klonopin doesn’t interact with most meds and supplements. I could not live without them at the moment. I’ve been taking 1 mg a couple hours before bedtime (otherwise I can’t sleep) and I feel their calming effect throughout the next day (clonazepam has a very long half-life—18-50 hours—, so I do better on it than on Xanax, which always made me need more and more).

I wonder if I should take the 5-HTP at bedtime, along with my melatonin (2 mg), or during the day. I guess that’s a question for my naturopath.

Thank you all for your input,

Alidora

[Paxiled]

5htp is fine to take with klonopin.  Benzos act on GABA receptors, while 5htp is the metabolite of tryptophan that manufactures serotonin in the body.  So yes, you can take both.  You might have a problem, however, if you tried relaxant herbs such as kava or passionflower or valerian, as they also act on GABA receptors, as does the amino acid taurine.  By itself, I don't know if 5htp will help or not.  Usually natural remedies are taken in combination, not singly, but it's certainly worth a try.  For a good review of what's available naturally, pick up a book called Natural Highs by Hyla Cass, a psychiatrist at UCLA.  She'll help you with proper dosing as well.  Now, theoretically, your naturopath should know all this, too -- it's unusual for them to just recommend one remedy.  Ask about adaptogens for handling stress as well, such as ashwagandha and eleuthero, and homeopathic remedies, which don't interact with anything.  There's a lot of stuff out there.  I also assume you're taking the klonopin before bedtime to help you sleep.  I personally feel benzos are best taken when you most need them, which is when you're awake and anxious.  Sleep remedies are better taken for sleep.  So also ask your naturopath about melatonin or Calm's Forte or something like it, and talk to your psychiatrist about switching your klonopin to daytime.  By the way, klonopin is usually taken twice a day for long-term use.  Also ask your naturopath about St. John's Wort, which is also good for depression.  5htp, if it works, should help both anxiety and depression.  There's a lot of stuff out there.

[Hensley258]

If your depression and anxiety are mild, then I would give it a try before going the medication route.

Sometimes Natural stuff like that can work if the depression is only mild.
I do know that it almost never works for people with severe chronic depression.

About the benzo your taking, as I recall a doctor one told me that benzos like Xanax and Klonopin almost never adversly interact with other meds and suppliments. Regardless I would double check with your doctor.

One can even take Benzos with MAOI and still be safe. (as you know there is little you can mix with an MAOI)

[cnote]

You never know! It could work for you, and may not work for someone else.

One thing I do know, is that you should never take a natural remedy while taking a prescription like clonazepam, b/c they can react sometimes.

Ask your Dr. if there is a possible reaction between the 2. If not, then you are good to go.

But I will tell you one thing, your Dr. will probably tell you that you are wasting your money on the 5HTP and its not clinically proven to work.

But ya know what... 5HTP doesnt cut him a check now do they? lol.

Good luck with everything!

[Alidora]

I forgot to mention: I take 1 mg clonazepam at bedtime. Does it interact with 5-HTP? I didn't find anything on Drugs.com.