Too Much?

[lonesome_journey]

I have been taking 150 mg of 5-HTP 50 mg 3 times a day and 1 B-Complex vitamin at lunch. I feel that I may need to take 50 more mg a day bringing me up to 200 mg a day 50 mg every 3 hours.

Is this dangerous? Are there any side effects? I have been able to find any if there are?

Thanks

[Slate]

Hey I just got some 5-htp and on my natures way bottle it suggests to start at 50 mg and work your way up to 200 mg. So I would say 200 mg is just fine. Natures way seems to be the number 1 recomended brand on these forums so I'd trust there dosage advice.

[lonesome_journey]

My brand is NSI.

Thanks

[lonesome_journey]

I am now up to 250 mg 3 times a day. I can tell instantly when the 5-HTP begins to wear off. I begin to feel irritable, sad, hopeless, loss of concentration and focus, etc.... I have been taking this for about two months now. I think I have had these symptoms since my late teens continuing until now, which is approximately 20 years.

I believe I have SAD, depression, PTSD, and anxiety.

Does anyone else have this type of experience?

[Bach]

Do you suspect you might have symptoms of a learning disorder with your depression/anxiety? Do you have social anxiety? I had the same symptoms as you described and I found this article:

http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2006/feb2006_ch_01.htm

Since I've been supplementing DHEA and 7-Keto my focus/attention and anxiety problems have vanished. Before when I used 5-HTP it would take care of the depression, but the focus and anxiety problems would still be there. Many people with depression and anxiety also have hormonal problems relating to the stress hormone DHEA, which is produced by the adrenal glands. When cortisol levels are high DHEA levels are low and if you've been constantly stressed your DHEA levels are probably too low.

[lonesome_journey]

I do have social anxiety. I am under constant stress. I will have to look into this further.


Do you suspect you might have symptoms of a learning disorder with your depression/anxiety? Do you have social anxiety? I had the same symptoms as you described and I found this article:

http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2006/feb2006_ch_01.htm

Since I've been supplementing DHEA and 7-Keto my focus/attention and anxiety problems have vanished. Before when I used 5-HTP it would take care of the depression, but the focus and anxiety problems would still be there. Many people with depression and anxiety also have hormonal problems relating to the stress hormone DHEA, which is produced by the adrenal glands. When cortisol levels are high DHEA levels are low and if you've been constantly stressed your DHEA levels are probably too low.

[Bach]

I do have social anxiety. I am under constant stress. I will have to look into this further.

I suspected you did after taking in consideration your symptoms and when they occurred. It's believed that in 95% of all social anxiety cases there is a preexisting learning disorder.

Read the article and take in consideration the treatment plan outlined. I would say that DHEA and Pregnenolone are the 2 best hormone supplements that have helped me. I've also been taking 5-HTP (NOW brand) which works great for the depression (left untreated the learning disorder and social anxiety eventually leads to major depression - I've had these problems for almost 30 years now and mine started 13).

Btw, you'll know right away if this is your problem, because when you start taking DHEA (Country Life (25 mg) is a good brand) and Pregnenolone (Source Naturals sublingual) you'll immediately feel much different. It's like your brain has been starved of it and is now finally getting what it needs. But in the beginning it can come on quite strong, so take that into consideration. Expect a huge shift in the perception of your reality, which is a welcome change I presume.

[lonesome_journey]

I have had SAD for as long as I can remember but did not know what it was at the time. The number of years is about the same as you state.

The article mentions a man's situation, is this for women as well.

Thanks.

I have never been considered to have a learning disorder by anyone.



I suspected you did after taking in consideration your symptoms and when they occurred. It's believed that in 95% of all social anxiety cases there is a preexisting learning disorder.

Read the article and take in consideration the treatment plan outlined. I would say that DHEA and Pregnenolone are the 2 best hormone supplements that have helped me. I've also been taking 5-HTP (NOW brand) which works great for the depression (left untreated the learning disorder and social anxiety eventually leads to major depression - I've had these problems for almost 30 years now and mine started 13).

Btw, you'll know right away if this is your problem, because when you start taking DHEA (Country Life (25 mg) is a good brand) and Pregnenolone (Source Naturals sublingual) you'll immediately feel much different. It's like your brain has been starved of it and is now finally getting what it needs. But in the beginning it can come on quite strong, so take that into consideration. Expect a huge shift in the perception of your reality, which is a welcome change I presume.

[Bach]

In the article there is mention of devising a similar plan for this man's girlfriend. I would suspect it's similar, but perhaps the level of DHEA would be cut. DHEA in women can cause side effects from getting too much testosterone. The Pregnenolone, although a precursor to DHEA, will not increase testosterone or estrogen. And the same for 7-Keto, which is a metabolite of DHEA.

At the very least I'd give Pregnenolone a try. It is wonderful for improving memory and I think it's the best thing I've ever taken for my social anxiety disorder. The culprit in most anxiety disorders is adrenal gland function, which helps regulate the sympathetic nervous system. The 2 main stress hormones the adrenals release are cortisol, which prepares you for the catabolic (breaks you down) response of "fight/flight" and DHEA, which is anabolic (builds you up and strengthens you). When cortisol is high, DHEA is low. Pregnenolone is the master hormone and is the building block of all the adrenal hormones. It will essentially balance out your adrenal function.

Take sublingual pregnenolone - Source Naturals has cherry flavored sublinguals in 25mg tablets. I'm taking 100mg in the morning. Price is cheap at about $10 for 120 tablets. I order from iHerb.

There are really no side effects, btw, and pregnenolone is very safe.

[lonesome_journey]

I do have a history of cancer. Do you know if this will cause cancer to form? That is my concern.

[Bach]

Good question.

Caution

Based on animal research, those with epilepsy or a predisposition to brain seizures should not supplement with pregnenolone. Pregnenolone may affect hormone levels. Those with hormonal cancers such as prostate or breast cancer should avoid pregnenolone. Because pregnenolone may elevate DHEA serum levels, please follow DHEA precautions.*

[lonesome_journey]

Good question.

Caution

Based on animal research, those with epilepsy or a predisposition to brain seizures should not supplement with pregnenolone. Pregnenolone may affect hormone levels. Those with hormonal cancers such as prostate or breast cancer should avoid pregnenolone. Because pregnenolone may elevate DHEA serum levels, please follow DHEA precautions.*


Is there an alternative to this?