Topic Title: Whats better? 5-HTP or SJW?
| |  "Whats better? 5-HTP or SJW?"
, Mon 14 Jan 13:22
Hello! I was wondering if someone could tell me if 5-HTP is better or taking SJW is better? I struggle with eating and anxiety and I think mild depression. From what I have read it sounds like taking 5-HTP is better. Any suggestions?
Also.. I see that some of you combine SJW and 5-HTP, but I have read NOT to combine an anti depressant with an anti depressant.. whats up?
Can I do this? 
Posts: 2 | | Registered: Mon 14 Jan 2002 13:12 |
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| | "Re(1):Whats better? 5-HTP or SJW?" , Tue 12 Feb 07:22
The important thing to know about SJW and 5-HTP is that they are chemically different. 5-HTP puts Serotonin back in your brain, exactly like Prozac or Zoloft. Whereas, SJW acts not just on serotonin, but the chemical Norepinephrine and possibly Dopamine (traces of this chemical were found in lab rats.) Personally my body was able to tolerate Prozac and Zoloft for years, but after a week of taking SJW (600 mg. a day) I was a basket case: anxiety, irritability, a feel of being overwhelmed, etc.
There is a ton of research about sjw, much more than back in the mid nineties when they still thought SJW was a MAO Inhibitor. I suggest anyone reading these posts do research on both SJW and presciptions antidepressants. The odd paradox about antidepessants (both herbal and prescriptive) is that taking the wrong one, the wrong amount will make your symptoms far worse than they were to begin with.
Posts: 0 | | Registered: Tue 12 Feb 2002 7:21 |
| | | "Re(2):Whats better? 5-HTP or SJW?" , Sat 16 Mar 11:17
Greetings> I just saw an old post on the St. Johns wort board, uncer 5-HTP section.
So, you too were on Zoloft and Prozac?
I just came off Zoloft, after being on it for over a year. It has works wonders for my depression and anxiety, associated with chemical imbalances, due to hypoglycemia, exhausted adrenal glands and menopause. But, like many other, I've gained weight on Zoloft, about 30 lbs. which was put on with no change in diet or exercise. In fact, I've always been ideal weight wise, and have always eaten a healthy low carb, low fat diet and exercise every day. But, I've been on Nature's Way 5-HTP for 5 days now, starting out on 50mg. a day. Just last night I upped it to 100mg. I've noticed though since coming off Zoloft and starting recently on 5-HTP, my anxiety and depression has been alittle worse, along with mild nausia. Is this too soon to evaluate symptoms? Will it take a few weeks on 5-HPT, like starting on Zoloft, for it to build up serotonin levels?
Did you gain weight on Zoloft? How long have you been on 5-HTP for now?
Appreciate your time in this matter and hope you can reply with ansers to my questions.
Thank you so much.
Pauline [email protected]
Pauline
Posts: 61 | | Registered: Wednesday 14 Mar 2001 10:59 |
| | |  "Re(2):Whats better? 5-HTP or SJW?"
, Tue 12 Feb 14:00
I would like to know where you did your research? Because all of the info. I have read says that sjw is more like a ssri (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) (prozac, zoloft, paxil). SJW prevents serotonin from being broken down, 5htp increases serotonin in the brain.
MJ DuPont
http://events.diabetes.org/memberpages/peshka
Posts: 235 | | Registered: Wed 20 Jun 2001 6:19 |
| | | "Re(3):Whats better? 5-HTP or SJW?" , Sun 11 Apr 20:49
I'm almost positive that SJW is considered an MAOI, something not to be taken with any SSRI. I started taking Lexapro (an SSRI) right after stopping SJW, and got unbearable small intestinal pains... I read up a little on it, and that's exactly what happends when you take an SSRI within two weeks of taking an MAOI, even one as weak as Saint John's Wort.
Posts: 1 | | Registered: Sun 11 Apr 2004 20:35 |
| | "Re(1):Whats better? 5-HTP or SJW?" , Mon 14 Jan 16:12
I think it depends on the person. No 2 people are alike therefore what works for one person may not work for another. For me 5htp has been a lifesaver.
5htp increases the serotonin in the brain and sjw keeps it there longer.
MJ DuPont
http://events.diabetes.org/memberpages/peshka
Posts: 192 | | Registered: Wed 20 Jun 2001 6:19 |
| | | "Re(2):Whats better? 5-HTP or SJW?" , Sun 24 Feb 19:53
Greetings MJ Dupont.
How long were you on prescribed anti-depressant? Which one were you on and dosage? I've been on Zoloft, 25mg. a day for just over a year and feel just great on it for treating both depression and anxiety. I've tried St. Johns wort in the past, but it didn't work as well and caused great stomach upset. So, I went back to Zoloft, but with all my research, as I have experienced myself, as well as many others, there is weight gain associated with Zoloft, Paxil, etc. I also just want to try a more natural approach, so have been weaning off Zoloft slowly, now on my 4th week, and down to 12 mg. a day and already feeling more depression and some minor insomnia. Is the 5-HTP working JUST AS WELL for you as did the Prozac? How many milligrams of 5-HTP are you on a day? Did you gain weight on Prozac?
Thanks so much for you time in this matter.
Pauline
Posts: 56 | | Registered: Wednesday 14 Mar 2001 10:59 |
| | | "Re(2):Whats better? 5-HTP or SJW?" , Mon 14 Jan 16:55
DuPont-
Thanks! I went out and bought some Kava Kava, and I am hoping that will ease the anxiety. Is it wise to mix Kava Kava with 5-HTP? The 5-HTP sounds better to me because I have read it helps calm food cravings, and I am a compulsive overeater as well.
Thanks for the help!
Posts: 3 | | Registered: Mon 14 Jan 2002 13:12 |
| | | "Re(3):Whats better? 5-HTP or SJW?" , Tue 5 Mar 13:24
Hi there,
The 5-HTP is definitely helping me with my carbo binging - feel less of that terrible hunger. I take 50mg with a meal.
Cheers
Sue
Posts: 14 | | Registered: Sat 23 Feb 2002 5:23 |
| | |  "Re(3):Whats better? 5-HTP or SJW?"
, Mon 14 Jan 18:19
I often use Kava Kava as well for anxiety.
It is one thing to calm food cravings IF you are listening to your body signals. It is much harder to control the compulsion to eat when it is emotional. I have been battling this for some time. I'm sure like me you have cues to over eat, such as stress, lonliness, comfort, boredom... there are many reasons we over eat. What I am trying to do in my own life is to recognize those cues and change the habit of eating to something else.
MJ DuPont
http://events.diabetes.org/memberpages/peshka
Posts: 193 | | Registered: Wed 20 Jun 2001 6:19 |
| | | "Re(4):Whats better? 5-HTP or SJW?" , Mon 14 Jan 19:18
Thanks! I too am trying to turn my life around and not let all these terrible things ruin it. It is soo hard though!
Posts: 5 | | Registered: Mon 14 Jan 2002 13:12 |
| | | "Re(5):Whats better? 5-HTP or SJW?" , Sun 11 Apr 20:44
I tried a combo of 5-htp and SJW for quite some time and it hadnt made any difference. I stopped for a while, but then went back on a much higher dosage of 5-HTP. I heard of a doctor perscribing someone 800mg twice a day. That seemed a little much, and costly...but I tried it and I feel better than I have in YEARS. I'm 17, and I don't think I've felt this happy since I was like 12. However, I havent been in the game of life as long as most of you here...but if you want to get rid of your depression without any side effects besides decreased appetite, increased sex drive, (and so on) I'd go for it. Maybe 700 or 600mg twice a day though... I also take L-Tyrosine which makes dopamine and norepinephrine. Once i take it for a while and get my levels up, I'm gonna try SJW again to keep them up. Just a suggestion.
Posts: 0 | | Registered: Sun 11 Apr 2004 20:35 |
| | | "Re(6):Whats better? 5-HTP or SJW?" , Mon 12 Apr 13:52
I have to agree with you high doses of 5htp work GREAT!
MJ DuPont
Posts: 632 | | Registered: Wed 20 Jun 2001 6:19 |
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