Topic Title: 5-htp vs. St. John's
| |  "5-htp vs. St. John's"
, Sun 28 Jul 12:49
Hi, I'm new to this and was just curious as to what you all think is better for treating mild depression. I've read a lot about them and they both seem good, but neither really stands out above the other. So if anyone has a personal preference, let me know. Thanks.
Posts: 0 | | Registered: Sun 28 Jul 2002 12:46 |
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| | "Re(1):5-htp vs. St. John's" , Wed 21 Aug 08:03
i am also new to all this, my GP wants to put me on prescription anti -depressants, for a MILD depresssion, i think that is a bit harsh and am really interested in trying the natural remedies. Have you started taking anything yet? This site is the onlyplace I have found people with experience on SJW and 5-htp.
Donna
Posts: 1 | | Registered: Tue 20 Aug 2002 7:11 |
| | "Re(1):5-htp vs. St. John's" , Mon 29 Jul 03:12
SJW did nothing for me, but 5-HTP did help. I started taking 5-htp following paxil withdrawal and to help with anxiety and moderate depression. 5-htp helped me to sleep again within a week. And it has helped me with anxiety, but it took a while to get to the right dosage and for it to 'kick in' on that count! good luck
Matt
Posts: 4 | | Registered: Tue 11 Jun 2002 7:43 |
| |  "Re(1):5-htp vs. St. John's"
, Mon 29 Jul 02:59:
I am an allergy sufferer, and sjw caused headaches for me with no relief from the depression. Although I didn't take it for very long, probably not long enough to take effect. 5htp on the other hand helped me tremendously. I took 500 mg a day in divided doses for approximately 2 years, and now I am cured. But 5htp is only part of the process to recovery, I also was in therapy, read many books about depression and changing the way I think, listened to uplifting music, prayed, meditated, exercised...basically changed my lifestyle. But I have to say without 5htp I don't know that I could have done any of the hard work to change. It really helped me to feel good enough to work on me. Also, I suffered from moderate depression, I think sjw works better on mild depression.
MJ DuPont
http://events.diabetes.org/memberpages/peshka
[this message was edited by Dupont on Mon 29 Jul 03:01]
Posts: 377 | | Registered: Wed 20 Jun 2001 6:19 |
| | | "Re(2):5-htp vs. St. John's" , Mon 5 Aug 19:39
u mentioned uplifting music. what kind. Also nature's balance says not to exceed 100 mg at at time with a max of 200mg. did u take the 500mg all at once ?
any side effects from 5-HTP ?
Posts: 4 | | Registered: Tue 30 Jul 2002 19:23 |
| | | "Re(3):5-htp vs. St. John's" , Tue 6 Aug 04:37
I listened to some pop music and some Christian music that is what lifted me up. I also listened to a couple of Joyce Meyer tapes, "Getting the victory over depression", "Freedom from Co-dependency", and "breaking the cycle of addictions".
I read the book
http://www.smart-publications.com/books/5htp/toc.html
and it says that in studies it was shown that 5htp was safe up to 900 mg/day. I took 2 doses of 250 mg/day, one in the morning with my coffee and one in the afternoon. I felt immediate results, and most importantly my husband noticed that I was different. He saw the girl he married. My experience with 5htp was only positive, I suffered no adverse reactions. In the beginning it does make you tired, but your body adjusts.
A couple of the books that helped me are Breaking the pattern of depression by Michael Yapko, and Depression Free Naturally by Joan Larson. The first book is about changing the way you think and the second gives nutritional advice. The second book does not recommend 5htp, but then 5htp doesn't work for everyone.
In some of the recent studies it has been shown to work best on depression/Low serotonin levels associated with irritability, aggression, impatience, and anxiety. This was definitely me.
Now I only use 5htp as needed.
MJ DuPont
http://events.diabetes.org/memberpages/peshka
Posts: 377 | | Registered: Wed 20 Jun 2001 6:19 |
| | | "Re(4):5-htp vs. St. John's" , Wed 7 Aug 03:07
Hi Dupont,
Could you tell me the brand name of the 5HTP you were taking at 500mg daily doses ? Was it 100% 5HTP, or did it contain a large proportion of Valerian as well ? I'm about to start 5HTP and hope to produce more positive results than the SJW did, so any pointers you can give me will be much appreciated.
All the best,
Bandy.
Posts: 4 | | Registered: Thu 18 Jul 2002 7:1 |
| | | "Re(5):5-htp vs. St. John's" , Wed 7 Aug 05:05
I used nature's way brand w/b6 and c, and i purchased it online at iherb.com. It doesnot contain valerian. Depending on your symptoms it is pretty much trial and error with the dosage. If you have moderate to sever depression I would suggest a dose similar to what I was taking, for mild depression maybe 200mg/day in split doses. If you have sleeplessness and anxiety take the entire dose before you go to bed. What are your symptoms?
MJ DuPont
http://events.diabetes.org/memberpages/peshka
Posts: 378 | | Registered: Wed 20 Jun 2001 6:19 |
| | | "Re(6):5-htp vs. St. John's" , Thu 8 Aug 00:58
Symptoms: Anxious/nervous around people, irritable, moody, mostly negative attitide, moderate depression, no sleeplessness.
I exercise regularly, have stopped alcohol/caffeine, and have taken SJW for the last 2 months. I feel better, but still just bland/grey. I really need something more uplifting. Is 5HTP much better ? I'm a bit afraid to try these 5HTP tablets I currently have (50mg 5HTP, 50mg Valerian, 5mg niacin, magnesium, vit.B), I think the Valerian content would turn me into a Zombie. What d'you think, DuPont ??
Posts: 5 | | Registered: Thu 18 Jul 2002 7:1 |
| | |  "Re(7):5-htp vs. St. John's"
, Thu 8 Aug 04:20
Did you get hose from Puritans Pride? I think I tried those but I have to be careful with "plant medicinals" because I am allergic to many grasses, weeds, trees etc... I remember having a bad headache, probably from the valerian. Well if the sjw is working you may want to just take 100 mg of 5htp. A combination of sjw and 5htp works well for many people. You could try taking the 5htp before you go to bed, because it will make you tired.
MJ DuPont
http://events.diabetes.org/memberpages/peshka
Posts: 379 | | Registered: Wed 20 Jun 2001 6:19 |
| | | "Re(8):5-htp vs. St. John's" , Thu 8 Aug 04:53
Puritans Pride? Never heard of it. You're in the states, aren't you ? I'm a Brit living in Munich. Can't get 5HTP in germany, I got this bottle from a health shop called "Holland & Barrett" (their own brands) last time I was home.
I fancy trying a combination of both 5HTP and SJW. But d'you have any idea of doses ? I mean, must I reduce my daily 900mg of SJW to accommodate the 100mg 5HTP, or can I be greedy and take both at a reasonable dosage?
Andy B.
Posts: 7 | | Registered: Thu 18 Jul 2002 7:1 |
| | | "Re(9):5-htp vs. St. John's" , Thu 8 Aug 05:46
Take both.
MJ DuPont
http://events.diabetes.org/memberpages/peshka
Posts: 381 | | Registered: Wed 20 Jun 2001 6:19 |
| | | "Re(2):5-htp vs. St. John's" , Tue 30 Jul 06:52
Thanks for the info - I will try upping the dose to 100mg
Posts: 1 | | Registered: Mon 22 Jul 2002 9:7 |
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