Topic Title: Considering a regimen of 5htp, or 5htp + sjw
| |  "Considering a regimen of 5htp, or 5htp + sjw"
, Thu 6 Feb 10:44
I used 5htp alone for the first time last night (300mg about 2 hours before going to bed). I've been searching for information on 5htp on the internet and came across this message board. I must say, reading posts have got me thinking about taking sjw possibly in addition to 5htp on a regular basis.
Have any of you had experience with using 5htp alone? It seems like there is a lot of talk of using sjw and 5htp, and that has worked for many of you.
Also, there were some mild side effects that I wouldn't want to deal with on a long term basis. (Somewhat strange dreams, and a really hard time getting up in the morning, which is a problem seeing as how I'm a student who at times needs to be able to function on less than 6 hours of sleep. I also can't afford to be sleepy during the day)
1. Could the side effects be due to the brand? I used Natrol. I also took Vitamin C and a Centrum which contained 100% DV for all the Vitamin B's among other things.
2. Could the side effects be due to the dosage? I plan on reducing the dose to 100-150mg/day. I know there are people who do 300mg and more per day, but I'm a new user, and I haven't used any prescription or herbal anti-depressants before. Also, I'm also somewhat concerned about the possibility of developing a dependence from regular use. I really don't need to deal with something like that.
3. Is 5htp effectve taken alone? Is there anyone here who has taken 5htp for some time and then added sjw to their regimen? (It seems like everyone who takes both did it the other way, taking sjw first, and then adding 5htp)
Thanks so much for your help.
Dave
Posts: 0 | | Registered: Thu 6 Feb 2003 10:28 |
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| | "Re(1):Considering a regimen of 5htp, or 5htp " , Fri 7 Feb 14:15
Hello,
I have been using 5HTP for just about 4 months now. I was taking 50 mg 4 times a day (200 mg total) and I recently cut that down to 150 mg and added 500 mg of L-Tyrosine. 5HTP has really done wonders for me. I has helped me with anxiety, depression, with getting over an eating disorder and even with quitting smoking. I had a bit of increased anxiety in the first week of taking the 5HTP but none since and I think that was just an adjustment period. I also would wake up at 4 AM for a while and not be able to get back to sleep but that seems to have stopped as well. I also have started to take the 5HTP earlier in the day, that might be why. I had some pretty intense dreams but no nightmares and I feel great when I wake up in the morning. I also find that my taste for alcohol (beer etc) has decreased quite a bit. I think that might be because I feel so much better when I am just plain normal. I don't need to get tipsy to relieve the anxiety anymore. All in all, I think 5HTP has been great. I wonder how long I will take the supplement, but for now, I feel it's working well and will continue to take it until I feel I no longer need it.
My suggestion is try the 5HTP alone for a while before introducing anything else. I hope it works for you and good luck!!
-lisa
Posts: 3 | | Registered: Tue 14 Jan 2003 19:48 |
| | | "Re(2):Considering a regimen of 5htp, or 5htp" , Fri 7 Feb 15:24
Lisa: May I ask, what brand of 5htp do you use?
Posts: 1 | | Registered: Thu 6 Feb 2003 10:28 |
| | | "Re(3):Considering a regimen of 5htp, or 5htp" , Fri 7 Feb 16:56
I use Nature's Way 5-HTP with vitamin B6 and vitamin C, 50 mg tablets, enteric coated so they disolve in the small intestines, not the stomach (this prevents nausea which is somewhat common with 5HTP).
I get my 5HTP from iherb.com. It's a wonderful, safe site that offers a nice discount on supplements.
I also recommend reading Dr. Murray's book on 5HTP. I found it to be very informative. He has a website as well.
Let me know how it goes.
Be well =)
-lisa
Posts: 4 | | Registered: Tue 14 Jan 2003 19:48 |
| |  "Re(1):Considering a regimen of 5htp, or 5htp "
, Fri 7 Feb 07:00
5htp is very effective alone. I took 500 mg of 5htp for 2 years. I took 2 doses/day one in the morning w/coffee and one a 3 pm.
I did experience some tiredness initially but that wore off in about a month. I also experienced vivid dreams but for me it was better than not dreaming at all. No problem getting out of bed in the morning, depression kept me in bed, 5htp made life worth living.
Initially I took Natrol, it is a good brand but I found it to be not as effective as Nature's way and it upset my stomach. Keep taking the other vitamins. Not sure if brand has much to do with side effects, dosage probably. Although I have vivid dreams on just 100mg 5htp.
Why are you taking 5htp? Mild depression? If so 300 mg is the recommended dose. When you begin to feel better, reduce the dose. When I felt better I slowly reduced the dose I was taking. Now I only take it as needed.
I never felt like I was experiencing withdrawal symptoms like coming off prescription anti-depressants.
MJ DuPont
Posts: 450 | | Registered: Wed 20 Jun 2001 6:19 |
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