Topic Title: Why haven't more people heard of 5-HTP?
| |  "Why haven't more people heard of 5-HTP?"
, Fri 27 Jun 00:04
I'm just wondering why it seems that the majority of the population doesn't have a clue about 5-HTP. When the topic of depression or anxiety comes up, the only words I hear are Paxil, Prozac, Zoloft, Wellbutrin, etc.... And when people talk about herbs to take for depression/anxiety, I mostly hear St. John's Wort. I've been taking it for about 4 months and it has really alleviated my depression. Since 5-HTP has obviously helped some people, why is it still relatively unheard of?
Is there something that I'm missing here? It really makes me wonder. There are millions of people looking for some type of relief from depression and anxiety--- WITHOUT THE SIDE EFFECTS AND WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS OF SSRI'S. I know that most doctors never recommend the use of herbs, they'd rather just prescribe some chemical/synthetic drug. But even the holistic doctors don't say much about 5-HTP. Since it seems that only few doctors have taken the time to research 5-HTP, is it as safe as we think it is? Are there some long-term effects that we are unaware of? What's going on here???
Posts: 7 | | Registered: Thu 30 Jan 2003 14:52 |
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| | "A lesson in reality..." , Fri 27 Jun 07:10
The AMA is in bed with the drug companies because they fund a lot of the research being done. It's reallly no different than how Capital Hill works. Hence, the AMA is reluctant to study or support alternative substances that the drug companies have no interest in, for fear of losing all of their research funds. Unless, of course, the drug companies can buy up all of the Griffonia simplicifolia plants in West Africa (where 5-htp comes from). Which if it came down to that I'm sure they would try and then 5-htp would be as expensive as Prozac.
It's time to wise up, America! The AMA is NOT looking out for your best interest. It's just a business like everything else and they're looking out for themselves only. Why do you think the U.S. health care system is in such bad shape?
Posts: 43 | | Registered: Thu 6 Sep 2001 7:42 |
| | | "Re(1):A lesson in reality..." , Fri 27 Jun 11:20
Yeah, the AMA and U.S. Government are all about the money. The companies that are the biggest campaign contributors are the ones that get rewarded. The pharmaceutical industry gives a lot of money to the government, therefore the government endorses their products. They don't do much research on herbs, because they'd rather market synthetic drugs. The synthetic drugs help relieve the "symptoms", they don't solve the underlying problem. They sell drugs that are addictive and that build up a tolerance (i.e. Prozac, cigarettes), because people will keep coming back for more and more. And this means more $$$$$ for the government.
I always hear holistic doctors talk about St.John's Wort for the treatment of depression. But I never hear anything about 5-HTP. Why don't the herbal doctors talk more about 5-HTP? Since there obviously hasn't been a lot of research on 5-HTP, this brings me back to my original questions. Is it as safe as we think it is? And, could there be some long-term side effects from the use of it.
Posts: 8 | | Registered: Thu 30 Jan 2003 14:52 |
| | | "Re(2):A lesson in reality..." , Fri 27 Jun 13:41
In Murray's book of Nutritional Medicine he states that 5-HTP is not subject to contaminance since it is an extract of a seed. Whereas the use of L-trytophan was, because it was manufactured in a lab using bacteria. As far as I know the Griffonia simplicifolia seed has a low toxicity, too. I believe in Europe they've been using 5-htp a lot longer and to my knowledge there hasn't been reports of serious health problems related to it.
I'm not sure why 5-htp is not as popular as SJW. It might have to do with the fact that SJW is an herb and somehow seems safer and more familiar than the strange sounding 5-htp. And it might also have to do with the fact that SJW has been widely studied, at least much more than 5-htp. In my experience 5-htp is more powerful and much more effective than SJW and many claim that it works even better than the SSRI's. But I don't think the unpopularity is due to it's safety record.
Posts: 44 | | Registered: Thu 6 Sep 2001 7:42 |
| | | "Re(3):A lesson in reality..." , Sat 28 Jun 21:25
Thanks for the replies Bach. Yeah, Europeans have researched St. John's Wort more extensively than 5-HTP. In some countries over there, it is prescribed more than the synthetic antidepressants. It just seems odd that there hasn't been more studies on 5-HTP. Just like you, I find 5-HTP to be more effective than St. John's Wort. Oh well, I guess 5-HTP will just continue to be slept on. That's fine with me. Because once the masses find out about it, the price will increase.
Posts: 9 | | Registered: Thu 30 Jan 2003 14:52 |
| | | "Re(4):A lesson in reality..." , Sun 29 Jun 20:16
It is amazing how many times you can visit a doctor and describe your symptoms and in 5 minutes they do nothing more than write out a prescription for a drug (probably a drug that if they prescribe enough of during the year they get a bonus)I do believe there are some times when people do need these (like i life threatening situations) but it is out of hand - most times this never gets to the root of the problem!
I am hoping the more people that go holistic the more research will be done on the herbs. I must admit I am a little worried about taking SJW and 5-HTP together but have no clue where to turn for true answers, as you said we may not know yet. I guess we are all guinea pigs!!!
Posts: 4 | | Registered: Thu 26 Jun 2003 8:41 |
| | |  "Re(5):A lesson in reality..."
, Sat 20 Mar 18:40
good news. i know A LOT about 5 HTP and St Johns Wort. if you want to know more, then i would recommend going to www.hypericum.com
its a good site regarding not just St Johns Wort, but also 5 HTP and other products which might be useful. also i think its an American site.
Hope this is some help :)
in answer to any questions such as "is it safe?" or "does it work as well as other drugs?" well... from what ive read and also since ive taken it for nearly a year, yes it does work. and its REALLY good! also its safe. the only time it has been under attack is when a Japanese brand was faulty and made a few people sick. again its rare for it do do that and it hasn't happened since. how often can other synthetic drugs say that they have a record that clean?
worth thinking about isnt it....
Posts: 0 | | Registered: Sat 20 Mar 2004 18:31 |
| | | "Re(5):A lesson in reality..." , Thu 24 Jul 21:42
Only to true. But, than thats why we have "holistic and naturopathic doctors" which we can choose to go to.
I'll bring my health needs to them for preventative and non-life threatening illnesses, but when it comes to emergency stuff, sure glad we have our doctors around.
And, it's not so much the AMA that holds the ground, it's the FDA (Federal Drug Administration). They're the ones who push all the new drugs onto the AMA, and even give bonus's like free vacations for quota's of meds. doctors prescribe.
But, hey, we still live in the land of the free, and can do our own research. Sometimes you have to just listen closely to what your body is telling you and, get on the net and be deserning as to what you learn. I've been studying naturopathic and alternative medicine for the past 18 years and in some aspects have learned more than the doctors have, for my specific health problems.
Gosh, this is a wonderful board, isn't it. Before computers, it would have been even more depressing, when one is in need of support and answers.
Pauline
Pauline
Posts: 126 | | Registered: Wednesday 14 Mar 2001 10:59 |
| | | "Re(5):A lesson in reality..." , Mon 7 Jul 15:59
I agree, there definitely needs to be more research on holistic medicines. Doctors have gotten in a habit of dispensing out drugs that create harmful side effects. Since we are unsure of the long-term side effects, I think that we should use these herbs in moderation.
Posts: 10 | | Registered: Thu 30 Jan 2003 14:52 |
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