Topic Title: 5-htp or sjw?
| |  "5-htp or sjw?"
, Thu 3 Jul 21:50
I'm new here and just read about this htp stuff. I haven't started anything yet, but what should I start? htp or sjw, or both? I'm nervous all the time, sad alot, angry, and have bad pms. Help me! Anyone? Thanks.
Posts: 3 | | Registered: Thu 3 Jul 2003 21:18 |
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| |  "Re(1):5-htp or sjw?"
, Sat 12 Jul 12:05
Hi Jenerfa, how are things progressing?
I had very similar symptoms to your own and tried SJW for quite a period of time. The 'reaction' time was around 3-4 weeks before the anxiety started to dissipate, but the trade off was a difficulty in sleeping and constant tiredness. This simply exacerbated the depression so eventually I discontinued use.
I posted this back in March and have not been on the site since, but it may be helpful or give you some re-assurance.
" I am Just in the process of a marital breakdown and feeling immense sense of loss, sadness and nostalgia. Have felt really down for some time and on recommendation, tried 5-HTP (combined with high potency Vit B) for the first time last Wednesday. Following a 50mg dose at lunchtime, I felt nothing for approx 3hrs then experienced intense drowsiness (not unpleasant) followed by a profound uptake in mood that lasted until I went to sleep around midnight. This pattern has been repeated to date. No anxiety, sleeping well, and coping a little better. Seems a bit to good to be true - but here's hoping! Just thought I would share this and wondered if others had experienced similar results."
Sorry it's all a bit lengthy - I am still taking the same doses and think it's fair to say that life now feels pretty good. It may be as much about me taking some control of my situation, but I have no doubt the 5HTP assisted me in my recovery.
Hope this is of some help - Andy
Posts: 6 | | Registered: Tue 5 Jun 2001 14:59 |
| | |  "Re(2):5-htp or sjw?"
, Sat 12 Jul 19:15
Thanks alot, Andy, for that info. So you are currently taking 5-htp. Hmm. I still haven't started anything. This past Monday I saw an herbalist. That's what I'm calling her. She looks into your eyes and can tell you what your health is lacking. She said not to start sjw because she thinks it's that I'm just unhealthy. Not enough water,excercise, etc. She said I'm very acidic. I started taking collodial minerals and coral calcium. What exactly is 5-htp for? I just want to be normal again.
Posts: 4 | | Registered: Thu 3 Jul 2003 21:18 |
| | | "Re(3):5-htp or sjw?" , Sun 13 Jul 14:59
Hi!
I don't think anyone would disagree that general good health contributes to a healthy state of mind, but the many components that manifest themselves in the form of 'depression' probably require something a bit more radical.
I had never suffered from stress or depression prior to my previous relationship, and it took 4-5 years to finally admit that I needed some form of help, even though friends and family saw it way in advance and it is only since ending the realtionship that I have started to feel @normal' again.
This may be true of many people in that the 'depression' is simply symptomatic of dealing with difficult events or stages in your life. If the problems are long-term, one answer may be to try and address and solve the problems. Often, an easier option is to use medication as a crutch to assist you, even though the cause for the depression is still there.
Anyhow, I'm preaching and you're probably think "what the hells this guy waffling on about"
I'm no expert (obviously) but 5HTP basically assists in increasing the amount of Serotonin production in the brain - the chemical attributed to that 'feel good factor'.
I've included again a bit lengthy.
The Natural Antidepressant
Now there is a safe and natural alternative to drugs like Prozac®. These drugs work by increasing the serotonin level in the brain. A natural method for producing this same result was sought and found in HTP5 (5-Hydroxy-Tryptophan), an excellent alternative to the now restricted L-Tryptophan.
5-HTP, the immediate precursor to serotonin, is effectively absorbed into the bloodstream and readily passes the blood-brain barrier, to promote optimal serotonin balance in the brain.* 5-HTP was found to be superior to L-Tryptophan in this respect due to its being a step closer chemically to serotonin.
In recent clinical studies, therapeutic administration of 5-HTP was confirmed effective in treating depression, fibromyalgia, binge eating, chronic headaches, and insomnia.*
5HTP
Description:
Keep serotonin at optimal levels, and avoid sleep problems, a low threshold for pain, anxiety, and abnormal weight gain. Restore your serotonin levels, and mood improves, anxiety disappears, and you feel calm and assured. Now, with the use of 5-HTP supplements, you may be able to positively affect your serotonin balance.*
5-HTP (L-5-Hydroxytryptophan), the immediate precursor to serotonin, is effectively absorbed into the bloodstream and readily passes the blood-brain barrier, to promote optimal serotonin balance in the brain.* In recent clinical studies, therapeutic administration of 5-HTP was confirmed effective in treating depression, fibromyalgia, the binge eating associated with obesity, chronic headaches, and insomnia.* Furthermore, 5-HTP may also aid in weight control through the same serotonin-increasing mechanism found in prescription weight-loss products.*
Depression: A breakthrough in the treatment of depression came with the development of the SSRI (serotonin reuptake inhibitor) such as Prozac®. These effective antidepressants work by increasing the serotonin level in the brain, which is many times found to be low in those with depression. There is, however, a natural alternative to SSRIs that may also increase the brain's serotonin level: 5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan). 5-HTP readily passes into the brain where it is converted into serotonin.
Since the early 1970s, at least 15 studies involving 511 subjects have evaluated the clinical effects of 5-HTP on depression. The results of these studies showed a significant improvement in 56% of the subjects.
One such survey that examined the effectiveness of 5-HTP as an antidepressant involved 59 depressed patients who where given 150-300 mg of 5-HTP daily. The result was astounding. 40 of the patients (68%) showed a favorable response, most within one week.
In 1991 a study involving 36 subjects compared the effectiveness of 5-HTP to an SSRI. One group was given 5-HTP, while another group was given an SSRI. After six weeks, both groups showed about the same success rate. When the numbers were totaled at the end of the study, the mean percentage was slightly greater for patients treated with 5-HTP. Adverse affects where found to be mild, usually disappearing within the first few days, with 5-HTP being more well tolerated then the SSRI. Tolerance of 5-HTP was assessed as being good or very good in 95% of the patience.
As a side note, the effectiveness of 5-HTP as an antidepressant to be increased when combined with L-tyrosine.
Fibromyalgia: Fibromyalgia is characterized by general aching, fatigue, morning stiffness, and sleep disturbances. It appears that low serotonin and tryptophan levels may be a contributing factor to fibromyalgia, indicating that 5-HTP may be useful in treating this debilitating malady. Studies have shown this to be the case.
One 90-day experiment involved 50 patients suffering from fibromyalgia. A full 50% of the patients showed significant improvement.
Weight Loss: It has been found that the craving for carbohydrates and the resulting binge eating may be associated with low serotonin levels that accompany dieting. Increasing the level of serotonin in the brain may therefore contribute to the success of a weight loss program.
And, here too, studies have supported this conclusion. One experiment on the effectiveness of 5-HTP in weight loss involved 20 overweight people. A reduction in carbohydrate intake, as well as significant weight loss, was observed in those that took the 5-HTP.
Headaches: Chronic headaches, especially migraines, are thought to be the result of low serotonin levels. 5-HTP has been used successfully in the prevention of chronic headaches of various types, including migraine, tension headaches, and juvenile headaches.
A survey on the effectiveness of 5-HTP in treating headaches involving 124 people that suffer from migraines resulted in a full 71% of those that were given 5-HTP reported a significant improvement. 5-HTP tended to reduce the intensity and duration of the attacks.
If you suffer from depression, fibromyalgia, chronic headaches or need to lose some weight, consider improving your serotonin levels with 5-HTP from people you trust…MedQuest Pharmacy.
Please consult your health practitioner prior to using 5-HTP regarding ideal dosages and possible drug interactions.
Functions in the Body:
· Precursor to serotonin
· Influences the synthesis of melatonin
· Influences activities controlled by serotonin, which include mood regulation (anxiety and depression), impulse control (aggression and obsessive behavior), appetite, pain control and sleep
Reported Uses:
· Anxiety
· Depression
· Fibromyalgia
· Headaches
· Migraines
· Obesity
· Sleep disorders, insomnia
· Precursor to serotonin
· Alternative to tryptophan
· Alternative to SSRIs such as Prozac®
Deficiency Symptoms:
dbo_ItemsDeficiencySymptoms
Dosage Range:
50-100 mg 1-3 times/day
Suggested Use:
As a dietary supplement, take 1 to 2 capsules daily, or as directed by a physician.
As part of weight loss programs, it is recommended that 5-HTP be taken 20 minutes before each meal, to act as a natural appetite suppressant and reduce the craving for carbohydrates. Start at 100 mg three times a day. If after four weeks the desired results are not achieved, increase the dosage to 200 mg three times a day. Dosage as high as 300 mg three times a day has been well tolerated; however, do not exceed 900 mg per day. Mild nausea is sometimes reported at higher doses, but is generally temporary.
Contains:
Each capsule contains:
50mg L-5-Hydroxytryptophan
Toxicity/Contraindications: May have additive effects with tryptophan, St John's wort, and SAMe.
5-HTP should not be taken concurrently with anti- depressants except under the supervision of a physician, because 5-HTP increases the activity of these drugs.
Vitamin B6 taken in doses of 5 milligrams or greater causes 5-HTP to be converted into serotonin before it passes into the brain. Since serotonin does not easily pass the blood-brain barrier as 5-HTP does, this effect is undesirable and can be detrimental.
Large doses of 5-HTP may significantly increase serum levels of serotonin which, at least theoretically, may result in the serotonin syndrome which can be very serious, although there have been no reports of the syndrome occurring with use of 5-HTP in humans.
5-HTP has been reported to occasionally cause gastrointestinal upset.
5-HTP should be avoided by pregnant women, nursing mothers and those with significant cardiovascular disease.
Do not exceed 900 mg per day.
Posts: 7 | | Registered: Tue 5 Jun 2001 14:59 |
| | |  "Re(4):5-htp or sjw?"
, Sun 13 Jul 20:20
Thanks again Andy. I did read it all. I do take B-complex vitamins. If I start 5-htp, should I stop? Also, I've read alot about sjw being taken with the 5. Are you supposed to take them together or what? That is confusing to me.
FYI~ I have found out so much about flaxseed oil (omega-3) for mental health. Look into it. I may start that.
Jenerfa
Posts: 5 | | Registered: Thu 3 Jul 2003 21:18 |
| | | "Re(5):5-htp or sjw?" , Mon 14 Jul 16:09
Hi again,
I take 50mg of B6 twice daily (apparently it was used to combat depression in days prior to the tri-cyclic and modern antidepressants). It works fine in conjunction with 50mg of 5HTP, but you may get a better result by stopping the B Complex for a while - I just don't know!
Thanks, I will look into the Flaxseed Oil - is it American?
On a less serious note, a friend of mine disolves horseradish on her tongue at 11.00am and takes millet (no she isn't a budgie), which supposedly replenishes a depleted spleen Chi - responsible for sadness, nostalgia, etc.
Posts: 8 | | Registered: Tue 5 Jun 2001 14:59 |
| | | "Re(4):5-htp or sjw?" , Sun 13 Jul 15:30
The bit here about not taking vitamin B6 in any real quantity while taking 5-htp is somewhat discouraging to me. I wonder if these two things can be taken safely if staggered, and I wonder what the best way to stagger them would be. For example, could one take 5-htp, wait an hour, then take vitamin B6. Anyway, something like that. If anyone out there has any thoughts on this matter, I'd love to hear from you.
Posts: 23 | | Registered: Wed 6 Nov 2002 1:4 |
| | "Re(1):5-htp or sjw?" , Mon 7 Jul 22:50
You could just take your pick and try either one. If one doesn't work, then try out the other. I wouldn't recommend starting out taking both at the same time. Whichever one you choose, give it a couple of weeks to kick in.
Posts: 12 | | Registered: Thu 30 Jan 2003 14:52 |
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