5 HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan)

[SupremePizza]

Has anyone tried it?? My friend told me about it today, a natural anti depressant thats as good as prozac apparently but without the side effects or the 6 week wait for them to kick in.
Will be getting some from holland and barrett this weekend but wondered if anyone here has given them a go?
x

[nenevomito]

Its one of the chemicals that's a precursor to serotonin, so it doesn't work in the same way as an anti-depressant.

Yes have tried. No they are not side effect free.

[nenevomito]

Positives - good for occasional bouts of insomnia as they do help you get to sleep and I have friends who swear that taking a couple can help with come-downs after taking drugs.

They are mahooosively expensive for something that won't do the job properly.

[Salbertina]

They work for me. Have no side-effects either in my experience.

[SupremePizza]

thanks for your replies. Salbertina - how long did they take to start working?

[sewingandcakes]

I tried them for a while, but they are expensive and I'm not sure how well they worked. I remember that I slept a lot better and if I got up in the night any lights seemed really bright... No side effects fortunately.

[sewingandcakes]

No side effects for me I mean.

[JambalayaCodfishPie]

Be very careful about them clashing with ANY other medicines. They can stop contraception from working, for example.

[tabbycat15]

My psychiatrist said there is not enough 'chemical' in it to affect the brain especially for major depression. I took it for a while & noticed no effect with my depression at all. I wouldn't take it, you will waste your money.

[Branleuse]

i found them great for mild depression/anxiety, and i found that they also work reasonably well on an "as and when" basis too.

Best taken at night as they can make you sleepy. They will generally give you vivid dreams too, which was never a problem with me, but might not be a good idea if youre prone to nightmares.

There is also no noticeable withdrawal when you come off.

Dp also takes them now and again in his low patches.

I would start off on 50mg and then after a week or so go up to 100mg and then try and keep it at that dose