Posted by Jim on February 11, 1999, at 8:34:20
In reply to anyone ever try 5-HTP for Dep???, posted by harry on February 3, 1999, at 20:01:50
I actually tried it for a while last spring, after having mutliple (!) trials of just about everything under the sun over the last few years, including SSRIs, Effexor, St. Johns Wort, amino acids, etc--all variably effective but with intolerable side effects. I am extremely sensitive to anything resembling an SSRI, so I wasn't surprised that even small doses of 5HTP had a very noticeable effect on my mood and concentration: subjectively, I'd put the "feel" of it somewhere between a mild, slightly activating SSRI and St. Johns Wort. Anyone who tells you it has no side-effects is mistaken, though: it may have less than other drugs on the market in certain respects, but since it's basically a direct serotonin precursor, and not a heavily tested one at that, it's to be approached with a certain amount of care. Not to discourage you, but I ended up dropping it for the same sleep & sexual problems that led me to drop all the others... On the other hand, I do feel strongly that it might work well for some and that it's hardly a placebo as some would accuse. Proceed with caution...
> Just read a good book on 5-HTP...Any body out there ever try it?? Book says it works better than SSRI's and almost no side effects!!!!!
poster:Jim
thread:2822
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990201/msgs/2938.html