Posted by Larry Hoover on July 18, 2004, at 9:06:32
In reply to Re: 5-htp: How to make it work well, posted by Mistermindmasta on July 17, 2004, at 22:42:07
> > > Does tryptophan work like an antidepressant in down-regulating the serotonin network by decreasing the number of serotonin receptor sites ?
> >
> > Not that I've ever heard.
>
> If my memory serves me, I remember that the 5-HT2a receptors in the PFC of suicide victims and depressed ppl are upregulated. What i mean to say is that there are increased receptors, possibly as a result of decreased serotonin in that area of the brain. As most of us are aware of, increasing serotonin can create positive effects in some areas of the brain and lowering in other areas may also create positive effects. Might tryp be effective because it causes a decrease in the number of 5-ht2a receptors (in compensation for increased 5-ht at the receptors; downregulation occurs) which then leads to an effect that might be similar to atypical antipsychotics that antagonise the 5-ht2a receptor and cause an increase in cognitive ability and PFC function?I was being acerbic.
> Anything that increases serotonin SHOULD theoretically lead to an eventual re-regulation of synaptic metabolism, whether it be significant or insignificant. Taking 5-HTP or Tryp should, theoretically, cause - at the very least - a downregulation at various serotonin receptors after chronic usage.
Your arguments are plausible. I know of no evidence.
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:366955
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20040718/msgs/367332.html