Posted by blueberry on January 21, 2006, at 6:56:07
In reply to Started Tryptophan Plus, posted by MoparFan91 on January 20, 2006, at 2:26:29
I have compared 5htp and tryptophan, and still am experimenting. We all respond so differently though, that I think maybe my experiences are not likely to predict yours.
5htp seems "cleaner" or "clearer", hard to explain. It does help lessen depression and anxiety, but nothing magic for me. But that's because I believe my symptoms are more in the norepinephrine/dopamine area. The main problem I have with 5htp is the problem they claim doesn't happen...sexual dysfunction. And I'm talking severe, worse than any ssri ever did to me.
Sleep for me is much better with tryptophan than 5htp. When I take 5htp, I have several wakings, early waking, and very active dreaming. Tryptophan puts me into a deeper sleep.
By day, tryptophan feels more sedating and dulling to me.
Tryptophan is converted by the body into 5htp, melatonin, and lots of other things. But how, when, and why it converts to various things differs from one person to the next.
Basically, I think maybe you kind of have to try each for about a week or so to compare. I'm thinking maybe I should take both...50mg 5htp in mid afternoon and 500mg tryptophan at bedtime. You might end up liking one better than the other or taking both for synergistic effects.
poster:blueberry
thread:600973
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20051208/msgs/601424.html