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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by linkadge on August 7, 2006, at 17:43:20
I am concerned. I have heard that L-Dopa essentially works in the long run to make parkinson's worse by causeing further destruction to dopaminergic neurons. How do I know that same isn't happening with 5-htp to serotonin neurons ?
Linkadge
Posted by nolvas on August 7, 2006, at 18:49:38
In reply to 5-htp works but..., posted by linkadge on August 7, 2006, at 17:43:20
I don't think it's possible to know unless there have been studies regarding 5-HTP and this problem. I don't even know if 5-HTP is even suspected of causing any damage to neurons.
There's a lot of variables really. If 5-HTP caused eventual damage to serotonin neurons or production would the body recover or not? That we can't say. It all depends on what's happening in the brain and the method of action of each supplement.
Cannabis and Ecstacy are alledged to permanently alter the brain, yet there are many users of these drugs that don't suffer any serious problems, not that I advocate taking these drugs.
I'm guessing your question is very difficult to answer :(
Posted by MoparFan91 on August 7, 2006, at 19:59:19
In reply to Re: 5-htp works but..., posted by nolvas on August 7, 2006, at 18:49:38
It's the SSRI drugs that really screw with your serotonin system in your brain. 5-HTP actually helps it long-term.
> I don't think it's possible to know unless there have been studies regarding 5-HTP and this problem. I don't even know if 5-HTP is even suspected of causing any damage to neurons.
>
> There's a lot of variables really. If 5-HTP caused eventual damage to serotonin neurons or production would the body recover or not? That we can't say. It all depends on what's happening in the brain and the method of action of each supplement.
>
> Cannabis and Ecstacy are alledged to permanently alter the brain, yet there are many users of these drugs that don't suffer any serious problems, not that I advocate taking these drugs.
>
> I'm guessing your question is very difficult to answer :(
Posted by linkadge on August 8, 2006, at 17:26:49
In reply to Re: 5-htp works but..., posted by nolvas on August 7, 2006, at 18:49:38
>Cannabis and Ecstacy are alledged to >permanently alter the brain, yet there are many >users of these drugs that don't suffer any >serious problems, not that I advocate taking >these drugs.
I was under the impression, that while the evidence for MDMA induce neurotoxicity was fairly consistant, that for marajaunna was fairly weak.
Nevertheless, I guess I am just wondering how high levels of one precursor L-dopa can be linked to neurotoxicity, while 5-htp can be released without similar studies?
Afterall, the quantities sold would never be obtainable/producable regular food consumption.
Linkadge
Posted by linkadge on August 8, 2006, at 17:28:33
In reply to Re: 5-htp works but..., posted by MoparFan91 on August 7, 2006, at 19:59:19
That would be my assumption, but do you catch my link of thinking ?
The precursor l-dopa is used in parkinsons disease actually appears to significantly speed the progression of dopaminergic neurotoxicity.
Isn't it possable then, that unnaturally high levels of the serotonin precursor could do the same thing to serotonergic neurons ?
Linkadge
Posted by SLS on August 8, 2006, at 20:27:09
In reply to Re: 5-htp works but..., posted by linkadge on August 8, 2006, at 17:28:33
> That would be my assumption, but do you catch my link of thinking ?
>
> The precursor l-dopa is used in parkinsons disease actually appears to significantly speed the progression of dopaminergic neurotoxicity.
>
> Isn't it possable then, that unnaturally high levels of the serotonin precursor could do the same thing to serotonergic neurons ?I believe the contention is that the metabolism of l-dopa forms hydroxyl free radicals that produce cell damage. Perhaps 5-HTP is not subject to this chemical process.
- Scott
Posted by Declan on August 28, 2006, at 1:38:01
In reply to Re: 5-htp works but..., posted by SLS on August 8, 2006, at 20:27:09
When people have PD they only have a fraction of their dopamine producing neurons left.
Does this have anything to do with it?
This is the end of the thread.
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