5-HTP - Antidepressant?

[Jekyll]

Anyone know anything about this stuff or have experience using it? My mum bought some for me.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5-HTP

 

[scugger]

I don't take it on a regular basis and am not depressed. But I feel it works whenever my serotonin levels are severely depleted

 

[michaeljkrell]

I took some for sleeping purposes and it didn't work for me.

 

[Stavros]

My experience with some of my patients that have used it is that the antidepressant effect, if any, is most likely a placebo effect. The research that has provided evidence for such an action is, at best, very weak.

 

[blackjack]

I picked some up in the UK a few years ago and used it successfully as a sleep aid and alternative to melatonin. I prefer the latter and take a 3 mg tab once in a while when I want to guarantee a deep sleep.

 

[milosz]

I used to take it after using ecstasy. Never noticed a difference between the times I did and the times I didn't - but I was only rolling once a month.

 

[bach]

Originally Posted by Jekyll

Anyone know anything about this stuff or have experience using it? My mum bought some for me.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5-HTP

mom also suggested this, because i go to sleep so late. didn't have any effect whatsoever.

 

[Jekyll]

I don't have a problem sleeping, but I think may have mild depression or dysthymia or some **** like that.

 

[KBW]

I took a bottle of it and definitely had more vivid dreams. I think it helped me sleep which would be an anti-depressant in itself for me.

 

[Jekyll]

Originally Posted by KBW

I took a bottle of it and definitely had more vivid dreams.

Yeah, I've taken it twice now, and I dreamt both times. I normally don't dream.

 

[mkerr]

Originally Posted by Jekyll

I don't have a problem sleeping, but I think may have mild depression or dysthymia or some **** like that.

protip: doctor > mum.
punch her in the ovaries for me.

that said, sincerely wishing you all the best. i'd seriously recommend seeing your GP and having a chat. remember that in general, non-drug therapies are equally as efficacious as drugs, and that (at least in australia) GPs can refer you to psychologists / psychiatrists for significantly cheaper therapy.

if you're after any more info etc shoot me a PM

 

[javyn]

I got it to help with sleep, and it works, but GABA works better I've found.

Also, if you stack 5-htp with DHEA it's supposed to do something. I don't remember what.