5-Hydroxytryptophan (5 HTP)

Pharmacy and 5 HTP Myths

There are many myths when it comes to depression and curing the illness, and many people do not understand the effects of the drugs they take. While 5 HTP is not a drug, it does offer similar effects to many synthetic drugs without many of the side effect. Most of the synthetic pharmaceutical antidepressants aim at elevating your serotonin levels in your synapse artificially. While frequently effective, these drugs sometimes have side effects.

Diet and Serotonin Levels

Understanding that we are organic being and that we are made of natural elements helps us to think of depression on more of a level plane. The saying you are what you eat is truth. In essence, many people who are depressed lack adequate serotonin levels. To make up for these low levels we can simply eat more precursors. Given adequate co factors and elevated precursor on load we can naturally aid our neurochemistry. 5 HTP, released over a decade ago, is the new market replacement to Tryptophan.

Using 5 HTP to Improve Serotonin Levels

If you take 5 HTP in combination with B-6 vitamins and multivitamins you should notice improvements.

• When to take 5 HTP
• How to check serotonin levels

Couple a good diet with exercise and 5 HTP and you may soon forget how depressed you were. While 5 HTP is a helpful supplement, it alone will not help you. You still need to change some of your fundamental life approaches to feel better. Frequently depression is a symptom of emotional scars from early childhood and counseling may be necessary. Ignoring this will not make it go away, but 5 HTP may be the boost you need.

5 HTP vs Synthetic Drugs

I do recommend using 5HTP over any synthetic approach, as it offers the benefits of the synthetic drugs without the price or synthetic side effects. I am not a doctor though, and I would not advise using 5 HTP in combination with MAOIs, SSRIs, or other prescription antidepressants. Naturally elevating serotonin levels (5 HTP) and playing with how these neurotransmitters act in your mind (synthetic prescription antidepressants) can cause a condition known as serotonin syndrome. Please consult your doctor before trying to combine 5 HTP with other antidepressants and you may even want to consult them before trying 5 HTP without the use of other drugs.

Personal 5 HTP experience

I have used 5 HTP and that combined with hours of studying is the basis of my statements. If you do not want to try 5 HTP you can still elevate your serotonin levels naturally by eating foods rich in tryptophan.