The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Insomnia, Anxiety, Headaches
Posted by Stefanie (Minden, Louisiana) on 07/17/2008
★★★★★
I found this remedy when I was looking for herbal remedies for my daily headaches. I found 5-HTP. According to the article,some of the things it helped with are insomnia, headaches, anxiety & depression. I thought could it be? I immediately went to my husband to show him what I had found because he had problems sleeping at night as well. We went a few days later to our local drug store and picked up a bottle of 50mg. 5-HTP. We had decided on the lowest dosage available in our area, upping the dosage as we went along if it was necessary.
We have only been on it for a few days now but there is a very noticeable difference. We both have been sleeping through the night and feeling more refreshed when we wake. My anxiety attacks are gone as well as my headaches. We both are much less snappish than what we were before. We haven't noticed any side effects so far.
We are taking them with a meal or a small snack and so far we have stayed at 50mg. Thanks for the very useful information that lead to this discovery!
5-HTP + Rhodiola
Posted by S. B. (Louisville, KY) on 01/18/2008
★★★★★
Just wanted to echo the positive experiences reported here. After a bit of internet research, I kind of guessed at a regimen that might work for me, which is one 250mg rhodiola capsule before breakfast, one before lunch, and then 50mg 5-HTP before bed. In fact I found this site because I Googled "5-HTP" and "rhodiola" to see if there was any danger in taking them both, but I see several of you have also come up with a similar plan. Very assuring, and I have to say I felt a bit of triumph for having arrived at the same conclusion that others have made of my own accord.
Anyway, I've been taking it for a short while and I am still flabbergasted at how effective it is. I really just can't get over it. I could feel the effects after the very first dose of rhodiola. Not only did it improve my mood, it made me feel, well, happy! And it improved my personality. Low seratonin levels were impacting my life in many negative ways but now I am a new person.
Also it seems to have eliminated my morning headaches and neck stiffness, but I can't say whether that is attributed to the rhodiola or the 5-HTP. From what I've read it may likely be the 5-HTP.
However as others have stated, I would take caution in the dosage of rhodiola. I have found that if I take the afternoon dose too close to the morning dose, I do become a bit jittery and restless. Still happy--not nervous--but jittery and restless nonetheless.
Rhodiola is obviously powerful stuff and I'm sure it's not for everyone, but if you are the type of person that it can benefit, then like the others here that have reported positive experiences, I think you'll be astounded as to how effective it can be.
5-HTP for Teenagers
Posted by Mike 62 (Denver, Colorado) on 12/19/2013
Dana: I had what your son has when I was his age, only I was a lot worse. 40 years later I learned that cooked regular food does not have any enzymes, humic acids that activate nutrients, xeronines that activate proteins, sulfur, or trace minerals. Do your son a big favor and feed him raw organic, grassfed, and superfood concentrates, and make home made water kefir. You can watch raw food videos for some great ideas.
Restores Serotonin Levels
Posted by Christy (Portland, Or) on 09/17/2010
★★★★★
It's fairly common amongst users of psychedelic drugs known to effect serotonin receptors and levels (MDMA, LSD, etc. ) to use 5-HTP to restore serotonin levels. I've found that it noticibly helps myself and have seen it gain a lot of popularity over the last few years. It'd be interested to see legitimate research done.
Depression
Posted by Kristina (Beverly, Ma) on 04/03/2010
★★★★★
I'm sorry for the delay in my response - I take the 5htp once a day at about 10:30am. If I took it immediately upon waking, I'd probably take two a day... but taking it at that hour, I only need one.
I usually feel pretty good all by myself in the mornings.
5-HTP and Zoloft
Posted by Shelby (Wilmington, Ca) on 12/22/2011
Jaime! You should look into meditation and yoga to help with your depression. Sending you lots of love and light :)
5-HTP Side Effects
Posted by Sheryn (Milwaukee, Wi) on 04/17/2010
Susan and others...I noticed while researching several options to treat low-level depression, that many caution against using if your depression has a bipolar (manic) component. My guess is that increasing serotonin in that instance leads to the manic activity and irritability (depressed mood manic energy me = one serious crabby-butt, lesson learned with an ill-fated combo of stimulants for attention deficit).
The solution for you may lie in working with other parts of your brain chemistry. Maybe see what folks are recommending for bipolar/cyclothymia.
Anxiety
Posted by Harrier (Long Beach, CA) on 11/27/2005
★★★★★
I was recently diagnosed as having some mild anxiety was was given Zoloft. However the side effects were too great for me to continue. I have been trying L- Glutamine and 5 HTP for about a month and appear to find a leveling off or those problems. For me although it seems to have helped, the jury is still out and I'm not sure if this is helping or its me in the fact I only recently recognized it was a problem. I have read that 90% of the people who try natural alternatives for depression / anxiety return to prescriptions. That is very high. I only wish I recognized my problem earlier. The only people I see pushing the natural alternatives are people who have things to gain. There have been no real blind study on 5 HTP. I do not crave junk food or caffeine nearly as much. If that is a symptom of improvement, perhaps I'm getting there.
Insomnia
Posted by Kathryn (Toronto, Ontario)
★★★★★
I am taking 5-HTP to help me with sleeping. My 16 yr old daughter is also taking it to help with stress and weight control as well as sleeping. We have found it has helped a lot and I don't have to take it every day . My kids call them the turkey pills because the amino acid they contain are the same as the one found in turkey, milk, bananas etc. We both take 100 or 200 mg a day.
5-HTP for Teenagers
Posted by Dana (Sheridan, Wyoming) on 12/19/2013
Would 5-HTP be advisable for my 16 year old son? He seems to be tired a lot, gets frequent headaches, looks to have low energy (except when he is with his friends and has bouts of anxiety. He has a huge homework load from AP classes but handles his homework well. I worry about his headaches and anxiety. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.
5-HTP and Zoloft
Posted by Bee (Anon, Anon) on 03/15/2010
If you do take 5-HTP and Zoloft, there is a chance that your serotonin levels will rise too high. Also, realize that there is a chance of withdrawal as you wean yourself off of Zoloft. I would consult with a medical professional to help you wean off the Zoloft gradually, to ease any withdrawal. I used 5-htp to help wean off Paxil(another SSRI)- I'm at a half dose now, but not trying to reduce it any right now. I had really severe withdrawal so it may be better to give your system a break before starting the 5-htp. At least in my experience weaning off is really hard and it's important to take care of yourself and have the support of someone to help you get through it.
5-HTP Tips
Posted by Chicagorock (Chicago, Il) on 03/06/2011
★★★★★
Hi patricia,
you might try neuroassist. it's a mix of htp-5 with other co-factors that you need in balance. they say that htp-5 alone with put your other neurotransmitters out of whack, here is their web site www.neuroassist.com/. my therapist said that her clients are doing much better with neuroassist. hope you feel better, patricia, good luck.
5-HTP vs L-Tyrptophan
Posted by Peggy (Loveland, Co) on 07/15/2010
★★★★★
My understanding is that 5-HTP is the intermediate biochemical in the body between tryptophan and serotonin. Tryptophan is in some foods like turkey and Brazil nuts, and our bodies turn it into 5-HTP, which is then turned into serotonin. L-tryptophan was the supplement version of tryptophan, but apparently had some unpleasant side effects so it was pulled. www.5-HTP.org has some good info about it. I have had good luck with 100 mg of 5-HTP on an empty stomach about an hour before bedtime. I sleep more restfully and am happier when I wake up. I understand it's good to start with 50 mg and see if that works, and add more if needed. If I run out and don't get more for a few days, I start having more insomnia and sadness within a few days. Also, it took a few days to take effect, but has been well worth it and no side effects.
5-HTP for Teenagers
Posted by Mama To Many (Tennessee, Usa) on 12/20/2013
Hi Dana,
It is worrisome to see a teen work hard and be tired and have headaches! I have seen this too with my sons.
One thing is that teens do need more sleep for a time during the mid-teen years. I have worried when it appears my teens need more sleep than their younger siblings. Teens often do not get adequate sleep and often get irregular sleep. But between school and social lives etc, it can be hard to get them to sleep enough. Does he have trouble sleeping? Sleepytime tea before bed actually helps a lot for many, if so. I don't know that I would start with 5-HTP, I don't know much about it. But others may have another thought on this.
I agree with Mike that getting him some concentration nutrition is important. Teens are growing and need extra nutrition. Unfortunately, they are often not getting a very good diet, especially if they are consuming fast food, energy drinks, caffeine, etc. In fact, MSG (in fast food or processed food), processed sugar, and energy drinks can all cause headaches and anxiety.
Most of us are iodine deficient. A drop of Lugol's iodine daily, or a kelp tablet (not as much iodine, but still helpful to some.) might be helpful. Low iodine affects energy poorly. Also, daily vitamin C and D and B complex would be good. I did this for my son who is 17 and it did make a noticeable difference.
Sometimes a few simple changes will help. Sometimes it might be more complex. An underlying virus could cause be involved and then I would consider Dave's colloidal silver plan.
Keep us posted on what you try and how it is going. If the first things you try don't work, EC posters will likely have some more ideas for you!
~Mama to Many~
Depression
Posted by Gean (Salina, Ks) on 03/25/2010
Do you take the 5-HTP in the morning, or at night? Thank you.
5-HTP and Zoloft
Posted by Jamie (Breese, Il) on 03/13/2010
I have battled with depression since I was a freshman in highschool, im 29 now. I take 150mg of Zoloft everyday. If I wanted to try this 5-HTP would I also have to stop taking the Zoloft or could I take both. The Zoloft does not help with my times of excessive worrying, mood swings, or the feeling of being tired all the time. Any suggestion??
5-HTP Side Effects
Posted by Susan (Hamilton, Ontario, Canada) on 02/13/2010
After hearing the great things about 5-HTP, I gave it a whirl for my anxiety and sleeplessness. I reacted very paradoxically to this supplement, as within two hours I was alert and energetic to the point of hyperactivity, also my mood became very agitated and I was extremely cranky with those that I love. The only good thing was that I got through a mountain of housework in a half day because I just could not stop. The effects carried on into the night and I only was able to sleep for an hour at most. Wanting to give this a really good trial, I carried on for about a week but the effects were the same, I hated the way I was feeling, and I finally gave the tablets away.
5-HTP vs L-Tyrptophan
Posted by Robin (Rural, VA) on 11/15/2008
Somebody help me clear up something. I came across some L-Tryotophan 500 mg at a drug store, in a sale bin, which I understand is no longer being sold. Doing a little research, this is a typical size dosage. I had been planning on buying some 5Htp anyway. Which is generally sold in 100 mg. I keep reading that L-Tryptophan and 5Htp are the same thing. Why would there be such a vast difference in the amount of the capsules? And if they are not the same thing, someone please explain the difference.
I had also read that if you are using 5Htp to help you sleep, you have to take a lot (maybe 5) of capsules. This is not very cost effective, as a bottle of 60 would cost you about $20. I had sleep in mind when I bought the L-Tryptophan, and took one capsule. I slept like a baby. And believe me that is rare for me.
5-HTP Side Effects
Posted by Rolf (Los Angeles, Ca, Usa) on 07/25/2012
Interestingly enough, and rather contrary to the popular marketing perspective, much of the research on tryptophan and 5-hydroxytryptophan documents that it isn't particularly beneficial for insomnia and depression.
Worst of all, there are many distressing side effects from the use of (prolonged) tryptophan supplements, such as cancer promotion. I wrote an article on this, "Tryptophan Side Effects: L-Tryptophan Is Far From Harmless", which you can access at http://www.supplements-and-health.com/tryptophan-side-effects.html
5-HTP Side Effects
Posted by Guata (Provo, Ut) on 07/27/2012
BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
I tried 5-HTP, 50 mg. I slept great but woke up with burst blood vessels in my left eye. I tried it a few nights later and the same thing happened: I slept great again but had the burst blood vessels again. I don't dare use it anymore.
5-HTP Tips
Posted by Patricia (Gainesville, FL) on 06/16/2009
My daughter take 5HTP but she takes P-5-P along with it. Does anyone have any info on the P-5-P. After reading some of the side effects some people have had I am a little afraid to take it. I have just started on Tumeric. Had to quit Bill's spray and ACV as it made my throat so sore my voice dropped a few levels. Any one else had this happen?
5-HTP Side Effects
Posted by jill (Rochester, UK) on 12/14/2007
I would be interested to know if anyone else has had horrible side effects from taking 5-HTP I get stomach cramps terrible palpitations dizzyness and still feel awful the next day. Am I the only one, everyone I read about seems to think it's the best thing since sliced bread. Help!!
5-HTP Side Effects
Posted by Violet (Atlanta, Georgia) on 03/29/2008
For Jill--yes 50 mg of 5htp did make me feel anxious, flushed, and a little weird. I now take just 25 mg a day and that makes me sleep much better...the calming effect still feels a little odd to me, but I think this supplement has raised my mood, which was extremely depressed. I would suggest lowering your dose. A lot of info. on the web suggests taking very high dosages a day and I think this may be based on clinical trials, which use a lot of a drug to see the effects quickly. This is not necessarily advisable for everyday folks.
5-HTP Side Effects
Posted by Charlotte (Honolulu, Hi) on 02/02/2013
WARNING!
hey everyone who wants to try 5-HTP you should research it first... It's the cause of Eosinophilia Myalgia Syndrome (EMS). I thought I was going to try it until I read about this. The side effects among other things are extreme muscle pain, tremors, and it's a life-long condition. It has also killed people.
