5-htp natural serotonin

[Jennyxxx]

Hi all
Does anyone have any experience in taking this natural serotonin below by any chance?
I cannot take any type of anti-depressant - I seem to be allergic to something in all of them (tried 7 or 8 different ones) My face and hands swell up completely etc.
I wanted to try the serotonin based medicine ... but I was allergic to that too.
Any comments most welcome
Enjoy your Sunday!

Jen



Source Natural 5-HTP tablets
What Is 5-htp?

5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is an amino acid that occurs naturally in the body and is the final step in the production of the neurotransmitter serotonin, an important chemical that's responsible for many of the brain impulses involving satisfaction and well being. 5-HTP is created through the hydroxylating of Tryptophan. Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that must be taken in through protein containing foods since the body can not synthesize it. Of the eight essential amino acids, tryptophan is the least common, accounting for only about one percent of protein content, and it is used up rapidly by the body. About ninety-percent is used in protein synthesis. The rest is divided between serotonin production and niacin production, which requires 60mg for every 1mg of niacin produced. However, 5-HTP is only used in serotonin production. 5-hydroxytryptophan is also able to pass through the blood-brain barrier easily, unlike tryptophan, which can only pass through the barrier by using the same transport molecule that caries leucine, isoleucine, and valine.

Unlike tryptophan supplements, 5-HTP supplements are not produced commercially by the fermentation of bacteria. Instead, it is extracted from the seeds of Griffonia simplicifolia, an African tree that is grown mostly in Ghana and the Ivory Coast. The extraction process uses alcohol and produces an oily solid. The oily extract is then purified into a dry solid. 5-HTP can also be made synthetically in the laboratory. The final product is the same as the one made by the body.

5-HTP & Mood/Sleep:

5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is an amino acid, which raises serotonin levels in the brain for mood enhancement and restful sleep. One small 6-week study compared 5-HTP to an antidepressant in the Prozac family and found equal benefit between the two, with 5-HTP causing fewer and less severe side effects. In another interesting study, researchers found that children treated with 5-HTP for night terrors showed significant long-term improvement.



5-HTP may be useful for: mild to moderate depression, anxiety, SAD
low libido associated with low mood e.g. PMS or menopause
mild sleep disturbance and jet lag
migraines & stress headaches

[zencyn]

I don't think it's as strong as antidepressants, but I think 5-htp is good stuff. Sorry to hear you are allergic to antidepressants.

EDIT

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