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New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2005 >> 5-HTP Serotonin Capsules ??
(Message started by: BikerBob on Feb 14th, 2005, 5:16pm)

Title: 5-HTP Serotonin Capsules ??
Post by BikerBob on Feb 14th, 2005, 5:16pm
If clusterheads have serotonin deficiencies and triptans stimulate serotonin, what effect does this product have on CH ?

5-HTP / Hydroxy Tryptophan Natural Serotonin, 50mg - 60 Caps      

"5-HTP / Hydroxy Tryptophan is an Amino Acid and precursor to serotonin, a brain chemical responsible for regulating mood, appetite, behavior, and sleep and may help elevating mood, encouraging relaxation, controlling appetite, promoting sleep and may prove beneficial in the treatment of depression, obesity, insomnia, and migraine headaches."

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/herbal-remedies-usa/0006.html

In the product listed just below it under "Other Formulations", the 5-HTP "has been combined with Vitamin C and Vitamin B6, an important cofactor in the conversion to serotonin."

Bob

Title: Re: 5-HTP Serotonin Capsules ??
Post by guesst on Feb 14th, 2005, 6:37pm
Some guys take it, I don't because I use SSRI's.  It's worth it to try, but if you are on any antidepressants, DO NOT TAKE IT, you can get "serotonin syndrome, which is not a good thing.

Title: Re: 5-HTP Serotonin Capsules ??
Post by Bob P on Feb 14th, 2005, 6:48pm
Not that simple Biker.  It's not just a matter of boosting serotonin (5HT).  You have to activate or in the case of some drugs suppress certain sub-recptor  5HT sites.  Besides 5HTP in not serotonin but a precurser of serotonin.  I'm not sure of this part but I'm betting your body still only converts the amount of 5HTP into 5HT that it requires.

I tried the 5HTP.  My advice is save your money.

Title: Re: 5-HTP Serotonin Capsules ??
Post by floridian on Feb 14th, 2005, 10:40pm
For clusters, I think it helped me, though melatonin is better in some ways.  For depression and anxiety when not in a CH episode, it has a clear effect on me.

Some people report a worsening of their clusters when taking 5-htp.  

Ditto the concerns about not mixing with SSRIs or other anti-depressants.  There are some theoretical concerns that long term use could cause a fen-phen problem with heart valves.  This hasn't been seen, but I limit my use of 5-htp to a few capsules a day for a week or ten days.

Title: Re: 5-HTP Serotonin Capsules ??
Post by debs on Feb 14th, 2005, 10:54pm
I have also been curious about this stuff. One of my concerns --should one not mix 5-HTP with triptans? It seems like it might not be a good idea, and perhaps I read this somewhere...

I wonder about taking 5-HTP while out of cycle, in an attempt to prevent an anticipated cycle. Anyone ever tried this? It's one of the things I plan to look into after my current cycle ends, and time is a little more free.
:)

Debbie

Title: Re: 5-HTP Serotonin Capsules ??
Post by floridian on Feb 15th, 2005, 8:06am
Definitely don't want to mix it with triptans either.  

I'm episodic, and for the last two years, I get all the signals that the beast is trying to visit.  I take melatonin at night, 5-htp in the day, along with upping my magnesium, green tea and turmeric.  For the past two years, I have had a 'dry' cycle - no headaches, but all the other indicators of CH (twitch, weird tingles in the face/head/feet, disturbed sleep, etc).  A few days of melatonin get my sleep close to normal, which I think goes the longest way to helping.  But  5-htp also improves my sleep, which is a good thing.  

Title: Re: 5-HTP Serotonin Capsules ??
Post by Giovanni on Feb 17th, 2005, 7:40pm
Prior to the "alternative therapy" I used 5-HTP 50mg X 2 per day and 9 mg of melatonin at night.  The 5-HTP did elevate my mood and helped with the cycle depression.  I would only take it for about 2 weeks at a time and come off for a couple of weeks.

That in combination with the melatonin did help me when in cycle.  As noted above, there are some medications that this should not be combined.

Also of some help was the B-Complex vitamins with the above.

John




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