Posted by Bob P (129.65.106.96) on November 18, 1999 at 22:59:00:
In Reply to: niacin posted by John Bown on November 18, 1999 at 22:46:09:
5-HT is the abreviation for serotonin. It's found in the central nervous system, the gastrointestinal system and the blood. I read that niacin acts on tryptophan to form 5-HT in the blood and GI system but not the brain. I think the brain is where we want it to stop CH (I'm guessing because Imitrex acts on the 5-HT receptor sites in the brain to constrict the muscle surrounding blood vessels). Maybe taking niacin robs the brain of the 5-HT and triggers the headache.
So my point was take 5-HTP supplements, it's one step before 5-HT and you can't get pure 5-HT and don't take niacin so the 5-HT that is formed from the 5-HTP goes to the brain and not the other 2 locations
.
I'm just trying to find my way through all this stuff but your comment about niacin triggering a headache fits.
I'm an engineer so I'm no expert on this either. I'm just searching out material to read and trying to piece it together.
Thanks,
Bob