5HTP supplement benefit and side effects by Ray Sahelian, M.D. Does 5HTP help with depression and weight loss?

5HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan or 5-hydroxy-l-tryptophan) is a supplement that converts in the brain into serotonin. Serotonin is an important neurotransmitter involved in mood, behavior, appetite, impulse control such as gambling, and sleep. Scientists have examined the role 5HTP in anxiety, panic attacks, headache, and other conditions. When you take a 5HTP supplement, it is absorbed into your bloodstream and makes itself into the brain where it converts into serotonin. Other nutrients and herbs that have an influence on stress or anxiety include passion flower herb, tryptophan amino acid, kava, and valerian. See the link below in blue for more info. Mind Power Rx is a formula that helps balance mood and provides mental clarity.

5HTP 50 mg - 60 Capsules
Formulated by Ray Sahelian, M.D.
Additional formulas by Dr. Sahelian include Good Night Rx for better sleep, Eyesight Rx for better vision, Prostate Power Rx for a healthy prostate gland, Joint Power Rx for healthy joints, MultiVit Rx as a daily energy booster, and Mind Power Rx for mental enhancement. If you would like to improve your will power and eat less, consider an effective appetite suppressant called Diet-Rx. I suggest you begin with 50 mg rather than 100 mg since higher dosages are more likely to lead to unpleasant adverse effects.

5HTP supplement 50 mg


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Benefits of Diet Rx
All natural appetite suppressant, decreases appetite so you eat less
Balances mood
Improves mental concentration and focus
Improves will power and choice of food selection

5HTP Benefits -- appetite, mood, stress, anxiety and depression
Some people who take 5HTP notice better mood balance, a decrease in appetite (there have been studies with 5HTP and weight loss), reduced anxiety, better impulse control, and better sleep (try different times of the day or evening, and different dosages to see which dosage and timing works better for you). I have come across some individuals who find themselves more alert rather than in a relaxed, sleepy state of mind with 5HTP.
   Some find that 5HTP helps curb appetite with better weight control. This nutrient could be used temporarily for appetite suppression while other lifestyle and dietary changes are being incorporated regarding a life long plan for keeping weight off. Not everyone notices the appetite suppressing effect from 5HTP. A study in rodents indicates that 5HTP may be useful in controlling the excessive food intake sometimes generated by stress.
   5HTP may be temporarily helpful in conditions that normally require prescription antidepressants, anti-anxiety agents, sleeping pills, and weight loss drugs. 5HTP may also be helpful in some individuals with migraine headaches and fibromyalgia.
   5HTP reduces the severity of a panic attack which may indicate that panic attacks may partly be due to low serotonin levels.

Mind Power Rx - Formulated by Ray Sahelian, M.D.

Mind Power Rx is a sophisticated cognitive formula. It combines a delicate balance of brain circulation agents and neurotransmitter precursors with powerful natural brain chemicals that support healthy:

• Memory and Mood
• Mental clarity
• Concentration 
• Alertness and Focus

Why buy all the individual herbs and nutrients separately -- at great expense -- when you can buy this excellent combination? The herbs in Mind Power Rx include: Ashwagandha, Bacopa, Fo-Ti, Ginkgo biloba, Ginseng, Mucuna pruriens, Rhodiola, and Reishi.  The nutrients and vitamins in Mind Power Rx include Acetyl-l-carnitine, Carnitine, Carnosine, Choline, DMAE, Inositol, Methylcobalamin, Pantothenic acid, Trimethylglycine, Tyrosine, and Vinpocetine.

Short term 5HTP negative effects
5HTP from high doses of  (which could be 70 to 100 mg and greater) can cause nausea and vomiting, stomach cramps, nightmares, and decreased sex drive. Serotonin has an inhibitory effect on sexual behavior. Tiredness and sleepiness can occur after several days or weeks of use which may indicate that a break should be taken from 5HTP use.

Q.  My wife has been taking 5htp enteric coated for about two weeks now because she hardly ever sleeps and she now has some unexpected 5HTP side effects, she has been eating more specially craving sugar/salt and has gained weight. Isn't this the opposite of what 5htp is supposed to do? Before that we tried L-tryptophan and it was the same side effect, so we thought maybe it was not converting into 5htp so we gave this a try. Have you seen/heard this 5htp side effect?
   A. Eating more while taking 5HTP supplements is a rare occurrence but there are some individuals who respond to supplements and medications in a way different than others.

A message regarding the safe use of 5HTP
5-HTP was introduced to the over the counter market in 1994. Our understanding of 5HTP's clinical role and its safety is still fuzzy. We don't know as much as we should about the effects of chronic 5HTP use. Therefore, until we learn more, the idea is to take 5HTP in the minimum effective dosage and to avoid its prolonged use. I tell my patients who use 5HTP to take frequent breaks (the frequency and length of breaks varies since each person is unique). During these breaks, other forms of therapy could be substituted. As of now, and after more than a decade of 5HTP sold to the public, I am not aware of any reports in the medical literature of anyone who has encountered life threatening or other serious side effects from the use of 5HTP.

5HTP Dosage
Some studies have used dosages of 300 mg a day for depression, but I consider any 5HTP dose above 50 mg a high dose. Most 5HTP products on the market are sold in 50 and 100 mg capsules. Some people do well with 20 to 50 mg, while others may temporarily require 100 mg or more. I'm not aware of 5HTP products on the market that are less than 50 mg. Those who do well with small doses can open a capsule and take a portion mixed with water. 5HTP is best absorbed on an empty stomach. Medical supervision is recommended if high doses of 5HTP are required to treat a particular condition. I don't recommend the routine use of daily intake doses greater than 100 mg since there's the possibility of nausea or nightmares. Also, we still don't know if there are any long term side effects if people take high doses for many years. 5HTP enhances dreams and makes them more vivid.

Source and manufacture
5HTP is made in the body from the amino acid tryptophan. Most of the 5HTP produced in the body comes from its manufacture in the intestines from tryptophan. Tryptophan is an essential amino acid; that is, the body does not have the capacity to synthesize it. All the supply of tryptophan must be gotten through foods that contain protein.
   5HTP sold over the counter is extracted from the Griffonia seed. The seeds come from an African tree grown mostly in Ghana and the Ivory Coast. 5HTP can also be made synthetically in the laboratory. The final product is the same as the one made by the body. Only a small (3 to 7) percent of the griffonia seed is made of 5HTP, therefore, consuming griffonia seeds is not an efficient way of getting 5HTP. 5HTP is not made from fermentation of bacteria.

5HTP Interactions with drugs and other supplements
The use of 5HTP in combination with SSRIs such as Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, and others has not been formally evaluated. Anecdotal reports indicate that many people tolerate small amount of 5HTP, 50 mg or less, with small amounts of SSRIs when used under the guidance of a medical professional. The effects of taking 5HTP along with a pharmaceutical antidepressant are sometimes difficult to predict. Since the SSRIs, like Prozac, block serotonin reuptake, and 5HTP converts into serotonin, it is possible that dangerously high levels of serotonin could occur, a condition called serotonin syndrome.
   It is difficult to predict the interaction of 5HTP with lithium, MAO inhibitors, anti-anxiety agents, beta blockers, birth conrtrol pills, and other pharmaceutical medicines. Some physicians are using a combination of two or more natural antidepressants such as 5HTP, St. John's wort, SAM-e, and others. However the interactions are not fully known and caution is advised. Any such combination should be done under medical supervision.

Q. Is it safe to combine Adderall and 5HTP supplement
   A. It is not easy to give answers regarding combinations of drugs and supplements, such as Adderall and 5HTP, since there are many variables involved including dosage and individual response.

Timing and Dosage
It's difficult to say what the best time to take 5HTP since it varies among individuals. It depends whether 5HTP is being used for sleep, in that case it is taken in the evening; for anxiety or low mood, 5HTP can be taken any time of day; or weight loss, in which case it is taken on an empty stomach an hour or two before a meal.
   If you do take 5HTP during the day, it's best to take no more than 25 mg since it could cause sleepiness. 5HTP is absorbed better taken on an empty stomach.
There is has not been enough research done with 5HTP to know the ideal dosages and timing. Also, there is significant individual variability to the response to 5HTP. Hence, each person may need to find out for themselves the lowest dose that works well, and the ideal timing, whether early in the day, midday or evening.
   A small amount of alcohol usually does not interfere with 5HTP, but larger amounts may.

5HTP or Prozac for depression?
The choice of whether to take natural supplements for depression or pharmaceutical medicines is a personal one along with consultation with a health care professional. There are quite a number of factors, too many to list, that have to be considered. Those with mild depression may wish to try natural antidepressants first whereas those with moderate to severe depression would likely need a strong pharmaceutical medicine. Other nutrients to consider include SAM-e and St. John's wort. A few medical doctors are starting to prescribe 5HTP as an antidepressant.
   Prozac and other SSRIs have been tested more thoroughly than natural antidepressants. 5HTP is trickier to use, tolerance may develop, long-term safety not known as well, but works well for some people in improving mood, reducing appetite, and improving sleep. It's very difficult, if not nearly impossible, to predict how each person will react or respond to a medicine or nutrient. Sometimes the best method is trial and error.

Carbidopa and 5HTP
There's a pharmaceutical medicine called carbidopa which blocks the metabolism of 5HTP in the blood stream allowing for more to be present in the body. The question as to whether it is preferable to take carbidopa along with 5HTP is not clear at this time but could be considered under medical supervision. Taking carbidopa would most likely reduce the dosage required for 5HTP since less 5HTP would be broken down in the bloodstream and more would be available to enter the brain.

5HTP Research studies
5-hydroxytryptophan is a more potent in vitro hydroxyl radical scavenger than melatonin or vitamin C.
J Pineal Research. 2005 Jan;38(1):62-6.
Hydroxyl radicals are involved in direct damage of important biomolecules. Potent radical scavengers such as vitamin C and indoles of the tryptophan family can avert the potential damage. Melatonin and its precursor 5-hydroxytryptophan ( 5HTP ) were compared with water-soluble vitamin C. Different scavenger concentrations were measured in a steady-state luminol chemiluminescence system (SLCL-system) with combined Fe(II) chloride (0.1 mm) and hydrogen peroxide (1.0 mm) as hydroxyl radical generators. 5HTP showed highest hydroxyl radical scavenging effects with a 50% inhibition concentration (IC50) of 1.8 microm. For vitamin C an IC50 of 12.7 microm was measured, whereas melatonin in pure demineralized water was much less efficient (IC50=724 microm).

Effect of orally administered L-tryptophan on serotonin, melatonin, and the innate immune response in the rat.
Mol Cell Biochem. 2004 Dec;267(1-2):39-46.
To assess the effects of external administration of L-tryptophan on the synthesis of serotonin and melatonin as well as on the immune function of Wistar rats, 300 mg of the amino acid were administered either during daylight (08:00) or at night (20:00) for 5 days. Brain, plasma, and peritoneal macrophage samples were collected 4 h after the administration. The accumulation of 5-hydroxytryptophan ( 5HTP ) after decarboxylase inhibition was used to measure the rate of tryptophan hydroxylation in vivo. The results showed a diurnal increase in the brain 5HTP, serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT), and 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid (5-HIAA) of the animals which had received tryptophan at 08:00 and were killed 4 h later. In the animals which received tryptophan during the dark period, the 5-HT declined but the 5-HT/5-HIAA ratio remained unchanged. There was also a significant increase in nocturnal circulating melatonin levels.

5HTP induced increase in salivary cortisol in panic disorder patients and healthy volunteers.
Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2002 Jun;161(4):365-9.
Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Brain and Behaviour, Maastricht University, Maastricht The Netherlands
Hypersensitivity of brain serotonin receptors has been proposed as a causal mechanism in the pathophysiology of panic disorder. This theory can be tested, using serotonergic stimulation of the HPA axis. Up to now, plasma cortisol has generally been used as the outcome measure in such studies. Assessment of salivary cortisol is a non-invasive alternative to measure HPA axis activity. METHOD: Salivary cortisol levels were measured in 24 panic disorder patients and 24 healthy volunteers, following ingestion of 200 mg 5htp or placebo. RESULTS: A significant rise in cortisol was observed in both patients and controls following ingestion of 5htp. No such effects were seen in the placebo condition. CONCLUSION: The results show that 5htp stimulated salivary cortisol is a useful probe of serotonin function in healthy volunteers as well as panic disorder patients, and provide some evidence against a serotonin receptor hypersensitivity in panic disorder.

5HTP Prevents Panic Attacks
A panic attack involves the sudden appearance of several symptoms including shortness of breath, sweating or shaking, palpitations, and the fear of dying or losing control. . Women are more likely than men to have this condition. Doctors often prescribe anti-anxiety medicines such as Xanax or Valium. However, a nutrient known as 5HTP may play an important role. 5HTP stands for 5-Hydroxytryptophan, a supplement available over the counter that, when ingested, goes to the brain and converts into the brain chemical serotonin. Serotonin is known to induce relaxation and balance mood. Researchers at the Department of Neuropsychology at Maastricht University in The Netherlands were able to induce a panic attack in volunteers who suffer from panic disorder by having them breathe a high concentration of carbon dioxide. They repeated the study, this time giving half of the volunteers 200-mg of 5HTP while the others received a placebo. Those who took 5HTP had a significantly diminished panic response compared to those on placebo.
Dr. Sahelian says: 5HTP is available in health food stores in a dosage of 50 mg. The results of this study are quite interesting and indicate that those with panic attacks may not have adequate levels of serotonin. If you suffer from frequent panic attacks, it would be worthwhile to discuss the findings of this 5HTP study with your physician.

Tryptophan taken orally can convert into serotonin and melatonin
Tryptophan is an amino acid available in food. A few years ago tryptophan reappeared on the market as an over the counter supplement. The biochemistry of tryptophan is fascinating and quite important. It has been known for some time that in the body and brain, tryptophan gets converted into 5-hydroxy-tryptophan ( 5HTP ) which then converts into serotonin, a crucial brain chemical involved in mood, appetite, impulse control and sleep. Serotonin, in turn, is able to convert at night into melatonin.
   To confirm this knowledge, tryptophan was given to a group of rats at 8 am in the morning, and to another group of rats at 8 PM at night. Four hours after administration, researchers measured the blood and brain fluid levels of serotonin and melatonin. During daytime administration, tryptophan raised the levels of serotonin. Interestingly, when tryptophan was given at night, serotonin levels did not increase, but melatonin levels increased significantly. Therefore, the serotonin that was generated by tryptophan administration was being converted into melatonin. Another study I came across in the January 2005 issue of the Journal of Pineal Research indicates that 5-HTP is a more potent antioxidant than Vitamin C.
   My comments: First, this study confirms again that levels of 5HTP, serotonin, and melatonin can be influenced by supplements. Second, it shows that the timing of a supplement can make a difference on how it is metabolized. Since tryptophan, 5HTP, and melatonin are available as supplements, I have had many questions over the years asking which one is best to take for depression, sleep, anxiety, or appetite control. This is difficult to answer since each person has a different biochemistry and would respond differently. The most reliable way to find out is by trial and error. There's really no practical blood study that can be done to determine which supplement someone will respond to, and in what dosage. As a rule, melatonin is most helpful for sleep and does not have a strong influence on mood or appetite. 5HTP has a strong influence on mood, appetite and anxiety. Tryptophan has been used for depression and sleep.

5HTP supplement emails
Q. Is 5htp useful in helping with the long term effects of heavy MDMA Ecstacy usage? Does Ecstacy influence memory, mood swings and depression in particular?
   A. I have not studied the connection between 5htp and mdma in a scientific way, but i do know patients who have used Ecstasy- mdma - and some say it helps them when they use 5htp. I also think antioxidants may be helpful, such as alpha lipoic acid or a good multiple like MultiVit Rx. So, in summary, I don't have any exact scientific studies, but I think using antioxidants may, at least partially, protect the brain cells from harm. Other mood lifters and antioxidants are Mind Power Rx and Eyesight Rx. Getting regular deep sleep is also very helpful in protecting brain cells and keeping them healthy. Using this drug frequently damages brain cells, sometimes permanently, and can cause depression.

Q. I recently discovered your website and wondered if your staff can clarify the claims made in a recent article in "Oprah" magazine. An Australian study found that 5HTP is converted into serotonin in the stomach where it remains, causing stomach upsets and nausea. It further claims that the serotonin never makes it the brain, and is therefore, useless as a mood enhancer, antidepressant, etc. Does 5htp ever make it to the brain?
   A. Yes it quickly goes into brain tissue and converts into serotonin, people often feel the effects of 5htp within an hour or sooner. I personally noticed the effects of 5htp - drowsiness, sleepiness, relaxation - within 10 minutes the very first time I took a 50 mg capsule in the evening, around 10 PM.

Q.  I'm wondering if it's safe to take 5htp while pregnant? Please help me out, i'm having a really hard time finding out the answer to that question of 5htp and pregnancy.
   A. The reason you are having problems finding information in this area is because the role of 5htp supplements in pregnancy has not been studied, so I really don't know the safety of 5htp in women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. I think it would be best not to use 5htp during pregnancy unless your doctor approves and thinks other alternatives are not safe.

Q. I find 5htp helps my bulimia.

Q. i know it is not recommended to take 5htp with ssri medications because of serotonin problems. what about 5htp with Wellbutrin XL which does not affect serotonin?
   A. I are not familiar with any studies in this area, so it is difficult to say how a person would handle the combination of Wellbutrin and 5HTP. The dosage and timing could make a significant difference, as well as each person's unique biochemistry.

Q. I am considering taking 5HTP, but am a breastfeeding mother and am wondering about the safety of this supplement for lactating women. Unfortunately, Dr. Sahelian does not address this in his book on 5HTP.
   A. The reason the connection between 5htp and breastfeeding or pregnancy is not addressed is because I have not been able to find human research in this area, hence it is difficult to give an opinion.

Q. I recently started taking 50 mg of 5htp and I find that if I take it before bedtime I wake up in a flash at about 4am. When I was taking Paxil, I had a similar effect at first. What do you suppose is the biology of this? All I can think of is that some of the serotonin is used for processing the day's experiences and that if there is more serotonin, less processing time is needed, and the body naturally wakes. It is somehow not a restful awakening though, something else doesn't get to finish because I feel totally groggy the rest of the day. My solution is simply to take 5htp in the morning.
   A. Yes this can occur, perhaps the 5htp converts quickly into serotonin and melatonin but wears off quickly, hence causing the awakening, or 5htp may stimulate the production of other brain chemicals or receptors that lead to alertness. I am not sure, but I have had other people mention early morning awakening with 5htp. Taking 5htp earlier in the day, or taking a smaller amount in the evening 3 to 4 hours before bed could be tried.

Q. I came across your site, and found it to have excellent information. I have been on oral magnesium for a few months now, and noticed how my mitral valve prolapse seems "quieter", and my blood pressure readings lower. I sleep much better as well, and my mood seems more stable. To this regime I have added 5HTP. Sometimes my blood pressure readings are higher, is there a correlation with the 5HTP and higher numbers?
   A. I have not heard the connection between 5htp and higher blood pressure before, but if I come across a reference to it I will post it.

Q. To Dr. Sahelian and research staff, I started taking 5htp (100mg a day) for chronic tension headaches about 8 months ago. It took about 3 to 4 months to get headache relief. I also was sleeping better and losing my appetite too. I decided to continue the same regimen for another few months until I started to notice some side effects: dry mouth, low libido, and apathy. I have been off of 5htp for almost 2 months and I still have the side effects. How long will it take for these to subside? Is there anything I can do to reverse the effects such as a supplement? How long does it take for 5htp to leave the system? Any assistance you can offer will be greatly appreciated.
   A. The side effects of 5HTP should diminish with time, it is difficult to predict how long. You may wish to see this page on libido and consult with your doctor to see if any of the options are appropriate for you. Impotence can be a problem with the use of serotonin influencing nutrients and drugs.

Q. Does 5HTP reduce the sensation of smell to perfume or sensation to fragrances?
     A. Not that I am aware of.

Q. I came across your web site and was grateful to see all the information you provided on 5HTP. I ordered your book 5HTP: Nature's Serotonin Solution through Amazon and was told a month later that it's unavailable. I didn't see any mention of its availability on your site either. Is it available anywhere? I'd appreciate more in-depth discussions on how and when to take and get off the drug, as at one point my body built up such a tolerance to it that I was taking over 1 gram a day ( in addition to Citalopram ) without experiencing any serotonin shock. Yes, I realized it was out of hand and quickly cut drastically down on the dosage. I'm 6'7, 235 lbs., so I'm assuming my size requires a little higher dosage of these pills, as 5HTP 50 and 100 mg doses don't seem to do much. One other question. I'm taking Citalopram for depression and supplementing with 5HTP as well as L-Tyrosine DLPA and L-Glutamine. I've told my doctor about it and expect him to get back to me eventually on the toxicology levels involved, but I was wondering if you know if the 5HTP, tyrosine, et al block each other when taken together, cause any side effects, etc.?
   A. 5HTP Nature's Serotonin Solution could be ordered from Amazon since there are used books that are available. Combining 5HTP and other amino acids is tricky since much depends whether they are taken with or without food, the dosage, your particular brain chemistry, accumulation of effects over several days, interaction with other medicines or supplements, interaction with caffeine, alcohol, etc. It is best to first learn how each supplement works by itself before mixing them.

Q. Can 5htp be used the same day as saw palmetto or curcumin?
     A. Probably. I can't imagine any negative interactions on low dosages.

Q. Hello Dr Sahelian and thank you for your great work and research! I read your first book years ago but over the years I guess I forgot about taking "breaks " from continued use of the 5htp. I thought you might like to know that I've been taking 150 mgs of 5htp with valerian for 10 yrs with very few interruptions in my nightly regimen. I have had some insignificant side effects like intermittent loose stool and gas. BUT, I have also been experiencing major erectile dysfunction for several years. But naturopathic Drs and health practitioners have told me that they have never heard of 5htp having that side effect. My libido still seems to be at a healthy level but the erections just don't get or stay firm. *Could this be from the prolonged use of the 5htp? I haven't read of anyone else taking this high a dose for this prolonged of a period. Overall the 5htp has helped me practically eliminate anxiety, insomnia, and depression from my life but I am going to start experimenting with regularly extended breaks to see how it effects my overall health. If you can, I would appreciate a comment on the probability of impotence being a side effect of 5htp. Once again, thank you for your great work!
   A. Yes, 5htp, due to its conversion to serotonin, can interfere with proper erectile function. Fortunately, some people have been able to reverse this by taking breaks from 5htp supplementation, and by using certain sex enhancing herbs that are listed on the impotence page.

Q. I bought your book, 5HTP, Nature's Serotonin Solution and although I'm only about half-way through it, I have a few questions. An old friend from years ago who will be 61 in May discovered 5HTP on her own, tried it for her mild-to-moderate depression, and experienced 5HTP side effects of significant muscle and joint pain and "hot flashes" (which she said she hasn't had in many years). She wrote that after she stopped taking the 5HTP, these symptoms disappeared. Another female friend 59 has been diagnosed with fibromyalgia has also tried 5HTP and, although she didn't say for how long she took it, wrote to say only that "I have it, take it, doesn't work." She has been vegetarian for many years. In your book, you don't mention significant muscle and joint pain and "hot flashes" (the side effects mentioned by my 60-year-old friend) as being side-effects that you have ever encountered. In the case of my 59-year-old friend with fibromyalgia, is it possible that she did not give it enough time to work? Have you ever found that 5 HTP needs to be taken for a week or even a month for it to have enough time to have a noticeable effect on fibromyalgia? In your opinion, is it also possible that she simply did not take enough? I have my wife taking 5HTP 100 mg in the morning and 100 mg in the evening for her mild depressive symptoms and it definitely seems to be helping quite significantly. Thank you for your 5HTP book and in advance for your response to the questions above.
   A. I have rarely encountered 5HTP side effects of muscle aches. My 5HTP dosage recommendations are in the 25 to 75 mg range a day and perhaps that is why more serious side effects have not been reported by my patients. The effects of 5HTP, just as many supplements, can have a cumulative effect in the body and it is a good idea to reduce the dosage once it starts working. There are many factors that influence fibromyalgia pain and 5HTP may help some people but it will not help all. It is possible that high doses of 5HTP could cause symptoms of hot flashes.

Q. Is it okay to drink a glass of wine while taking a 5HTP supplement?
   A. I don't see any problems having a small glass of wine with a 5HTP supplement but at first I suggest limiting the wine to an ounce or two just to be on the safe side. Have approval by your doctor.

I wanted to let you know my experience of 5HTP. I am in my late forties and have suffered very regularly with depression, anxiety and insomnia since my teens. I have not, unfortunately, been able to tolerate pharmaceutical antidepressants. I began taking 5HTP 100 mg at night and 100 mg when I woke midway through the night. It made me feel pleasantly fuzzy for a number of days, then began to have an amazing, positive effect on my mood. However, after less than three weeks, I began to develop symptoms – flashes of blindness in my left eye when I woke in the night, numb side of face and inside of cheek, numb side of tongue, numb hand. I stopped taking 5HTP – regretfully, because I missed its antidepressant effect. The neurological symptoms subsided over time, but I was left with extreme weariness, mild confusion, dizziness, slight dyslexia, definite (subjective) cognitive changes and an excruciatingly sore neck). I did not know whether to
attribute this to a kickback of the depression (though these were not really features of depression or anxiety that I recognized from my own long experience of both.
The neurologist I saw did not attribute the problems to 5HTP, and was more interested in a virus (simple cold) I had had before the onset of neurological symptoms. He did not make a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, although he considered that my symptoms were consistent with such a diagnosis. Frustrated (and depressed!) by my continuing depression and sleep problems, I took one 50 mg capsule of 5HTP (from a different manufacturer) yesterday, around five months since the episode I have described took place. The reaction, which set in after a couple of hours, was terrible: I had a feeling of extreme disorientation and dizziness / spaciness, and hot pain and stiffness in my neck. I am hoping the effects of one modest single dose will wear off quickly, but I now feel absolutely certain that I have had a severe adverse reaction to 5HTP.

I am on Wellbutrin, Clonipin, Gabapentin and Restoril in an attempt to sleep. However, I also have an autoimmune condition - PSC. Primary sclerosing cholangitis is both autoimmune disease and/or a liver condition. How does 5HTP react with: The other drugs mentioned and with an autoimmune liver disease. I am on Urso Forte, Cholestrymine and Hydroxyzine for the PSC.
    This nutrient has not been tested together with these medications or this medical condition, therefore it is not easy to give any specific answers.

I decided to visit your website today the website I had found as most informative in 2000 when I was researching 5HTP. My compliments... you have done a great job on maintaining a simple to use, clearly informative website. So I thought I would add in my testimonial. I have been using 5 HTP for 9 years now for depression... quite successfully. For most of that time, I have used 100mg/day taken in the morning at the beginning but I was concerned about the drowsiness during the day so I moved it to the evening. Because it seemed logical to do, I would give my body a break from it each June - the month when my depression evidenced itself the lowest. Each year when I resume taking it, it takes up to a week to take effect. Outside of the drowsiness when taken in the morning, I have experienced no side effects. Thank You for maintaining this information. When appropriate, I suggest 5HTP to others as an option to discuss with their physicians and use your website as background material.

See a YouTube presentation http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txJ-w_3KqIk