The ultimate natural plant extract that helps regulate mood, cure insomnia and heal depression.

5-Hydroxytryptophan is a naturally occurring amino acid and precursor of the brain’s happiness neurotransmitter known as serotonin, as well as the essential hormone melatonin, a powerful antioxidant. By controlling these molecules in the body, 5-htp helps regulate mood, motivation, sleep and cure depression often associated by a lack of serotonin level.

The benefits of 5-HTP supplements are used for many common ailments as a first step of treatment, these include: Fibromyalgia, depression, anxiety, binge eating associated with obesity, and insomnia.

It does have a similar effect on serotonin levels as most chemical antidepressants prescribed today, however 5-HTP is completely natural. It’s definitely an overcounter first line of attack if you’re just feeling low a bit too often.

Dietary sources of 5-HTP

Although it is a natural supplement, it is seldom found in foods, and most sources of the supplements are made from 5-HTP containing plants. 5-htp has a similar chemical structure to tryptophan which is found in a lot of foods, it is however one step closer to the production of serotonin. You can find tryptophan in foods like; Turkey, chicken breasts, tuna, soybeans, beef tenderloin, and lamb loin, to list a few. That’s maybe why you get that big smile after a copious thanksgiving dinner?

Should I take 5-HTP

5-HTP is not a necessary supplement if you have a healthy lifestyle, feel pretty happy, and have a well regulated diet as well as biological clock; good sleep schedule. However if you ever feel down, depressed, and most of your vitamin levels are normal, especially vitamin D, and your Omega-3s, then you may be interested in trying 5-HTP out. I started 5-HTP to help with my insomnia, and once it started kicking in, the results were miraculous.

People who take drugs such as MDMA also known as Ecstasy, or perhaps other drugs that effect serotonin levels, will benefit from 5-HTP. Ecstasy causes such a roller coaster ride for your brain’s levels of serotonin, that some of it might be lost. Depletion of serotonin after rolling on ecstasy is what causes the depressed, down feeling after the rush of euphoria it provides. 5-HTP supplements for MDMA/Ecstasy users can greatly help reduce the negative effects on serotonin levels caused by drug use.

Is drinking dangerous with 5-HTP

Not a lot is known about 5-HTP interactions with alcohol, however most people who reported interactions when taking the two at the same time, described extremely dangerous effects of mixing. These effects were not reported by everyone who mixed the two, but some are so dangerous they may just warrant avoiding mixing the two. Some include seizures, blackouts, memory loss. Wait at least 6 hours between consumption of either, so that you liver has time to flush it out.

How much 5-HTP should I take, and how long before I feel the positive effects

I started 5-HTP at an extremely low dose of 50mg once a day, but I only started feeling the effects 2 weeks into it, after bringing up the dosage a couple of times to reach 200 mg. The effects are quite pleasant, and you will feel very relaxed and happier than without the effects. You may feel sleepy too.

Of course effects are different for everyone, you should give it a try, stick to a regime of 5-HTP long enough to feel the effects, and feel free to report them in this blog.

Tags: 5-HTP

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