Margeme: I'm going to copy and paste some info into the next couple of posts for you. Its taken from my own personal files, so I cannot just give you a link. I hope all this helps. I've struggled with depression (I believe related to hormone imbalances) since I was a kid. I had a hysterectomy this year and feel like a new person. I, however, am still taking the 5HTP.
BTW you can get it much cheaper at Wal-Mart.
5-HydroxyTryptophan (5-HTP)
What do depression, insomnia, anxiety, suicide, migraines, PMS,
obsessive/compulsive behavior, stress, obesity, and addiction have in
common? All of these conditions are manifestations of low levels of
serotonin. Many of the new prescription drugs that have become available
since the absence of L-Tryptophan are designed to regulate brain serotonin
levels (called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors or SSRIs).
Now, a natural and safe alternative to these drugs is available in the form of
5-Hydroxy L-Tryptophan (5-HTP). 5-HTP, a compound synthesized in the
body from the amino acid tryptophan is ten times more active than
L-Tryptophan and is the immediate precursor to serotonin (5-Hydroxy
typtamine or 5-HT) which is found in the brain, blood platelets, and
duodenal mucosa cells of the gastrointestinal tract, Since serotonin is found
in the brain and central nervous system it has many implications on mood,
behavior and sleep patterns (1).
The function of ProzacŪ, and many other antidepressant drugs, is to
increase the availability of serotonin in certain brain synapses.
Unfortunately, these drugs can produce many unpleasant and dangerous
side affects (2). Since 5-HTP cannot be patented, drug companies have no
interest in supplying this compound to the public.
Now that tryptophan is restricted by the FDA, researchers have clinically
investigated 5-HTP in comparison to antidepressant drugs. The results of
the studies were astounding. Using the standard depression scale, both the
drug and 5-HTP groups displayed identical reduction in depression.
Depressed patients who received 100mg of 5-HTP, three times daily, showed
at least a 50% improvement in their symptoms, without any reported side
effects(3). Similar studies with depressed children demonstrated equal
benefit(4).
Subsequent studies were performed using 5-HTP for anxiety, panic disorder,
sleep difficulties and obesity. In his research R.S. Kahn observed an obvious
decline in anxiety symptoms when supplementing with 5-HTP (5), and
patients with panic disorder noticed a feeling of relief after receiving 5-HTP
(6). Melatonin, which helps regulate our sleep-wake cycle, is a metabolite of
serotonin. Early research studies show that supplementing with 5-HTP may
have positive effects on sleep patterns (7). In a six week clinical study with
obese patients, those supplemented with 5-HTP were able to reduce
carbohydrate intake, and experienced a feeling of early satiety, which
contributed to significant weight loss(8).
This product is an extract from a natural plant seed (Grafonia Seed) and
not from fermented Tryptophan.
Do not use with MAO inhibitors or other antidepressants
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