The 5-HTP Miracle

Depression and anxiety can be crippling for many people, and there are so many medicines on the market to try that it's hard to know which ones will work and which ones won't. It's all a matter of trial and error, and depending on your situation you may not feel as though you have that kind of time. Until you figure it out, there are some things that you can try. Remember, these herbal additions and medications may not work the same for all patients, so be sure to consult with your physician before you try them.

The transitional compound 5-HTP is something that your body uses to convert the amino acid known as Tryptophan into Serotonin and Melatonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is involved in memory, sleep, and depression. When your level of Serotonin is low, it causes depression and disturbed sleep patterns. Unrest in itself can make someone feel blue, but most doctors wouldn't consider this a sign of depression unless a patient shows other symptoms. Melatonin is produced by the pituitary gland and is helpful in producing a restful sleep, but it also is helpful with anti-aging, sexual dysfunction and immune function. Since your body makes both of these things, it has been up for speculation as to whether or not someone would become immune to them very quickly.

I have personally used 5-HTP to help with depression and anxiety and for me it works like a miracle. I started taking it when I was taking the prescription drug Wellbutrin. Wellbutrin has helped many stop smoking, and is what is called an atypical antidepressant. For the sake of understanding why you can use this in addition to the Wellbutrin, you will need to know a little more about this drug. Wellbutrin is referred to as a NDRI, or norepinephrine, dopamine reuptake inhibitor. This drug is not similar to other antidepressants in terms of its chemical structure, so it tends to work a little bit better in conjunction with a supplement like 5-HTP. Wellbutrin doesn't work on raising Serotonin itself, but it does work on chemicals of the brain, namely dopamine and norepinephrine.

The reason that this is important to know, is because 5-HTP works on Serotonin, and if you are taking something that works on Serotonin it can cause "Serotonin Syndrome". This can occur if you have too much Serotonin in your system, and can then reverse the effects of what you are doing. According to Dr. Morgenthaler and Dr. Lenard in the book, The Natural Alternative toProzac, 5-HTP has no documented cases involving causing Serotonin Syndrome. These doctors state in their book that 5-HTP can also be just as effective in treating disturbances in sleep as any drugs that were prescribed to patients in France and Norway. These doctors were disappointed that so little research had been done with 5-HTP when it was extremely helpful to animals.

Over time, I have discovered that same problem in my quest for a better way of life. After so many years of doctors prescribing drugs that I had to try, only to feel great for a month then have to switch again, it left me feeling dismayed and discouraged. I discovered along the way that other patients were feeling this way too, and needed answers. When you are suffering from depression and anxiety, you may feel as though you are running out of time when things go awry. I had to research, reading everything I could get my hands on, and I even began researching herbal supplements online in order to try new things. I found many things that worked such as Rhodiola and St. John's Wart, but 5-HTP seemed to offer the best all around benefits of all of them. Once I discovered all of the things that 5-HTP could do for me, I realized that this was my supplement of choice. After 24 to 48 hours I felt significantly better, and slept better too. When the relief comes, you are able to better manage your life all around. You can sleep better, and live better as a result of the ease of depression.

In addition, I tried other things like eating more organically and drinking a nifty little tea by Celestial Seasonings called Tension Tamer. This tea is a light mint, citrus flavor and after drinking a few cups, I could feel the tension slowly begin to leave my body. Be sure to check with your doctor before trying these methods, and it would be beneficial to see if you can come into contact with a holistic doctor in your area. If you are in the Cincinnati area, be sure to check out Partners In Wellness in Fairfield, Ohio. You can meet with Dr. Fallat, Dr. Macheret or Dr. Goldenberg.

John Morgenthaler and Lane Lenard Ph.D
The Natural Alternative to Prozac
www.smart-publications.com