Antidepressants vs 5HTP

 
Original Questions: 5HTP, Can it be used at the same time as antidepressants??
If already using antidepressants, how do you go about trying to use 5HTP?

Firstly, a little about antidepressants.

*SSRIs  (Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors) affect the chemicals that nerves in the brain use to send messages to one another. These chemical messengers, called neurotransmitters norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine, are released by one nerve and taken up by other nerves. Neurotransmitters that are not taken up by other nerves are taken up by the same nerves that released them. This process is termed 'reuptake'. SSRIs work by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin, an action which allows more serotonin to be available to be taken up by other nerves.

 *MAOIs (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors). Relieve depression by preventing the enzyme monoamine oxidase from metabolizing the neurotransmitters norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine in the brain. As a result, these levels remain high in the brain, boosting mood.

*Tricyclic antidepressants boost all three neurotransmitters (nor epinephrine, serotonin and dopamine).

As all these types of drugs have similar effects on Serotonin it is definitely unadvisable to use them both at the same time or even close to one another.

*5HTP (5-hydroxy-tryptophan) is an amino acid made in the body from dietary L-tryptophan.  5-HTP can also be derived from the seeds of a West African plant Griffonia simplicifolia.
5-HTP is converted in the body to the neurotransmitter serotonin. Serotonin increases feelings of optimism, well being, self esteem, the improves the ability to relax, sleep well and feel secure. These are all feelings that doctors want to increase when they prescribe antidepressants to treat depression or a variety of other conditions, including insomnia, anxiety, migraine headaches, premenstrual syndrome, eating disorders, obesity, and chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia.
Since 5-HTP elevates serotonin levels, taking it in conjunction with prescription drugs designed to do the same thing could lead to potentially toxic levels of serotonin ('serotonin syndrome'). This could cause neuromuscular hyperactivity, muscle spasms, and rigidity, as well as agitation, emotional overexcitement (mania), confusion, excessive sweating, fever, shortness of breath, and rapid heart rates.

Having said that I, personally, have never seen 5HTP causing this reaction and would tend to feel that it would be reasonably safe to use 5HTP, but to be on the safe side, as a transition between prescription antidepressants and the natural remedy 5-HTP, start by taking a low dose (50 mg daily) while continuing to take the prescription drug. After a few weeks, reduce the dose of the prescription antidepressant and gradually increase the dose of 5-HTP to control symptoms.

I don't think there is any set dose of 5HTP, it seems to be a very individual thing. Most articles I have seen state the 'usual effective dose' for adults using 5HTP for depression recorded in some data as being somewhere between 100 and 300 mg daily, however I have often seen improvement in sleep patterns with as little as 50mg.
100mg 5HTP is available from this clinic. Use the email form under Contact us  to order.

Usually I would be recommending 5HTP be used in conjunction with herbs such as perhaps Californian Poppy or Mexican Valerian, Hops and Passiflora which can support the body, help relaxation and aid the sleep process.

Other ways of boosting Serotonin levels can be to listen to peaceful, soft music, undertake slow relaxing exercise and meditation, keeping your thoughts peaceful and quiet.


All information on this page has been compiled by Alison Odey from personal research and from results seen and experienced over 20 years in private practice. It is not intended as a complete diagnosis but to inform the reader of alternative options that may be available to them. Any remedy mentioned in the text can be obtained by contacting the writer:
Phone -64 7 5721147  web site: www.alisonodey.com

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