| Given a boost by celebrities in recovery from | | | | adverse effects on the central nervous system from |
| depression such as Jim Carrey, 5-HTP | | | | taking even high doses of 5-HTP. In theory, |
| (5-hydroxytryptophan) is once again the | | | | however, extremely large doses of 5-HTP taken at |
| up-and-coming nutritional supplement for the | | | | the same time as the migraine medications |
| treatment of depression. 5-HTP supplies the source | | | | naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), sumatriptan |
| of the amino acid tryptophan in a form that readily | | | | (Imitrex), or zolmitriptan (Zomig), or any prescription |
| enters the brain. The human brain converts | | | | medications for depression could cause "serotonin |
| tryptophan into the key mood regulator serotonin. | | | | syndrome." |
| What's the evidence for 5-HTP? Psychiatrists ran a | | | | As I note in my book Healing without Medication, this |
| research trial involving 60 people with mild to | | | | rare condition of excess serotonin may cause |
| moderate depression compared 5-HTP against Luvox | | | | agitation, confusion, heightened physical reflexes, |
| (fluvoxamine), an antidepressant in the same drug | | | | racing pulse, and excessive sweating leading to |
| class as Prozac. The trial concluded that 5-HTP was | | | | hypertension, coma, and death. Serotonin syndrome |
| slightly more effective Luvox. Moreover, while Luvox | | | | has never been observed from supplementation with |
| users suffered a range range of side effects usually | | | | 5-HTP, but as a precaution, avoid using 5-HTP if you |
| associated with SSRIs, 5-HTP only caused mild | | | | take any prescription drugs for depression or |
| stomach upset in a few of the people who took it. | | | | migraine. People who have angina, uncontrolled high |
| Two decades of evidence suggest that 5-HTP is a | | | | blood pressure, a rare form of migraine known as |
| relatively safe supplement. Nonetheless, there are | | | | Prinzmetal's angina, or who have had a heart attack |
| people who should avoid it. The most frequently | | | | should also avoid 5-HTP. |
| reported adverse effects from 5-HTP are heartburn, | | | | There are reports that combining 5-HTP with the |
| nausea, and various kinds of stomach upset. 5-HTP | | | | Parkinson's disease drug carbidopa can cause |
| can cause bloating, flatulence, and stomach rumbles. | | | | symptoms similar to those of the skin disease |
| This side effect is due to the fact that the digestive | | | | scleroderma. 5-HTP probably should not be combined |
| tract makes its own serotonin, which may be | | | | with conventional antidepressants. |
| overabundant until your body adjusts to the | | | | This does not mean you should stop your |
| supplement. About 2 in 5 people who use the | | | | prescription antidepressant and put yourself on |
| supplement experience these effects during the first | | | | 5-HTP. Just the opposite: Almost all prescription |
| 2 weeks of using it. To avoid adverse effects, it's a | | | | medications for depression have to be tapered off |
| good idea to begin by taking a 50-milligram dose once | | | | gradually under your doctor's supervision. In the right |
| or twice a day. Then slowly build up to a 100-milligram | | | | circumnstances, however, 5-HTP might give your |
| dose, but only after 3 or 4 weeks. | | | | brain just the boost it needs to overcome depression |
| The medical literature does not report serious | | | | and return to normal function. |