Success/concerns with 5-htp supplement?

[Huna]

Long story but a group of friends went to see some mediums/psychics. Sure a few people had questions for their loved ones who have "crossed over" but mostly we went for fun. I didn't have anything in particular to ask the medium that I ended up with and I didn't really 'buy' a lot of what she had to say to me. Anyhow...she is also a licensed 'healer' (whatever that means) and I asked her if anything would help with anxiety. I was thinking more along the lines of deep breathing or something, then she said vitamin 5-HTP.

She said: "It won't seem like it's doing anything, until you stop taking it. That's when you realize how well it works." I was intrigued.

I read up a little on it, but there don't seem to be many actual studies about it as far as being used to lessen/manage anxiety. I actually read on one site that it can CAUSE anxiety, and a few other scary-sounding side effects. Thoughts?

*Note - I realize this sounds ridiculous. ("The psychic told me to buy 5-HTP, I better get right on that!"). But I had never heard of it before and so I hope that someone out there has had some personal experience (positive or negative) that they could share.

 

[Huliz]

Are you already taking antidepressants? If so 5htp is a no go.

Do you have bad reactions to antidepressants? If so you may have similar bad reactions to 5htp.

It works for some. The only way you'll know if it works for you is to try it

 

[Orizi]

Are you already taking antidepressants? If so 5htp is a no go.

This causes Serotonin Syndrome per a search on here for 5HTP.

Serotonin syndrome - Wikipedia

The search: Search Results for Query: 5HTP | My PTSD Forum

Gives you two pages of posts and threads about 5HTP.

 

[Sonis]

Don't f*ck around when it comes to serotonin syndrome. I had a massive grand mal seizure as a result of sertonin syndrome and as obviously inconveniencing as seizures are, I lost my driver's license afterward and was bullied into taking anti-epileptic medications for years longer than I wanted or needed to by an idiot neurologist. Plus I almost died, ICU, etc.

 

[Tajosir]

Wow, I'm thinking this is definitely something to stay away from!

 

[Uca]

I'm thinking this is definitely something to stay away from!

Yes, if you are already on an antidepressant or are sensitive to antidepressants. However this OTC supplement has helped some. It can be a crap shoot, unfortunately!

 

[Mejemu]

I gave this a go recently because I had read about it helping with anxiety. My Dr. about ripped my head off when I told him. he said it only helps with depression and and can increase anxiety. Gave me some studies to look at.

I am all about natural healing and I am in the process of becoming certified in certain paths of alternative medicine. I thinks it is great but the misinformation about 5HTP caught me off guard.

 

[Ojuc]

Don't f*ck around when it comes to serotonin syndrome. I had a massive grand mal seizure as a result of sertonin syndrom...

YES!!!!! ssri's are VERY dangerous and docs don't tell you. Mine screamed at me, "THERE!!! ARE!!! NO!!!!!!!!!! SIDE EFFECTS!!!" I had never been suicidal before. She asked when prescribing, which I thought odd. The pills did nothing for me. But, it seemed something invisible was trying to make me harm myself. At follow up, she asked again. I told her no, but it die seem something invisible... I had stopped taking and was not advised of danger of abrupt halt She switched me to another brand of same thing. Again no warnings. Again no help. But problems got worse and more side effects. I quit. Eventually got smart and left the doc. BUT, she put in records that I was suicidal. My life insurance went from less than $20/month to about $2,000/month!!!!! My life was destroyed by lies by her and therapist she send me to.

I strongly advise people to stay far away from any ssri. There has been research showing they are no more effective than a placebo. Thus, no true benefit other than what you want to believe. Not worth the risk.

 

[Ijo]

5HTP is a no go for folks with a lot of different conditions. There is a pretty thorough write-up on it in the book The Mood Cure, although be advised that the author supports its use in certain cases.