About to Try 5HTP Tonight. Anything I Should Know?

Books and Cats · 10-31-2011, 03:05 PM

I posted a week or two ago that I have been sleeping great for about 4-6 hours at night and then waking up with enough energy to run laps around my house

I've tried just going on the assumption that maybe I need less sleep since either starting low carb or starting the leptin reset but I'm starting to feel almost like I'm slightly sedated during the day.

I've been taking Melatonin for about a month and Mg for a long time, but some people here encouraged me to try 5HTP too since I couldn't stay asleep.

I know it's for depression mostly and my mood is fine. I'm just tired.

Anything I should know about it? Any weird side effects? If I take it too early, will it make me crash hours before bed? Will I still be sleepy in the morning when I get up for work 7-8 hours later? Anyone had issues combining it with Melatonin?

Dottie · 10-31-2011, 03:06 PM

Start with a small dose because it can upset your stomach.

CarolynF · 10-31-2011, 03:08 PM

I take it with no problems. I still get up in the night for bathroom trips, but can usually get back to sleep..Start small, like Dottie posted..

I would take it about 30 minutes before bedtime.

Books and Cats · 10-31-2011, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dottie

Start with a small dose because it can upset your stomach.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarolynF

Start small, like Dottie posted..

Thank you both. I have 100 mg capsules so I can't make the dose smaller by cutting the pills in half. Is this considered a small dose?

jeaniem · 10-31-2011, 03:25 PM

I took 100 mg. for the first time yesterday at about 7pm. to stop cravings. I did sleep better which is a problem for me lately as well. I did feel like I wanted to sleep longer when the alarm went off but once I got up I felt fine. In the past it has made me groggy feeling in the morning but I think that may have been the combo of the 5htp and too many carbs before going to bed. The 100 mg. did make me a little nauseous but I have not been able to find the 50 mg. dose locally.

Dottie · 10-31-2011, 03:26 PM

Yes 100mg is standard and should be fine

Wyatt1776 · 11-01-2011, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dottie

Start with a small dose because it can upset your stomach.

Very true!

Kateee · 11-04-2011, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Books and Cats

Anything I should know about it? Any weird side effects? If I take it too early, will it make me crash hours before bed? Will I still be sleepy in the morning when I get up for work 7-8 hours later? Anyone had issues combining it with Melatonin?

I just read about the side effects of 5-HTP
Page 2 "Supplements or Vitamins for anxiety and mood swings?"
MsWoods posted the following two links;

5-HTP: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions and Warnings - WebMD

5-HTP supplement benefit, side efects, dosage 50 mg, 100 mg - for depression, anxiety, weight loss, sleep

I've been taking 5-HTP for a couple of months, with no side effects, and its helped me with cravings and my moods. But after reading about it on WebMD. I'm going to stop taking it.

jeaniem · 11-04-2011, 04:17 PM

I have been helped greatly as far as carb cravings with the 5htp and am not sure I trust the webmd info. I have read they are more pharma driven and also the site stated not to take 5htp until there is more info, but the article is not dated.

Kateee · 11-04-2011, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeaniem

I have been helped greatly as far as carb cravings with the 5htp and am not sure I trust the webmd info. I have read they are more pharma driven and also the site stated not to take 5htp until there is more info, but the article is not dated.

Thanks jeaniem

beachguy · 11-05-2011, 03:42 AM

If 5-htp doesn't work, it might be because of insufficient cofactors.

Quote:

Serotonin Cofactors
In order for the body to make serotonin, it needs specific "ingredients," called "cofactors," to transform the l-tryptophan and 5HTP. Much like baking, having the needed amounts of these ingredients is crucial, and can directly impact neurotransmitter levels, and in turn, how you feel. Vitamin B6, vitamin C, folic acid and magnesium are needed to metabolize tryptophan. Vitamin B6 is also needed to convert the 5HTP into serotonin.

ww.livestrong.com/article/89166-natural-increase-serotonin-levels/#ixzz1cpHIiaNI (add another w)

jeaniem · 11-05-2011, 07:27 AM

Thank you Rich.

10-31-2011, 03:05 PM	#1
Books and Cats Senior LCF Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Southeast US Posts: 493 Gallery: Books and Cats Stats: 257/187.2/150? WOE: Paleo Start Date: 08/19/11 (low carb), 6/14-8/18 (low-cal)	About to Try 5HTP Tonight. Anything I Should Know? I posted a week or two ago that I have been sleeping great for about 4-6 hours at night and then waking up with enough energy to run laps around my house I've tried just going on the assumption that maybe I need less sleep since either starting low carb or starting the leptin reset but I'm starting to feel almost like I'm slightly sedated during the day. I've been taking Melatonin for about a month and Mg for a long time, but some people here encouraged me to try 5HTP too since I couldn't stay asleep. I know it's for depression mostly and my mood is fine. I'm just tired. Anything I should know about it? Any weird side effects? If I take it too early, will it make me crash hours before bed? Will I still be sleepy in the morning when I get up for work 7-8 hours later? Anyone had issues combining it with Melatonin? __________________ Start size 22W, Current size 14-16, Goal size 8 Almost 70 pounds down in the last year

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10-31-2011, 03:06 PM	#2
Dottie Administrator Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: S.E. Texas Gulf Coast Posts: 68,548 Gallery: Dottie WOE: JUDDD calorie cycling plan	Start with a small dose because it can upset your stomach.

10-31-2011, 03:08 PM	#3
CarolynF Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Kansas Posts: 36,825 Gallery: CarolynF Stats: 195/141/139 WOE: Eat Fat, Get Thin Start Date: January 2001	I take it with no problems. I still get up in the night for bathroom trips, but can usually get back to sleep..Start small, like Dottie posted.. I would take it about 30 minutes before bedtime.

10-31-2011, 03:25 PM	#5
jeaniem Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 6,153 Gallery: jeaniem Stats: 166 /149/? 5'1.5 WOE: lc-ish	I took 100 mg. for the first time yesterday at about 7pm. to stop cravings. I did sleep better which is a problem for me lately as well. I did feel like I wanted to sleep longer when the alarm went off but once I got up I felt fine. In the past it has made me groggy feeling in the morning but I think that may have been the combo of the 5htp and too many carbs before going to bed. The 100 mg. did make me a little nauseous but I have not been able to find the 50 mg. dose locally.

10-31-2011, 03:26 PM	#6
Dottie Administrator Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: S.E. Texas Gulf Coast Posts: 68,548 Gallery: Dottie WOE: JUDDD calorie cycling plan	Yes 100mg is standard and should be fine

11-04-2011, 04:17 PM	#9
jeaniem Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 6,153 Gallery: jeaniem Stats: 166 /149/? 5'1.5 WOE: lc-ish	I have been helped greatly as far as carb cravings with the 5htp and am not sure I trust the webmd info. I have read they are more pharma driven and also the site stated not to take 5htp until there is more info, but the article is not dated.

11-05-2011, 07:27 AM	#12
jeaniem Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 6,153 Gallery: jeaniem Stats: 166 /149/? 5'1.5 WOE: lc-ish	Thank you Rich.