5-HTP.

Sorry,meant to say ect not eat,autocorrect.

I have no expiriance with that tablet but can i kindly say dont take chances and see your doctor before popping that may be good for depression else you may have another problem on your hands.                                                                                                                                             

Well 5-HTP seems to be a form of tryptophan (5-hydroxytryptophan) which is connected to the neurotransmitter serotonin.

I have been taking Trypthophan as a RX medication for a while and my doctor advised the following: 

Trypthophan taken in the morning works together with bright light and converts into serotonin which can help with depression. I was advised to use it with 30 min in front of a mood lamp (SAD lamp).

Trypthophan taken at night works in the brain and develops a hormone that lets you sleep better. BUT for that your bedroom MUST be completely dark. I had to wear a sleep mask for the Trypthophan to work properly.

So.... yes you can use it for sleep. It might help your depression (if you are diagnosed) but I would consult your doctor first if you are taking other meds. There is something like an "overdose" of serotonin which can develop into serotonin syndrome and that can be life threatening.

Hi

If your on medication please consult

A Dr or health professional before deciding

On using 5htp

It can be used for anxiety , sleep , depression , migraines , pms etc

It works in the brain & Central nervous system by increasing the production

Of the chemical serotonin

I've tried it myself and did notice an improvement I took 100 mg split in two

Doses 50 mg in the morning on an empty

Stomach & 50 mg at night to aid sleep

My sleep did improve after roughly 1-2 weeks . Just like medication it takes time to work . It also depends tolerance and how you react to it

5htp is the precursor to serotonin. The body converts tryptophan to 5htp which then converts to serotonin. The body regulates how much tryptophan is converted but does not regulate how much 5htp is converted.

The real question is how much gets converted in the brain. Most 5htp gets converted to serotonin in the body before reaching the brain so very little gets to where you want it. This is the reason Parkinson sufferers take a decarbolise inhibitor with l-dopa, others wise the l-dopa gets converted to dopamine before it gets to the brain. Neither dopamine or serotonin cross the blood brain barriers.

Also if you are taking any antidepressants or st John's wort taking 5htp can be dangerous as you risk serotonin syndrome caused by to much serotonin.

Yes I have tried it, and the tablets are still in my cupboard.  There is a lot of informstion on it on the internet, and I think you have to find out for yourself if it works for you.  I found it made me feel rather strange, like when you first start out on anti depressants. 

I tried it in the day and at night.  Did not help me sleep thoug, and I though I was better off without it.  I tried St John's Wort too when I stopped anti depressants, but that did not have any effect on my depression.  Now I just take supplements. 

I would say to you try it.  Don't if you are already on anti depressants though. 

See how you go.  Let us know if it helps you.