Anyone use 5 HTP

[buncogirl003]

I am having anxiety a lot during the day.  I went to a Health Foot place and they suggested 5 HTP....I took one and WOW what a difference BUT I  went on WebMD and they say it is not safe!!!!!

Any feedback????

[Greenbackcafe]

I was drinking about a fifth of whiskey a week. Add to that the after-dinner brandy, the wine or beer with dinner, and I think I was heading down the road to alcoholism. It was tough to stop drinking, but I did it. I also ate way too much. I tried cutting down my food intake, too. Again, tough. It was really hard to pass by the left-over pizza and the various cakes and cookies people would bring in to the office.

All the food that surrounded me was torture.

This was in November, 2014.

I was good at reducing my food and curbing my drinking for about two months, but I was suffering. I craved my brandy,cheese and crackers before going to bed, and I couldn't have them.

I happened to read "The Mood Cure" by Julia Ross and tried the 5-HTP as she suggests. My cravings for alcohol, pizza and pastries subsided within a week.

I suddenly felt normal.

Alcohol? I can take it or leave it. Since January 2015, more than a year ago, I've had about 4 glasses of wine and maybe 3 brandies. And I am still surprised that I have been consistently passing up the office pizza and pastries without a second glance.

Another benefit? My kids, 10 and 7 years old, say that I'm much nicer to be around since I started taking the 5-HTP. They call 5-HTP my "happy pills."

BTW, I also ended up losing about 70 pounds (I suppose that happens when you stop eating "found food" and stop drinking almost every day of the week ... ).

So, I weigh the dangers of taking 300mg of 5-HTP a night and feeling normal versus drinking heavily, eating too much and being obese.

I choose to take the 5-HTP.

[IwillDoThis]

I have used it and currently am using it.  You just can't take it if you on certain types of antidepressants - always good to check with your doc before adding supplements but I've taken it at various times and it helps a lot, 5 HTP is also good for people who suffer chronic migraines - as with anything do your research and see if it is for you.  

[TexasO]

I have used 5htp on numerous occasions and I can tell you that it works. It really eases your mind and relieves stress and depression really well. I just don't see it being worse than any ssri. 5htp has no withdrawal symptoms unlike ssris so you can quit anytime with no problems. You will feel results in a few days. 5htp is good stuff.

[Sharon0255]

Yea i bought it too and haven't used it either. i have to admit you had me at WOW glad i read further. i can't take anti depressents so i'm always searching for something to help with the anxiety.

[akitagurl12]

You are right, my risky days are over.  Thanks for sharing this, I was considering it too.

[buncogirl003]

I swear it worked BUT it is not tested or regulated.....so I won't take it!!  No idea what the side effects are.

With that said.....you can get it anywhere!!  But why risk it!!

[Pat1956100]

I don't think I can take it anyway because I'm on an anti depressant.  Time to check out valerian root.

[Pat1956100]

sheesh, you think you finally have found something natural that works and then find out it's bad for you.  I haven't tried it yet but was intending on using it for anxiety.   I'm going to check into it more.  My sister recommended and she is a sales rep for a vitamin company.  She really knows her stuff too so I would be surprised if it was bad for you.

[akitagurl12]

why is it unsafe, did they say?

[elements74]

Does the feeling of anxiety go away and what kind of time frame does that take. It is like a large ball of energy ready to burst through my chest

[Jade59]

Hi there.  I took 5-htp for a few wks last year.  Yes, it works well, but when I stopped taking it, the anxiety came back 10fold.  Anything that makes you feel that good will have consequences coming off.  I checked Webmd, and it isn't recommended for long term anyway.  As far as it being unsafe...I would heed that warning.  You might be better off just getting yourself some L-Tryptophan which is what 5htp is.  I took L-Tryp back in the late 80's before the recall, and it worked very well.  

Also, Valarian root works well for anxiety also.  

[elements74]

Bunco large amounts of potassium from bananas, yogurt, or a supplement is suppose to help