5-HTP / High serotonin levels induce healing via deep delta-wave sleep

[cherries]

Fibromyalgia - widespread, chronic muscle pain, with tender trigger points - has been an enigma for many years, but now many researchers believe it's a disorder of the metabolism, caused primarily by low levels of serotonin. Serotonin indirectly helps to heal muscle pain. . . .

Low serotonin indirectly contributes to the muscle pain of fibromyalgia by depriving people of deep delta-wave sleep. Without enough serotonin it's hard to drift into delta sleep. Delta sleep is crucially important for muscle health, because only during delta sleep does the body secrete the hormone that repairs muscle strains: the human growth hormone. Without this nightly repair, minor muscle aches and pains accumulate and become worse . . .

One of the best nutritional therapies for fibromyalgia is ingestion of 5-HTP (5-hydroxy-tryptophan) which is available at health food stores and pharmacies. This suplement is a form of tryptophan, the amino acid that is the nutritional precursor of serotonin. . . . A common dosage is 50-100 mg three times daily, including one administration at bedtime, to promote sleep.

This from p 96-97 of the book "The False Fat Diet" that I also posted about on another thread (http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=41766). I happened to have just bought 5-HTP on a whim, and didn't quite know what to do with it.

Anyone else ever use 5-HTP to induce deep sleep or know of any risks with using this supplement?

[Clare]

I have taken it in the past for mild depression and hoped it would work for weight loss. I don't think it had any effect on me, but raw sure does :-)

[Jenifae]

I use 5-HTP and have been on since, 11/05. I had been on Anti-Depressants for 9 years and had wanted to get off them for over a year or two.

I read Kevin Trudeau's book "Natural Cures, what they dont' want you to know about" and went organic and started forgetting my meds and that is when I started the 5-HTP. It really helps me keep a stablized mood. I take 50mg twice a day and one at night for bed. If I need an addtional one for anxiety then I do.

So, being Organic and taking the 5-HTP keeps me balanced. Now, I am planning on being even more balanced and healthy with RAW!

[juliebove]

I tried it and it didn't seem to do a thing for me.

My friend tried it and she felt the same. But she said when she tried it, she sank into a deep depression that lasted for a couple of weeks.

[Jenifae]

I tried it and it didn't seem to do a thing for me.

My friend tried it and she felt the same. But she said when she tried it, she sank into a deep depression that lasted for a couple of weeks.

I never heard of that before.

Well, there is a book and I believe the title is "5-HTP" It is very informative.

[iamacranberry]

At one point I tried 5-HTP. It didn't do me a shred of good.

[srsarri]

I take 5-HTP along with ashwagandha for anxiety. I was never able to take prescribed anti-depressants. They both work well together, I take Gaba before bed!

[cherries]

Thanks for all the info everyone! :) With the one exception it seems to be helpfull or at the most harmless, so I'm giving it shot. I took it yesterday, hours before I was supposed to go to sleep and it made me sleepy, so I've learned my lesson and, today, I'm going to take it right before I go to bed. I think that my mood is elevated today!

[Jenifae]

Thanks for all the info everyone! :) With the one exception it seems to be helpfull or at the most harmless, so I'm giving it shot. I took it yesterday, hours before I was supposed to go to sleep and it made me sleepy, so I've learned my lesson and, today, I'm going to take it right before I go to bed. I think that my mood is elevated today!

See if you can find that book on it. It's called "5-HTP" and it has all the info you need.

Here's a link with the book I am suggesting: http://www.5htp.com/
Also, the 5-HTP capulets they have on their site seem to work best for me they break down slowly and in the intestinal track for better absoportion.

I take it with Gaba twice a day in replacement of my old anti-depressants and I am very happy with my results.

Much Bliss on your journey

[Jenifae]

What DID help my depression (as I no longer suffer...) was adding loads of exercise to my life. 45 minutes per day minimum.

Daily exercise is mandatory if I want to feel balanced.

[cherries]

Jenifae, thanks for that link, it was great and I'm going to forward it to some other people I know who might use it.

Also, I wanted to share a link to Swanson's Vitamin's (http://www.swansonvitamins.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10051&SourceCode=INT999&productId=12806&R=24923&keyword=5-htp&Ntt=5-htp&Ntk=Level1&productDropBox=null&Ntx=mode%2Bmatchallpartial&N=4294967177&brandDropBox=null&healthConcernDropBox=null) where I got mine for $3.99. The Sawanson's link says that it is "A unique extract from griffonia seeds" so it's vegan too! Wonderfull!

[iamacranberry]

What's a griffonia?

[Pookietooth]

It makes me sleepy, that's for sure. My father had fibromyalgia, and I have some of the same symptoms (pain, low blood pressue, fatigue). I have some 5 HTP, maybe I should start taking it again. What's the dosage and frequency on it?

[Jenifae]

What's a griffonia?

I believe it's a bean that they make the 5 HTP from.

[Jenifae]

It makes me sleepy, that's for sure. My father had fibromyalgia, and I have some of the same symptoms (pain, low blood pressue, fatigue). I have some 5 HTP, maybe I should start taking it again. What's the dosage and frequency on it?

Go to this website http://www.5htp.com/ and if you can get the book it would be a great investment. So much knowledge and info there.

[Raw Angel Mom]

Just a natural way to increase the Serotonin:

There have been research that when you do an act of kindness, our body will produce more serotonin. It has been found also that observing someone doing an act of kindness will do the same for you.

I highly recommend to go in nature and just to send love to the trees, animals or butterfly that you may interact.

Worth to try.

[liz08]

Yes, definitely give the 5-HTP a try. It will most definitely help with your sleep, if nothing else. It works to increase the amount of REM sleep you get, which results in better quality sleep. But most people also find that 5-HTP (http://www.seacoastvitamins.com/product_info.php?products_id=2832) also goes a long way to help relieve depression and anxiety, as it works to increase your serotonin levels. I have also read an account on another person who was taking it for fibromyalgia. At the time I had never heard of taking it for that reason, but now it makes much more sense. I don't think there are very many reported side effects, as long as you are taking the recommended dose.