Source Naturals 5-HTP, 100 mg, Capsules, 120 capsules
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 List Price: $33.28 Sale Price: $18.86 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Eligible For Free Shipping 
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Product Description
5-HTP (L-5-Hydroxytryptophan) is an intermediate in the natural conversion of the essential amino acid, tryptophan, to serotonin. Clinical studies have shown that 5-HTP increases the amount and availability of serotonin produced by the body. Increased brain serotonin levels may produce positive effects on emotional well-being, appetite regulation, melatonin production and maintaining a healthy sleep cycle. Source Naturals 5-HTP is naturally derived from the seeds of the African plant Griffonia simplicifolia.
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Details
- Improved mood, emotions, and sleep
- 5-HTP is the natural intermediate in the conversion of l-tryptophan to serotonin
- 5-HTP increases the amount of serotonin in the body and aids in the production of melatonin
- Enables relaxation and deep sleep
- Naturally derived from the seeds of the African plant Griffonia simplicifolia
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
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I’ve never actually been clinically depreesed but I’ve always had a tough time keeping a consistent positive mood. Certain times of the day I would feel really lousy and other times good. 5 HTP has helped me feel good through out the whole day and night. I usually pop one 100mg around noon and that does the job for the day.
I have read warnings about taking it with alcohol. But I havent noticed any negative side effects from it. Although I usually drink at night and I take the pill during the day. Infact 5 HTP has made the alcoholic experience even better =)
The first day I took them I felt a slight headache, but that stops after a day or 2 of using 5HTP. The side effect that doesnt seem to go away is anxiety dreams. Because you are feeling good throughout the day, expect to release all of your anxiety in your sleep. However, you still get good sleep, and 5HTP does help your sleep cycle. I consistently wake up and go to sleep at the same time. So even though you will probably get bad dreams, you will still sleep well.
I highly reccomend this to anyone who is either mildly depressed or is just looking for something to help them feel a little better throughout the day.
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WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT:
As 5-HTP goes, this is good stuff and reasonably priced. It does seem to cause vivid dreams and it seems to have the effects it is supposed to. However, it should be noted that although you need take only 1-2 capsules for insomnia, the short half life of 5-HTP from “GRIFFONIA SEEDS” necessitates rather frequent dosing for depression and appetite suppression, usually 4x per day and attention needs to be paid to the timing of doses with other amino acids. Serotonin syndrome may also be an issue for some.
Whereas many important issues are not certain or resolved regarding 5-HTP dosage and usage, it does seem to do a lot of good when used appropriately. Naturally a lot more can be said and books have been written on 5-HTP. It is a product that must be used with considerable care and professional medical monitoring is advisable due to the serious conditions it is used for and its effects on human brain chemistry. [Depression, Obesity, Insomnia] Nevertheless after taking it for 3 years I can say that I have experienced no negative side effects. Also, I have noticed reduced cravings for sweets, less anxiety in social situations and have slept better than I ever have. There has also been no sign of 5-HTP being habit forming in my experience.
5-HTP WITH L-TYROSINE?
If you are considering using this product for anxiety or sociophobic disorders the same company [NOW] makes a 200mg dosage combined with the amino acid L-tyrosine. Many have found the addition of 250 mg of L-tyrosine to be most helpful and the product still retains all of its other characteristics. This variation also contains 10 mg. of niacin and 3 mg. of Vitamin B6 per capsule. The addition of L-tyrosine is supposed to be helpful to those suffering from anxiety and sociophobic symptoms in addition to the usual things that 5-HTP by itself is supposed to be
ABOUT BRANDS:
I have used several brands with good results. Nature’s Way is probably my favorite because they have very strict quality control and it shows in the consistency of their products. They also include 10 mg. of vitamin B6 and 60 mg. of vitamin C in each 50 mg. dose of 5-HTP, which is 1 capsule. “NOW” is excellent as well and they offer 5-HTP with 250 mg. of L-Tyrosine which is compliments the effects of the 5-HTP. This “SOURCE NATURAL” brand is one that I used in 2003 and 2004 with good results. The only reason I don’t have this brand on my shelf right now is because of special promotions that I usually respond to by stocking up, offered by other companies. The price offered here for the 100 mg. dose is competitive.
[I am not affiliated with any product or company
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VERY GOOD MEDICINE FOR THOSE OF US WHO NEED IT
ABOUT BRANDS – ‘SOURCE NATURALS’
Recently I ran out of 5-HTP and I purchased this ‘Source Naturals’ product with basically the results I attained from the same dosages from ‘Now’ or ‘Nature’s Way’ or ‘Swanson’ brand products. This is a pretty good price and I will probably use this product again, especially if it is competitively priced. In the past I have purchased some products from Source Naturals, mostly amino acids, so I felt this would be a safe bet.
SO WHAT IS THIS – ‘5-HTP’ STUFF ALL ABOUT?
As 5-HTP goes, this is good stuff and reasonably priced. It does seem to cause vivid dreams and it seems to have the effects it is supposed to. However, it should be noted that although you need take only 1-2 capsules for insomnia, the short half life of 5-HTP from “GRIFFONIA SEEDS” necessitates rather frequent dosing for depression and appetite suppression, usually 4x per day and attention needs to be paid to the timing of doses with other amino acids. Serotonin syndrome may also be an issue for some.
Whereas many important issues are not certain or resolved regarding 5-HTP dosage and usage, it does seem to do a lot of good when used appropriately. Naturally a lot more can be said and books have been written on 5-HTP. It is a product that must be used with considerable care and professional medical monitoring is advisable due to the serious conditions it is used for and its effects on human brain chemistry. [Depression, Obesity, Insomnia] Nevertheless after taking it for 3 years I can say that I have experienced no negative side effects. Also, I have noticed reduced cravings for sweets, less anxiety in social situations and have slept better than I ever have. There has also been no sign of 5-HTP being habit forming in my experience.
5-HTP COMBINES WELL WITH L-TYROSINE
If you are considering using this product for anxiety or sociophobic disorders [NOW] makes a 200mg dosage combined with the amino acid L-tyrosine. Many have found the addition of 250 mg of L-tyrosine to be most helpful and the product still retains all of its other characteristics.
[I AM NOT AFFILIATED WITH ANY PRODUCT OR COMPANY]
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I’ve been working swing-shifts for over 4 years now and it’s habit forming to stay up late in the morning and wake up late in the afternoon, these pills are by far the biggest natural mood enhancers I’ve ever taken, they definitely increase the serotonin levels in me and substitute melatonin that I’m not getting through daylight. Great product, definitely worth a try.
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I was born with the natural ability to travel out-of-body and have lucid dreams. However I recommend this product to all my students. I do take this from time to time, 2 capsules before bed and I have felt the added boost to my lucidness. You will definitely have more vivid dreams and better memory retention of those dreams. Many of my students have told me that they did have an increased awareness in the dream plane. I suggest getting on the monthly/quarterly subscription plan so you can also save 15% on the cost.
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I have always had some depression and had a friend who told me for years to try 5HTP. Finally I read it in a book and tried it (should listen to my friends). After a bad bought of gloomy days I took this before bed and woke up without any sadness! I take it every night now and have only gotten sad when there is a good reason to. I recommend trying it.
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Used this product for a month now and cannot recall the last time I woke so alert and rested. No grogginess or fog anymore. Did not have any issue with mood so cannot speak to that effect.
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I have been dealing with thyroid issues for over a year. I think we have the correct dose of my med now only because of 5-HTP. I started out taking 2 at bedtime; I sleep better and and my sweet tooth cravings are gone. It has curbed my appetite and no mood swings. This really works. No sad faces anymore:D
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I think this stuff helps me, and it is definitely worth a little extra money. I don’t know which brand is best but I’ve only tried two.
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I bought the 5-HTP, 100 mg capsules from DAB Nutrition. I received them very promptly. I find the combination of 5-HTP and St. John’s Wort therapeutic.
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5-HTP
My experience, not medical advice. Read, research, and talk to your doctor.
Back story:
After a bout of depression, my doctor prescribed Welbutrin. Within 20 minutes of taking the first pill, I knew it was addictive. I used it, while entering counseling, and starting acupuncture to manage my chronic pain all with in a matter of weeks.
The Welbutrin gave me enough clarity to start to research and start to put together a natural plan. (Welbutrin also gave me tremedous headaches and dizzy spells.) I’m really into holistic, herbs, and natural stuff. It was during this period that I can across 5-htp.
What is does for me:
It balanced out my brain chemistry, much like the Welbutrin, but with out the yum factor that leads people into addiction or the nasty side effects. Within 20 minutes I felt “different.” Yes, 20 minute, but that’s me. Advice: When you’re taking natural or prescribed medicines, monitor your feelings and any changes closely.
5-htp calmed and soothed me. You know the way you feel on vacation or when you’re not under a great deal of pressure. It is weird and very hard to describe. I was able to withstand the regular rigors and stress of my job. (I teach job readiness skills to people on public assistance.)
The usual crap that would make react negatively and push the limits of my patience, were now minor irritations. Not only did I notice the change in my disposition, my co-workers did as well. I am now able to navigate the turbulent, stressful ocean that is my work life without reacting like a maniac! Another benefit, I sleep better and dream more.
After using 5-htp for a few months. I was pleased enough with the product to recommend it to my friends. Let me explain, my best friend was on prescribed anti-anxiety. I tossed him a bottle and told him what it did for me. Told him to read up on it on the net and give it a try if he wanted.
Well he didn’t , for a month or so, when his prescription ran out he popped 1 or 2. He continued to use the 5-htp until the bottle ran out and then went back to the prescription meds.
Once back on the medication he spent the weekend in the bathroom. He asked me, then I had to explain, most likely it was his body’s revolting against the meds after getting use to a natural product that relieved him of his anxiety.
My co-worker now orders 5-htp regularly, but keeps a bottle of prescribed medication on hand “just in case.” My buddy has recently been promoted to a supervisor’s position and his stress level has increased 3 fold. He has doubled his daily dose of 5-htp to accommodate.
The office secretary lately has been looking exceptional stressed lately. (Yeah, we work in a pit and she works a second job.) I aked if I could recommend something to her. That something was 5 HTP. I gave her the same advice: research, read, and talk to your doctor. I told her, I had an extra bottle at home. The next day I gave it to her. I recommended a 2 pill dosage. I asked her how she was felling when I ran into her after lunch. She said fine and was smiling (that was Monday). When I cheked in with her at the end of the week, she had to stop taking them because she was feeling too calm. LOL. She even ran around the the building recommending 5 htp to anybody who would listen. She actually gave away a bottle to one of our co-workers.
I did not order 5 htp from source naturals but from puritans pride ([...]Their 5 htp is derived from Griffonia simplicifolia, aw well, and also contains valarian root, which adds to the soothing effect. I highly recommend puritans pride because the usually have most products for buy 1 get 1 free (see my review of then on [....]). Right now 8/2009, they are running a buy 1 get 2 free plus shipping. Okay, that’s [...]for 1 bottle containing 120 capsules of 5 htp at 100mg. If you order during the sale you get 3 bottles for [....]
Yes, I am promoting puritans pride because I love a deal just as much as the next guy. Why pay [...] for only 1 bottle?
On with the rest of my review…
How does it work?
5-HTP works by manipulating serotonin, a neurochemical critical to a wide variety of brain functions. Serotonin, in turn, is made in the body from 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan, which is simply a modified amino acid obtained from plant sources.
Without adequate levels of serotonin, you’d probably suffer from depression, sleep disorders, addiction, and obesity.
Studies have shown that there’s often a direct association between obesity (due to overeating) and decreased brain serotonin levels. Without adequate levels of serotonin, the brain perceives that the body is starving and turns on the hunger mode. Obese people who suffer from low levels feel chemically compelled to eat more and more. Once they ingest carbohydrates and various sugars in general, they experience a temporary increase in serotonin levels.
That’s why some people are willing to eat an excess of junk food that’s entirely lacking in protein. That’s also why drugs like the now banned Redux (dexfenfluramine), which increased serotonin production, were successfully used as an appetite suppressant in the treatment of common obesity. Once serotonin levels retained to normal levels, the food-jones disapeared.
Other “addictive” substances raise serotonin levels, too. Examples include alcohol, tobacco, certain narcotics, and caffeine.
Summary:
5-htp worked for me and my friends. It has been liberating emotionally, physically, and financially. Being able to endure more and not having to pay prescribe medicine prices for it.
I take 100mg in the morning with breakfast and 100mg at night before bed or with dinner. Please, find out what works for you.
As a comparison I use to use St. Johns Wort. It too had a calming effect, but the side effect was light sensitivity. However, St. Johns Wort doesn’t have the long lasting effect or soothing feeling that 5-htp does.
Draw backs:
With herbs and natural medicine you have to find out the right dosage for you. Base dosages on height and weight and monitor the results.
Rating
I tried this out to see if it would help relax me so I could fall asleep easier. 5-HTP is supposed to increase the amount and availability of serotonin produced by the body. This in turn is supposed to produce emotional well-being, appetite regulation, melatonin production and maintaining a healthy sleep cycle (I got that from the label on the bottle).
From what I can tell, there is a small effect. The directions say the serving size is one capsule – 100mg. Possibly people actually take more than that to get the full experience. I think the effect is more to relax a person than to make one sleepy, but relaxing helps when you are getting ready for bed. For this reason, I think one could take 5-HTP during their regular day and not worry about getting sleepy. I haven’t tried that.
Still, anything that helps to relax me just before bed is welcome and so 5-HTP is worth it to me.
Rating
There is an increasing trend towards the use of alternatives to treat depression. These alternatives include substances such as 5-Hydroxy-L-tryptophan (5-HTP).
5-HTP is synthesized from an amino acid called tryptophan. The body absorbs tryptophan, converts it to 5-HTP, and then forms it into serotonin. What’s so notable about serotonin? Well, in your central nervous system, serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is involved in regulating your moods.
To date, the available evidence DOES suggest that this substance is better than placebo at alleviating depression. However, be aware that side effects such as dizziness, nausea and diarrhea have been known to occur. If so, consider another alternative such as exercise- suggest Exercise Beats Depression for more on that.
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I was mainly turned on to the idea of trying out 5-HTP because it is a much cheaper, plant derived supplement that can be utilized as a treatment for depression, and may also help you fall asleep. (or at least won’t deter you from falling asleep). I have been taking this product for roughly two weeks, I take 100mg at night, typically minutes before going to bed. At first I started taking it like the bottle said (twice daily), but that lead to severe drowsiness for me in the mornings. After a few days, I started taking it at night and woke up feeling refreshed and reinvigorated. I have noticed that I have more vivid, wonderful dreams that are in full color which I haven’t had for years.
Conclusion: I wouldn’t recommend taking this product during the day to avoid drowsiness. I personally take Nature Made SAM-e Complete 200 mg – 90 Enteric Coated Tabs 1200 mg every morning and take 5-HTP later in the evening. This system has seemed to work best for me because it provides a steady stream of serotonins throughout the day and night keeping me a happy, witty and fun-loving person.
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Amazing product with no side effects!
It has increase my positive mood.
Lessened my anxiety.
And kept me on track with healthy habits.
I have real bad depression and before I would only focus on that.
Now it seems I have more time on my hand and can do what I want.
I only need to take two pills a day. One in the morning and one at night.
A steady routine should be built. The effects aren’t immediate. It takes affect in a week or two.
Great product at an affordable price. Really, GNC has it for $19 and it only comes with 30 capsules.
The runner up 5-HTP sellers cannot beat the price or the quantity.