5-hydroxytryptophan User Reviews & Ratings (Page 4)

• Med...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 11, 2018

5-hydroxytryptophan for Anxiety "Only started taking this for a few days. After experiencing mild anxiety and insomnia, I started with 200 mg and noticed immediate improvement with sleep and anxiety. I found a boost in concentration and therefore better memory, which helped with work and socially. 200 mg was a high dose to start off with, in which I had nausea. Some tips for people: start at 50 mg if first dose, and consume with a light carb-heavy meal, avoid caffeine if possible. I feel like that if you cycle use (i.e., 1 month on, 1 month off), it will reduce the likelihood of tolerance and dependence. I decided to not take it for a day and noticed withdrawal anxiety, it may be worth tapering off the dose instead of going cold turkey. To conclude, this is excellent for anxiety and sleep, although not for everyone."

• Don...
• January 31, 2022

5-hydroxytryptophan for Anxiety "This stuff is seriously dangerous! I do a lot of research before I try new things, as my body is very sensitive to all supplements, drugs, vitamins, etc. I bought the Jamieson brand, which indicates the daily dose is 300 mg a day. I started with 25 mg a day and was only on it for a week until I had to stop taking it. My whole body is now in severe pain (muscles, joints). I get winded just from walking and can’t catch my breath. This is serious, it does cause Eosinophilia Myalgia Syndrome (EMS), and I’m 99% positive that I now have that. Be careful with this! And people with an autoimmune disorder or asthma should definitely stay away from it."

• NoN...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 10, 2017

5-hydroxytryptophan for Anxiety "I have been taking 5-HTP for about a month now for depression and mood swings. Works on depression and moods, but over the last few days, I have been experiencing severe stomach cramps. I have not changed my diet and am still doing and taking everything as normal. The only difference is that I had added 5-HTP to my daily diet. After experiencing these stomach cramps, I decided to research these effects it was having on me. Apparently, stomach cramps are a well-known side effect of 5-HTP, so I have decided to stop taking them and try something different."

• Ren...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 4, 2020

5-hydroxytryptophan "I tried so many meds, and it didn't work. I had very bad side effects. I give this 5-HTP a very good review for my bipolar. Thank God it didn't make me manic but instantly pulled me out of angry depression with rage. Life changing. Hope I won't get hypomanic on it as I have more depressed moods overall than going high. 5-HTP changed my life, feel so relaxed, no more anxiety, helped almost instantly. Just not taking it every day to reduce the risk of getting too high. I am taking it together with ginkgo biloba, and it seems to work well. Thank God. As I have a child and don't want to be violent. Depression causes me so much anger and rage. No other medication helps me with it except 5-HTP. God bless, I have my control over depressed moods back."

• JLa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 10, 2019

5-hydroxytryptophan for Insomnia "Have been trying various doses (100 mg before bed, 100 mg 3 times during the day) of 5-HTP for chronic insomnia, and it has made things significantly worse. Agitated and utterly unable to sleep. Even when I add melatonin, which has helped somewhat before, I am having terrible nights. Perhaps this is not surprising, as Prozac 10 mg also made sleep impossible for me. Hoping this side effect will drop off if I continue, or lower the dose, but thought I'd share this for anyone else having a similar experience."

• San...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 13, 2020

5-hydroxytryptophan for Anxiety "I have been taking 100 mg 5-HTP at night, and it works really well for me (I have PTSD/anxiety). I've tried prescription SSRIs like Prozac, and that didn't work. This herb works for me way better. I'm calming throughout the day, and I feel way less nervous, and I no longer have a dark cloud over me. I'm so happy I decided to give this a try. Some side effects I do get, especially in the beginning, are kind of weird dreams, and sometimes it seems to raise my anxiety by the third hour, but then it goes away. I have barely any anxiety the morning I wake up, lasting all day till nighttime when I take my medication. This seems to be a lifesaver for me. I will continue to use it and see how I do!"

• Lul...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 18, 2020

5-hydroxytryptophan for Anxiety "I have been taking 200 mg of a 5-HTP blend that also has B6 for two months. I take it with dinner every night, and I also take a probiotic every afternoon with lunch. It has definitely made my mood swings, depression, and sleep problems go away! Although I do still have anxiety in public places, I have always had this, and it isn't as bad. I feel like everyone has anxiety in public, it's encoded in our DNA as a safety mechanism. I will say, though, that after going off 5-HTP because I ran out for about a week, my mood swings and depression came back quickly and seemed worse than they were before. The change felt drastic, and that kind of scared me a bit. Otherwise, I'd give it a 10."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 24, 2021

5-hydroxytryptophan for Anxiety "I read online that this could be a good alternative to an SSRI (I have moderate OCD and GAD), so I thought, why not try it? BAD MOVE. Took it before I went to bed on a full stomach … felt like I was hungover the next day, and my limbs became numb and tingly. I am 36 hours past taking one pill of slow-release 200 mg, and I’m still feeling the effects. DON’T take it. Not worth it. Just gonna eat well, sleep well, and put into practice better my therapy. Side effects not worth it. Hoping this reaction will clear up shortly."

• Meo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 16, 2024

5-hydroxytryptophan for Insomnia "I took 5-HTP after a rave sometimes, and it really works wonders. Then I started taking it for insomnia (400 mg once per day). At first, it worked well, but after a while, I got serotonin syndrome-like symptoms. At first, I didn't know from what, but then eventually figured out it was 5-HTP. Definitely strong stuff, so use it with caution!"

• Mic...
• November 3, 2017

5-hydroxytryptophan for Anxiety "I was very optimistic about this supplement. Unfortunately for me personally, I had major sharp pains in the right side of my abdomen (possibly my liver). It even woke me up at night. I couldn't take it anymore, as it seemed unsafe to continue. The brand I used was 'Now' brand. Maybe it was the brand. However, I would caution others to be careful if they also get sharp stabbing pains. Happy it helped others. Didn't agree with me."

• Sad...
• April 12, 2019

5-hydroxytryptophan for Anxiety "Took 5-HTP 100 mg at night with magnesium, to calm my mild anxiety and sadness, help with sleep. I was post-concussion and being treated for autoimmune disease. At around 6 months, I increasingly noticed I was waking at night, I started getting more anxious, suicidal thoughts. During this time, I also did a small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) treatment of antibiotics, which probably helped my gut work better, and then started low-dose naltrexone for my autoimmune disease. I started to have heart palpitations, sweating at night, depressed thoughts, panic attacks which I never had before, where you get arrhythmia, continuous bad thoughts, tingling in your fingers, and feel dizzy. When withdrawing from 5-HTP, I had a horrible time. I had to withdraw slowly, as I had a lot of the symptoms of SSRI withdrawal. My brain and thoughts were so disturbing. I would be very cautious using this drug long-term and continuously. Study needs to be done on low-dose naltrexone and 5-HTP. Or post-concussion and 5-HTP."

• Kit...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 11, 2019

5-hydroxytryptophan for ADHD "I am 54 and have ADHD (combination-type). Numerous tests show no anxiety, no stress, and no depression. I've been taking 5-HTP for about seven years. 160 mg every morning, thirty minutes before food, is my current sweet spot to help with my irritability. It doesn't help me with any other ADHD symptoms, e.g., dysfunctional working memory or concentration. If I've had a 15-hour working day, I may have a 100 mg dose before retiring, as I feel exhausted the next morning and know that I'll be irritable (stop the world, I want to get off) with everyone who rubs me up the wrong way, until my morning dose kicks in. Only side effect is nausea if I wait more than thirty minutes before eating. Just remember to keep your stock levels sufficient (set a reminder), so that you don't run out and then have the added drama of rushing around to buy some while you're in a bad mood. I buy them from a website in New Zealand, and they arrive in Australia within a few days."

• Dev...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 27, 2018

5-hydroxytryptophan for Headache "5-HTP has made all the difference in my life. I have suffered with debilitating menstrual migraines for years, also PMT/depression. This wonderful natural drug takes the edge off it massively and enables me to function much more normally. I take 200 mg at night about a week before my period when I feel my head/mood change. About a week after my period, when I typically start to feel more normal, I reduce to 100 mg. Unfortunately, I can't manage without it now, but it has no side effects, so I am extremely thankful for it - it has literally saved my life."

• Dan...
• February 8, 2019

5-hydroxytryptophan for Anxiety "I found this treatment in Boots under the product name Sharp Mind, it's combined with other natural ingredients. It started to work very quickly, and my anxiety and depression have been much better, but I have found that it is giving me strange dreams, both good and bad, sometimes very vivid. I still think that overall I have improved in my mood, and I'll continue to take it for now. I'm only a week in, but I quite like feeling happier and don't want to go back to my old feelings. I think it's important to take care of the dosage, as we all have different tolerances. Some people are taking 50 mg plus, and I think that much would be way too much for me, so basically I'm saying it's good to start with a low dose."

• Diz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 26, 2016

5-hydroxytryptophan for Anxiety "Don't take this with benzos, it made me extra drowsy and anxious. One pill-I only took half of one pill (50 mg!). I got some kind of adverse reaction. My insomnia got worse, I got panic attacks, shivering, tremor, felt disoriented, and seriously more depressed. Now I have woken up in the middle of the night for many nights to the same feeling: anxious, can't fall asleep again. I regret taking this. And I said once again: DON'T MIX THIS WITH BENZOS and be careful if your nervous system is sensitive, you are sensitive to supplements, or you suffer from bad insomnia, because it can cause a paradoxical reaction. Start with tiny doses to find out whether this is the right supplement for you. For me, it definitely is NOT. This supplement also has many side effects."

• Luc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 23, 2024

5-hydroxytryptophan for Anxiety "I came off escitalopram a couple of years ago and my anxiety had gotten really bad recently (triggered by a lot of pressure at work and home). I was waking up every night with a pounding heart and having panic attacks and crying most days. I had tried a variety of different supplements but none seemed to have any effect. Then as a last resort before going back to the doctor, I started taking a couple of 5-HTP capsules before bedtime each night. Within a matter of days, my anxiety had subsided massively. I am now able to cope with everything going on at work, I no longer wake up in the night with a racing heart, and feel so much better. I am so glad I found this supplement as I was at my wit’s end."

• Ari...
• September 2, 2019

5-hydroxytryptophan for Insomnia "Started taking 5-HTP with magnesium. Had to get online as it's not an approved drug in Australia. After 2 bottles, I had to come off it as it was upsetting my bowel. I started having panic attacks, depression, insomnia. This withdrawal lasted 4 weeks. There should be a warning about coming off this med, be careful. Maybe this is why it's not approved here."

• Tin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 24, 2019

5-hydroxytryptophan for Anxiety "I recently lost my job and am going through stress. For about three weeks now, I've been taking Ativan for sleep because the anxiety was keeping me up at night. I do not want to get addicted to the benzo. Tried magnesium threonate, but the side effect was tension headache. Tried valerian, that just made me more anxious. I take B complex and D3, along with what is prescribed by my doc. I tried 5-HTP. It relaxes me but doesn’t make me feel sleepy. Do I have to up the doses to make it more effective? How many days before it started working? Any ideas? Thanks."

• Mik...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 24, 2019

For Depression "Like some others, I have been taking 100 mg/1 morning and 1 before bedtime, time release, for about a month. I also considered CBD oil but opted for 5-HTP. I've seen a definite positive change in mood, which has translated into less depression, and the only reason for not rating this 5 stars is simply because I feel 30 days isn't long enough to accurately assess its effect. I'm trying to contain my excitement and hope like hell this works for me. Prescribed meds have too many uncomfortable side effects (for me). I can't recommend this just yet but hope to in time. All I want is to stop this painful ordeal of feeling like the elephant in the room all the time. So far, so good, and I can honestly say that if you've walked in my shoes, I sincerely hope this works for you."

• Bri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 26, 2020

5-hydroxytryptophan for Anxiety "I decided to give meds a break, and though it was hard getting off them, I felt somewhat okay for a while. I physically felt better, yet I still had worse social anxiety. My nerves have felt somewhat on end for the past two years. I don’t like meds or side effects, I’ve tried a million remedies. I can say 5-HTP is probably the best natural supplement I’ve tried in regard to my mental health, though I had a few bad experiences. (Taking on an empty stomach) (taking early) (taking right before bed, which kept me awake). Though I’ve repeatedly decided to not take anything or tried other supplements, taken with food in the afternoon or at night, every day, or even every other day has been beneficial."

• Nor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 22, 2015

5-hydroxytryptophan "This drug does increase serotonin levels and made me feel quite good, so it gets an '8'. It didn't work out for me because I was dumb and took it along with an anti-D. (Do NOT do this). My appetite after starting 5-HTP was very high, and I was salivating quite a bit, which reminded me of starting Paxil or Prozac. But a few days in, I got one (unusual) and reportedly rare side effect: severe bruxism (teeth grinding). I believe I was getting a 'less severe' but still significant case of serotonin syndrome. I stopped the 5-HTP quickly. Do not take 5-HTP with Rhodiola, St. John's Wort, Buspirone, or any anti-D. Read up on serotonin syndrome. That said, this stuff works - but don't ever combine!"

• Jen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 29, 2020

5-hydroxytryptophan for Anxiety "I've been struggling with anxiety and panic disorder for 3 years now and finally built the courage to try a supplement. This is my 3rd day on Natrol's Daily Stress Relief. It has 5-HTP, magnesium, B6, and 12, and some other vitamins. 100 mg after breakfast. Every day it's been different. My first day was amazing. I felt the physical symptoms I was anxious, but I didn't fear the sensation. I hope that even makes sense. I was in tears because I haven't felt not being scared in 3 years. My 2nd day was horrible... terrible anxiety symptoms, constant palpitations, panic attack, and a meltdown. Today is my 3rd day, I felt so off today... anxious, irritable, like nothing satisfied me (I'm usually a happy, upbeat person despite the anxiety). I was thinking about not taking it anymore because it feels like I'm getting more negatives than positives, but I read a few comments about taking a lower dose. So tomorrow I'm going to try splitting the pill in half and take 50 mg. I hope it makes me feel better."

• Jil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 2, 2023

5-hydroxytryptophan for Anxiety "Life changer! My naturopath suggested I start taking 100mg a day for my depression. It's day 2 & I already feel a massive difference in my thought patterns. The past few weeks have been very dark for me & full of racing thoughts. I finally feel normal again."

• a20...
• January 29, 2016

For Fibromyalgia "5-HTP is a really effective, all-natural supplement for combatting symptoms of fibromyalgia - among many other things. It naturally increases serotonin levels, which help with sleep quality, pain reduction, and depression."

• Ann...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 15, 2024

5-hydroxytryptophan for Anxiety "I've been using 5-HTP for almost two months now. The first day I have used the supplement (100mg), it gave me palpitations and made me a little more anxious. But it actually didn't bother me because I have tried one time a man-made medication for my anxiety and depression, and man... that was something I don't want to experience anymore xD. I have lowered the dose to 70mg per day, and it really works. It gives me more energy (mostly mentally) and makes me more calm. It has no horrible side effects as synthetic medication has, and you can quit whenever you like. It is only recommended not to drink alcohol combined with 5-HTP and to keep the dosage max 200 mg per day. This plant medicine is amazing for people who are sensitive to man-made medication or if they want to switch to a natural solution for their depression and/or anxiety."