On the use of 5 HtP
How does it work?
5-HTP works in the brain and central nervous system by increasing the production of the chemical serotonin.
Serotonin can affect sleep, appetite, temperature, sexual behavior, and pain sensation.
Since 5-HTP
increases the synthesis of serotonin, it is used for several diseases where serotonin is believed to play an important role including depression, insomnia, obesity, and many other conditions.
Serotonin is a "feel good" substance which connects to certain brain receptors.. When the connection happens (like a key into a lock), the brain modifies electrically, as in sensation similar to orgasm.
Like certain activity will trigger serotonin production, like eating. (Feel good after eating, like a type of reward mechanism). Surviving something that triggers Adrenalin can evoke a serotonin release (oh my gawd I didn't get eaten by that lion which was chasing me, early primate activity).
If the nerves are not functioning optimum depleted from let's say toxin exposure (fluoride), possibly one takes 5-HtP, like a high octane fuel additive... to feel good, and if Taurine can get the nerves to function better so that one's given serotonin level is "adequate", then potentially 5-HtP would not be needed.. Taurine for the natural repair and functioning, no added serotonin booster needed..
Like any potent neural activity modifying drug, going "cold turkey" (stopping abruptly), is probably not a good idea, but to
very slowly taper off, and watch one's reaction for anything adverse. Adverse could be "not feeling good", not feeling "happy", not feeling "hopeful", not feeling like one has had a good meal, anxiety or "panic attack"..
5-HTP has the potential to over-stimulate serotonin activity..
This leads me to believe if one is using a serotonin response modifying drug, one should note any hyper-serotonin behaviour.
Such drugs that modify serotonin response are (this list is NOT all inclusive):
- Celexa and Zoloft
- Effexor
- nortriptyline and amitriptyline
- Nardil and Marplan
Excessive amounts of those drugs can trigger serotonin syndrome.
The feel-good-high that kids try to get
from cough syrups, such as Robitussin DM can trigger serotonin syndrome. Going for the high can be deadly, when kids think 'they can take it'.. At the outset possibly 'it' feels good, however the side effects will include, rapid heartbeat, seizures, coma. The culprit is
Dextromethorphan in the cough syrup. Don't do that stuff in excess. Increasing dosage to get past the "it doesn't work any more" reaction only leads to more deadly burnout.. Just don't do it.