5 HTP - Nature’s Serotonin

Some studies suggest that if you suffer from Fibromyalgia, you probably don’t produce enough serotonin. Serotonin is one of your brain’s most important neurotransmitters, or the chemical messengers produced by the central nervous system.

Put simply, neurotransmitters relay signals between your brain and body. 5-Hydroxytryptophan, or 5-HTP as it’s more commonly called, is the immediate precursor to serotonin. It is effectively absorbed into the bloodstream and easily passes the blood-brain barrier, promoting serotonin balance in the brain.

5-HTP may be helpful supplement for fibromyalgia sufferers. Although many factors can influence the stiffness, pain, and fatigue associated with fibromyalgia, studies have shown that low serotonin levels may play a role in the development of this condition.

In one double-blind trial, 50 subjects with fibromyalgia were given either 100 mg of 5 HTP or placebo 3 times daily for a month. Those receiving 5 HTP experienced significant improvements in all symptom categories, including pain, stiffness, sleep patterns, anxiety, and fatigue. 5 HTP also has the ability to increase endorphin levels, our natural painkillers.

Subjects receiving 5 HTP experienced significant improvements in all symptom categories, including pain, stiffness, sleep patterns, anxiety, and fatigue. 5 HTP also has the ability to increase endorphin levels, our natural painkillers. Researchers found equal benefit between the supplement and antidepressants. However, 5 HTP caused fewer and less severe side effects.

There have been several small studies that compared 5 HTP to standard antidepressants. Most notably, a 6-week study of 63 people given either 5 HTP (100 mg 3 times daily) or an antidepressant in the Prozac family (fluvoxamine, 50 mg 3 times daily). Researchers found equal benefit between the supplement and the drug. However, 5 HTP caused fewer and less severe side effects.

5 HTP often produces very good results in patients who are unresponsive to standard antidepressant drugs. One of the more impressive studies involved 99 patients described as suffering from “therapy resistant” depression. “These patients had not responded to any previous therapy including all available antidepressant drugs as well as electro convulsive therapy. These therapy resistant patients received 5 HTP at dosages averaging 200 mg daily but ranging from 50 to 600 mg per day. Complete recovery was seen in 43 of the 99 patients and significant improvement was noted in 8 more.”

Studies have also shown that 5 HTP may improve the quality of sleep by lengthening the REM stage as well as increasing the deep sleep stages of non REM sleep without increasing total sleep time. This may provide an advantage over prescription sleeping pills that may make insomnia worse by interfering with the normal sleep pattern. Drugs tend to disrupt the REM stage sleep and the non REM deep sleep stages, resulting in a non-restorative sleep that provides little benefit. 5 HTP enhances both REM and the deep sleep stages by raising serotonin levels.

5 HTP improves sleep quality by enhancing both REM and deep sleep stages, and by regulating melatonin, providing an advantage over presription sleeping pills that may make insomnia worse by interfering with the normal sleep pattern.

How does it work?

5 HTP improves sleep by regulating the hormone melatonin, a well-known sleep aid. 5 HTP has been found to be more effective in promoting sleep because it promotes the release of melatonin by the pineal gland inside the brain. Therefore, taking 5-HTP may help the body’s own natural cycle of melatonin production and release.

There is some research showing that 5 HTP may prevent migraines and reduce the frequency and severity of migraines and other headaches, but more controlled trials are needed.

It has been found that the combination of 5 HTP (100 mg), St. John’s wort extract (300 mg), and magnesium (200 to 250 mg) three times daily works better than any of these products alone.

Before starting on 5-HTP or any natural supplement, you should always discuss it with your medical professionals to assess your suitability for this product. There are many things to consider.

Possible Interactions

If you are currently being treated with any of the following medications, you should not use 5 HTP without first talking to your healthcare provider. Also, if you have been diagnosed with Bipolar disorder, check with your healthcare provider, as 5 HTP may increase manic episodes.

Antidepressant Medications

Individuals taking the antidepressant medications known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (such as fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, and citalopram) and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) (such as phenelzine, isocarboxazid, selegiline, and tranylcypromine) should not use 5 HTP as these medications enhance the action of these drugs and may increase the risk for developing a dangerous condition known as “serotonin syndrome.” Serotonin syndrome is characterized by mental status changes, rigidity, hot flashes, rapidly fluctuating blood pressure and heart rate, and possibly coma. Similarly, other drugs for depression that interfere with the uptake of the neurotransmitter serotonin, namely trazodone and venlafexine, may also lead to serotonin syndrome when used along with 5 HTP.

Carbidopa
Taking 5 HTP with carbidopa, a medication used to treat Parkinson’s disease, has been associated with side effects including scleroderma-like illnesses (a condition in which the skin becomes hard, thick, and inflamed).

Sumatriptan
Similar to antidepressants, sumatriptan, a medication used for migraine headaches that works by stimulating serotonin receptors in the brain, should also not be used in combination with 5 HTP because of the risk for serotonin syndrome.

Tramadol
Tramadol, used for pain control, may also increase serotonin levels too much if taken in combination with 5 HTP. While no interactions have yet been reported with tramadol and 5-HTP, taking 5-HTP with tramadol may increase the risk of tramadol-induced side effects, including serotonin syndrome.

Zolpidem
Use of zolpidem, a medication for insomnia, can cause hallucinations when used with SSRI antidepressants. Because 5 HTP may work similarly to SSRIs, the combination of 5 HTP with zolpidem could, theoretically, lead to hallucinations as well. “

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About the Author:

Faith Stone is a regular contributor to Fog Magazine. In spite of her fibromyalgia, her columns appear here twice a month.