Is life taking its toll on you? Are you exhausted at the end of the day? Do you want to take hold of your life but don’t want to take prescription drugs? If this is you then read on…
5HTP is a new supplement that is non-addictive and will help with a multitude of complaints. It works by naturally making a chemical in the brain called Serotonin that is known as the “Happy Drug”. It does this without messing with the natural metabolic processes of the brain unlike anti-depressants such as Prozac.
Insomnia, depression, anxiety and weight loss are all conditions that 5HP will help to treat. This supplement works differently on everyone so don’t be disheartened if you don’t get the same results as someone else. It is also a good idea to re-evaluate your condition after 3 months by stopping the supplement for a month.
No matter what it is you are treating it is always best to start at a low dosage like 50mg to see how you get on with that first. If you feel that it is not giving the results you desire you can always increase to 100mg; but I would not recommend going higher than this without consulting your GP first as this can sometimes lead to side effects.
Don’t expect miracles if you are taking 5HTP to loose weight. It won’t happen. 5HTP is a food surpressant only. When our Serotonin levels are low we crave the wrong foods in the hope of feeling better. 5HTP works by raising your Serotonin levels therefore stopping the craving for fatty foods and carbohydrates which put on the kilos. You will still need to reduce your daily food intake to achieve weight loss.
Some side effects can be seen if you take a high dosage of 5HTP but usualy only occurs with dosages over 300mg. You need to be aware of how you are feeling and be alert for these side effects, another reason to take a break after 3 months. You may notice while taking the supplement a feeling of nausea, lack of libido, stomach cramps, and nightmares. For some people it may not be wise to take the supplement as it can make them worse. They include pregnant women, people with high blood pressure, lung disease, anorexia and if you suffer with haemophilia.
Some prescribed drugs can already be raising your Serotonin levels such as anti-depressants, cancer treatment and antibiotics. If you are using any of these then do not take 5HTP. Taking a combination of these drugs can lead to a Serotonin overdose called Serotonin Syndrome which can be exteremly serious, even fatal.
This is not an overnight miracle cure. It can take anything up to 3 weeks before 5HTP starts working on your problem, before you really start to notice any changes. Patience is the key.
It is recommended that you take your daily dosage at night time, so get into a routine taking it about an hour before going to bed. By doing this, it allows your brain to build up your Serotonin level ovenight and also helps to provide a good night’s sleep. You will wake up the next morning refreshed and ready to start a new day.
Addie Schultz has written an excellent article about 5htp and what dosage should be taken. She has also included interesting information on its side effects too. We would recommend that you visit her site to find out more.