I originally posted this in a post recovering from a lot of MDMA but now I realize that there is a chronic idiocy problem in how to deal with recovering from MDMA use in general. So read this and stop being dumb:
Expanding on the 5-HTP suggestion above. This is kind of basic stuff so apologies if you've already been down this road but:
You're obviously suffering a combo effect of the events, but it's likely you're seeing a multiplier between them. A negative emotional event like a breakup is dealt with cognitively (intellect) but also at a lower level via brain chemical function. People with healthy brain chemical function are able to bounce back, find the positives, and move on from bad events. Serotonin especially is important for this kind of emotional wellbeing. MDMA usage causes up-regulation of Serotonin receptors, and those tend to be resilient and slow to re-adapt. Further complicating the Serotonin situation is how difficult it is for the brain to keep a steady supply of it.
The only way your body has of producing Serotonin is via Tryptophan, an essential amino acid, which is converted to 5-HTP before being transported over the BBB. As an essential amino acid, we cannot produce it and must get it from dietary sources. It is found in all sorts of foods we eat, especially proteins. MDMA (as with all other Serotonin releasers) depletes your Serotonin reserves and results in the well known depression and comedown associated with those drugs. You need to replace these reserves.
Generally speaking, 5-HTP has the hardest time getting past the BBB because the transport mechanism is shared with the other essential amino acids and it tends to get the lowest priority out of all of them. If you eat a food containing Tryptophan you'll also be getting a bunch of other amino acids at the same time, all competing for the same limited bandwidth. Even a normal diet will have a hard time maxing out the brain's ability to convert 5-HTP into Serotonin. If you have a shitty diet, focused more on carbohydrates and less on protein as many people do, then you're even worse off.
Nearly any given person can benefit from taking Tryptophan supplements due to the immense importance of Serotonin and the given that most people are at some level of deficiency. Tryptophan has shown to be as effective as SSRI's in treating depression, but that fact is generally suppressed by drug companies because SSRI's are one of the biggest moneymakers on the planet, and Tryptophan is a cheap over the counter supplement. The increased incidence of depression amongst modern humans can almost certainly be directly linked to changes in diet from pre-historic times which favored higher Tryptophan intake.
With regards to 5-HTP vs. Tryptophan, you're better off with the Tryptophan. 5-HTP is metabolized in the liver to Serotonin, which increases blood serum levels of Serotonin but does nothing good for your brain because it can't pass the BBB. A very small fraction of orally taken 5-HTP will end up in the brain. By taking Tryptophan you reduce the amount of 5-HTP being metabolized in the liver so more ultimately ends up in the brain.
TLDR version: buy Tryptophan supplements, take 1500mg (3 big ass pills) every night 15 minutes before bed. If you don't feel a noticeable difference within 5 days I will be shocked. It'll also help you sleep better (Serotonin converts into Melatonin when you have adequate supplies).
48 cents per day - http://www.amazon.com/Source-Naturals-L-Tryptophan-500mg-Capsules/dp/B000GFSVS2
Magic. It's motherfucking miracles.
Expanding on the 5-HTP suggestion above. This is kind of basic stuff so apologies if you've already been down this road but:
You're obviously suffering a combo effect of the events, but it's likely you're seeing a multiplier between them. A negative emotional event like a breakup is dealt with cognitively (intellect) but also at a lower level via brain chemical function. People with healthy brain chemical function are able to bounce back, find the positives, and move on from bad events. Serotonin especially is important for this kind of emotional wellbeing. MDMA usage causes up-regulation of Serotonin receptors, and those tend to be resilient and slow to re-adapt. Further complicating the Serotonin situation is how difficult it is for the brain to keep a steady supply of it.
The only way your body has of producing Serotonin is via Tryptophan, an essential amino acid, which is converted to 5-HTP before being transported over the BBB. As an essential amino acid, we cannot produce it and must get it from dietary sources. It is found in all sorts of foods we eat, especially proteins. MDMA (as with all other Serotonin releasers) depletes your Serotonin reserves and results in the well known depression and comedown associated with those drugs. You need to replace these reserves.
Generally speaking, 5-HTP has the hardest time getting past the BBB because the transport mechanism is shared with the other essential amino acids and it tends to get the lowest priority out of all of them. If you eat a food containing Tryptophan you'll also be getting a bunch of other amino acids at the same time, all competing for the same limited bandwidth. Even a normal diet will have a hard time maxing out the brain's ability to convert 5-HTP into Serotonin. If you have a shitty diet, focused more on carbohydrates and less on protein as many people do, then you're even worse off.
Nearly any given person can benefit from taking Tryptophan supplements due to the immense importance of Serotonin and the given that most people are at some level of deficiency. Tryptophan has shown to be as effective as SSRI's in treating depression, but that fact is generally suppressed by drug companies because SSRI's are one of the biggest moneymakers on the planet, and Tryptophan is a cheap over the counter supplement. The increased incidence of depression amongst modern humans can almost certainly be directly linked to changes in diet from pre-historic times which favored higher Tryptophan intake.
With regards to 5-HTP vs. Tryptophan, you're better off with the Tryptophan. 5-HTP is metabolized in the liver to Serotonin, which increases blood serum levels of Serotonin but does nothing good for your brain because it can't pass the BBB. A very small fraction of orally taken 5-HTP will end up in the brain. By taking Tryptophan you reduce the amount of 5-HTP being metabolized in the liver so more ultimately ends up in the brain.
TLDR version: buy Tryptophan supplements, take 1500mg (3 big ass pills) every night 15 minutes before bed. If you don't feel a noticeable difference within 5 days I will be shocked. It'll also help you sleep better (Serotonin converts into Melatonin when you have adequate supplies).
48 cents per day - http://www.amazon.com/Source-Naturals-L-Tryptophan-500mg-Capsules/dp/B000GFSVS2
Magic. It's motherfucking miracles.
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