Science/evidence behind using 5-HTP "recovery pills"

[gerrym]

"Recovery pills" contaning 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), an immediate precursor to serotonin, have been advocated and are sold by many manufacturers/distributors of legal serotonergic dance pills containing BZP and similar substances.

The National Poisons Centre here in New Zealand recommends that people taking such dance pills should not take the recovery pills as they can increase toxicity[1], I presume by increasing the risk of serotonin syndrome.

There is one published study showing effects exhibited by serotonin-depleted rats are reversed by 5-HTP administration[2].

There is much lack of evidence in the medical literature of the effectiveness and safety of using serotonin precursors such as 5-HTP as "recovery pills" after dosing up with serotonergic recreational drugs.

What are the human consequences/effects of 'serotonin depletion' after use of these type of recreational drugs? Are depressive and anxiety disorders exacerbated?

How much is a myth and how much is science behind the use of substances such as 5-HTP to reverse 'after-effects' of using serotonergic stimulant-hallucinogens?

gerrym
New Zealand

[1] http://www.toxinz.com/spec.aspx?id=1115493&synonymID=#Taking_This_Drug_Recreation
[2] Smith RL, Kennedy CH. Increases in avoidance responding produced by REM sleep deprivation or serotonin depletion are reversed by administration of 5-hydroxytryptophan. Behav Brain Res. 2003 Mar 18;140(1-2):81-6.

 

[DoubleTrouble]

Here's one study I found quickly which showed that 5-HTP was effective in reducing neurotoxicity in rats exposed to MDMA: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/...t_uids=7934616&query_hl=2&itool=pubmed_docsum

I'm sure there are more out there, as well as studies that have shown 5-HTP works well in treating depression. On a personal note, I find that 5-HTP is effective as a "mood-brightener" on a daily basis and a sleep aid if taken at night, and also it really does help the multiple day comedown that can accompany MDMA use. I take it every day. Interestingly, some people report that it actually decreases the effects of MDMA if taken shortly (less than an hour or so) before rolling.

 

[BilZ0r]

It's mostly anecdotal. And there is that paper that DoubleTrouble cited that is why people use 5-HTP as a preload.

However the evidence for 5-HT "depletion" is weak in humans, so who knows.