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Using L-Trytophan as an anti-depressant

Gaz_hmmmm

Gaz_hmmmm

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Joined
Nov 27, 2002
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England, UK
Has anyone here done this? I don't mean 5-HTP (It's kinda crap since the majority of the serotonin from that stays in your gut since serotonin can't pass the blood brain barrier.

Here in the UK L-Trytophan is used as an anti-depressant called Optimax sold by Merck. You have to have been seriously depressed for over 2 years and tried all the other anti-d's (Which considering how many SSRI's, SNRI's, Tricylics and MAOI's there are I imagine it'd take probably 5 years to get on the stuff.

Even then a hospital specialist has to refer you onto it not just your GP and every 3 months and then 6 months you and the GP have to fill out a questionnaire regarding it and the depression.

Now considering that this is an essential amino acid and legally has to be put in baby formula and is also added to body building protein powder I think it's disgusting that's it's basically the last choice here in the UK. I personally think it should be one of the first, if not the first since it actually increases your serotonin.

Anyway, I've found a bodybuilding site that's selling it cheap enough in pure powder form and am thinking of giving it a go. I've had 5-HTP before but it's crappy and a rip-off.

So has anyone used L-Trytophan or been prescribed it as 'Optimax'?

How was it?
 
It is a 'natural remedy' as it's an amino acid, it's just that Big Pharma' in the US and here in the UK got it banned 2 years after Prozac was released, since though it's been re-legalised in the US where as here in the UK it's used as an anti-depressant called Optimax sold by Merck but has to be legally added to baby food as it's an essential amino acid that the body can't produce.

I use B vit's and Fish oil, have tried but ran out of magnesium, I'll be getting more though.
 
5htp seems to make my anxiety worse. I took 5htp last May, hoping that it will make me feel better and will raise my serotonin without acquiring any side effects but it did the opposite for me. I was also suggested to take L-trytophan but due to the bad reaction I had with 5HTP I was too frightened to try any other supplements so I stick to the usual ones like b vitamins, fish oil magnesium and multivitamin. These seem to be helping plus the everyday workout.
 
Gaz_hmmmm said:
Has anyone here done this? I don't mean 5-HTP (It's kinda crap since the majority of the serotonin from that stays in your gut since serotonin can't pass the blood brain barrier.
Click to expand...

Just gonna point the fallacy in this--Just because it doesn't cross the BBB doesn't mean that it can't be anti-depressant. In fact, much of depression (and feelings in general) are felt in the body, not the brain. Furthermore, about half of our body's serotonin exists around our gut. EDIT: Sorry, I meant 90% http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serotonin

Also, 5-HTP works wonders for many people, including me, for mood. So think twice (or do more research) before you say "It's kinda crap."
 
RhythmSpring said:
Just gonna point the fallacy in this--Just because it doesn't cross the BBB doesn't mean that it can't be anti-depressant. In fact, much of depression (and feelings in general) are felt in the body, not the brain. Furthermore, about half of our body's serotonin exists around our gut. EDIT: Sorry, I meant 90% http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serotonin

Also, 5-HTP works wonders for many people, including me, for mood. So think twice (or do more research) before you say "It's kinda crap."
Click to expand...

Thank you, here in the UK an American health supplement company, Holland and Barrett is sadly making alot of independent health stores close down. Here in the UK alot of people think it's actually an English/British company, which I think it was originally but has since been bought out and if you check the label on their products they're all made in the US.
They have penny sales, where you buy one product at full price and the second you get for 1p as long as the second product is the cheaper one and obviously small independent stores can't compete. The only other health/supplement store is Boots, which I think is also now American owned, or it maybe just the Pharmacy side of the business. Anyway they don't have as big a range as independent stores or H&B and the staff generally know fuck all about supplements unlike health store staff and H&B staff.

Back to L-Tryptophan and 5-HTP. I've tried 5-HTP, not only is it ridiculously expensive here in the UK but it made me nauseous.

Surely if 5-HTP was as good or had better anti-depressant effects than L-Tryptophan with it not being 'Natural' as such it could have been patented and sold by a pharm' company years ago, but it isn't, where as L-Tryptophan is used as a anti-depressant of last resort here in the UK and that's what is making me think maybe since it's a natural amino acid that we need it may be worth a try.

I tried L-Tyrosine for energy and anti-depressant effects but didn't notice much.

I am using Fish Oil 1000mg (With 100% RDA Vitamin A + D) and a high dose slow release Vitamin B complex with Vitamin C which I snap in half since it's such a high dose and since B it's are water soluble most will end up down the toilet.

Here's the B vit' dosage :-

Vitamin C - 500mg 625% RDA
Thiamin (B1) - 100mg 9091%
Riboflavin (B2) - 100mg 7143%
Niacin - 100mg 625%
Pantothenic Acid - 100mg 1667%
Vitamin B6 - 100mg 7143%
Vitamin B12 - 500µg 20,000%
Folic Acid - 400µg 200%
Biotin - 50µg 100%
Choline Bitartrate - 50mg **
Citrus Bioflavonoids - 50mg **
Inositol - 50mg **
PABA - 50mg **

**RDA not established. As I've already said I snap them in half since the dose is so high, they're kinda expensive and also B Vit's are water soluble so alot end up getting flushed down the toilet.

I'm also on 200mg Ferrous Sulphate dried (Iron tablets), twice a day. These are prescribed as apparently I've had anemia for 3 years and the my specialist who I've complained to since day 1 (November '08) about feeling tired decided to prescribed me them last December.
 
I wouldn't expect it to be particularly effective, as unless your diet is shit, you consume opulent l-tryptophan already.

ebola
 
yeah. eggs, cheese, poultry, beef, fish, all laden with tryptophan. most people eat a decent amount of those
 
Gaz_hmmmm said:
Has anyone here done this? I don't mean 5-HTP (It's kinda crap since the majority of the serotonin from that stays in your gut since serotonin can't pass the blood brain barrier.

Here in the UK L-Trytophan is used as an anti-depressant called Optimax sold by Merck. You have to have been seriously depressed for over 2 years and tried all the other anti-d's (Which considering how many SSRI's, SNRI's, Tricylics and MAOI's there are I imagine it'd take probably 5 years to get on the stuff.

Even then a hospital specialist has to refer you onto it not just your GP and every 3 months and then 6 months you and the GP have to fill out a questionnaire regarding it and the depression.
Click to expand...

I was prescribed L-tryptophan in 2008 as I was severely anorexia and suicidal. Althoguh your saying its used as a last resort it was actually the first med that my clinician tried me on. Personally I hated taking it, I had to take 8 tablets a day - 4 in a.m and 4 in p.m. Over about 4 months it really did not alter my moods and destructive tendencies - Im talking tearfulness all day everyday, facial and body scratching, tearing hair out - and I was prescribed fluoxetine which did make a difference but has brought back anorexic thoughts as I have gained weight with it. Perhaps a bit off topic but thats my experience with it! I don't remember having to do a lot of filling in with it but then I was a minor so my parents did a lot of agreeing about my meds, dad also working in healthcare helped.
 
thujone said:
yeah. eggs, cheese, poultry, beef, fish, all laden with tryptophan. most people eat a decent amount of those
Click to expand...

Soy and other legumes are pretty opulent sources as well (soybeans being way better). Even vegans and lacto-ovo vegetarians ingest plenty tryptophan if they are taking in plenty protein. Oddly, on a per-weight basis, chicken contains more tryptophan than turkey; people get sleepy following Thanksgiving just because they eat like pigs. :P

ebola
 
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