herbal remedies

Is life a struggle? Are you feeling tired and depressed? Do you want to know how you can get back on top of things without taking prescription drugs? Well read on…

Serotonin is the “Happy Drug” in the brain. Sometimes its level can fall causing a multitude of complaints. 5HTP is a new supplement that helps to make this chemical naturally, bringing the levels back up again without affecting the natural metabolic prosses of the brain unlike prescribed drugs such as Prozac.

5HTP will help various conditions such as anxiety, depression, insomnia and weight loss. Some people will get better results than others when using 5HTP, as like many other supplements they work differently on everyone. After 3 months it is best to take a break from 5HTP to see how you feel and re-evaluate.

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.

As I have mentioned, there are side effects if taking a high dose, but these are rare. Some side effects that you may feel are nausea, lack of sex drive, stomach cramps and nightmares. At a low dose you are unlikely to notice anything but positive results, but at higher dosages of 300mg and above be aware of how you are feeling and stay alert for any strange feelings. There are a group of people that should not take 5HTP as it can make their condition worse. They are people with high blood pressure, Parkinson’s disease, lung disease, anorexia, if you are pregnant or suffer with haemophilia.

There are certain drugs that already raise your Serotonin levels. If you are taking any of these then it is not wise to take 5HTP. These include anti-depressants, cancer treatment and antibiotics. Taking a combination of these can lead to a Serotonin overdose known as Serotonin Syndrome and can be fatal.

5HTP does not work overnight. It can take up to 3 weeks to get into your system before you will notice any changes in your condition… So be patient.

5 HTP should be taken at night time roughly an hour before gong to bed. Your Serotonin levels will naturally increase while your body is resting, preparing you for what ever lies ahead for you tomorrow.

Addie Schultz is an author providing information on 5htp and has done her research thoroughly. You can check out more information on this subject at her latest site where she explains the correct 5htp dosage and also looks at the common side effects.