Alternative to Antidepressant Drugs
Most people who deal with anxiety and depression are familiar with serotonin, a brain chemical which is essential for controlling mood, sleep and pain levels. Several decades of research shows a direct connection between various states of depression and anxiety with fluctuating levels of serotonin.
For people who would like to try an alternative to these popular antidepressant drugs -
- Clomipramine
- Lofepramine
- Amitriptyline
- Maprotiline
- Mianserin
- Moclobemide
5-hydroxytryptophan otherwise known as 5HTP
Research has shown 5HTP to be directly linked to the production of serotonin in the brain.
“5-HTP reduces anxiety by increasing levels of serotonin, often works within hours, and one study says 5-HTP may be helpful in panic attacks. 5-HTP is a good anxiety treatment for those whose depression is associated with anxiety, restlessness, or racing thoughts. (From Science Blog)”
Research indicates that 5-HTP helps with other health issues related to serotonin deficiency, including nervousness, body tension and stiffness and head cavity discomfort.
Several exciting research trials have studied the efficacy of 5HTP for treating depression. In one study, researchers compared 5HTP against the antidepressant drug fluvoxamine and found 5HTP to be equally effective.-1 Both 5HTP and fluvoxamine produced a gradual reduction in depressive symptoms over time. 5HTP has also been shown to help those who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): (Dr. Steven F. Hotze)
Sleep is also believed to be affected by 5-HTP. Supplementing has shown to help falling asleep faster and increases the duration of dream states (REM sleep) and of deep sleep. Studies have shown that individuals who supplemented with 5-HTP reported feeling more rested upon waking.
How to add 5-HTP to your diet.
The body produces 5-HTP from tryptophan, an amino acid found in small amounts in high-protein foods such as chicken, fish, beef and dairy products. It can also be taken in supplemental form, in which case it’s extracted from the seeds of the Griffonia simplicifolia plant.
References:
Poldinger W, et al. A functional-dimensional approach to depression: serotonin deficiency as a target syndrome in a comparison of 5-hydroxytryptophan and fluvoxamine. Psychopathology 1991;24:53-81.
van Praag H. Management of depression with serotonin precursors. Biol Psychiatry 1981;16:291-310.
Costa and Greengard (1984) Frontiers in Biochemical and Pharmacological Research in Depression. Advances in Biochemical Psychopharmacology Vol. 39 pg. 301-313
Gastpar and Wakelin (1988) Selective 5-HT Reuptake Inhibitors: Novel or Commonplace Agents? Advances in Biological PsychiatryVol. 19 pg. 18-30 and 52-57
Schwarcz, Young, and Brown (1989) Kynurenine and Seretonin Pathways Progress in Trytophan research Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology Vol. 294 pg. 301-313
