5-HTP for Schizophrenia?

Medications
1

Hi again,

I had previously been taking L-tryptophan which is the precursor to serotonin in the brain and it helped me alot, however without warning I developed a severe burning sensation over my entire body, it was so bad I screamed! I immediately stopped taking it and thankfully Tylenol was able to reduce the pain to the point that I could function and the effects wore off within a few days. L-tryptophan helped me so much I have been looking for a replacement for it to take instead, I found something on the internet called 5-HTP which also converts into serotonin in the body, I have been considering taking that but some of the potential side effects are a little scary, it can cause EMS which is rare but can potentially be fatal. Has anyone here tried 5-HTP and if so what did it do?

2

Please just google “webmd and supplement name” if you want to see the side effects and interactions of the supplement.

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3

I mixed Trazodone with 5htp which is contraindicated because they both increase serotonin.

I developed serotonin syndrome.

If you are on any antidepressant that increases serotonin don’t mix them with 5htp.

4

5-htp gives me worse side effects than tryptophan.

I am currently taking tryptophan, but at minimalistic doses. I open a 500mg capsule and split it into 4 doses, 1 for each day. It’s enough to make a considerable difference in well being and at the same time not enough to give me bad side effects.

I don’t know why it works, but it does. Technically I should be able to get the same effect from eating tryptophan rich food, but that doesen’t seem to happen. Maybe my digestion is impaired somehow so food doesen’t get broken down properly, or olanzapine(AP), is somehow disrupting the conversion. That’s the only things I can think of to explain it.

5

How? Did you buy empty pills to put in the powder?

6

Bought them myself, but in all honesty at the price they were - your better off buying a tray full off chicken or turkey and eating it.

7

No. I just put the powder on a little plate(like for coffee cups). Then I use a teaspoon to divide the powder. I scoop the powder into the teaspoon using my finger and just put it in my mouth and flush it with water after. It doesen’t taste bad. Have to moist lips first though so the powder doesen’t get away.

Then I just put a plastic sheeting over the plate for next time I take a dose.

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8

What did serotonin syndrome feel like?

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9

My heart rate was up around 120 BPM and I couldn’t breathe properly, it went on for several days, maybe a week. I would just lay in bed suffering.

I was lucky, it was relatively mild, it can get a whole lot worse and require immediate intervention with drugs.

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10

Apparently serotonin syndrome feels really good but it has the potential to kill you, definitely avoid it!