In fact, 90 percent of the serotonin in the body is outside the brain, most of it in the gut and in mast cells of the blood. Stimulation of these cells helps cause an increase in body temperature. Overheating the body is worsened by vigorous physical activity and crowding.

2

http://www.thehormoneshop.com/5htp.htm
A compound synthesized from tryptophan, it is a precursor to the neurotransmitter serotonin. Serotonin is found in the brain, blood platelets', and cells of the gastrointestinal tract. Because serotonin is found in the brain and central nervous system it has many implications in problem areas. The function of Prozac™, and many other antidepressant drugs, is to increase the availability of serotonin in synapses in certain key areas of the brain. However, these drugs may present many unpleasant and dangerous side effects. Since the availability of tryptophan is restricted by the FDA, many research scientists have discovered that 5-HTP compares favorably to various antidepressant drugs.

5-HTP is an extract from a natural legume, "griffonia simplicfolia" and not from fermented tryptophan.

Depression, anxiety, sleeplessness.
They're everyday occurrences in the fast-paced, high-stress lives many of us lead. Now, scientists have discovered that depression, anxiety, and sleeplessness are all related to a deficiency of the the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain. Restore the serotonin, and your mood improves, anxiety melts away, and you sleep restfully through the night.

Other symptoms of serotonin deficiency can include:
carbohydrate cravings, migraines, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, and other behavioral disorders.

Anti-Migraine:
A group of Spanish researcher found that 5 HTP has comparable effectiveness as the conventional anti-migraine drug-Methysergide. This conclusion was double confirmed by an Italian study. 50mg 1-3cap daily

Diabetes:
Depressed brain serotonin levels are associated with non-insulin dependent diabetes. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study using Type 11 diabetic patients revealed 5-HTP is effective in reducing energy and carbohydrate intake (Cangiano, Laviano, et al. 1998).

Restoring serotonin is the basis, as mentioned earlier, for one of the most popular classes of drugs prescribed today, the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRls). These drugs, including Prozac®, Zoloft®, Paxil®, and others, are widely used to treat depression, anxiety, and insomnia. They are effective because they increase the availability of serotonin in synapses in certain key areas of the brain by blocking its inactivation, but they do not increase serotonin.

3

Larry Godwin, Ph.D., October, 1998
5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan)
5-HTP is a metabolite of the amino acid tryptophan.
It is the direct precursor of the neurotransmitter serotonin.(1)

Serotonin is an inhibitory neurotransmitter,(5) the one associated with calm.
It soothes and comforts us from worry and stress. Stress causes the heightened release of serotonin, and if the stress lasts too long, it leads to serotonin depletion. Research strongly implies that boosted brain serotonin serves as a "stress immunizer."(6)

When it comes to the ups and downs of mood disorders, serotonin seems to play the role of regulator.(2) Low serotonin levels are associated with irritability, aggression, impatience, and anxiety.(6) Evidence suggests that serotonin inhibits aggressive behavior in experimental animals and humans.(3) A lack of good parental care, e.g., abusive parenting while growing up, can permanently damage the serotonin system.(6)

Abundant laboratory research suggests there is a deficiency of serotonin or serotonin activity in the brains of most depressed persons. Suicidal patients show a significant decrease in serotonin levels.(3) Most antidepressant drugs, including tricyclics, lithium, MAO inhibitors, and SSRI's (Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, and Luvox), have this in common: they boost serotonin levels.(2)

5-HTP differs from tryptophan in that it slightly increases the activity of an energizing neurotransmitter, norepinephrine, as well as the calming one, serotonin.(1) In some clinical trials, 5-HTP outperformed tryptophan in treating mood disorders.(2) The greater the agitation associated with depression, the more likely the response to 5-HTP.(3)

The suggested dosage range of 5-HTP is 50-1200 mg. per day; its usual range is 100-600 mg.(2) However, some depressed persons find relief from a daily dose as small as 25 mg., which involves splitting the purchased capsules or tablets.

For some people, 5-HTP has an extremely narrow therapeutic window.
The proper dosage may lie within a range as small as 10-25 mg. per day.(1)

Side effects of too high a dose may include
hypomania, dermatitis, and increased aggressiveness.(2)
Dose related nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia (Nonherbal. 1998), and lightheadedness (van Vliet et al. 1996) has been reported. The CNS side effects include euphoria, hypomania, restlessness, rapid speech, anxiety, insomnia, aggressiveness, and agitation (Nonherbal. 1998). 40mg of 5-HTP is the threshold for achieving dose-related increases in cortisol levels (van Vliet et al. 1996).

A conservative starting dose for 5-HTP is 25 mg. a day.
Many people notice a favorable mood effect within one or two days of beginning supplementation. Gradually boosting the dose by 25 mg. every four days increases the chances of finding a person's therapeutic window.

As with tryptophan, it is important to take 5-HTP away from any protein food.(4)
One product manufacturer suggests taking it 45 minutes before or three hours after a protein meal.

References
1. Baumel, Syd, 1995, Dealing with Depression.Naturally. (Keats)
2. Saumel, Syd, 1997, Serotonin: How to Naturally Harness the Power Behind Prozac and Phen/Fen. (Keats)
3. Braverman, Eric, M.D., 1997, The Healing Nutrients Within. (Keats)
4. Chaitow, Leon, 1985, Amino Acids In Therapy. (Thorsons Publishersl
5. Erdmann, Robert, 1987, The Amino Revolution. (Fireside)
6. Norden, Michael, M.D., 1996, Beyond Prozac. (Regan/Harper)"

4

http://organic-pharmacy.com/5htp.htm

What advantages does 5-HTP have over L-tryptophan?
There are many advantages of 5-HTP over L-tryptophan. First of all, because it is one step closer to serotonin, 5-HTP is more effective than L-tryptophan. 5-HTP is also inherently safer. Although L-tryptophan is safe if properly prepared and free of the contaminants linked to severe allergic reaction known as eosinophilia myalgia syndrome (EMS), L-tryptophan is still produced with the help of bacterial fermentation (a situation that lends itself to contamination). In contrast, 5-HTP is isolated from a natural source - a seed from an African plant (Griffonia simplicifolia).

Evidence that this natural source of 5-HTP does not cause EMS is provided by researchers who have been using 5-HTP for over 25 years. They state that "EMS has never appeared in the patients of ours who received only uncontaminated L-tryptophan or 5-hydroxtryptophan (5-HTP)"(1). Furthermore, researchers at the NIH studying the effects 5-HTP for various metabolic conditions have also not observed a single case of EMS nor has a case of elevated eosinophils been attributed to 5-HTP in these studies

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In September 1997, the popular weight loss drug Redux and its chemical cousin fenfluramine, part of the "fen-phen" combination, were taken off the market based on a study showing that these drugs may have caused permanent damage to heart valves in as many as one-third of the people who took them. There is no evidence that 5-HTP produces these effects.

Unlike Redux, 5-HTP does not raise blood serotonin levels to a significant degree nor does it block reuptake of serotonin. The point here is that 5-HTP does not disrupt the normal process of serotonin release, reabsorbtion, and elimination from the body. 5-HTP is not a synthetic drug; it is an amino acid produced naturally by your body's metabolism.

===========

The most common side effects with 5-HTP were nausea, heartburn, and gastrointestinal problems (flatulence, feelings of fullness, and rumbling sensations). These side effects were rated as being very mild to mild. In contrast, most of the side effects experienced in the fluvoxamine group were of moderate to severe intensity.

===========

Has 5-HTP been studied in the treatment of depression?
Yes. In fact, there is excellent documentation that 5-HTP is an effective antidepressant agent. 5-HTP often produces very good results in patients who are unresponsive to standard antidepressant drugs. One of the more impressive studies involved 99 patients described as suffering from "therapy resistant" depression (3). These patients had not responded to any previous therapy including all available antidepressant drugs as well as electro convulsive therapy. These therapy resistant patients received 5-HTP at dosages averaging 200 mg daily but ranging from 50 to 600 mg per day.

Complete recovery was seen in 43 of the 99 patients and significant improvement was noted in 8 more. Such significant improvement in patients suffering from long-standing, unresponsive depression is quite impressive prompting the author of another study to state "5-HTP merits a place in the front of the ranks of the antidepressants instead of being used as a last resort. I have never in 20 years used an agent which:
(1) was effective so quickly;
(2) restored the patients so completely to the persons they had been and their partners had known;
[and] (3) was so entirely without side effects"

===========

What is the best way to take 5-HTP?
For depression, weight loss, headaches, and fibromyalgia the dosage should be started at 50 mg three times per day. If the response is inadequate after two weeks, increase the dosage to 100 mg three times per day. This recommendation will greatly reduce the mild symptoms of nausea often experienced during the first few weeks of 5-HTP therapy.

Using enteric-coated capsules or tablets (pills prepared in a manner so that they will not dissolve in the stomach) significantly reduces the likelihood of nausea. Because 5-HTP does not rely on the same transport vehicle as L-tryptophan, it can also be taken with food. But, if you are taking 5-HTP for weight loss I recommend taking it 20 minutes before meals.

For insomnia, I recommend 100 to 300 mg thirty to forty-five minutes before retiring. Start with the lower dose for at least three days before increasing dosage.

Cost: 5 HTP is the most sensible choice when prices are examined.
A 30 day supply of 5-HTP can be less than $1.00 per day, whereas a serotonin drug such as Prozac (Paxil, Zoloft, others) may cost $3.00(+) per day.

5

http://www.giampapainstitute.com/gia-pdr.htm
OXITRIPTAN
Oxitriptan is converted into the neurotransmitter serotonin in the body.
Serotonin is a key factor in mood regulation, and reduction of depression and anxiety. Lack of serotonin has been linked to compulsive disorders, especially the overeating of carbohydrates. Serotonin is also the precursor to the pineal gland's production of melatonin. As serotonin levels decline with age supplementation with the amino acid L-tryptophan, or the drug Oxitriptan is beneficial. Oxytriptan's advantage is that, unlike L-tryptophan, it is used solely by the brain for the production of serotonin, and thus more effective in increasing serotonin levels.

Oxitriptan's anti-aging benefits may include the prevention and treatment of depression, maintenance of serotonin levels as the body ages, prevention and treatment of compulsive disorders like overeating, improved daytime alertness and treatment of insomnia.

Pharmacology:
5-hydroxy-tryptophan (in the body the amino acid L-tryptophan is converted to 5-hydroxy-tryptophan by a B3 dependent enzyme and then converted to serotonin by a B6 dependent enzyme).

Synonyms: 5HTP; L-5-Hydroxytryptophan; Ro-0783/B.

Chemical Name: L 2-Amino-3-(5-hydroxy-1-H-indol-3-yl)propionic acid.

Molecular Formula: C(11)H(12)N(2)O(3)

Molecular Weight: 220.2

Side Effects and Contraindications:
Side effects include nausea and mild gastric discomfort. Patients suffering serious renal insufficiency, or hypersensitivity to oxitriptan should avoid the drug. Patients treated with alpha methyldopa and methysergide, which block the peripheral decarboxylization of oxitriptan, should take oxitriptan with caution.

Distribution:
Oxitriptan is available in 50mg or 10mg tablets under the trade names
Cincofarm, Levotonine, Levothym, Oxyfan, Serotonyl TM, Serovit, Telesol, Trimag, Tript-OG, Tript-Oh, Triptene TM and Triptum TM.

Note:
A potentially effective, safe and non-toxic method of improving serotonin levels.

6

The neurotransmitter serotonin could form the basis of new antifungal drugs, according to researchers who have shown in the lab that serotonin can kill one type of fungus that frequently infects humans.

Two years ago, the University of Innsbruck team showed that antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) could also inhibit fungi.

Serotonin seemed to suppress the symptoms of vaginal candidiasis, or yeast infection, in women. The patients found they had no flare-ups of the yeast infection while taking Zoloft to treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder, but when they stopped taking the drug the infection returned.

"My colleague who had these patients asked me to test the antifungal effect of sertraline," all hindered the growth of Aspergillus and Candida species.

Fungi belonging to the Candida family are responsible for yeast infections, and can also cause thrush, an infection of the mouth and throat.

Aspergillus fungi can also infect humans.

Because (SSRIs) increase serotonin levels during treatment, the researchers tested serotonin directly against a range of Candida species.