Does 5HTP supplement help for anxiety? I took it and felt really weird.?

Question

My doctor suggested I take paxil for my anxiety, but I want to try something natural.

A girl at the health store said 5HTP would help with anxiety.

I took it the first night and felt really strange.

Does anyone know if this is normal, or if it works?

Please help? I want to get rid of my anxiety!

Answer 1

it might have been something else that made you feel that way

i was giving it to my teen for weeks and she did not feel weird at all

maybe you need more sleep or to eat healthier

Answer 2

5-HTP is an amino acid. 5-HTP occurs naturally in two places -- the human body and the seeds of the Griffonia Simplicifolia, a West African medicinal plant.

5-HTP should not be taken with Carbidopa, which is used to treat Parkinsons disease; triptans such as Imitrex, Zomig, Maxalt, or Amerge; and some other prescription medications. If you are taking any medications, please check with your doctor or pharmacist before using 5-HTP. An early study reported the possibility that 5-HTP may cause seizures in children with Down's Syndrome. Safety during pregnancy or nursing has not been established, nor has safety for those with kidney or liver disease.

    When considering 5-HTP or any "natural" supplement, it is important that we consider that they have the potential to affect our bodies as much as any other drug, particularly if we are taking other prescription or over-the-counter drugs. Since dietary and herbal supplements don't come under the same scrutiny and testing as drugs, there have not been the same studies conducted to prove their effectiveness or their safety. In addition, there have been cases of contaminants in some supplements. For this reason, it is important that any supplement always be purchased from a well known, reputable source. Before you take 5-HTP or any other supplement, consult your physician about the potential for them to interact with any medications you may be taking as well as whether they may be potentially harmful because of any illness you may have.

Anxiety disorders are real, serious, and treatable. Experts believe that anxiety disorders are caused by a combination of biological and environmental factors, much like other disorders, such as heart disease and diabetes.

Many therapists use a combination of cognitive and behavior therapies, often referred to as CBT.

Techniques for relaxing help people develop the ability to cope more effectively with the stresses and physical symptoms that contribute to anxiety. Common techniques are breathing retraining and exercise.

Medicines can be very useful in the treatment of anxiety disorders, and it is often used in conjunction with one or more therapies above. Sometimes antidepressants or anxiolytics (antianxiety medications) are prescribed to alleviate severe symptoms so that other forms of therapy can be effective. Depending on the person, medication may be either a short-term or long-term treatment option.

Anxiety disorders can be treated by a wide range of mental health professionals, including, psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers and psychiatric nurses. Primary care physicians are increasingly aware of the problems of anxiety disorders and depression, making these diagnoses more frequently.

A primary care physician may prescribe medication or refer a patient to a mental health provider.

Answer 3

I have been taking 5-HTP for a while now, and it does make me feel better overall, mentally.

I am calmer, and more relaxed when I take it, and when I have missed a pill, I can tell because I seem more anxious. I think you have to be careful, though, and see how it works for you. Everyone's body is different, and if it doesn't work for you, then try something else to see what does work.

I tried it once combined with melatonin, which is for sleep, and I felt really weird that night. So, I stopped taking the melatonin, and it was fine.

Take care!