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Is my 5-HTP backfiring?


Susan in TN
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I've been taking it for about a month - 100mg 4 or 5 times a week before bed. Until this week it's been a Godsend, but this past week I can't seem to sleep beyond dozing an hour or two. I might finally fall asleep around 3am for a couple hours. Otherwise I am tossing and turning all night.

 

It seems that the couple of nights that I haven't taken it this week I slept a little better.

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Are you taking anything else that acts to increase serotonin? If so, you shouldn't take 5-htp.

 

I have taken 5-htp and never noticed it messing with my sleep. The best way to tell is to stop it, and log your sleep quality/time/troubles. If sleeps gets better, then you may be on to something. If it stays up and down, it is likely not the 5-htp. Obviously, it can impact different people in different ways.

 

Good luck figuring it out. Consulting your medical provider is a good idea.

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I don't post here often, but I used to take 5-HTP and think I have an answer for you. In the book, The Mood Cure, the author states that as your serotonin reserves increase, your need for 5-HTP decreases. Many people find that they need less 5-HTP after a month or so, and if they continue to take it at their current dose, symptoms return. Try lowering your dose or stop taking it all together.

 

Incidentally, I took 5-HTP for about 9 months, and haven't needed it for almost a year.

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I don't post here often, but I used to take 5-HTP and think I have an answer for you. In the book, The Mood Cure, the author states that as your serotonin reserves increase, your need for 5-HTP decreases. Many people find that they need less 5-HTP after a month or so, and if they continue to take it at their current dose, symptoms return. Try lowering your dose or stop taking it all together.

 

Incidentally, I took 5-HTP for about 9 months, and haven't needed it for almost a year.

 

 

Thank you! Now that I think about it, I remember reading that too - completely forgot. I'll start cutting back and see how that goes.

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