What Are The Benefits Of Taking 5-HTP?

#5htp #serotonin #supplements
Dr. Jawad talks about the benefits of taking 5 HTP. 5-HTP has most often been used by adults in doses of 150-300mg.

The most significant side effects and adverse reactions may occur with long-term use (many months or longer). Administration of 5-HTP alone depletes catecholamines (dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine). When dopamine depletion is great enough, 5-HTP will no longer function.

Tryptophan → 5-HTP → serotonin

80-90% of your body’s serotonin is made in your intestines. But serotonin cannot cross the blood-brain barrier. So all the serotonin that your brain needs has to be made within the brain. This is where 5-HTP comes in…

5-HTP crosses the blood-brain barrier more readily than tryptophan. And gets synthesized into serotonin at a faster rate than from tryptophan.

As a neurotransmitter, serotonin influences directly and indirectly, the majority of brain cells. So if you want to boost serotonin in your brain, some find that supplementing with 5-HTP is better than taking tryptophan.

Tryptophan, which your body uses to make 5-HTP, can be found in turkey, chicken, milk, potatoes, pumpkin, sunflower seeds, turnip and collard greens, and seaweed.

When you take 5-HTP alone, you are also depleting dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. Synthesis of serotonin from 5-HTP, and dopamine from L-DOPA is catalyzed by the same enzyme, L-aromatic amino acid decarboxylase (AAAD).

Dopamine and serotonin precursor supplementation must be taken in proper balance. Because when you use only 5-HTP, it dominates dopamine at the AAAD enzyme synthesis level.

Blocking dopamine synthesis at the AAAD enzyme through competitive inhibition will lead to depletion of dopamine and the rest of the catecholamines.

Studies have found that when dopamine is depleted enough, 5-HTP will no longer function.

One huge word of WARNING: Do NOT take 5-HTP with any antidepressant medication. You put yourself in the very real danger of Serotonin Syndrome which can ultimately kill you.

Successfully supplementing with 5-HTP requires stacking it with a dopamine precursor like L-Tyrosine or Mucana along with B-Vitamins (for synthesis), and one of the sulfur-containing amino acids (methionine, cysteine, homocysteine, or taurine).

5-HTP helps:

Anxiety & Depression. 5-HTP is synthesized into serotonin in brain cells. Elevating levels of serotonin can help relieve the symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Neurotransmitters. 5-HTP is a necessary ingredient for serotonin synthesis which boosts mood and social behavior, improves memory, regulates appetite and digestion, sleep, sexual desire and function.

Brain Optimization. A critical balance of the primary neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine are needed for the highly optimized brain. When these neurotransmitters are not in balance it affects mood, memory, cognition, decision-making, sexual desire, and a host of other critical life functions.

Should I Take Tyrosine and 5 HTP Together?
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Dr. Jawad is a Board Certified Chiropractic Neurologist and Acupuncturist. He also is a Diplomat for the American Chiropractic Neurology Board, Fellow of the American College of Functional Neurology as well as Fellow of the International Academy of Medical Acupuncture. He is a Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner. Dr. Jawad's functional medicine in nutrition practice is an outgrowth of the increasing need for natural healthcare solutions which is evident throughout the area.




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Dr. Jinaan Jawad
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DR. JINAAN JAWAD
D.C., DACNB, FACFN, FIAMA, CFMP



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