Exploring how serotonin and stress affect fibromyalgia — my early experience with 5-HTP, better sleep, and important medical safety warnings.
In this video, I talk about how serotonin and stress may influence fibromyalgia symptoms, and how 5-HTP supplementation might play a role in supporting serotonin production — at least for some people.
Over the last few days, I’ve been experimenting with 5-HTP and have had three of the best nights of sleep I can remember, followed by some genuinely productive days. That said, I struggled to deliver this video confidently, because I know how powerful placebo effects can be in fibromyalgia, and how dangerous 5-HTP can be when combined with other medications.
⚠️ IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTE
5-HTP supplementation should only be started after consulting a qualified medical professional.
Do not use it alongside SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs, or St John’s Wort.
Overuse can cause serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition.
Everyone’s biology and medication history are unique — please seek medical advice first.
This discussion was inspired by JJ Medicine’s video:
• Fibromyalgia, Serotonin & Stress | 5-HTP, ...
Fibromyalgia may be linked to decreased serotonin and serotonin dysregulation.
Serotonin (5-HT) is produced from tryptophan → 5-HTP → serotonin → melatonin.
Stress and inflammation (via cortisol, TNF, IL-1, IL-6) may divert tryptophan away from serotonin production toward the kynurenine pathway, worsening fatigue and pain.
5-HTP supplementation has shown some benefits in small studies (early 1990s), including better sleep and reduced pain — but research is limited and mixed.
Low serotonin affects mood, cognition, learning, memory, and sleep, all key fibromyalgia symptoms.
I plan to continue documenting how this affects my sleep and energy over time.
💬 Questions for you:
Have you tried supporting serotonin naturally — through food, sunlight, or supplements?
Have you noticed mood or sleep changes tied to stress or medication?
#Fibromyalgia #FibromyalgiaNZ #ChronicPainNZ #FibroCommunity #FibromyalgiaAwareness #5HTP #Serotonin #FibromyalgiaTreatment #FibromyalgiaSleep #ChronicIllness #FibroRecovery #JJMedicine #LivingWithFibromyalgia
Welcome to Fibromyalgia New Zealand.
This channel is organised like a structured learning pathway. Each playlist covers a different part of fibromyalgia: diagnosis, symptoms, nervous system science, treatments, lived experience, and country-specific resources. Follow the numbered system below and explore the topics that matter most to you.
== 1.0 — Foundations (Start Here) ==
• 1.0 Start Here | Fibromyalgia Must-Watch V...
• 1.1 Causes & Theories | What Is Fibromyalgia?
• 1.2 History | The Story & Evolution of Fib...
== 2.0 — Getting Diagnosed ==
• 2.0 Diagnosis | How Fibromyalgia Is Identi...
• 2.1 Not Fibro? | Differential Diagnosis fo...
== 3.0 — Symptoms & Daily Life ==
• 3.0 Symptoms | Pain, Fatigue, Brain Fog in...
• 3.1 Daily Life | Living With Fibromyalgia ...
== 4.0 — Body Systems Involved in Fibromyalgia ==
• 4.0 Nervous System | Pain Pathways in Fibr...
• 4.1 Muscles & Fascia | Myofascial Pain & F...
• 4.2 Neurochemistry & Stress | Brain Chemic...
• 4.3 Sleep & Fatigue | Insomnia & Unrefresh...
• 4.4 Gut & Diet | Microbiome & Nutrition in...
• 4.5 Immune & Hormones | Inflammation in Fi...
• 4.6 Energy & Pacing | Allostatic Load & Fi...
== 5.0 — Treatments & Support ==
• 5.0 Treatments | Fibromyalgia Management O...
• 5.2 Clinics & Support | Organisations for ...
== 6.0 — Personal Experience ==
• 6.0 My Check-Ins | Matt’s Fibromyalgia Upd...
== 7.0 — Country-Specific Resource Hubs ==
• 7.0 NZ Resources | Fibromyalgia Support in...
• 7.1 Australia Resources | Fibromyalgia Sup...
• 7.2 USA Resources | Fibromyalgia Informati...
• 7.3 UK Resources | Fibromyalgia Organisati...
• 7.4 Europe Resources | Non-UK Fibromyalgia...
• 7.5 Asia Resources | Fibromyalgia Educatio...
• 7.6 International Resources | Global Fibro...
== 8.0 — View with Caution!! ==
• 8.0 Emerging Ideas | New & Questionable Fi...
If you would prefer a downloadable information, copy this link into your browser:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1q...
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