5-HTP User Reviews & Ratings (Page 4)

• Medman
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 11, 2018

For Anxiety "Only started taking this for a few days. After experiencing mild anxiety and insomnia I Started with 200mg and noticed immediate improvement with sleep and anxiety. I found a boost in concentration and therefore better memory which helped with work & socially . 200mg was a high dose to start off with, in which I had nausea. Some tips for people. Start at 50mg if first dose, and consume with a light carb heavy meal, avoid caffeine if possible. I feel like that if you cycling use (I.e 1 month on 1 month off) it will reduce the likelihood of tolerance & dependance. I decided to not take it for a day and noticed withdrawal anxiety, it may be worth tapering off dose instead of going cold turkey. To conclude, this is excellent for anxiety and sleep. Although not for everyone."

• NoNic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 10, 2017

For Anxiety "I have been taking 5-HTP for about a month now for depression and mood swings. Works on depression and moods but over the last few days I have been experiencing severe stomach cramps. I have not changed my diet and still doing and taking everything as normal. The only difference is that I had added 5-HTP to my daily diet. After experiencing these stomach cramps I decided to research these effects it was having on me. Apparently stomach cramps are a well known side effect of 5-HTP so I have decided to stop taking them and try something different. "

• Renata
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 4, 2020

"Hi. I tried so many meds and it didn't worked had very bad side effects. I give this 5HTP very good review for my bipolar. Thank God it didn't made me manic but instantly pulled me out of angry depression with rage. Life changing. Hope I won't get hypomanic on it as I have more depressed moods overall then going high. 5-HTP changed my life feel so relaxed, no more anxiety helped almost instantly. Just not taking everyday to reduce risk off getting too high. I am taking it together with ginko biloba and seems to work well. Thank God. As I have child and don't want to be violent. Depression causes me so much anger and rage. No other medication helps me with it except 5HTP. God bless I have my control over depressed moods back."

• Dano
• February 8, 2019

For Anxiety "I found this treatment in Boots under the product name Sharp Mind, it's combined with other natural ingredients. It started to work very quickly and my anxiety and depression has been much better, but I have found that it is giving me strange dreams both good and bad, sometimes very vivid. I still think that overall I have improved in my mood and I'll continue to take it for now. I'm only a week in but I quite like feeling happier and don't want to go back to my old feelings. I think it's important to take care of the dosage as we all have different tolerances, some people are taking 50mg plus and I think that much would be way too much for me, so basically I'm saying it's good to start with a low dose."

• Pink...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 19, 2017

For Anxiety "Took 50mg sublingual this morning kicked in about 30 minutes longer.. Had not eaten.. Wanted to see how it worked.. I am bipolar.. GAD and PTSD. I do suffer from anxiety and panic attacks. Made me feel happy but it caused me too much mania meaning high and very anxious. Increased my talking. Did give a boost but not great for anxiety. I have just eaten so it would bring me down some."

• Lulu
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 18, 2020

For Anxiety "I have been taking 200mg of a 5htp blend that also has B6 for two months. I take it with dinner every night and I also take a probiotic every afternoon with lunch. It has definitely made my mood swings, depression and sleep problems go away! Although I do still have anxiety in public places I have always had this and it isn't as bad. I feel like everyone has anxiety in public, it's encoded in our DNA as a safety mechanism. I will say though that after going off 5htp because I ran out for about a week my mood swings and depression came back quickly and seemed worse then they were before. The change felt drastic and that kind of scared me a bit. Otherwise Id give it a 10."

• Grego
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 21, 2020

For Insomnia "Just a few comments regarding 5 HTP and Melatonin. Often the actual tablet strength is the problem. The tablet strengths are insanely high. 100mg of 5 HTP is way too much and can turn you into a sleepy zombie but you don't sleep. Melatonin is even worse. A 3mg tablet of Melatonin is off the charts too much. I crush a melatonin tablet and take a crumb or two and it knocks me out cold. A 3mg tablets lasts me at least a week. 5 HTP is good at around 25mg however long term the zombie effect starts. You feel asleep but you actually awake. Hormones that affect your brain are in your body in extremely small quantities."

• Denver
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 17, 2019

For Anxiety "Took 5-HTP for 1st time in like a year..took 400mg along with probiotic and about an hour later got nasty stomachache along with nausea & feeling like I would throw up. Think it was a combination of too much at once along with empty stomach. So I'm going to try smaller dose along with eating before."

• Sandr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 13, 2020

For Anxiety "I have been taking 100mg 5-htp at night and it works really well for me (I have PTSD/anxiety). I've tried prescription SSRI like Prozac and that didn't work. This herb works for me way better. I'm calming through out the day and I feel way less nervous and I no longer have a dark cloud over me. I'm so happy I decided to give this a try. Some side effects I do get especially in the beginning is kind of weird dreams and sometimes seems to raise my anxiety by the 3rd hour but then goes away. I have barely any anxiety the morning I wake up and lasting all day till night time I take my medication. This seems to be a life saver for me. I will continue to use it and see how I do!"

• Anony...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 24, 2021

For Anxiety "I read online that this could be a good alternative to a SSRI (I have moderate OCD and GAD) so I thought, why not try it? BAD MOVE. Took it before I went to bed on full stomach … felt like I was hungover the next day and my limbs became numb and tingly. I am 36 hours past taking one pill of slow release 200 mg and I’m still feeling the effects. DON’T take it. Not worth it. Just gonna eat well, sleep well, and put into practice better my therapy. Side effects not worth it. Hoping this reaction will clear up shortly."

• Mars
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 30, 2020

For Anxiety "I decided to give this supplement a chance in combatting anxiety and depression for periomenapasal hormone issues. I took 200mg to start and was violently ill! Cramping, sweating and vomiting. I probably took too much at once but I will NEVER take again."

• Miche...
• November 3, 2017

For Anxiety "I was very optimistic about this supplement. Unfortunately for me personally I had major sharp pains in my right side of my abdomen (possibly my liver). It even woke me up at night. I couldn't take it anymore as it seemed unsafe to continue. The brand I used was "Now" brand. Maybe it was the brand. However I would caution others to be careful if they also get sharp stabbing pains. Happy it helped others. Didn't agree with me."

• JLano
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 10, 2019

For Insomnia "Have been trying various doses (100 mg before bed - 100 mg 3 times during the day) of 5-HTP for chronic insomnia and it has made things significantly worse. Agitated and utterly unable to sleep. Even when I add melatonin, which has helped somewhat before, I am having terrible nights. Perhaps this is not surprising as Prozac 10 mg also made sleep impossible for me. Hoping this side effect will drop off if I continue, or lower the dose, but thought I'd share this for anyone else having a similar experience."

• Kitty
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 11, 2019

For ADHD "I am 54 and have ADHD (combination-type). Numerous tests show no anxiety, no stress and no depression. I've been taking 5-HTP for about seven years. 160mg every morning, thirty minutes before food, is my current sweet spot to help with my irritability. It doesn't help me with any other ADHD symptoms, eg. dysfunctional working memory or concentration. If I've had a 15-hour working day, I may have a 100mg dose before retiring, as I feel exhausted the next morning and know that I'll be irritable (stop the world, I want to get off) with everyone who rubs me up the wrong way, until my morning dose kicks in. Only side effect is nausea if I wait more than thirty minutes before eating. Just remember to keep your stock levels sufficient (set a reminder), so that you don't run out and then have the added drama of rushing around to buy some while you're in a bad mood. I buy them from a website in New Zealand, and they arrive in Australia within a few days."

• Aries
• September 2, 2019

For Insomnia "Started taking 5HTP with magnesium. Had to get online as its not an approved drug in Australia. After 2 bottles I had to come off it as it was upsetting my bowel. I started having panic attacks, depression, insomnia. This withdrawal lasted 4 weeks. There should be a warning about coming off this med, be careful. Maybe this is why its not approved here."

• Brian
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 26, 2020

For Anxiety "I decided to give meds a break and though it was hard getting off them, I felt somewhat ok for a while. I physically felt better yet I still had worse social anxiety. My nerves have felt somewhat on end for past two years. I don’t like meds or side effects, I’ve tried a million remedies. I can say 5 htp is probably the best natural supplement I’ve tried in regards to my mental health though having had a few bad experiences. (Taking on empty stomach) (taking early) (taking right before bed, which kept me awake). Though I’ve repeatedly decided to not take anything or tried other supplements, taken with food in afternoon or at night, every day, or even every other day has been beneficial."

• Ahmed
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 6, 2019

For Anxiety "I suffered from High Level social phobia more than 25 years , my face become red and I can not speak , many years I resist this without medication , Since the last 5 years , I usually take inderal 40 mg on the social situation , but today . I bought , 5 htp -60 , pieces 100 mg , I opened the capsule and make it half (50 mg) , I think 50 mg every day with inderal 40 mg , will work fine with me , best regards"

• Jennnnn
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 29, 2020

For Anxiety "I've been struggling with anxiety and panic disorder for 3 years now and finally built the courage to try a supplement. This is my 3rd day on Natrol's Daily Stress Relief. It has 5-Htp, magnesium, B6 and 12 and some other vitamins. 100mg after breakfast. Everyday it's been different. My first day was amazing. I felt the physical symptoms I was anxious but I didn't fear the sensation. I that even makes sense. I was in tears because I haven't felt not not being scared in 3 years. My 2nd day was horrible... terrible anxiety symptoms, constant palpitations, panic attack and a meltdown. Today is my 3rd day I felt so off today...anxious, irritable, like nothing satisfied me (I'm usually a happy, upbeat person despite the anxiety) I was thinking about not taking it anymore because it feels like I'm getting more negatives than positives but I read a few comments about taking a lower dose. So tomorrow I'm going to try splitting the pill in half and take 50mg. I hope it makes me feel better."

• North...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 22, 2015

"This drug does increase serotonin levels and made me feel quite good, so it gets an "8". It didn't work out for me because I was dumb and took it along with an Anti-D. (Do NOT do this). My appetite after starting 5-HTP was very high, and I was salivating quite a bit, which reminded me of starting Paxil or Prozac. But a few days in I got one (unusual) and reportedly rare side effect: Severe bruxism (teeth grinding). I believe I was getting a 'less severe' but still significant case of serotonin syndrome. I stopped the 5-HTP quickly. Do not take 5-HTP with Rhodiola, Saint Johns Wort, Buspirone or any anti-D Read up on Serotonin syndrome. That said, this stuff works - but don't ever combine!"

• Devon
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 27, 2018

For Headache "5HTP has made all the difference to my life. I have suffered with debilitating menstrual migraines for years, also PMT/depression. This wonderful natural drug takes the edge off it massively and enables me to function much more normally. I take 200mg at night about a week before my period when I feel my head/mood change. About a week after my period when I typically start to feel more normal, I reduce to 100mg. Unfortunately, I can't manage without it now, but it has no side effects so I am extremely thankful for it - it has literally saved my life."

• Portend
• April 17, 2017

For Anxiety "I felt great...very calm and confident. But combining 5-HTP with alcohol has caused adverse reactions. Additionally, I feel a sudden down swing, sometimes, and take a second dose, each dose being 50 mg. Since the supplement I take called Medulla also contains GABA, I am not sure I am doing the right thing, especially drinking up to 4 glasses of wine per night. Lately, I have poured the wine out, because I've felt odd. I am afraid that combining this with other supplements I take, plus Avapro for hypertension might eventually do harm, as the depression feels on the edge of returning and I feel agitated at times."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 25, 2015

For Insomnia "I have a love hate relationship with 5 HTP. it has definitely helped me sleep in the past but after a while I build up a tolerance. I don't like stopping and restarting because the first few days of restarting give me an upset stomach."

• Abigail
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 31, 2019

For Anxiety "I took 2 pills about 2 hours ago. The back of the bottle said too. They are 100mg each. I have really bad anxiety which leads to my panic attack. It's been happening more often than not. Anyway I took 2 pills about 2 hours ago. Not feeling too good right now. My stomach feels yucky. I feel a little warm. Definitely not hungry, and I'm tired. I feel crappy actually. I've never tried these before. Maybe my body is trying to adjust. I will keep taking them, but only take one a day. I really need this to work. My anxiety is getting the best of Me."

• Hello...
• August 19, 2020

For Anxiety "I have tried 5HTP 100mg and 50mg for Anxiety/alcohol withdrawal and I have had a good experience with it, I know there are a lot of different brands of 5 htp, I usually stick to the natrol brand I've tried another brand but that one made me feel really paranoid and high anxiety n feeling not good, but after I tried the Natrol brand and it didn't make me feel wired and panicky I think some brands are generic or they add a lil extra something in those off brand ones. I start by taking little by little too so it won't hit so hard if I take the whole dose (like a quarter of a whole) just to see how I feel in a few minutes."

• Zobo
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 9, 2019

For Anxiety "7 days ago I went cold turkey off Phenibut (dangerous beware severe withdrawals) no sleep, extreme anxiety (I also have generalised and panic attack disorder) and extremely bad depression which I’ve never had. I came across 5HTP which has seemed to help with the depression and anxiety but it’s only been 3 days. Still can’t sleep but my brain is in a bad way due to also being an ex painkiller addict (clean from pills for almost 5 years) and recently Phenibut. I’ve got a very high tolerance to all forms of medications etc and started at 100mg but it didn’t do anything, 300mg seems to take the edge off but I don’t plan on going on a higher dose or for a long period of time because these adverse effects from Phenibut withdrawals only last a few weeks."