5-HTP: The Natural Way to Boost Serotonin and Overcome Depression, Obesity, and Insomnia

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5-HTP is a naturally derived amino acid that has been shown in comprehensive studies to be safer than prescription drugs for the treatment of insomnia and depression, and can also be used for treating obesity, migraine headaches, fibromyalgia, and premenstrual syndrome. It may prove to be more popular than St. John's wort for the treatment of depression and other serotonin-related conditions, as it's been shown to produce results in as little as two weeks, while the herb may take a month or longer.

Author Michael Murray, N.D., a leading naturopath and coauthor of The Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, delves very deeply to explain the hows and whys of depression at the neurotransmitter level, and the illustrations of presynaptic membranes may be a bit much for the lay reader. There are also several sections with intimidating titles along the lines of "Enhancing 5-HTP with Catecholamine Precursors." But the book's comprehensiveness makes up for its occasional denseness. Murray includes enlightening sections on nutrition for peak serotonin synthesis, other complementary herbal supplements, and many online and physical sources for obtaining 5-HTP. --Erica JorgensenThis is the first comprehensive guide to 5-HTP--an amino acid extracted from the seeds of the Griffonia plant--which is available without prescription and has been shown to be safer and more effective than prescription drugs in treating conditions associated with low levels of serotonin.

Our stressful modern lifestyles wreak havoc on our health--we're waging a constant battle to overcome the ill effects of poor diet, lack of exercise, and not enough rest.It may surprise you to learn that scientists have discovered that our stressful lifestyles not only affect our bodies but they adversely affect our brains, too.Specifically, stress, poor diet, and insufficient exercise cause our brains to produce low levels of serotonin, the neurotransmitter that regulates our mood, appetite, and ability to get a good night's sleep.When our brains aren't producing enough serotonin, we may experience depression, suffer from obesity or insomnia, or otherwise function at less than our mental and physical peak.

How do our brains produce serotonin? By synthesizing the essential amino acids we gain from eating a proper diet.But diet alone isn't enough (or millions and millions of us wouldn't suffer the ill effects of low serotonin levels), and scientists and researchers have finally come up with a groundbreaking supplement that will safely and efficiently boost serotonin levels and reduce depression, obesity, insomnia, migraine headaches, and anxiety.That supplement is 5-HTP.

Written by one of the leading naturopathic doctors in the U.S., 5-HTP tells you everything you need to know about this amazing supplement.Citing case histories, scientific studies, and all the available literature on the subject, Dr.Murray introduces us to a supplement that has been widely and effectively used throughout Europe for decades.

Reader Reviews:

This is not a review but a critique. The book was advertised as new and I paid the "new" price, but it was used. There were several pages with penciled-in answers. The book itself is Murray's usual fine work.While this book presents some interesting and possibly even helpful information, Murray destroys his credibility by his glaring contradictions. For example, on page 33 he says, "5-HTP...cannot be metabolized by the liver into kynurenine." Then on page 238 he says, "...if vitamin B6 levels are low, then more 5-HTP will get converted in the liver into another substance, kynurenine."

Another troubling oversight is that Murray's mention of eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome is very brief, and is in reference only to the L-tryptophan scare of 1989. He never mentions that 5-HTP has also been linked with EMS. He also states that the manufacturing process of 5-HTP prevents any possible contamination, which simply isn't true.

I read this book hoping to find reassuring information about the safety of 5-HTP, but in light of Murray's poor research, inconsistencies and inaccuracies, it's hard to trust any of the information presented.I have suffered from mild depression for years. The therapy described in the book has worked like a miracle.Nothing new here. Same old stuff you will find in any other book about 5-HTP. Dissapointed.Minor obsessive-compulsive disorder run in my family. A brother of mine is taking Zoloft. I was looking for a natural alternative to treat symptoms that I've had that are considered "mild" by the psychiatric community (my symptoms don't prevent me from holding down a job and having relationships). I've been unable to find a cure with behavioral modification. This book had the information I needed to understand the neurological and behavioral systems that are affected by serotonin deficiency. I was impressed with Dr. Murray's presentation of scientific studies and comparisons of 5-HTP against pharmological alternatives. I'm on 5-HTP now and it "magically" cured my 20-year compulsion. 5-HTP is no placebo. Like one of the other reviwers, I have to take 5-HTP in the morning. Taken before bedtime, I experience very vivid dreams and wake up at 3:00 a.m., unable to get back to sleep.
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