5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan)

[Kimmers]

Hi Anne-

Yes this sounds ALOT like my son, except for the part about not having alot of energy. My son definitely has alot of energy! What kind of sticks out in my mind is that we always thought our son was more active than normal but it wasn't until the negative attitude and opposition came into play that we sought help. And that is when he received the ADHD/ODD dx. Around that same time, my husband had gotten a second job working part-time job at night (thus working late hours and not home as much.) Is it possible he is acting out and depressed because of his father not being home with him as much? I would like to try the St. John's Wort because of all of the positive things you have told me but if I remember right you do not live in the U.S.? I have heard scary things about SJW in our country and am so reluctant to use it unless I can get someone who has some knowledge of its use here and some of the things that I should look out for and also dosing, etc. Are you familiar with any of these things here in the U.S.? I really appreciate your help on this issue!

Kimmers

[ohmama]

Kimmers,
I use St.John's Wort for myself. It has been wonderful for me. You would want to look for 0.3% extract. Jarrow formulas has this in capsules. I don't like those hard pill kind, I never know if they dissolve well or not.

Mine is the Jarrow Formulas St.John's Wort .3% standardized extract 300mg ..... Each 300mg capsule contains 900mcg of total hypericin and pseudohypericin. Hypericin certified by HPLC. Conforms to the Commission E Monography of Germany.

For your boy I would give one a day and keep a record of any mood changes. It takes a while to work I am told but I noticed changes in myself after just a few days. Hope this info helps.

[Kimmers]

So as long as it is .3% extract it is okay? Thanks, I won't add this right away though. I want to get him stabilized with the Omega 3 and Magnesium again first and that way I can check for side effects.

Kimmers

[ohmama]

Yes, the .3% hypericin is the active ingredient.

[Kimmers]

I forgot to ask...what kinds of side effects should I be aware of? You said to watch for mood changes...what does that mean? Will he get worse, more weepy or what? Also, can it cause problems with appetite or things like that I should watch for?

Thanks!

Kimmers

[AnneM]

I am so pleased that OhMama could offer a reputable brand name ... I AM in Europe and am very wary of recommending SJW to those in the US because I understand the tests etc in Europe are apparently more stringent than in the US and there ARE some "no-no's" amongst the US brands ... My son takes one tablet a day of 300 mg of St Johns Wort (Hypercium perforatum L) which provides 900 ug total hypercin.... which I think is in fact (translated!) exactly the same as Oh Mama says!!

Side effects ? The ONLY side-effects (which have been sooo minimal) I have noticed is a watery-eyed reaction to VERY bright sunlight (i.e. I noticed in the car the other day when the sun was VERY low and the road was wet and we were driving straight into the sunlight that his eyes started to water) ... and also an easier tendency to sun-burn (good sunscreens being more essential) ... apart from that there have honestly been (for us) no other noticeable side-effects at all ... (but p.s. the strong sunlight in summer - even in Spain - didn't seem to affect him any more than normal)... and we had NO problems with any "moodiness" or "tearfulness" during the transition period...
My only caution would be that it doesn't work for everybody ... I know Catatonic has found it didn't work for her son ...

Oh yes and whether this is necessary or not I have always given a Vitamin B complex tablet along with the SJW ... I read on a website about SJW that this was a good recommendation ...

Oh Mama also said she noticed a difference after a few days - and in fact SO did we ... but I kept thinking that was just my imagination ... but really there WAS a difference after a few days ... but the 'difference' seemed to really "set in " after a month or so ...

P.S. The "lack of energy" tends to be in-built in my son in that he is "predominantly inattentive" (i.e. hyperactivity is NOT a big issue with him at all !) ... and in add (as opposed to adhd) lethargy, slow moving can be more the trend ... so I think that explains the difference in energy which I don't think has anything to do with depression at all .. more an "in built" character trend!!

[Kimmers]

Thanks Anne!

You and Ohmama have answered all of the questions I have. I am excited to try this in addition to the Omega 3 and Magnesium. I want to keep these in the system because he has responded to these things well in the past. As for the B-vitamins, we used to give this to him but have stopped temporarily to see if it was causing a bad reaction. Cat pointed out to me that B can sometimes cause bad reactions and if this is the case, I will have to give the SJW without it. If not, I will add it back in.

Also Ohmama-

You had mentioned you don't like the "hard pill" kind because of absorption...how else can you buy them? Like in a gelcap, also how do you know? Do they state it on the bottle? Where can you find the brand you had suggested? I would like to find this brand or at least one that is comparable to it!

Thanks to the both of you!

Kimmers

[ohmama]

Kimmers,
The St.John's Wort I get is from www.iherb.com I made the mistake of getting it from another manuf. once and found out it comes in a hard shell type also it's not a gel cap (don't know what the proper name for this is). The one from Jarrow Formulas is the green herb in a clear capsule. As soon as the capusule opens you get the benefit of the herb. The other one did not work for me.

[catatonic]

Kimmers,
My understanding is that the Vitamin B recommendation is for those who are taking Saint John's Wort for depression. It's because Vitamin B deficiency is often noted in depression. So it's sort of like a two-pronged attack on depression. I wouldn't worry too much if you're not using B vitamins right now (my boy is off them, too, by the way, and it seems to have helped with his "mystery reactions"). SJW really is a low side effect herb. On the other hand, it will interact with a fairly lengthy list of medications...most notably oral contraceptives, tricyclic antidepressants and stimulants. This is a powerful herb, and the research on it --at least in regards to depression-- is very solid. While there is no direct evidence YET that it helps with ADHD, it seems highly likely that such research will be forthcoming. It works by raising neurotransmitter levels in the brain and that's exactly what all of the prescription ADHD meds do. My guess is further study will show SJW to be a good choice.

[Kimmers]

Thanks Ohmama, I will check out that website!

Cat-
I guess for right now I am trying to get rid of the "angry opposition" he has been having and after talking to people like Anne, it seems that this may be caused by an underlying bout of "depression." So I thought the SJW would be a place to start and since he isn't on any meds. I hope we won't have any bad side effects from it. What kinds of reactions did your son have? I know you had said at one time that it did not work for him...I definitely don't want to make him worse. The only problem is that I can't (well I guess I should say "won't")start the SJW for awhile until I get him stabilized on the Omega and Magnesium again and this time it seems to be more stubborn!

Thanks for all the responses!
Kimmers

[ohmama]

Bump up for Crillmom.

Also, I remember something about not using this if you are giving meds that I read recently. The interaction was bad. I will try to look that info up if you need it?

[SKay]

I can't believe I actually found this thread.

I was looking into using 5-HTP awhile back, but when I saw this I decided to wait. Now, I'm having to face the need again. Would St. John's Wort help other symptoms of seretonin deficiency besides depression? I have many of the symptoms. Would L-5-HTP be any better than just 5-HTP?

[george2]

Hi SKay,

Check out this link to the medication you are interested in.
www.thorne.com/altmedrev/fulltext/5htp3-4.html

[george2]

I don't know if you remember reading some of the drug interaction papers in some of the ADHD meds. There are restrictions from using mono amine oxidase inhibitors.

[catatonic]

5-HTP is merely an abbreviated name for L-5-HTP. It is the direct precursor for serotonin. It works by increasing production of serotonin in the brain.

St. John's Wort works by preventing re-uptake of existing serotonin. It also inhibits re-uptake of dopamine and norepinephrine.

The advantages of St. John's Wort include it being backed by far more extensive clinical research. Disadvantages include a lengthy list of drug interactions. 5-HTP causes fewer interactions and addressess only serotonin.

Do look at the link provided by George. It's very thorough.