Guest guest Posted May 24, 2006 Report Share Posted May 24, 2006 I've been on St. 's Wort for about three years. I've experienced no sexual side-effects at all, as opposed to ssris. However, it completely damaged my hearing (I just posted a message on that topic). So before taking St. 's Wort, I suggest you read the message. > > > does 5-HTP creates the same kind of sexual dysfunction ? > > seems like 5-HTP is an excellent SSRI replacement, natural and lower > > side-effects. > > > > comments ? > > I wouldn't expect it to have similar side effects because the mode of > aciton is completly different than SSRIs. > > SSRIs " work " by making neurons release serotonin more rapidly so as to > increase the effective concentration of serotonin without there actually > being anymore of the stuff. The various SSRIs are systemic drugs... it > is known that they cause this effect, but the details of how they do so > is variable and not generally understood. Note, this is not " about " > whether it's " natural " or not... the herb St. 's Wort used by many > folks for depression is an SSRI as certainly as Prozac is. > > 5-HTP is a much more targeted drug, in that it isn't generally systemic. > Furthermore, it has a " gentler " mode of action since it works with > your body's biochemistry. Basically, it is a precursor to serotonin > (and melatonin and other neurological chemicals). It crosses the > blood/brain barrier, and thereby provides more of the stuff your body > uses to make serotonin. But when taken in reasonable dosages, it's not > going to increase effective serontinin levels more than your brain > decides it needs. It has built in " brakes " that SSRIs do not have. > > I would not expect anything like the same level of side effects as from > SSRIs since 5-HTP works within your own biochemistry rather than > " forcing " a change. Of course, overdoing 5-HTP *would* force a change - > just cause it's natural doesn't mean it can't be abused. > > The " problem " with 5-HTP is because it's an herbal extract, it cannot be > patented, so no drug company has the motivation to spend the millions it > takes to get FDA approval. This is the downside of all " natural " > medications. You pretty much have to depend on basic research as there > just isn't any formal drug-related research for natural medicines. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 26, 2006 Report Share Posted May 26, 2006 Never heard of the side effect. It is possible it could be related to other factor?On 5/24/06, teephos <teephos@... > wrote: I've been on St. 's Wort for about three years. I've experienced no sexual side-effects at all, as opposed to ssris. However, it completely damaged my hearing (I just posted a message on that topic). So before taking St. 's Wort, I suggest you read the message. > > > does 5-HTP creates the same kind of sexual dysfunction ? > > seems like 5-HTP is an excellent SSRI replacement, natural and lower > > side-effects. > > > > comments ? > > I wouldn't expect it to have similar side effects because the mode of > aciton is completly different than SSRIs. > > SSRIs " work " by making neurons release serotonin more rapidly so as to > increase the effective concentration of serotonin without there actually > being anymore of the stuff. The various SSRIs are systemic drugs... it > is known that they cause this effect, but the details of how they do so > is variable and not generally understood. Note, this is not " about " > whether it's " natural " or not... the herb St. 's Wort used by many > folks for depression is an SSRI as certainly as Prozac is. > > 5-HTP is a much more targeted drug, in that it isn't generally systemic. > Furthermore, it has a " gentler " mode of action since it works with > your body's biochemistry. Basically, it is a precursor to serotonin > (and melatonin and other neurological chemicals). It crosses the > blood/brain barrier, and thereby provides more of the stuff your body > uses to make serotonin. But when taken in reasonable dosages, it's not > going to increase effective serontinin levels more than your brain > decides it needs. It has built in " brakes " that SSRIs do not have. > > I would not expect anything like the same level of side effects as from > SSRIs since 5-HTP works within your own biochemistry rather than > " forcing " a change. Of course, overdoing 5-HTP *would* force a change - > just cause it's natural doesn't mean it can't be abused. > > The " problem " with 5-HTP is because it's an herbal extract, it cannot be > patented, so no drug company has the motivation to spend the millions it > takes to get FDA approval. This is the downside of all " natural " > medications. You pretty much have to depend on basic research as there > just isn't any formal drug-related research for natural medicines. > This group is for support, discussion, or educational purposes only. It does not provide psychiatric or medical care. All medications and supplements should be taken under a doctor's supervision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 26, 2006 Report Share Posted May 26, 2006 In my case, absolutely no. I'd bet my life on that. Apart from screwing up my hearing, St. 's Wort was decent (few side-effects) It's not very potent, though. I only got tinnitus after increasing the dosage (3x2 Jarsin 300). If you're interested, give it a try, but be sure to take action if you get tinnitus (even if it's volume is very low). > > > > I've been on St. 's Wort for about three years. I've experienced > > no sexual side-effects at all, as opposed to ssris. However, it > > completely damaged my hearing (I just posted a message on that topic). > > So before taking St. 's Wort, I suggest you read the message. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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