16 replies to this topic

[virago]

Due to the prevalence of unwanted side effects, I have recently decided to wean myself from Zoloft (which I have taken for approximately four years) and instead use serotonin precursors to correct my imbalance. I am positive that my problem is indeed serotonin, especially after I read the book The Edge Effect and took its assessment test. According to this, I have a significant serotonin deficiency, as well as a minor one in GABA. In order to avoid more side effects, such as serotonin syndrome, could anyone give me any advice as to proper dosages, differences between the two, or balance that should be kept between sam-e and 5-htp? My doctor wholeheartedly supported my decision; unfortunately, he was unable to help me at all with these questions, not being at all knowledgeable on the subject. Thank you.

-Vira

[jeromewilson]

Hi, I've just decided to do the same thing, after 8 years on (and occasionally off) Paxil and then Lexapro.

The problem with SAMe is that it's soooo expensive. I believe TMG ('Trimethylglycine' A.K.A. 'Betaine', not 'Betain Hcl' though) is a precursor to SAMe and a damn sight cheaper, so it might be worth a shot. Anyone know any more about this...?

You might also want to look at Phenylalanine / Tyrosine.

GABA-wise I have found in the past that 2g of L-Glutamine at night made an appreciable difference for me.

Sorry I couldn't help with your specific questions, I'm hoping there's someone else around who can...

Jerome

[blaise]

The standard dosages for 5-HTP are 50-100mg per day on an empty stomach usually before bed. I have used Jarrow Formulas 5-HTP 100mg before bed and it seems to give me a really good nights sleep and has helped with my slight depression.

The standard dosage for SAM-e is around 400mg, but I have heard of people taking higher doses. I haven't tried this yet but will eventually give it a try. I see Sam's Club has a really good deal on Schiff - SAM-e - (80) 200mg enteric coated tablets for only $26.88. This seems like a really good price and Schiff is a pretty reputable company from my experiences.

I would also like more info on SAM-e dosages, best time to take, peoples experience with SAM-e, and best place to purchase from.

Hope this helps.

[LifeMirage]

For treating depression the doses recommended is as follows:

SAMe 1,600 mg

or

5-HTP 100-300 mg

[blaise]

LifeMirage are these dosages once per day or should they be broken down and taken multiple times a day? Example: SAMe 400mg 4x a day or 5-HTP 100mg 3x a day on an empty stomach?

Also I know 5-HTP is best taken on an empty stomach, what about SAMe?

[virago]

Thanks for all the info so far, I am still confused as to which I should take, or both together, or why one would be better than another. Disregard cost, I'm only interested in knowing if sam-e or 5-htp is better to take, or both together, and why, along with how to best do so. Does anyone know any good links to studies of either of these?

Thanks, and take care.
-Vira

[LifeMirage]

LifeMirage are these dosages once per day or should they be broken down and taken multiple times a day?

I would start with twice daily (6am & 12pm give or take) with SAMe, 5-HTP you can take in the evening.

Example: SAMe 400mg 4x a day or 5-HTP 100mg 3x a day on an empty stomach?

Also I know 5-HTP is best taken on an empty stomach, what about SAMe?

Both have to be on an empty stomach, a half teaspoon of glucose in water will make it work faster.

Thanks for all the info so far, I am still confused as to which I should take, or both together, or why one would be better than another. Disregard cost, I'm only interested in knowing if sam-e or 5-htp is better to take, or both together, and why, along with how to best do so. Does anyone know any good links to studies of either of these?

SAMe is better in my experience. Try it first for a month before adding 5-HTP.

There are dozens of studies on Medline: http://www.ncbi.nlm....earch&DB=pubmed

Yours In Health

[enigma]

You may find with 5HTP that you are more tired than usual, you could possibly try to offset this with something such as ALCAR. But for serotonin L-Tryptophan or Rhodoila rosea are probably better and not tiredness inducing from what I have read.

[jeromewilson]

I seem to be doing quite well on SAM-e so far but I'm a bit worried about how much it's going to cost me. I'm trying to raise interest in a bulk buy at nootropica.org, so if anyone likes the idea it would be great if you could join the group discussion and show some support. [thumb]

http://groups.yahoo....oup/Nootropica/

[wannafulfill]

Yeah I have to take 800mg of SAM-e a day to notice benefits. It's more expensive than all of my other supps combined and I don't have enough money to keep taking it. I'm going to stop after the next 7 pills are eaten. I did find TMG at 4 grams a day and folic acid + b complex helped boost the effects of the SAM-e, especially the TMG.

[jeromewilson]

Thanks for the info about the TMG, I'd better go and track some down...

[founderbrn]

My wife and I both have very positive experiences with 5-htp. We take 100mg a piece 3 times a day (7am, 11am, and 3pm). We do not experience any feelings of being tired/sleepy, but we are also taking chocamine (400mg) and green tea extract (400mg) as well; along with 50mg of idebenone, 800mg of piracetam, and 400mg of choline bitartrate, we've found a fairly basic but quite effective stack. Before taking these nootropics I used to suffer frequent headaches, insomnia, and various mood disorders (depression, anxiety, constant anger at the world)... and now I rarely experience any of those problems. Hope this helps (even though I know this was an older thread).

[bipolar]

I think iHerb has some good prices on sam-e. Still expensive, but better than what I've seen in stores.

http://www.iherb.com/sammy1.html

[startime]

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