I am not a doctor but here are my thoughts over this.

"The greatest risk of serotonin syndrome occurs if you are taking two or more drugs and/or supplements together that influence serotonin."

I believe 5-HTP and St. John's Wort both affect serotonin.

http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/serotonin-syndrome-causes-symptoms-treatments

I think it's abnormal to experience relief so quickly. Perhaps, that is a symptom of serotonin syndrome.

I know that you're not supposed to take an MAOI with an SSRI or immediately after the discontinual of one. But, I had a doctor who took me off an MAOI and that same day, started me on an SSRI. I felt immediate relief so I wonder if I was experiencing a mild form of serotonin syndrome.

I would say be safe and don't risk it. You should probably take only one.

There is no way of telling which one is more effective. Different medications/supplements affect people differently.

I found something else! "Serotonin syndrome symptoms typically occur within several hours of taking a new drug or increasing the dose of a drug you're already taking."
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/serotonin-syndrome/DS00860/DSECTION=symptoms

I wouldn't take both at the same time, if I was you. This gives me even more reason to believe that taking these two at the same time is risky. Please don't.

I would stop until you talk with a doctor about this.

If a traditional doctor tells you theyr'e not even worth taking, seek out a naturopath or homeopath. You can find them with a Google search, and this is a relatively simple question so even if there's not one nearby, they would possibly talk to you over the phone.

But yeah...I would stop until you get a professional opinion.

I know St. John's Wort is supposed to take up to 30 days to take effect, whereas 5-HTP has more immediate effects. That said, I'm currently still feeling pretty good mood-wise, but suffering from the SJW side effects (light sensitivity, dizziness, etc). Otherwise though, I am noting major improvement in my mood, an absolute lack of intrusive thoughts (which are fairly common for me), as well as being somewhat better able to focus.

I'm going to lay off the SJW for now and just take a low dose of the 5-HTP for a week or two and see how I feel.

Also, regarding doctor, that's a no go. Heck, if I could see a doc I'd already be in therapy and prescribed for something I'm sure, but I don't have insurance or cash for doctor/therapist, which really only made my depression get worse.

That said, I'm feeling much better besides the side effects, I agree that serotonin syndrome would be bad (I'm aware of it, and considered that before). I'm just gonna try one for a while, then the other and see which one helps me more individually instead of in combination.

Also, to ease your minds (and mine, heh), I don't appear to be suffering from any of the symptoms of Serotonin Syndrome, but I am feeling every listed side effect of SJW curently except confusion (unless you count feeling a bit disoriented/dizzy as "confusion"). Don't worry, I won't be taking risks with my health, and obviously the SJW must not be agreeing with me so it's out for now.

Thanks for the concerns and the advice.