Well what is this supplement? I take a natural appetite supressent I go from the natural food store.

I'ts like the natural version of prozac. It helps you if you have a serotonin deficiency, which most people with overeating issues do. It helps the body to produce more serotonin and so far its amazing (and I've only been on in three days). For the first time in like 3 years, I went to bed last night without eating dessert...i simply didn't want it. And its not an appetite suppressant. it just makes you feel the signal of being "full" more than you did before ( I know that sounds like an appetite suppressant, but its diff). The rest of the day I ate fairly normal, but I didnt feel as compelled to eat as I did before...I will keep you updated on how its working, but I already feel like a diff person...its bizarre,

The supplement is 5-HTP sorry ha

I heard that you should not take this if you are taking other psychotrophic drugs for depression.

Blackbird, yay that you have been free for a couple of days! I sincerely hope it continues! This website's support along with some products that I have never heard of before (like the weight loss CDs that also help a relationship with food) make me really hopeful!! Please keep us updated I sincerely hope your results are ongoing!!

5-hydroxy-tryptophan (5-HTP)is a compound which allows your body to create more of the amino acid called tryptophan. Tryptophan is needed for your body to produce serotonin. When you dont have enough serotonin in your system, you can suffer from anxiety, depression and other mood disorders.

So - 5HTP lets your body create tryptophan, tryptophan allows your body to create serotonin and serotonin regulates mood.

A HUGE word of caution - 5HTP should NEVER be taken is you are on any SSRI or SNRI class drug (anti-depressant/anti-anxiety med). The combination of the two can result in too much serotonin being created and a fatal condition called "serotonin syndrome" can happen rather quickly.

Basically - 5HTP is the natural alternative to an antidepressant. Useful for some, not at all for others.

i have started using this today. i will keep you updated on my progress. i feel pretty good right now though. very happy and warm feeling.

Like and SSRI - it takes 4-6 weeks for you to feel the effects of 5HTP

So far life has been a bit easier with 5-htp. I like that it still allows me to feel emotions (unlike when I was on prozac) but at the same time it curbs a good deal of my anxiety. Its like I still feel negative emotions but now I can just handle them a lot more rationally. I feel like i have the ability to choose my food a little bit more wisely. It is by no means the end of all my problems ha but it seems to be a good tool. I'ts been a little less than a week now and I seem to be doing quite a bit better. Time will tell...and thank you to those who posted about the ssri's. I am not currently on any but its good that its posted none the less in case anyone curious about trying it

I have a hard time believing that it takes a week for 5 -HTP to give results. I felt the effects of the dose I took today about 30 min-1 hour and then I continued to feel it until midday, and it almsot came in 2 distinct waves. It was a slight buzzing feeling like I needed to get up and run, kind of like I had an adrenaline rush. I actually didn't like it too much. I wouldn't reccommend it. I can see how it helps reduce cravings, however between the waves of adrenaline feelings, I felt as though I could eat. I personnally am going to try to stick to using my own personal strength. That way if I can't afford the pills or they are not available I will not fall back on old bad habits. I know it is tempting to pop a pill adn all your troubles will be gone, but it might be a better builder of your character to stay away from pills. Think of how proud you will be of yourself knowing that YOU did it, not some cupplement company. I hope this is helpful and not a bad reply.

Sometimes, I feel like taking anything is a bit of a cop out too...but then I get an anxiety attack and I remember why I was trying to find something that helps me in a physiological matter. I have a serotonin deficiency and I've tried a couple diff meds and hate them (I felt I was too numb to develop any coping mechanisms). Its hard going it alone with work, school and an internship to handle and I hope to be at a point one day where I can just focus on improving myself. I think I will build my character by trying to get better and i think that involves much more than taking a pill or supplement...however I refuse to believe that by taking a supplement such as st johns wart or 5-htp that I am not building my character by doing so...everyone is different and you got to do what you got to do. I'm not looking for an easy ticket (and judging by the last two days I'm certainly not getting one), I'm just looking for a safe way to make it safely through the storm

I agree with you Blackbird86. I have never taken this, but might be interested in it. I will say that even though people are told antidepressants take 4-6 wks to take effect, I saw an almost immediate effect when my daughter first started taking zoloft. Also, in the form of supplements, I just started taking a multivitamin/whole food supplement called "More than a multiple" sold at our local health food store. I really believe it has given me energy (even though it's not an energy pill), and I feel better since taking it. I do not think this is a placebo affect because I have taken other meds or supplements and have not felt any different. I'm taking it to be healthy and lack of energy, not to help with cravings. However, I do think that if one is healthy, he/she may be less apt to binge. Just a thought.

I've taken 5-HTP last year for depression for about 4 months and it was GREAT! I did lose some weight and I slept well. I stopped taking it because I hate pills and it made my chest tender at times.
Now I am considering going back to it, because I've gained 15 lb in 3 months and I can't stop eating.

Where did you get this at? Just wondering. Thanks. and thats awesome if its helping...sometimes people just say that stuff is psychological but whatever works works haha...so keep it up :)

I thought i posted a reply, but I guess it got erased somehow.. :)
5-htp is sold in any helath-food store, but it is not something that should be taken without a consult with Nutritional MD . It can not be take while on antidepressants or anything to toreat mood disorders. It may interract with other medications as well.
Good luck
I hope it works for you, if you take it. :)