[SIDE EFFECTS]  04/10/2010: Marigold from Anchorage, Ak: "5-HTP for anxiety/depression

After reading some posts on this website, I decided to try 5-HTP for my general depression and social anxiety. After taking it the first time, I really noticed it made me feel kind of happy and giddy, so I was excited, and I also felt less anxious and more able to be what I consider myself. However, about a week taking just 50 mgs twice a day, I noticed I would get headaches. Then after about a week and a half I got a horrible headache, which I think might have been a migraine. It came on suddenly and lasted for about an hour of excruciating pain and nausea, and more mild pain and tension the rest of the day. Afterwards, for about a week, I started getting strange pains all on the left side of my body, in my leg and hip and shoulder. The migraine was on the right side of my head. I was pretty sure the 5 HTP was causing my everyday headaches, and was starting to feel like it lead to the migraine and subsequent left-side-of-the-body pains. I stopped taking 5-HTP and and my head-aches and body-aches have subsided completely. I am glad this supplement has worked for some people, but I just wanted to share my experience."

08/29/2010: Gtijes from Allentown, Pa, Usa replies: "Does anyone know of a way to introduce something natural like 5-htp, and cut back on the prescription antidepressants? I wasn't sure if they interacted safely at all."

12/03/2010: Randy from Jersey City, Nj, Usa replies: "I am thinking of doing the same thing. 5htp should not be taken with Rx anti-depressants. I take lexapro... I am planning on weaning down on my Rx by cutting the pills (go from 1 pill to 3/4, to half, etc), and introducing 5htp along the way as I wean."

[YEA]  06/12/2011: Jasonmchicago from Chicago, Il (usa) replies: "Serotonin is a vital neurotransmitter for all types of things... From mental to physical health. I had severe anxiety and tried different things from Velirium Root to different aroma therapies... The one thing that works amazingly was 5-HTP. It helps one get serotonin and serotonin helps with anxiety, depression, sleep problems (converts to melatonin), and muscle health (let's you get delta sleep so that your body can release growth hormone and repair muscle tissue). In the book "Pain Cure" there's a great recap of all the benefits of serotonin.

I HIGHLY recommend it for anxiety/depression. It helped change my life... Along with Yoga, MSM (joint pain), etc.

Thanks EC!"

09/04/2011: Cindy from Orange County, California replies: "I was having terrible IBS symptoms along with extreme anxiety. I started taking 5-htp on the advice of my naturopathic doctor. Within 1-2 weeks, my IBS reduced substantially and my anxiety lessened dramatically. I felt great everyday with a more stable, consistent mood than I have ever felt in my life.

According to my doctor, a large proportion of serotonin either resides or is made in your gut (I forget which) so it makes sense that it helped my IBS. When I started, I was taking 200 mg each morning. It didn't help me sleep though, in fact it kept me wide awake. After taking for about a year or so, I started feeling very ill every morning. It took me a long time to figure out it was the 5-htp. However, my general health has improved much over the past year and I have now cut the dose back to 50 mg per day and can handle it fine. My doctor told me my system probably did not need as much now and this is perhaps why larger doses were making me so ill."

03/11/2013: Joe from Sterville, Co replies: "I've read a few posts on the use of 5HTP and unusual symptoms (headaches, pains, etc) after using for awhile. Just wanted to recommend The Mood Cure book which helps to explain that these symptoms could possibly be caused by too much serotonin (serotonin syndrome). The gist of the 5HTP part is just using it long enough, and in proper doses, to where you feel better. Once you start getting abnormal symptoms, it can indicate that you are getting too much of a good thing, at which point you would stop or cut back."

03/12/2013: Bodulica from Barrie, Ontario, Canada replies: "Thank you so much for posting it. I researched "serotonin syndrome" and now I know why I ended up with the cardiac arrest after taking one single minimum dose of Paxil and why I feel so sick if I take anything that deals with the serotonin. Can you please tell me who is the author of the Mood Cure Book. I want to get it. Thank you."

05/22/2009: Luis from Cali, Colombia replies: "Based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (acupuncture),there are three specific sleep-aid points located on the inner wrist: the Shern-Men Point, the Day-Ling Point, and the Ney-Guan Point. The Sern-Men Point is located along the "Heart Meridian", and is responsible for the mental health and function of the circulatory system. The Day-Ling and Ney-Guan Points are located along the "Peri-Heart Meridian", and help maintain the normal functioning of the heart. These three specific anxiety and sleep-aid points form a a "Golden Triangle" that is responsible for calming, stress relief, and sleep inducement.

Shern-Men Point: In the inner wrist,little finger side(a small sag).
Ney-Guan Point: Two fingers distance from the middle of your inner wrist (between two tendons.
Day-Ling Point: In the inner wrist, in the middle.

Please, get acupuncture needles, ball pads, acupressure bands (USA)or something that press those points for a while until you feel better. Otherwise, use your fingers."

[NAY]  03/12/2013: Bodulica from Barrie, Ontario, Canada replies: "My reaction to 5-HTP was terrible. Felt like I ingested a poison. Very sick, felt like fainting, headache..."

12/03/2010: Entheogens from Palo Alto, California, Usa replies: "Why does anybody think that 5-HTP is any better than other pharmaceutical SSRIs? It's the same thing. Don't be fooled by it being so-called "natural". First of all, there is no proof that raising serotonin levels is the issue. Second of all, in clinical trials SSRIs did no better than placebos."

[YEA]  07/28/2009: Sveta from Des Plaines, IL: "Having been suffering from bipolar, bulimia, anxiety disorder and depression for 5 years. Tried ACETYL L-CARNITINE. Have one thing to say, it's freaking amazing! I'm surprised you don't hear about it much. It helps my anxiety better than cold showers, antidepressants, and even Xanax! I'm so happy that that i found out about it. It's like the hell I've been living in for years is over. This supplement has the strength of a prescription drug. I advise everyone who has anxiety problem to give a try. Though I need like 50 mg a day instead of 5000 the way they recommend. 5000 is too much for me to tolerate. Find your dosage. And never give up. Try every supplement for depression and anxiety out there, one by one. Some will do nothing, some will make you feel worse, but there'll be one, two, or even more that will help you and make your life a beautiful and joyful thing to have. Good luck everyone."

EC: More info about this supplement on our L-carnitine page.

09/08/2011: Cherylanne from Clarksburg, Wv replies: "How long did you take L-Carnitine before noticing results? I purchased gelatin capsules 500 mg and don't know how I am going to divide them or take smaller doses. I would rather start smaller and raise it, if needed. Your post really inspired me, so I hope to hear more about this. Anyone out there know if this amino acid helps with anxiety or depression?"

12/30/2011: Caricater from Smyrna, Ga replies: "Please note that L-Carnitine and Acetyl L-Carnitine are different! L-Carnitine can help you lose weight and improve heart function, but for anxiety and depression, ALC is the one you want. ALC may benefit those with glucose issues and has been shown to improve memory and cognitive function. There are studies that an increase in oxidative stress while taking ALC is possible. 100-600mg of alpha lipoic acid will not only combat this side effect, it will increase the anti-aging effects!"

[YEA]  10/04/2008: Wendy from Barrie, Ontario Canada: "Anxiety/Panic Attacks/ph balancing

My dh and I moved 1000 miles away to the middle of nowhere (seriously) with 2 small kids, for him to take a job working 80+hrs a week...in JANUARY! The dog died, the car died, my daughter burnt her arm on the woodstove, we were isolated etc. and of course for 3 months I tried every natural remedy to save our dog to no avail. So when I suddenly went to emerg one night with a racing heart that I couldn't slow down, the sweats, shakes and dizziness, I thought for sure I was having a heart attack...heck I am 40 after all! They gave me an adavan that I didn't take and told me to go home and relax with all the stress in my life. Although everyone kept telling me I was in emotional turmoil...for me there had to be another concrete reason, I had handled way worse in my life and heck it wasn't like I lived in a war torn country or anything...nutritionally I mean, or lack thereof.

I had been drinking black tea again to cope with the dog, the move etc. so it was the first to go with the result being less frequent attacks. So with the help of a guy in Nova Scotia I learned about PH balancing and the work of Dr. Carey Reams. I started balancing my ph each day and if it was 7ish I felt awesome, if it was acid I felt awful. Any sweetener- even honey affected me greatly on the acid side. Then I added in a green supplement from a doctor in Barrie Ontario. On his advice I also started taking a concentrated mineral supplement (the most popular one on the market he recommended) and I started with 1 drop 2x a day, then 2 drops 2x a day and so on. He said I would have loose stools when I reached enough. He said rarely some of his clients could handle 40-60 drops a day. THIS was ME! I was taking 30 drops 2x a day with no loose stools- AND I felt like a million bucks....and NO more panic attacks- ever. woohoo. Then I moved on to zeolite which got back my 5 yr flagging libido and life was incredibly awesome... of course I ended up pregnant with my 3rd, but it's all good and i'm still feeling awesome with no return of the horrifying panic attacks. Incidentlly I tried homeopathics, herbal tinctures, herbal teas, acv, baking soda etc. nothing worked but the constant paying attention of the day to day ph morning and night of my saliva and urine and taking the concentrated minerals. Believe me, for anyone going thru these you'll do just about anything to make them stop!!!"

03/31/2009: Loren from Brooklyn, NY replies: "This question if for Wendy from Barrie, Ontario: Can you say what is the name of the mineral supplement your doctor gave you. I have similar problems like yours and would love to try this product. help please"

07/08/2009: Janet from Nashville, TN replies: "Can you tell me what the green substance was. Was it Chlorophyll? And how do you get yourself from being to acidic?"

07/09/2009: Yah_yahgirl from Fayetteville, North Carolina replies: "Hi I wanted info. on balancing PH I have been 4 years with sweats, weight gain, getting mucas when I lay down , so I sleep with two pillows, oh and I do not sleep well. I'm tired and depressed and at times very short with people. Thanks for any info you might have
Jeanne"

06/29/2011: Diane from Los Angeles, California Usa: "I used to have panic attacks that had my husband rushing me to the emergency room all the time! I thought I was losing my mind with fear and anxiety. I would feel like digging a hole, jumping in and pulling the hole in with me!

In my case I found that "acid reflux" was the cause of my problem. Whenever I start to have a panic attack---I take a few TUMS as it works the best for my acid/panic attacks! Baking powder will work too if I don't have Tums. But for some reason Tums works best on me.

Panic attacks are the scariest thing I ever experienced in my life. I hope this little secret helps someone with this problem.

Strong Coffee and hot chili can bring on an attack."

[WARNING!]  03/24/2012: Kate from New Orleans, La replies: "Please be careful with TUMS. That can block phosphorus and have ill effects on your bones. Happened to me. Thought it would actually help bones because they talk about having calcium. I had fractures in my shins, femurs and feet. After many scans and blood work, stopped TUMS and went back to normal."

[YEA]  11/06/2012: Jen from Bakersfield, Ca replies: "Thank you. After spending lots of money every month on prescribed medications for my daughter for her anxiety attacks that would hit her several times a day and night. Well some of the meds came up missing and we didn't find out til the weekend so I started looking on here for a natural remedie and found this one and thought that it would be a good starting point and low and behold it WORKED!!! . now I wonder if its just reflux and if a regular reflux pill will work even better..."

01/20/2013: Missy from Dover, De replies: "I am catholic, suffered from serious anxiety tried all kinds of medicines till finally I prayed to St Dyphna she is connected to miracles of mental disorders. I believe I am one of her miracles. I am not a regular church goer. I am 32 and read about her and started praying I really believe she helped me and continues to."

02/24/2010: Ann from Daytona Beach, Fl: "Anxiety & HBP

I thought this was very interesting. The Dr. responding to the question is:
Director, Hypertension Section
Division of Nephrology & Hypertension
Department of Internal Medicine
College of Medicine
University of Cincinnati

Here's the question presented and the doctor's answer..

"Dear Doctor Rief, I have had high blood pressure for 20 years. I have tried at least 14 different medications during all these years. In all this time I have never been able to get my pressure down to normal limits. My diastolic is always in the 90`s and the systolic in the 140`s. I am now 54 and worrying as time passes I am at risk of stroke or heart attack. I`ve had a stress/echo 18 months ago and it was normal. What can I do to get my pressure under control? I also suffer from GAD and currently take 5 mg. valium TID. I am under a lot of stress in my life and have been since first being diagnosed with high blood pressure. Problems with my marriage and relationship with parents and kids. I just want to be normal as now I am not able to drive due to the anxiety. Thank you for any advice you can offer

Answer:
It is difficult to give specific advice without having complete data in an individual patient. However, a few points can be made:
Anxiety can cause or aggravate hypertension, and hypertension can cause anxiety. Some patients respond to counseling, while others respond to antidepressants.
At any rate, your blood pressure should be 130 systolic or lower. You can safely ignore the diastolic number, as it is not indicative of cardiovascular risk."

I thought this rather interesting since I've been told my whole life the bottom figure was more to worry about than the top. I wonder what the real truth is about high blood pressure or if they even know. I believe this doctor, he appears to be an expert in the field. I would think it's natural to have high blood pressure if you're suffering from anxiety and that, of course, only makes the anxiety worse."

Apple Cider Vinegar

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Apple Cider Vinegar Tonic for Anxiety

Holistic Treatment Ingredients

• Apple Cider Vinegar - 1 teaspoon to 2 Tablepoons
• Filtered Water - Tall Glass

An apple cider vinegar tonic (1tsp-2 Tbsp ACV in a tall glass of water, natural sweetener optional) can balance the body in a way that seems to quickly reduce anxiety symptoms. This includes high blood pressure.

09/06/2009: Sow_b from Sydney, Nsw replies: "Hello, I want to check up on how the ACV is going in treating anxiety symptoms. Some posts are almost a year old and I want to ask how people are now coming along with this? Is it still going well? Do you feel as if the treatment has worked? Please let me know."

10/21/2009: Stephen from Aurora, Oh replies: "Hello, read your post about acv for anxiety/panic on a forum. Just curious as to how long after taking this does it seem to last or work. How long is the duration of your lessened anxiety. Cause anxiety pops up throughout the day for me in certain social situations. Thanks for your feedback.

Sincerely. Steve"

06/25/2011: Ayla from Sumter, South Carolina replies: "Just add a pinch of baking soda to lower the acidity.. :) I'm very sensitive to anything going in my tummy, and my Mom told me about the BS.. No problem since. :)"

01/29/2010: Cured from Niceville, Fl replies: "To Debra from Texas: You mentioned it "hurt" your stomach at first. You might probably had a stomach ulcer and didn't know it. ACV is the cure for that too.

My guess about anxiety and why people might not come back and comment on their problem for long term results...it probably really works and we forget what problems we have when they are gone. I have been using ACV and various other remedies from this site for almost 6 months now. I will admit I was a mess before and I forget all the problems I used to have. I did make a list/journal when I first started these home remedies and update often."