5-HTP Book

I have been getting ready for my soon experiment with 5-HTP and reading up on some new references for the use of 5-HTP. I found a book in the library which really is a very informative book in the uses of 5-HTP called "5-HTP: Boost Your Serotonin Levels The Natural Way to Overcome Depression, Obesity, and Insomnia". Though the name of the book is incredibly long  the information in the book seems to be very helpful for those who are dealing with those disorders mentioned in the title. Though the information seems to be a little bit out dated or incorrect, as Dr. Murray mentions using a MAO-I such as St John's wort in conjunction with over 100 mg of 5-HTP (something that may be safe for some people but still shouldn't be conducted), his book still is a good introduction into the positive uses of 5-HTP. I am a long believer in the anti-depressant uses of supplements (mainly 5-HTP) rather than the prescription based anti-depressants due to their effectiveness and low side effects.

Now many of us have heard and tried L-tryptophan to help with our sleep. Well Murray advises to not use L-tryptophan because in its process of convertion into serotonin, it turns into Kynurenine as well as 5-HTP. Kynurenine can cause muscle damage if built up to high.

In chapter 4 of the book Murray talks about how 5-HTP can help reduce insomnia and other sleep disorders. He talks about the science behind how serotonin is important in the sleep cycle and why many of these sleep disorders are caused by the lacking of a neurotransmitter often enough serotonin.

Though most of the information in the book I already knew, the book was still a good review of 5-HTP. Over all  if you would like to learn about 5-HTP and its positive uses then this book is a great read.