The serotonin theory of depression: a systematic review of the evidence (2022)

For anyone interested in their own depression, some anecdotal, unscientific non-medical advice that I received from HN about a year ago:

5-HTP is a serotonin precursor that you can take in low doses to help do a lot of different things. For me, it lowered food cravings and impulsiveness, balanced out sleeping anxiety, vastly improved my gut health, and really helped with my depression. I have a positive mood about me that I haven't had since I was a teenager, and I am so vastly enjoying life today, despite the trials. Before starting a daily regimen of 5-HTP, I was worried that I might one day lose myself to suicide. Now I treasure every day. Truly changed my life. Maybe it will change yours.

Again this is completely anecdotal, unscientific non-medical advice.

I have also had huge results with 5-HTP (in combination with vitamin D). I had that breakthrough in 2017 and it has been a consistent improvement ever since so I feel comfortable suggesting it. I have more recently had a similar "OMFG" moment with supplementing creatine but I'm only a few months into that so not ready to make claims about durability. I was diagnosed with chronic depression as a child (in 1994) and have taken Wellbutrin, Prozac, Lexapro, and Celexa at different points in my life. Personally I never experienced benefits that outweighed the side effects with any of those drugs. Taking an approach that centers on whole-body (and really specifically intestinal) serotonin has made the biggest difference in my life. Avoiding processed carbohydrates like pasta and bread has also been a piece of the puzzle, but unequivocally 5-HTP + VitD has been the standout difference maker.

How much do you take? Just standard stuff from amazon?

What does are you taking? Do you need to ramp it up or cycle it? What's your source? Anything else important to know?

Just a reminder not to impulse buy without first doing some research. IIRC serotonin syndrome is a risk, especially if already on antidepressants.

Some things to note in case you decide to go ahead anyway: https://www.reddit.com/r/Nootropics/comments/28489u/comment/...

Serotonin syndrome is a low risk, I believe. If it is as common as they make it out to be, I should have had it a million times, unless I am somehow the exception.

I take the lowest dose (200mg/mcg?) from Amazon.