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.