Mixing 5HTP, Melatonin, and L-Tryptophan

[Rozollo]

The best I could find on this was a post from 2009. About 3 weeks ago, I was diagnosed with Primary Insomnia by my primary care physician, which is insomnia with no root cause. He gave me a prescription for Ambien and told me to take 3mg of Melatonin, an hour before bed, for about two weeks. My sleep is significantly regulated now, so I stopped the Ambien about a week ago. I wanted to try the melatonin a bit more with some other vitamins I know of, but am I doing damage to my body if I do it regularly? I know 5-HTP will turn into Tryptophan, then into Serotonin, then into Melatonin. So, if I take a pill of 5-HTP at breakfast, an L-Tryptophan at lunch, then melatonin at bed, would I be stacking enough to make my dreams hyper vivid? My fear is I am messing with too many things for natural melatonin production, and I am putting two pieces of serotonin in my diet. Also, I want to add in Silene Capensis foam, which the doctor had heard of and supported, before bedtime. Is this safe, or what?

[NyxCC]

Hello Tiresias! I don't think you need to be taking that many precursors to increase your dream vividness or boost your melatonin levels. Usually the amount of melatonin per tablet is more than even the body of a healthy person makes. However, I would suggest a few other approaches to tie the loose ends and make sure you are maximizing your chances for good sleep. Try eating more wholegrains - these help raise serotonin levels naturally. Exercise regularly. Finally, before bed time avoid exposure to bright lights and screens as these interfere with the sleep cycle and stop melatonin production. One last thing to consider is to establish a regular sleep schedule - try to go to bed and wake up at relatively the same time. This makes it much easier for your body to feel it's time to sleep. Hope that helps!

[cooleymd]

I know 5-HTP will turn into Tryptophan, then into Serotonin, then into Melatonin. 5-HTP is the the intermediate between Tryptophan and Serotonin, it is not a precursor of Trypthophan in the body some Tryptophan is turned into 5-HTP which is then turned into Serotonin (these things happen not just in the brain but the Serotonin cannot cross in or out of the brain). Only a tiny amount of that Serotonin in the brain is turned into Melatonin. All of these things have other fates than just Tryptophan ---> 5-HTP -----> Serotonin --> another intermediate -->Melatonin

[Rozollo]

Hello Tiresias! I don't think you need to be taking that many precursors to increase your dream vividness or boost your melatonin levels. Usually the amount of melatonin per tablet is more than even the body of a healthy person makes. However, I would suggest a few other approaches to tie the loose ends and make sure you are maximizing your chances for good sleep. Try eating more wholegrains - these help raise serotonin levels naturally. Exercise regularly. Finally, before bed time avoid exposure to bright lights and screens as these interfere with the sleep cycle and stop melatonin production. One last thing to consider is to establish a regular sleep schedule - try to go to bed and wake up at relatively the same time. This makes it much easier for your body to feel it's time to sleep. Hope that helps! Whole grains are a hard no due to my diet, but I will research foods.

[Raipat]

I would not recommend 5htp at breakfast. It would be better to take one larger dose an hour before you sleep than two doses split over the day. There is also no need to mix 5htp and l-tryptophan, better take either. You could also try bananas and kiwi for dinner.