Jayme's 5-HTP journal

**Jayme** · 09-22-2015 09:14 PM

Eyyy.

I've recently gotten started on my lucid dreaming journey again. I've gotten my lucid dreaming journey starting again, and since I've always struggled having vivid dreams I decided to try some aids.

After doing quite a bit of research, I decided 5-HTP would be the best one for me. I won't be doing it often, likely 2 or 3 times a week. I'll be documenting my experience with it here. If you have experience with 5-HTP, please, feel free to give me advice! I'll also be doing a bit of SSILD and WILD.

One question: The current brand I'm using has added B6, and I take a B complex vitamin every day. Should I look for a brand that is just pure 5-HTP?

Sep 21st: Well.. I made the mistake of getting drunk. I took the 5-HTP, while tipsy. Didn't remember a single dream.

Sep 22nd: Holy moly. I took 100mg at bedtime, and I don't think I've ever remembered so many dreams before. I woke up after each dream, and did SSILD each time. In one dream, I was laying in bed. I felt like I was awake. My body felt so weird, and I kept hearing trippy sounds... unfortunately, I did not do an RC. I was quite close, though!

I'll be doing it again tonight, then that will be it until next Monday. I'll be doing SSILD every night, though.

Any advice or feedback is appreciated!

**Voldmer** · 09-24-2015 08:56 PM

Staying off the 5-HTP for several days in between uses, like you are apparently already doing, is a good idea. If it is used too often there is a possibility of tolerance developing (meaning: it gradually stops working so well).

The amount of B6 is probably so small that is does not in any way pose a problem. Incidentally, B6 is known to improve dream recall (but not necessarily for everyone).

**Jayme** · 09-27-2015 02:51 PM

Ah, alright! I knew B6 improved dream recall (and it has for me in the past), but I didn't know if it would be too much for me to take in one day. Thanks for the reply!

Sep 27: Took 200mg before bedtime. I woke up around 4:00AM, and struggled to get back to sleep. The last time I looked at the clock it said 5:00, which upset me because I had to be up at 8. But I relaxed myself, did some SSILD, and managed to get to sleep. I woke up later (it felt like I had only been asleep for a minute) remembering about 5 different dreams! It was incredible.

I'm just wondering, would taking 300mg be too much? The bottle of 100mg I have says "Take three times a day", so I'm assuming 300mg is a healthy amount, I'm just concerned that maybe taking that much at once could be bad for me.

My pills aren't timed release, so I'm going to try taking them during a WBTB when I have enough time. Not sure if that will work but it's worth a shot.

**Voldmer** · 09-27-2015 05:24 PM

200 mg per day is a bit on the heavy side, and I definitely think 300 mg is too much. I am surprised that the bottle encourages taking that much in one day.

For comparison, 1000 mg is known to cause painful nerve damage, and 200 mg would probably do the same over a few months, if taken every day (B6 can accumulate, even if it is water soluble). 100 mg on average per day is however a safe level.

If you go as high as 200 mg, I suggest you only do so once every 2-3 days. Everybodys personal body chemistry is different, but it's better to be safe than sorry.

**Jayme** · 09-28-2015 02:05 AM

Did some more research on 5-HTP, research I should have done before starting to use it.

You're not supposed to take it if you're on antidepressants, though I have read of some people who have been told to take both by a doctor. Taking 5-HTP and certain antidepressants can cause serotonin syndrome, however it is EXTREMELY rare.

I don't know if I'm willing to risk it, even though my dose of both is quite low...

**Voldmer** · 09-28-2015 07:49 AM

5-HTP is converted into serotonin, and anti-depressants (at least the common SSRI's) suppress the destruction of serotonin. In combination they would lead to a larger increase in serotonin levels than either one on its own would do - i.e. they both work in the same direction, but in two different ways.

Serotonin levels can get too high (the serotonin syndrome you were referring to), so combining them should be done with great care (consult a medical doctor about it).

5-HTP is actually used as an over-the-counter anti-depressant.