I've been taking 5 htp for just over a month now and wanted to
describe, firstly, how I have responded to it and, secondly, hear any
other input from anyone else out there that has been using it.

For the first week or two I felt very spaced out when I took it and
somewhat of a sensation in my stomach after consumption. Over a month
into the program now I can still notice a slight effect when taking
it, but it is definitely less pronounced. There have been definite
improvements in my life - my anxiety seems to have lessened and I'm
able to think about certain things which would normally have made me
feel uncomfortable. I am also finding it far easier to fall asleep -
I would normally spend a minimum of half an hour and I can now only
recall a few nights where I have had any troubles drifting off. I was
having a problem of feeling intensely agitated (and finding myself
very irritable as a result) by small things and that also seems to
have been somewhat alleviated.

I generally take it at least 2 hours after a meal and don't eat for 2
hours after taking it - I have heard that eating protein too soon
after will convert the 5htp into serotonin before entering the brain
and put strain on the heart. I try to take it earlier in the day if
possible as I had a bad experience once where I took one before bed
and ended up having an hour of panic attacks. I took one before bed
last night, however, and the effect was just a long sleep.

Anyway, that's my 2 cents. There seems to be a lack of indications
out there, has anyone here taken it for an extended period of time -
or are you only meant to take it for a short period?

george orwell

I have had poor results. My anxiety had increased substantially, my coltis got worse. I stopped it after a few days.