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Drug experience- 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
Sam
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
Anyone ever try this? It's a natural capsule made from roudn seeds of a plant (name of which escapes me) that basically boosts serotonin, and mediates appetite (rather than eliminating hunger it curbs craving once you've eaten a smaller amount than usual. It also seems to have an interaction with a certain illegal herb- apparently it boosts the effect. I just tried it today for the first time. I like it, but it does feel strange too. On the fence about making any conclusions about it.
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the "no true scotch man" fallacy.
The better question is "why?". Whether he's tried it is irrelevant, whether or not he has information is what a) matters and square) generates further discussion that doesn't at all resemble "you don't know me man, you can't be me, you can't feel me".
It's not a drug in any meaningful sense. The typical explanation for its action is that its a precursor to serotonin synthesis, one step after tryptophan. The idea is that if you take more of this "building block," your body will create more serotonin, making you happier or helping you sleep better.
It shouldn't work that way. Your body can only convert so much 5-HTP to serotonin at any given time. If you already get enough tryptophan in your diet, you should already have all the 5-HTP you need, so there's no reason 5-HTP should elevate serotonin any further. Besides that, it takes 8-12 hours for tryptophan to be converted to serotonin; and it takes several more hours for serotonin to be converted to melatonin; yet people report using 5-HTP as an insomnia aid 30 minutes before bedtime. Again, it's just very hard to believe.
It's possible that 5-HTP might have a mechanism of action completely independent of the serotonin synthesis pathway. I'm willing to accept that possibility. I would be very, very surprised if that were the case, but I've been surprised before. I'd need to see some replicated, placebo-controlled studies demonstrating a consistent effect.
the "no true scotch man" fallacy.
the "no true scotch man" fallacy.
I don't know.
I am open to the possibility that there is more going on with it than we know. I'm just skeptical.
Most of the uses of I've heard of are either health-food nuts using it as an insomnia or depression aid (if used by somebody who eats a vegetarian or vegan diet with an incomplete amino acid profile, I could see it having some effect; again as an amino acid 'replacement') or as "preloading" with MDMA users. The irony of combining it with ecstasy is that there's mounting evidence that the sought-after subjective effects of MDMA actually have little to do with serotonin and everything to do with dopamine and oxytocin. (Which, BTW, totally proves me wrong, because I've spent years talking to people about MDMA and serotonin - see? I'm willing to reverse my position if there is compelling evidence!)
the "no true scotch man" fallacy.
You're right, but could it really be the placebo effect with that many different people? When it comes down to it, you can't scientifcally measure stoned-ness can you? I'm not trying to argue that it works. But it doesn't seem entirely reasonable to write off all self reported effects as placebo- unless there really have been placebo effects this widespread.
I have watched a bunch of dudes get stoned together on oregano. Got the munchies and everything.
The only thing most frat-guys know about pot is that it is a means of "getting fucked up".
"It works the best if you smoke a lot of pot with it..."
Best thing to come of this thread? I think so.
It's great because it's pretty funny, but it's also exactly how I feel.