5-HTP for Anxiety and Sleep Disorders causing Flushing & Rosacea Progression?

5-HTP is one of the most popular supplements of 2009. This pharmaceutical grade supplement is a potent anti-anxiety supplement that is strong enough to help wean many patients off of clonazepam, valium, xanax and/or buspar. In addition, many people take it to treat sleep disorders or insomnia.... both of which are common in rosacea sufferers.

The recommended dose is 50 mgs twice a day. Others have worked their way up to 100 mgs twice a day.... hardcore take 200 to 400 mgs twice a day. Bad idea.

OK, here is an example of a supplement that is harmful when taken in high doses. Do not exceed 100 mgs per day and only take 200 mgs per day when being supervised by a physician so he or she can take blood samples of Serotonin.

5-HTP works by boosting Serotonin levels in the brain. This has a relaxing effect and a mood altering action. At low doses serotonin increases only in the brain... where it is meant to stay. When you take high doses of Serotonin, it gets into the peripheral blood stream and causes facial flushing. Sometimes quite severe. Many cannot tell the difference between a rosacea flush and a 5-HTP induced flush. This is analagous to carcinoid syndrome where a small tumor produces serotonin and carcinoid patients have all the signs of rosacea. Not good!

One way to delineate whether the flush is from rosacea or from high dose 5 HTP is if the flush is accompanied by diarrhea or body itching. If you can't tell the difference, you can go in for a simple test and your physician can tell you what your maximum dose is for your particular body type, weight, absorption qualities, etc.

_

__________________
_

Best,
Geoffrey

Dr. Geoffrey Nase
Ph.D: Neuro-Vascular Physiologist

Email: drnase1000@hotmail.com
Bibliography: http://drnase.com

All posts are for informational purposes only. Please visit our Home Page to view our Medical Disclaimer.