Combining Zoloft with 5-HTP is not normally recommended without physician approval and supervision. The body makes 5-HTP, a chemical, from an amino acid called tryptophan, and 5-HTP is then converted into serotonin in the body. Zoloft is an...
Fitting the general perception of what happens during a seizure episode, clonic seizures involve convulsions of the torso, arms and legs, as the muscles in these parts of the body undergo rapid cycles of contraction and relaxation. The repeated...
According to the Mayo Clinic, brain chemicals called neurotransmitters are responsible for controlling mood and behavior. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that experts have specifically linked to mood, so when more serotonin is present in the...
Dietary supplements and herbs provide alternative treatments to several disorders, and can complement conventional medical techniques. However, the active ingredients in some herbs can interact with specific pharmaceuticals, increasing or...
If you have been prescribed a selective seratonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), discuss any other medications or supplements you are considering taking with your physician. Melatonin, commonly used to induce a feeling of relaxation and aid sleep, is...
If you're looking for a dietary supplement that might help treat depression, you may have come across 5-HTP, or 5-hydroxytryptophan. In his book "The Most Effective Natural Cures on Earth," Clinical Nutrition specialist Dr. Jonny Bowden, PhD...
Serotonin is a hormone found in the human body that transmits signals between nerve cells and causes blood vessels to narrow. According to the Britannica Online Encyclopedia, serotonin is also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine. It is most concentrated...
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, are medications used to treat clinical depression. SSRIs work by increasing the level of serotonin in your brain. According to the book "Integrative Medicine," SSRIs have shown effectiveness in...
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, or brain chemical, which can affect mood, appetite and sleep. Low levels of serotonin have been associated with depression and might be relieved by taking a class of anti-depressants known as selective serotonin...
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, or a chemical in the brain, that is involved in sleep, mood, memory and muscle contraction, among other things. Low serotonin levels can lead to depression and fatigue, and though there are medications like...
For less severe cases of social anxiety disorders, counseling and behavioral or cognitive therapy can help a patient determine the cause of their anxiety and how to deal with it. A therapist may recommend that the patient keep a journal of their...
Lexapro, or escitalopram, is an antidepressant drug in the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, or SSRI, class that is FDA-approved as a treatment for depression and generalized anxiety disorder. Fish oil can improve symptoms of depression and...
According to the Mayo Clinic, bipolar disorder is a potentially serious mental health issue characterized by severe mood swings and sometimes dangerous behavior. Also called manic depression, it is caused by chemical imbalances within the brain...
Folic acid, also known as folate or vitamin B-9, is a water-soluble B vitamin, meaning that the body will not store it. Therefore sources must come from the diet or from supplements. Research demonstrates a positive relationship between folic acid...
5-Hydroxytryptophan is a food supplement sold over-the-counter in the United States. It is marketed as an antidepressant and said to regulate moods, aid sleep and help in weight loss. In "5-HTP: The Natural Way to Overcome Depression, Obesity, and...
Zoloft, or sertraline, is an antidepressant in the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, or SSRI, class. Studies show that SSRIs may increase the brain’s levels of melatonin, a neurotransmitter that can promote sleepiness and help correct...
The supplement 5-hydroxytryptopham, or 5-HTP, may help relieve symptoms of depression, anxiety and fibromyalgia. This is welcome news to sufferers of these disorders hoping to try a natural alternative to antidepressant and other drugs. 5-HTP,...
Serotonin is a monoamine neurotransmitter that is found throughout the body. According to Macalester.edu, serotonin is responsible for central nervous system functions, behavioral regulation, mood, eating patterns and sleep habits. Levels of...
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter in the brain, but many elemental acids for the synthesis and regulation of serotonin levels are not naturally present in the body, according to MayoClinic.com. As a result, it is necessary to eat a diet that...
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, increase the brain’s levels of the mood-enhancing neurotransmitter serotonin. L-tryptophan is an essential amino acid that forms the starting point for serotonin synthesis. As too high...
Irritability is a normal reaction to stressful or aggravating circumstances or exhaustion. However, extreme irritability can also be a symptom of mood disorders like anxiety, PMS and depression, which are thought to result from a serotonin...
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter and hormone that's found throughout the body. If you have too little serotonin, it could lead to unwelcome changes such as mood disorders, depression or digestive upset. This imbalance is called serotonin...
All medications have the potential to make people drowsy, anti-anxiety medications included. However, some anti-anxiety medications are also prescribed as sleeping pills or muscle relaxants. These include the benzodiazepines alprazolam, or Xanax,...
L-tyrosine is an amino acid that may enhance your mood, energy level and metabolism. In theory, it can have an immediate effect. You can find supplements as capsules, pills or tablets. If you suffer from depression, it's extremely important to...
Anxiety disorders impact nearly 40 million American adults in a given year. As a whole, they are the most commonly diagnosed and treated mental health disorder, though the condition often co-occurs with depression or substance addiction. Symptoms...
