Anybody know the latest on L-Tryptophan? I found this amino-acid to be extremely
effective in helping me to fall asleep during times of high anxiety. IT DID SEEM TO BE A NATURAL ANXIETY REDUCER. Than they took it off the market over alleged health concerns.
That was atleast ten years ago.

Also, does anybody have a good list of the
foods that contain Trytophan. If so, would you print it here. Thanks for your help.

Hi! I hope someone replies here with some information regarding this. L-Tryptophan worked miracles with my father - AND I MEAN MIRACLES. He was a different person when he was taking this. I am glad you posted this topic - I had forgotten all about L-Tryptophan (it was so many years ago that my father took it). I'll let you know if my research turns up anything. Sue

[This message has been edited by Sue (edited 03-21-2001).]

Thanks for the reply Sue. I know L-Tryptophan was effective for me. I liked the
idea that it was a natural amino acid and NOT a drug.
Apparently, Turkey has a lot of Tryptophan
in it and that is what accounts for the
phenomenon of wanting to take a nap after
feasting on Thanksgiving Day dinner. Other
foods are supposed to contain Tryptophan as well. I hope someone can post a list.

I was at a web site recently <www.sjwinfo.org/> for St, John's wort. I was provided with links to other herbal medicines for depression and the like. There are various links and info.

One of the links, <www.geocites.com/HotSprings/Chalet/3431/index.html/> led me to a herbal med called 5-HTP which contains triptophan. There isn't much info on it but it does say that you can get it at a herbal (food) store.

I was very impressed by what I read, and also that you can combine it with St John's wort. I'm thinking of trying this.

Anyway, I hope that this is what you were looking for.


[This message has been edited by cutufa (edited 03-22-2001).]

Hi Folks,

Tryptophan (sp?) is naturally present in bannas, white meat of turkey/chicken and milk. In it's natural form it is safe. We have some people in Ohio who contracted a rare blood disease from contaminated sources in pill form. I don't know if it is safe at this time or through what sources. I would be very cautious.

Mom was right about that warm milk Carolyn

I'm glad Carolyn posted this. I have been researching the internet and found many companies singing the praises of that 5-HTP. I also stumbled on some sites with plenty of negative reports. It sounds too unresearched and scary to try at this time . Sue

I went to bed last evening @ 10:30 PM with a relaxation tape on and thrilled when I woke up this morning before seven and had slept through the night. I have been working on this for years.

Below are a few things that have worked for me:

My Shrink taught (actually prescribed) me this years ago and I did this during the past year. He told me it was safe to do while I was on Xanax. I took 50-75mg of liquid (color-free) benedryl around 9PM for two weeks, then cut back by 25mg for two more weeks and so on. I did this until I was down to 12.5mg (maybe 1/4t) and then cut that in half again until I had gotten my body used to sleeping on a schedule. I was staying up until 1AM and felt bad and panicky every morning when my babies woke me up anywhere from 5 to 7AM. The only downside from antihistimes like benedryl is that I felt a little groggy the next day. That sometimes didn't help with anticipatory anxiety early in the AM.

The other technique I tried was the same idea with "One-A-Day" brand sleep aid which has KavaKava and Valerian Root. I woke up feeling wonderful the next day without a hang-over feeling. Valerian Root was used before Valuim or Xanax was invented and faded away when the new drugs came out; KavaKava root is used in the islands for ceremonial drink (a drunk with clear head and reflexes, without a hangover). Everything I find on the Internet says there's no hangover with KavKava, either and the only problem is it shouldn't be taken while on anti-anxiety meds, Valuim, Xanax, etc.

KavaKava poisoning is with extremely high doses for several weeks and it makes your skin turn yellow.

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Always Hopeful, Betsy H.
Marietta, GA (East Cobb)

[This message has been edited by EastCobbGABetsyH (edited 03-23-2001).]