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Can Dopamine Levels Be Increased While On 5HTP?

Posted on Thu, 28 May 2015

Question: I take 50 to 100MG of 5HTP at nights and have done on and off for a number of years now. It helps me sleep and it helps my appetite.

Ive also notice that I feel less goal orientated and less stamina, also can over sleep (better than not sleeping at all), no sex drive.

Im not sure if 5HTP can deplete dopamine or not? I like the calming effect that 5htp gives and the appetite supression. But can I increase dopamine levels whilst on 5htp?

Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
drugs and foods to boost dopamine.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to HCM.

I can understand your concerns.

You feel less goal oriented and less stamina and low sex drive.
You are taking 5-HTP.

I do not think 5-Htp can affect dopamine levels.

The dopamine levels can be increased (while taking 5-Htp) either by drugs or by foods and antioxidant supplements:

Drugs like modafinil can act as stimulant and increase dopamine levels.

Some foods like almonds, bananas, avocados, dairy products can increase dopamine.

Some antioxidant supplements like vitamin C and E prevent oxidation of dopamine thus can increase dopamine.

Some fruits like citrus fruits and green vegetables are also antioxidants.

Hope this helps.

Feel free to discuss further.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shubham Mehta (12 hours later)

Thanks for all of the ideas!

I also read that l-tyrosine can increase dopamine, is this ture? If so, can it be taken with 5htp?

Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (54 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
l-tyrosine increases dopamine.

Detailed Answer:
You are most welcome :)

Yes, L-tyrosine can increase dopamine levels.

Most of the foods which I listed in my earlier response increase tyrosine ad thus dopamine.

L-tyrosine can be taken with 5-Htp.
The recommended dosage is ten units of tyrosine with every one unit of 5Htp.
Please take care that you may develop palpitations and headaches as side effects.

Otherwise, its largely safe.

But do discuss this with your doctor.

Hope this helps.

Kindly close the discussion if you have no more queries and give your valuable feedback.

I wish you well.
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shubham Mehta (2 hours later)

Thanks for your reply. I actually take a number of supplements. Can I check that the combination is safe:

In the day:
Vitamin A 5k IU with Vitamin D
Vitamin B Complex
PABA 500MG
Vitamin C 1Gram

Sometimes: Vitamin E and Zinc with Copper

Night time:
Magnesium 400-1000MG
50-100MG 5HTP

I'm thinking of buying a bad of Tyrosine power and putting 100mg in a smoothie in the morning. Is this a good way to do it? Is it safe with my other supplements?
How about with alcohol?

Thanks for your help.

Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
safe with supplements and alcohol

Detailed Answer:
You are most welcome.

Sorry for the late response.

Its absolutely ok to take tyrosine in your morning smoothie.
Rather, it should better be taken in morning as it can disrupt sleep in some cases.

Its safe to take with the supplements you have mentioned.

There are no potential interactions of tyrosine with alcohol either. But its advisable keep a difference of atleast hour between alcohol and tyrosine.

Hope I have answered all your queries satisfactorily.

I wish you well.

Thanks.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar