Follow @Erowid on Instagram!
Nootropics
5-HTP, Sertraline, GABA, Tyrosine & Phenylalanine
by Dave
Citation:   Dave. "Nootropics: An Experience with 5-HTP, Sertraline, GABA, Tyrosine & Phenylalanine (exp85473)". Erowid.org. Dec 3, 2013. erowid.org/exp/85473

 
DOSE:
50 mg oral Tryptophan - 5-HTP
  100 mg oral Tryptophan - 5-HTP
  2 g oral GABA
  4 g oral GABA
  1 g oral Tyrosine
  2 g oral Tyrosine
  1.5 g oral Phenylalanine
  2.5 g oral Phenylalanine
BODY WEIGHT: 145 lb
Since fighting depression for two years, I realized that any depressants either gave too many side effects, or stopped working in a month of use. So after experimenting with my diet, and activities, I got my emotional depression, and lack of energy (somewhat) under control. But my focus and some-what lack of energy was still a mystery to me.

So I decided to try nootropic/smart drugs to see if I could find the right substances to curb the chemical imbalances in my brain. This report was compiled over two weeks. And each of these dosages were tried 2-3 times each for the sake of science and statistics.

5-HTP

At first, I tried 5-HTP, which goes as follows: taken with Sertraline (zoloft) it greatly enhanced my (assumed) serotonin levels, to the point I could feel the serotonin increasing and acting my brain. SSRI users know this feeling as a bunch of yawns, a numb apathetic feelin. The dosage and results goes as follows (without Sertraline). Each of these scenarios were experimented several times each.
  • 50mg (bedtime): Sleeping is easy, but significant increase of dreaming, especially 'weird' and vivid dreams. Woke up feeling much better and less groggy.
  • 100mg (bedtime): Sleeping is more difficult than without 5-HTP, very restless. And once asleep I was prone to wake up 3 or so hours later because of the dreams. Woke up feeling very weird and paranoid.
  • 50mg (daytime): Decent boost of energy, and slightly enhanced focus (not enough though). No mood enhancement though.
  • 100mg (daytime): Typical Serotonin yawn episodes every 10 minutes, slight lethargy, and a very pronounced 'fried-out' feeling not limited to staring off into the distances.
  • 50mg (daytime, with sertraline): Though the serotonin effects were far more pronounced, my symptoms were alot less severe with this combination. 5-HTP also seems to counteract the sexual side effects of Sertraline. But alas, cognition was still lax.
I recommend 5-HTP over any pharmaceutical any day for general depression. And if you use other drugs, 5-HTP was a great suppressant for post-ecstasy crashes. And also boosted the effects of cannabis (especially the effects such as racing thoughts).

GABA

Secondly, I tried GABA in hopes of improving my cognition.
  • 2000mg (by itself): No real effect, however every 30 minutes it felt as if I was not getting enough oxygen, and I began hyperventilating. Nothing too scary though. Episodes lasted about 20 seconds.
  • 4000mg (by itself): No real effect noticeable still, I still have a foggy mind, but I seem to think a tad bit faster. And the breathing episodes increased in duration.
GABA also appeared to make my cannabis highs become a lot mellower and slow paced, and the peak high was slightly longer lasting. Also, after the fourth or fifth time with GABA 4000mg, the breathing difficulties ceased entirely.

L-Tyrosine

Thirdly, I experimented with Tyrosine.
  • 1000mg (by itself): Slight mood lift, and cognition was noticeably sharper. I like where this is going. No other side effects.
  • 2000mg (by itself): A better mood lift, nothing really heavy, but it helps. Cognition was the same as 1000mg.
  • 1000mg (with 5-htp): This combination works great, with the cognition, mood, and energy enhancement of both - though not as effective as first few weeks of any anti-depressants SSRI or not.
L-Phenylalanine

Last I tried Phenylalanine, which is a precursor to Tyrosine.
  • 1500mg (by itself): Same effect as Tyrosine(1000mg), but this kicked in much later.
  • 2500mg (by itself): After 3 hours, I noticed some positive effects. But not as good as Tyrosine 2000mg. or Tyrosine/5-HTP combo.


Exp Year: 2010ExpID: 85473
Gender: Male 
Age at time of experience: 18
Published: Dec 3, 2013Views: 26,253
[ View PDF (to print) ] [ View LaTeX (for geeks) ] [ Swap Dark/Light ]
Pharms - Sertraline (88), Tryptophan - 5-HTP (196), GABA (362), Tyrosine (363), Phenylalanine (445) : Retrospective / Summary (11), Unknown Context (20)

COPYRIGHTS: All reports copyright Erowid.
No AI Training use allowed without written permission.
TERMS OF USE: By accessing this page, you agree not to download, analyze, distill, reuse, digest, or feed into any AI-type system the report data without first contacting Erowid Center and receiving written permission.

Experience Reports are the writings and opinions of the authors who submit them. Some of the activities described are dangerous and/or illegal and none are recommended by Erowid Center.


Experience Vaults Index Full List of Substances Search Submit Report User Settings About Main Psychoactive Vaults