5-HTP & ecstasy

[brethg]

Found this article about 5 htp stopping the long term damaging affects of extasy is this crap or not:

[top]Ecstasy and 5-HTP

[top]How to reduce the long term ill affects of ECSTASY

How does ecstasy work?
Ecstasy alters behavior by increasing serotonin levels in the brain. Ecstasy accomplishes this by altering the neurotransmitter serotonin's reuptake process. In the normal serotonin system, a serotonin neuron will receive a signal from a neighboring nerve cell to release vesicles of serotonin into the synaptic cleft. The post-synaptic cell (which has the appropriate receptors for serotonin) then picks up the molecule. When the serotonin binds to the receptor, it causes an electric signal to change the membrane permeability which causes changes in the body. When a vesicle of serotonin is released, most of the molecules are pulled back into the pre-synaptic cell. This process of drawing serotonin back into the original neuron for it to be reused is called reuptake. When MDMA is present in the system, however, it interferes with the natural process by preventing the serotonin from entering at the reuptake site. This causes an excess of serotonin in the system, which creates the feelings of euphoria associated with MDMA.

Just how neurotoxic is ecstasy?
Users of MDMA are quick to praise the psychological effects of the drug, but the effects on their physical health can be detrimental. Studies show that heavy, prolonged use of MDMA can significantly reduce the number of serotonin transporters which are necessary to bring the neurotransmitter back to the neuron from which it was released. Studies supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) showed that MDMA damages neurons that release serotonin, and that heavy MDMA users have lingering memory problems for at least two weeks after stopping the drug. In the first study, researchers used positron emission tomography (PET) to compare the brains of MDMA users who had abstained from all psychoactive drugs for three weeks and people who had never used MDMA. They found that the amount of MDMA used was directly linked to the number of serotonin transporters remaining. They also found that the degree of memory impairment is based on the amount of MDMA used.
How can the neurotoxic effects of ecstasy be reduced?
Pre- and Post-loading can be used to lessen the harmful effects of MDMA. Pre-loading is taking supplements before rolling to help counteract the neurotoxic effects of ecstasy. A common pre- load consists of 200mg of 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), up to 100mg of Vitamin B-6, up to 1000mg of Vitamin C, and 100mg of Magnesium. Adding more serotonin to the system can counteract the mechanism through which MDMA damages nerve cells. 5-HTP is the direct precursor to serotonin, and can therefore combat the neurotoxicity of MDMA. Vitamin B-6 helps to convert 5-HTP into serotonin, thereby boosting its effect. Because MDMA is thought to be neurotoxic due to oxidized free radicals, the consumption of the anti-oxidant Vitamin C can also reduce the harmful effects of MDMA. Magnesium is used as a muscle relaxer to minimize involuntary jaw-clenching associated with ecstasy use. A post-load consists of the same supplements except that magnesium is unnecessary. Ecstasy is also beneficial to drink water during and after the use of ecstasy.
How does it all fit together?
Ecstasy has been proven to be neurotoxic when heavy doses are used frequently. However, it also appears that a moderate use of the drug, combined with harm-minimizing supplements can help to counter the negative effects associated with it. Ecstasy has become one of the most popular drugs among college-age students, and its popularity shows no sign of decreasing. As a result, it is critical for users to be informed of the risks involved and how they can reduce these risks.


http://ecstasy5htp.f2g.net/

[Sick Jack]

Taking 5-htp and some vitamines (B,C,...) are useful in order to help your brain to recover and avoid the typical MDMA post-depression.

[unico_walker]

No, 5-HTP simply helps restore serotonin faster after an MDMA
experience. Although I'm sure its still debatable whether it works, I
can say from subjective experience it halves recovery time.

It does cause a bit of gastrointestinal upset though.

[oldman]

I took 100-150mgs per day for a month and felt nothing like what they claim it can do for you. In fact I felt nothing at all. I had heard of people pre loading and making claims that the e worked superior "Like the First Time" but other posts claim that this is bunk. In fact some argue that it's working against you to preload. I'm not sure what premise that would be under. Sure I'd like to think thattaking 5htp boosts your seratonin levels probably does over time, but I don't see how this would throw off a roll. Best to take after you peak until we get some real facts and not merely one guys experience though.

[Softrat]

Well 5-HTP does get converted to seretonin. How long this takes and how long the extra seretonin stays around I don't know. It seems like it would help with recovery issues from X.

[Nicaine]

It sure helps me fall asleep at night... obviously gets converted to serotonin, so it should help with X recovery.

[pokeymcsmot420]

also adds to smokin a good bud past any arguement of placebo.


dont really do much with x, but my guess would be its not enough to replentish seratonin as people claim, however i dotn think it could hurt? might help a little, i woudlnt expect too noticeable a difference tho.

[Cuberun]

What are your essentials, if any?

I used to take the magnesium (just 500-750mg did it for me), I didn't have jaw clenching but I kept swallowing my spit over and over again eventually making my tounge and gums feel sore. Magnesium seemed to stop this as long as preventing any involuntary muscle contractions.

[32785]

before, i'll make sure to drink plenty of water, and continue to do so
throughout the venture, possibly throw in a few b12's, multivitamins, and
especially a good meal. i usually like stay awake for few days with it, but
when it comes to an end, i'll take a few melatonin to ease the sleep, along
with obviously more water. and oatmeal.

[umich]

Day or two before I try to eat healthier. I take more multi-vitmains than normal, drink vitamin juices such as odwalla or naked, and hydrate myself. I also try to get into a good mood and get some sleep the night before. During my roll I suck on some Vitamin C tablets if I dont have a cigarette, gum, or lollipop in my mouth. On my comedown I begin to take 5-HTP, just as a precaution to keep myself from depression or feeling like garbage the next few days. Also try to take more vitamins the next few days later. I feel it does help cause I have not felt that depression I have heard people experiencing. Basically just take care of my body before and afterwards...

[Tony Blair]

Preload : </span>

Multivit, Magnesium (0.5ish grams), Piracetam and Choline (Piracetam
gives me a headache, especially after a couple of beers without
it). NO unhealthy food that day, any fatty greasy sh1t means I
will be getting trapped wind and indigestion later on. Pasta and
Rice all the way (and maybe a Rennie).



Postload : </span>

When I get in - Multivit, Magnesium (1 gram or more, depending on the
jaw in question), 200mg 5-htp, Some flax seed oil (Omega 3, 6, 9 fats).

Cook up some food, have a banana whilst its cooking.

Chill out, have a shower, watch futurama, put on clean pj's, read a
book, and go to sleep (but not before having a bit Vit-E tablet, Vit-C
tablet, and 100mg of R-Alpha Lipoic Acid)



Day After :

</span>Look for an excuse to have a spliff, eat a barrelload, listen to
Autechre, do about 10 miles on a pushbike, masterbate like a wild
monkey, get a fuckbuddy round. 300mg of 5-htp spread throughout
the day, Ginkgo, Ginseng, Piracetam, Multivit, Omega oils. Contemplate
how amazing the world is and how lucky we are to be here.

</span>

Next few Days:</span> 100 -
150mg of 5-htp (as well as me usual Multi-Vit / Cod Liver / Flax Seed
Oil stuff). Eat healthy, barrelloads of excercise. &gt; 7 hours
sleep!

[TheLight01]

I dont think it helpes that much i took some 5htp prior to taking mdma and during it and it seemed to repress the qhole experience, i had the feeling it just didt come trough full blown, something was stopping it.


I could always get some good sleep on it with very vivid dreams, but it didnt cut the recovery time for me

[Insanoscopic]

i've taken 5-htp with mdma before, but with this type of situation, it's really hard to tell if it's working or not. for instance, you may have a comedown, but the 5-htp could be softening it significantly. ¿how do you know how much worse off you'd feel if you hadn't taken it?


i've taken it a day or two prior to doing mdma, i've heard that you can prepare your serotonin supply (to get that "fisrt time"feelin')etc.. but to be honest,i haven't really noticed that much of a difference.


thumbs up for recovery though...

[pinkfloyd2048]

5-HTP doesn't cross the BBB, so taking it while on MDMA won't provide a significant effect on serotonin levels. However, taking 5-HTP 2 days before and after will help keep serotonin levels steady before rolling (and storing neurotransmitter precursors) while taking 5-HTP afterawrds will help restore serotonin levels through metabolism.


Marijuana has also been found to have neurotrophic properties against serotonin depletion due to MDMA, so smoking THC guards against somedamage caused by serotonin drain.

[oldman]

gives new meaning to the term medical marijuana doesn't it. I always seem to keep 5htp around but have given up on the preloading enhancements some peolpe calim to get. I will take it modestly 1-2 pills per day nearly everyday. I do find it helps my sleep and that I dream more which is important for quality sleep. After a night on e or any rc swim usually takes 3 pills a day for 2 days following. He claims to have less fallout these days then he used to but swim is more careful of not becoming a Coliflower head now also.

[sterling77]

I remember reading the study about that (THC guarding against MDMA
damage). From what I remember though, the amount of THC generally
taken in during a usual smoking session isn't enough to do much at all.

[truestbet]

5htp never helped me with serotonin problems after rolling and i tried
it about 5 times after rolling, and have rolled about 200 times.
All it did is make me feel more drained, and not hungry and gave me
nightmares. Plus some things interact with 5-HTP, so make sure
you know what you are mixing or you could end up on an undcomfortable
roller coaster ride from hell. I would stick to Hydroponic
canniboids for the hangover and empty/depressed feeling from the
serotonin, or Coke products if you are really drained (probly drained
from low dopamine level,etc) and need a sudden blast of energy to do
something.



I also tried Preloading with 5-htp, and it DOES in fact boost the
rolling efficiancy by an extra 10-20%, but the thing is u gotta take it
for 3 or more days and then not take it the day you are going to
roll. I have found that to be the most effective way to preload,
you will notice a slightly more increased roll. Maybe as
effective as taking 20mg more mdxa. Hope this helps.

[kaniz]

I've found 5HTP to be quite usefull in softening the come-down from a weekend of partying.



Typically, if i know I'll be doing E on the weekend, I'll start taking
5HTP daily up untill the day before I plan on rolling. 5HTP and E use
the same reciptors, and if you do 5HTP right before you roll, it cant
blunt the high a little bit (my expierence, milage may vary), and then
take a 5HTP when I get in from the party.



When I dont do 5HTP, I find on the monday or tuesday, not only do I get
feeling a bit bleh, but I my brain just feels weird when I try to
think. The best way I can describe it is



- do you know when you've been jumping on a tramploline for a while, and you get off and you try to jump but you cant?



My brain feels like that when I try to think, When I preload with
5HTP I find it pretty much totatly removes that aspect of the comedown,
it helps me sleep a bit better after also. I also find that 5HTP helps
the high feel a bit cleaner - but this may just be a placebo affect.



Either way, I've started to include 5HTP into my partying ritual, and
find it to be very helpfull in minimizing the negative comedown from
MDMA.



as for stopping long term damage - no idea.

[Insanoscopic]

Originally Posted by kaniz

- do you know when you've been jumping on a tramploline for a while, and you get off and you try to jump but you cant?

nice analogy

[bernard_black]

SWIM has just been taking 5HTP when the comedown hits, and an
hour or so later SWIM is feeling much better, thanks. It definitely
makes a difference. There's still the tiredness from the weekend, but
it makes SWIM feel like the weekend hasn't been nearly as heavy as it
actually was.

[Softrat]

Im not sure about taking 5 HTP before or during trips, but I have taken it the day after and it does seem to help with psychedellic "hangovers".

[Barron]

Taking 5HTP has never helped me significantly. I finally found that the only way to avoid troubles was to avoid any excess and respect the "3 months rules" (well at least 1 month). I do not have any more troublessince I decided to stick with this rule and I enjoy much better now.

[Softrat]

Well yes anyone that dose powerfull psychedellics more often that once a month is going to feel a bit drained possibly

[Chrislaub]

I took 250 mg (5-HTP) throughout the day yesterday, 100mg a couple hours before rolling and I just had one of the best rolls I've had in awhile. It def. makes it smoother, both coming up and down. I highly reccomend and will always do this from now on. Also, swim crushed the pills (X) and put the powder in empty capsules (not a new practice) but I also def. recommend that too.

[antobrun]

5htp is good fro me with lsd, it help to have a nice trip, and recovery is very good