© Marnie Burkhart

Many of us suffer from a variety of symptoms that we disregard as part of our personality or karma. You might think that it is just how things are, so you may as well accept it and deal with it as best as you can. Or perhaps it gets so tough, that you just can’t deal with it!

For instance, do you often…

• Have problems falling asleep or staying asleep?
• Find yourself edgy, irritable or angry?
• Lack motivation or feel depressed most of the time?
• Prefer to be left alone?
• Have ANTs (automatic negative thoughts) in your head?
• Worry, get anxious and find it difficult to concentrate or make decisions?
• Have feelings of low self-esteem and lack of confidence?
• Feel self-critical and guilty?
• Tend to be shy or fearful?
• Tend to be obsessive, inflexible, a control freak, or a work addict?
• Particularly dislike the dark weather?
• Have PMS or menopausal moodiness?
• Have a sweet tooth or crave carbs and starchy snacks or alcohol?
• Are all achy and/or have jaw pain?
• Find some relief of all of these symptoms when you exercise…if you happen to get around it?
• Do you have a family history of fibromyalgia and/or treatment with SSRIs (serotonin boosting antidepressants)?

These are all manifestations of serotonin deficiency. If you felt identified with some or all of them, then 5-HTP—an over the counter and natural supplement—can change your life forever.

5-HTP stands for 5-hydroxytryptophan, a form of the amino acid tryptophan which is found in foods like red meat, turkey, fish, or seeds. 5-HTP comes from the seeds of the African plant Griffonia simplicifolia and when taken correctly, it turns into serotonin—a brain chemical which regulates our sleep, raises our pain threshold, and elevates our mood.

We all have a right to healthy levels of serotonin, but we live in a highly stressful world where we are exposed to all kinds of toxins and pollutants, where our modern foods are often nutritionally deficient and toxic, and where people often have to turn to stimulants or anti-depressants in order to cope with life’s demands and stressful situations. We live in a world where life can be quite hard and nothing is certain except death. All of this takes a high toll on our serotonin levels, and thus on our bodies and our psychological well-being. In addition, genetic predispositions might leave you vulnerable to low levels of serotonin.  Helping the body to top up the serotonin tank when you are faced with a stressful situation is exactly what you might need. Read more…