Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I got off antidepressants using 5-HTP and L-Tyrosine in a 1:10 ratio, per recommendation of my naturopath. This was really amazing because when I tried to taper my antidepressants without supplements, I went from feeling good to feeling some of the absolute worst depression I've experienced, and I've struggled with depression most of my life. Once I added 5-HTP and Tyrosine I was able to taper off the antidepressants with minimal side effects. 5-HTP helps the body produce serotonin, while L-Tyrosine helps the body produce dopamine, which somehow balances that out. It's important to take them together because supplementing one in high levels like I am without adding in the other can create an imbalance in your brain chemicals. 5-HTP on it's own has a slightly sedating effect, so it's good to take it at night, but I take part of my dose in the morning with Tyrosine and don't have a problem. Taking the supplements in pill form was getting expensive (much more so than the antidepressants), so I decided to try BulkSupplements, which are significantly cheaper than getting them in capsules. I have no interest in trying to make my own capsules, so I just mix the powders with water and drink it fast while holding my breath. It works! Figuring out the dosage was a little tricky, but here is what I do: In the a.m. (right after I get up) I mix 1/16 tsp (approx. 100 mg) 5-HTP + 1 tsp (approx. 2000 mg) Tyrosine In the p.m. (just before I go to bed) I mix 1/8 tsp (approx. 200 mg) 5-HTP + 1/2 tsp (approx. 1000 mg) Tyrosine I do the different dosages because Tyrosine is slightly energizing while 5-HTP is slightly sedating. I tried doing the entire dosage of Tyrosine in the morning and the entire dosage of 5-HTP at night and felt very irritable during the day. When I reduced the dosage slightly I noticed a difference in my mood, so I know it's having a significant effect. The 5-HTP powder has a slightly sweet flavor. It's not very pleasant, but I take it in such small amounts and so quickly that it doesn't really matter to me. I'm taking a relatively high dosage because, as I said, I'm using them to replace anti-depressants. I'd recommend talking to a naturopath about dosages and what might be right for you, and I definitely recommend taking 5-HTP with a 1:10 ratio of Tyrosine. When I asked about 5-HTP for depression to my primary care doctor, she had no idea what I was talking about, and instead put me on anti-depressants. She also recommended tapering antidepressants in a way that was incredibly harmful to me, so be wary of primary care doctors when it comes to this sort of thing. General physicians well trained on a lot of things, but supplements and diet are generally not among them. If you are more of a do-it-yourself-er, then I'd highly recommend the book The Mood Cure by Julie Ross: http://www.amazon.com/Mood-Cure-4-Step-Program-Emotions--Today/dp/0142003646/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1400876462&sr=1-1&keywords=the+mood+cure It details how to figure out what supplements you may need and how much. Overall, this is a high quality and effective supplement.