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 powers 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 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. Tyrosine on it's own can help with energy and focus, but in too high of a dosage or without the balance with 5-HTP it can cause irritability or even a jittery feeling. When I reduced the dosage slightly I noticed a difference in my mood, so I know it's having a significant effect. The Tyrosine powder has a slightly bitter flavor. It's not very pleasant, but I take it 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 my primary care doctor about supplements for depression, 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 (needless to say she's no longer my doctor), so be wary of primary care doctors when it comes to this sort of thing. General physicians are 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.