5-HTP

Does anyone have experience with 5-HTP for OCD/Eating Disorder? Thanks

I've used it as an attempt to aid sleep, at way above the recommended dosage. It does... nothing to me. The research arond 5-HTP is flakey. Your body can use it to make serotonin but it doesn't necessarily boost serotonin because your body generally makes as much as your body thinks it should make. For many people it will do nothing.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but the only action of 5-HTP is via it's reaction as a serotonin (5-HT) precursor that can penetrate the blood-brain-barrier (unlike 5-HT itself). Unless your body is having trouble making enough serotonin, it's not going to help you. Since OCD is often present with low serotonin levels, it seems plausible it could help you. But don't hold your breath. Try it and see.

It MAY be unwise to use it if you take SSRI medication (prozac, paxil, etc) as both are intended to boost serotonin. I personally don't think so given how little effect it had on me, but I'm NOT qualified to say that and I don't think anyone has tested how 5-HTP reacts with anti-depressant SSRIs. I've not read anywhere of the evil 5-HTP giving people on anti-depressants serotonin syndrome (which ranges from annoying to fatal in severity) and I would have expected to by now if it really was a problem. Still, talk to your doctor first if you take these...

Why not go with a try and tested medication, zeroquel, or olanzapine. I know they work well and that's probaly all you need.