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http://intelegen.com/nutrients/5hydroxytryptophan.htm

Well, there's one reference on the connection from an article that pushes 5-HTP, which made things worse for me.

I'm going into some detail assuming you have a personal and not abstract interest.

Higher insulin levels allow for serotonin-building molecules to enter the brain more readily. Eating carbs ups the blood sugar and hence the insulin levels. Some people go on carb binges to make themselves feel better. It works for a while.

Most people with depression feel much worse in the morning. Low blood sugar, low insulin, low serotonin levels. Better in the evening - day's highest insulin levels.

One thing that helped me was to eat a couple of slices of whole wheat bread with a little butter before going to bed - so the blood sugar wouldn't be so low in the morning. Also had some bread and maybe a banana handy as soon as I woke, or even if I woke in the night with a panic attack.

Munch, pray, and breathe deeply.

5-HTP didn't work. What does work for me is a high complex carb diet, health food store high dose multivitamin and mineral supplement, with extra D and folic acid, because those are usually not high dose in the multivitamin, and royal jelly, which really does seem to help with energy levels, even though I'm not sure I believe in it.

Different people will respond to different things.

Accupuncture actually helped, but I had a very skilled, very Christian accupuncturist.

Daily exercise, light therapy, sunlight, prayer, social contact, trying to think the way you think when you're not depressed, if you remember how.

Prayers for you or your loved one, if this is indeed a personal interest.

Mrs VS