[geeks] chemical imbalances

[Sridhar the POWERful]

On Thu, 14 Mar 2002, alex j avriette wrote:

> > I highly recommend 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP).  Get's me through the
> > down
> > times.  Available at a vitamin store near you.
>
> im always very skeptical of people suggesting one ingest
> neurotransmitters to change moods. most chemicals have poor absorption
> through the stomach, and what does get through the stomach has a hard
> time with the blood-brain-barrier (monoamine oxidase). your brain
> chemistry is really not something you want to mess with, either.

It's not a neurotransmitter.  It's the metabolic precursor to a
neurotransmitter.  It becomes a neurotransmitter through the normal action
of your body.  Neurotransmitters themselves are broken down through normal
action of your body.

Peace...  Sridhar