”For some people, taking melatonin will help induce and maintain sleep. However, melatonin supplements usually only work if a person has low levels of melatonin in their system (this situation is commonly found in elderly persons). In other words, if you have normal levels of melatonin, taking melatonin supplements won’t be as effective in helping you sleep.
That’s where 5-HTP comes in. Since it works on serotonin as well (and indirectly on melatonin), it may be a better supplement to take for individuals with normal levels of melatonin that are suffering from insomnia. Because it interacts with serotonin, people who are already on anti-depressants or MAOIs should talk to their doctor before trying 5-HTP (melatonin, on the other hand, is generally safe to use with these other drugs when taken as directed).” www.quora.com/What-is-the-difference-between-taking-melatonin-and-5HTP
Thanks—this is useful and I will explore some of the suggestions.
Is there much research comparing immediate vs extended release melatonin? E.g.:
Is IR better for speeding sleep onset, as one might expect?
Does XR actually improve sleep maintenance/duration more than IR?
Do they have the same effect on sleep efficiency?
Is the optimal dose the same for each?
Dose aside, do combined IR/XR supplements, or taking a bit of each, give you the ‘best of both worlds’?
The decision may be between IR melatonin and ER 5-HTP which is a precursor:
www.foodstuffs.ca/scrapbookmain/2017/5/14/5-htp-vs-melatonin
”For some people, taking melatonin will help induce and maintain sleep. However, melatonin supplements usually only work if a person has low levels of melatonin in their system (this situation is commonly found in elderly persons). In other words, if you have normal levels of melatonin, taking melatonin supplements won’t be as effective in helping you sleep.
That’s where 5-HTP comes in. Since it works on serotonin as well (and indirectly on melatonin), it may be a better supplement to take for individuals with normal levels of melatonin that are suffering from insomnia. Because it interacts with serotonin, people who are already on anti-depressants or MAOIs should talk to their doctor before trying 5-HTP (melatonin, on the other hand, is generally safe to use with these other drugs when taken as directed).”
www.quora.com/What-is-the-difference-between-taking-melatonin-and-5HTP
General intro to 5-HTP and uses:
www.mountsinai.org/health-library/supplement/5-hydroxytryptophan-5-htp
Thanks. I tried 5-HTP a few years ago and didn’t notice any benefit, but maybe I’ll give it another go.