Is it safe to use 5-HTP and Alcohol together? 

Is it safe to use 5-HTP and Alcohol together? 

No, it is not considered safe to use 5-HTP and Alcohol together. They might not interact chemically with each other, but the effects they produce on your brain can overlap. 5-HTP is a supplement which is used to make up for serotonin deficiency in some people. 

Serotonin is an excitatory monoamine neurotransmitter which can regulate your mood, cognition, learning, memory, and various other psychological processes. 

Alcohol can also affect the number of such chemicals in your brain. This could lead to severe side effects and abnormal behavioural patterns. 

What are the side effects associated with the use of 5-HTP and Alcohol together? 

5-HTP and Alcohol together can significantly affect your brain, especially when used in excess amounts. They both can alter the amounts of various neurotransmitters in your brain (1). 

According to experts, excessive and concomitant intake of both 5-HTP and Alcohol can increase the risk of serotonin syndrome, which is a nerve-racking condition. It usually occurs when there is excess serotonin in your brain. 

The common signs and symptoms associated with serotonin syndrome include (2):

  • Agitation 
  • Restlessness
  • Confusion
  • High blood pressure with tachycardia
  • Pupil dilation
  • Muscle spasms
  • Tremors 
  • Excessive sweating 
  • Fever with chills
  • Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea
  • Headache
  • Hallucinations
  • Impairment of motor coordination 
  • Convulsion (in severe cases)
  • Coma (in very severe cases)
  • Death (in extreme cases)

Make sure you don’t pair alcohol with 5-HTP, especially if you’re taking this supplement for depression. Alcohol may not let you achieve that antidepressant effect as it depresses your brain and dulls down your senses. 

What to do if you have taken 5-HTP and Alcohol together? 

If you have taken 5-HTP and Alcohol together once or twice, it will not significantly harm you. You may feel dizziness or some mood changes. 

However, you should stop right there and try to cut back on alcohol as much as you can. If you do feel unusual after taking the two together, reach out to your healthcare provider as soon as you can. 

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References

1.-

5-HTP: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Dosage, and Warning [Internet]. WebMD LLC. c2005-2022 [cited 2022 Nov 8]. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-794/5-htp

2.-

Sellers EM, Higgins GA, Sobell MB. 5-HT and alcohol abuse. Trends Pharmacol Sci. 1992 Feb;13(2):69-75. doi: 10.1016/0165-6147(92)90026-3. PMID: 1561716. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1561716/