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Comment by booleanbetrayal | Hacker News Reader

Hardcore ravers used to pre/post-load on 5-HTP years ago.

Isn't it ironic that the article is about increasing serotonin without using a drug, and the first reflex is to suggest a drug?

It's a supplement, they're entirely different according to the FDA.

according to lobbyists

5-HTP is created by your body, from L-Tryptophan, which is an amino acid. Your body converts many micro-nutrients into various amino acids and hormones. Some vendors pre-convert these things so they are in a safer form to use. 5-HTP is much safer to consume than L-Tryptophan.

In which way is tryptophan unsafe?

There is a risk of eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS). [1] There are pre-existing conditions that increase the risk of EMS that may not be evident, as liver / kidney damage is not apparent until it reaches near totality.

[1] - https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-326/l-trypt...

The whole article highlights the effect of tryptophan as a serotonin precursor. Just pointing out that this might not be as novel as it seems. Also, 5-HTP is a naturally occurring amino acid classified as a food supplement, so not exactly a drug.

I find HN is pretty strongly pro-drug and pro-supplement.

They are not suggesting a drug. 5-HTP is used by ravers to combat after effects of MDMA (Extasy), as MDMA depletes serotonin by releasing large amounts of it.

they still do - https://rollsafe.org/mdma-supplements/

And for therapeutic applications as well.

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