Comment · Sun, April 7, 2013 · Ceretropic
Skepticism on 5-HTP's Possible Cardiological Risk - Thoughts?
Original post in this thread
[deleted] · 30 points
5-HTP is recommended to be taken with a decarboxylase inhibitor (such as EGCG) so that 1. the 5-HTP isn't converted into serotonin until it reaches the brain and 2. Because serotonin agonism on the heart (which would happen with peripherally-converted serotonin) causes the muscles to stiffen, potentially leading to cardiac fibrosis in the long term.
Something hit me today - SSRIs block the reuptake of serotonin all around the body (that's part of why they tend to increase appetite/lead to weight gain). Blocking reuptake = more serotonin able to bind to receptors = increased serotonin agonism, including on the heart. With the potency and daily use needed for SSRIs, shouldn't we be seeing people who have used such medications for years developing cardiac fibrosis?
It's paradoxical to me. Chances are, I'm missing a key piece of information here. What do you guys think about this?
What they were answering
probablytoomuch · 2 points
Actually, while it does that to a small degree, it most importantly increases the rate 5-HTP can be converted to serotonin in the brain- therefore increasing how much becomes psychoactive, and decreasing the amount that floats around, unused and uneeded. Not a whole lot of 5-HTP is converted to serotonin before it breaches the BBB.
u/MisterYouAreSoDumb · Ceretropic
The average estimation is 25-30% is metabolized in the periphery. Not a ton, but a fairly significant amount. Obviously everyone's enzyme levels are different, so some may metabolize more or less.