from
http://www.dancesafe.com/edepress.html
"Many ecstasy users claim that the
amino-acid supplement, 5-Hydroxy-Tryptophan (
5-htp), helps lessen post-E depression. 5-htp is the direct
precursor to
serotonin in your body. Your body produces it on its own in the process of creating serotonin.
It is not a drug, but an amino-acid, and is currently sold in most health food stores as an herbal
supplement (extracted from Griffonia seeds). Clinical studies of 5-htp have demonstrated that it does relieve symptoms of depression in many people. It does this by increasing the amount of 5-htp in the brain, thus making it easier for the brain to make serotonin. Supplementing with 5-htp may, therefore, lessen post-E depression by helping your body restore its serotonin levels more quickly."
personal experience
i've taken this resently to offset the
depression that is associated with
MDMA use (usually about 24-48 hours after
comedown), and found it to work really well. also noticed what seemed to be deeper and more
refreshing sleep. combined with exercise, i'd say this could possibly be a
general,
cheap, and effective anti-depressant.
note: i am not a
chemist.