Can you mix 5-HTP with cannabis?

5-HTP, which stands for 5-hydroxytryptophan, has become a popular dietary supplement over the past several decades.

When consumed, the body converts it into serotonin, so there are many people who consume it in hopes that it can help treat depression and anxiety, as well as other conditions. This happens because 5-HTP is actually a precursor to serotonin and even melatonin, so there are people who find relief from insomnia by supplementing it. In addition, it can help with pain management, anxiety, mood, and appetite suppression.

Because 5-HTP is not found in the food we eat, taking 5-HTP is considered by many to be one of the best ways to increase serotonin levels. There are numerous studies supporting the effectiveness of 5-HTP when taken for a short period of time, although it should not be taken for too long. However, 5-HTP consumption has been linked to some mild side effects, including heartburn, upset stomach, diarrhea, dizziness, and nausea.

Be aware that 5-HTP is not something that anyone should self-medicate with. If you are interested in the potential benefits, always discuss this with your GP first. This supplement also has numerous drug interactions, so mixing it with one or more different types of drugs can cause adverse effects. For example, 5-HTP should not be taken with antidepressants, tricyclics, tramadol, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, dextromethorphan, and even marijuana.

Why you shouldn’t mix 5-HTP with marijuana

In general, 5-HTP is well tolerated provided you only take the prescribed dose. It can work for many people, but it should not be mixed with marijuana or any derivatives of the plant.

There are some people reporting benefits of mixing both substances, saying that it can make dreams more intense, prolong erections, and improve mood more efficiently than using either substance alone. However, keep in mind that mixing 5-HTP with other drugs, including marijuana and CBD, can be extremely dangerous. Some of the side effects you may experience from this include anxiety, tremors, increased heart rate, irregular heartbeat, and even death. There is also a possibility that due to the opposite effects (5-HTP is a stimulant while cannabis derivatives are a sedative), mixing them may affect your mental health.

In order for 5-HTP and the compounds in marijuana to work in the body, they are metabolized through the same pathways. This can thus amplify the effects of each one to the point where they can no longer be controlled, leading to dangerous and undesirable effects.

Serotonin syndrome can also occur if you mix both 5-HTP and marijuana. Serotonin syndrome is characterized by the body producing too much serotonin, leading to aggression, seizures, increased heart rate, difficulty breathing, and psychosis.

How to use marijuana to boost serotonin production

For individuals interested in increasing serotonin production for many purposes, particularly to help with depression, there are specific ways to consume it. However, cannabis or other medications should not be viewed as a panacea when trying to combat depressive effects.

Increasing serotonin levels and treating depression should be approached holistically as so many factors are involved. Simply ingesting cannabis or 5-HTP alone is not a sustainable means of increasing serotonin levels, but the endocannabinoid system does have an impact on serotonin production, albeit a complex one. The endocannabinoid system helps regulate many functions that serotonin also helps with, including emotions, mood, appetite, and sleep.

The compounds in marijuana also have their own ways of addressing depression and other biological imbalances. However, duration and dosage all have different effects on how we feel.

Studies show that ingesting marijuana in low doses is best for boosting serotonin production, while ingesting too much marijuana is less than ideal. In an animal study conducted by McGill University researchers, they found that low doses of THC were effective at increasing serotonin levels and fighting the symptoms of depression. On the other hand, consuming too much has the opposite effect.

“Low doses had a strong antidepressant effect, but as we increased the dose, the serotonin in the rats’ brains actually dropped below levels in the control group. So we’ve actually shown a double effect: at low doses it increases serotonin levels, but at higher doses the effect is devastating, completely reversed,” explained Dr. Gobbi, lead author of the study.

“As a psychiatrist, I have noticed that several of my depressed patients used to smoke cannabis. And in the scientific literature we had some evidence that people treated with cannabis for multiple sclerosis or AIDS showed a great deal of improvement in their mood disorders. But there have been no laboratory studies to support cannabis’ antidepressant mechanism of action,” she said. It can be difficult to determine the right dosage of marijuana when you smoke it, which is why finding the right dosage to treat depression is difficult.

Conclusion

While marijuana and CBD are generally safe and well tolerated, it’s a whole different ball game when it comes to mixing it with other drugs. Never mix marijuana with 5-HTP or any other supplements unless your doctor has given you the green light to do so, despite the tantalizing effects you may feel from mixing.

Last but not least, you should always consult a doctor before treating yourself for any reason, be it recreational or medicinal.

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