Nested Naturals Vegan 5HTP 100 mg 2 Pack

My experience with this so far is not 5-star, but I am giving this 5 stars because it is potent and I can actually tell that it is doing things, unlike many other supplements where I can't really tell or it might take me a while to notice a difference. I'm still in the process of figuring out the best timing and dosage for me. A functional doctor had put me on a pretty extensive regimen of supplements but I did not feel any immediate effects until I introduced this 5-HTP on his recommendation, after weaning off of Zoloft. My very first change - and this happened the night I started 5-HTP - was that my peri-menopausal night sweats just abruptly STOPPED! I had been waking up in the middle of the night virtually every single night for the previous 3 months, drenched in sweat. Sometimes I would have to change my pajamas twice...And then, just like that, nothing. My temperature felt cool, and I woke up completely dry. The flip side, though, was that I slept less deeply and that night I had kind of the sleep that you have when you have a fever - just sort of shallow and fitful. At least when I was having night sweats, I would sleep super deeply (until the sweating came). I felt more agitated after taking this before bed. So I experimented - instead of taking it at night I tried taking it in the morning, or afternoon, or late afternoon. I would also decrease the dosage by opening up the capsule and taking 50 or 60% of it. Each adjustment yielded something different - for example, when I skipped it one day my sweating came back, but I slept better. I was blown away by how dramatic the effect was. The next thing I noticed was that my mood would lift once I took it, but this was more subtle and it took me a little while to notice because for me it doesn't come as a jolt. But I'll notice a change - usually within minutes! - because I'll suddenly feel less blah, and I'll find myself tying my shoes to go out for a walk or finally folding my 2-week old laundry when just a little while ago I did not feel like doing anything and was feeling kind of down. Where this is not helping me is sleep - I cannot say that I have slept better because of this. At best it doesn't change anything, and at worst it makes me feel slightly agitated and anxious - not a great feeling. So I have to keep experimenting with dosage and timing, so that I can find the sweet spot between sleeping well, feeling up and calm, and not having night sweats. I just know for me that I cannot take the full dosage. If you are new to 5 HTP, I recommend starting with a smaller dose and then working your way up if you need it.