Compared: Zoloft and 5-HTP Supplements

If you’ve ever researched the causes of depression or received treatment for anxiety-related or depressive conditions you’ve no doubt heard about serotonin, a key neurotransmitter responsible for conveying impulses to the brain to produce emotional reactions. Serotonin levels fluctuate according to various habits and lifestyle factors such as stress levels, diet and exposure to sunlight. Many manifestations of depression and related disorders can be treated by increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain. Sometimes, all that is needed to achieve normal serotonin levels is a change in habits -- eating a more balanced diet, getting plenty of exercise and establishing a healthy sleep cycle -- but in other cases, due to the nature of the disorder or lifestyle constraints, the best options are either natural supplementation or prescription medications.

There are several categories that prescription antidepressants are generally lumped into, namely tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). This last is the most popular for many depression sufferers because they work similar to tricyclic antidepressants but with fewer side effects and tend to be very effective in non-bipolar depression. For bipolar disorder or similar issues SSRIs are generally not recommended because of the chance of having too much serotonin circulating at a time and causing a manic episode.

One of the more popular SSRIs is the prescription drug Zoloft. This antidepressant is approved by the FDA for long-term use for anxiety disorders, depression, post traumatic stress disorder and even obsessive-compulsive disorder. However, though the side effects are mild for this kind of drug they can still be quite uncomfortable and in rare cases can cause major difficulties in day-to-day life. These side effects include insomnia, loss of libido, nausea and fatigue amongst others. Luckily, the drug is non-habit forming and unlike many antidepressants is not linked to weight gain.

Though Zoloft has a positive side effect profile in comparison to other prescription medications, it does still have a pretty high rate of side effect occurrence, sometimes severe enough that patients prefer to go untreated rather than deal with those side effects. Additionally, Zoloft can be fairly expensive if someone is uninsured or their insurance does not cover the medication. These two factors -- cost and side effects -- have encouraged many to look for over-the-counter supplements that are generally much cheaper and, for many, just as effective as the more expensive prescription medication without as many side effects.

Of all the serotonin supplements on the market, 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is beginning to stand out for its effectiveness and very low occurrence of side effects. 5-HTP is a chemical naturally produced in the body for the synthesis of serotonin, so additional supplementation can be quite effective in raising serotonin levels. Compared to the cost of prescription medications, 5-HTP supplements such as Seronex cost less than $30 per month.

Should you choose Zoloft or 5-HTP? The most effective treatment varies for each individual, though if the priority is an effective and economical alternative a supplement such as Seronex may be just the thing for you. As with any treatment plan, always consult a doctor before taking any kind of supplement, especially if you are pregnant, nursing or may become pregnant. Depression and related disorders are sometimes life-threatening and will likely not get better if left untreated, though the options for treatment are on the increase and certainly not restricted to prescription antidepressants.