In Part 1 of this series, we discussed why taking only 5-HTP can create further neurotransmitter imbalances because of completion/inhibition in the production of neurotransmitters. This post will cover an additional issue that occurs during the degradation of neurotransmitters that can lead to greater neurotransmitters dysfunction over time.

Degradation of Neurotransmitters

As is the case with the synthesis of serotonin and the catecholamines, the same enzymes are used to break these neurotransmitters down. In this case, those enzymes are called Monoamine Oxidase (MAO) and Catecholamine-O-Methyl Transferase (COMT).

If only 5-HTP is taken, proportionately more serotonin than dopamine is going to be made because of the competitive inhibition discussed in Part 1 of this series. This creates an imbalance in-and-of itself. However, because there is now more serotonin in the system, the body up-regulates the production of MAO and COMT enzymes in an attempt to reestablish balance in the system.

However, since these enzymes act on both serotonin and the catecholamines, and since there is proportionately more serotonin than the catecholamines in the system (because only 5-HTP was taken), this causes a further depletion of all the catecholamines, including dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine. This increases the imbalances present between serotonin and the catecholamines, which can make symptoms worse or create new symptoms of imbalance.

Part 3 in this series will detail what this means to you.