Serotonin

Rating:
Summary: getting your feet wet
Review: For those who do not know much about serotonin this is a great book. My biggest problem with it is that it sites its sources too frequently which makes for long unclear runon sentencens much like the one you are reading right now.

Other than that, this book is great. If you change your diet or learn another way to elevate your serotonin levels naturally you may save yourself some of the despair caused by popular SSRIs such as Zoloft or Paxil. Search the web for feedback on either drug and you will see what I mean.

How much is your sanity worth? $4 - probably a little more!

Rating:
Summary: Nice Start...
Review: This book is a nice start towards learning more about the benefits (or lack thereof) of serotonin. It is now a bit dated though, and could definitely use an update.

Unfortunately, the book really raises as many questions as it provides answers about the topic. The research available at the time seems inconclusive at best. The author seems to try to "hype" serotonin-producing supplements (like 5-HTP) in the beginning, but in the end one reaches the conclusion that this stuff is too dangerous to be messed with, unless taken under a Doctor's supervision. The side-effects for some include serious heart problems, or even death.

It is certainly not the author's fault that this is a topic which needs MUCH more research done on it, before people start using various serotonin-enhancing supplements. Even the "natural" supplements can be just as dangerous as Prozac, Paxil, MAO's or other anti-depressents, if one is not properly supervised. The author is to be commended for bringing possible dangers to light, despite the tendancy to "hype" in booklets such as these.

It's a quick read, and may be worth the money. Then again, you could probably find just as much useful (and more recent) information about the subject available on the Internet for free.

Rating:
Summary: A brilliant discussion of serotonergic antidepressants
Review: This is one of those booklet-type books, from Keats Publishing, which focuses on one factor relating to health. When you get it in the mail, it doesn't look like much, but prepare to be surprised. This author is simply a superb researcher and writer. As the cover notes, Baumel is the author of the book "Dealing With Depression Naturally", which is a stunning compendium. In this short book, Baumel concisely summarizes almost every serotonin-boosting treatment that has been well-researched. He mentions nicotine, alcohol, negative ions--very impressive. I don't know who this guy is, exactly, but he is extremely intelligent and writes with style, in addition to providing a very large amount of information on serotonin in affective disorders, and he does it in a very small amount of space.

Rating:
Summary: A good source for alternatives.
Review: Yessss. This book is a concise guide for those of you who are exploring alternatives before you commit to a prescription anti-depressant. Believe me, once you are on them, it is very difficult to convince your doctor to wean you from them so that you can try an alternative, natural supplement. I urge all people to explore SAMe or 5-HTP along with KavaKava before resorting to prescirption medicines if you are suffering from mild, periodic depression. I have found the best deals for my SAMe from a site called iHerb. I take SAMe and their powdered Kava and am feeling much better. I also feel like I have control of my own health.

Rating:
Summary: A good source for alternatives.
Review: Yessss. This book is a concise guide for those of you who are exploring alternatives before you commit to a prescription anti-depressant. Believe me, once you are on them, it is very difficult to convince your doctor to wean you from them so that you can try an alternative, natural supplement. I urge all people to explore SAMe or 5-HTP along with KavaKava before resorting to prescirption medicines if you are suffering from mild, periodic depression. I have found the best deals for my SAMe from a site called iHerb. I take SAMe and their powdered Kava and am feeling much better. I also feel like I have control of my own health.