5-Htp by Michael T. Murray (1998, Hardcover)

Michael Murray has written several excellent books on natural approaches to healing and this one is no exception. After reading the book Winter Blues by Norman Rosenthal several years ago, I realized I suffered from Seasonal Affective Disorder. When you have this disorder you lose months out of your precious life every year to what feels like depression but is actually a seaonal reduction in the amount of serotonin you have in your brain. It's like running a car battery that gradually loses juice. By February I'm empty!
This book does an excellent job of describing the whys, whats and solutions to low serotonin. I quit gaining weight each year in winter as a result of including 5HTP in my daily vitamin regime.
There are side effects to oral 5HTP which are mild compared to the potential side effects of synthetic anti depressants. Dr. Murray goes through those side effects and solutions to them. I no longer take 5HTP capsules but am now using craniyums from www.craniyums.com. They are sublingual and as a result don't have any negative side effects when taken as directed.
Great resource for those who need help with any kind of depression and don't want to go the way of the drug companies.