Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards

5htp is a precursor to serotonin and serotonin has been implicated strongly in IBS.

The majority of serotonin is stored in the gut. It has complex properties there.

"Basic science is starting to understand better the enteric nervous system and the bidirectional communication between the "gut brain (ENS) and the Brain and spinal cord or Central nervous sytem. CNS

While doing so they learned the majority of serotonin 95% is stored in the gut and some of its actions in the bidirectional communication between the gut brain and the brain.

"Role of Serotonin in IBS
Disruptions in integrated communications among the CNS, ANS, and ENS may contribute to the three key pathophysiological features of IBS: altered GI motility, visceral hypersensitivity, and altered intestinal secretion.[4] Numerous neurotransmitters and neuromodulators are involved in the communication between the IPANs and the effector systems (i.e., muscles and secretory and vascular cells) and in the mediation of bidirectional brain-gut communications. Serotonin appears to be the common link in GI motility, intestinal secretion, and pain perception and is involved at multiple levels in the bidirectional interactions between the ENS and the CNS; thus, it is considered to play an important role in the pathophysiological abnormalities observed in IBS"

There is no longer a link to this and I just happen to have a copy of it. The question was about taking 5htp.

"Harvard

"The Trusted Source
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Harold J. DeMonaco, M.S.

Harold J. DeMonaco, M.S., is senior analyst, Innovative Diagnostics and Therapeutics, and the chair of the Human Research Committee at the Massachusetts General Hospital. He is author of over 20 publications in the pharmacy and medical literature and routinely reviews manuscript submissions for eight medical journals.
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June 19, 2001
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A:

Irritable bowel syndrome is now recognized as a disorder of serotonin activity. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter in the brain that regulates sleep, mood (depression, anxiety), aggression, appetite, temperature, sexual behavior and pain sensation. Serotonin also acts as a neurotransmitter in the gastrointestinal tract.

Excessive serotonin activity in the gastrointestinal system (enteric nervous system) is thought to cause the diarrhea of irritable-bowel syndrome. The enteric nervous system detects bowel distension (expansion) on the basis of pressure-sensitive cells in the bowel lumen (opening). Once activated, these pressure-sensitive cells promote the release of serotonin, which in turn promotes both secretory function and peristaltic function (the contractions of the intestines that force the contents outward). At least four serotonergic receptors have been identified to be participants in the secretory and peristaltic response.

Patients with diarrhea-predominant IBS may have higher levels of serotonin after eating than do people without the disorder. This recognition led to the development of the first drug used specifically to treat diarrheal symptoms of IBS, alosetron (also known as Lotronex). Alosetron blocked the specific serotonin receptors responsible for recognizing bowel distention. In doing so, it blocked the effects of serotonin and reduced both bowel secretions and peristalsis. Constipation was the most common side effect seen. (Note: Alosetron was removed from the market by the manufacturer after repeated reports of a dangerous condition known as ischemic colitis became known.) Tegaserod (Zelmac) is another drug under development and under review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for approval. Tegaserod is indicated for the treatment of constipation-predominant IBS and works to increase enteric nervous system serotonin activity.

So, increasing serotonin activity in the enteric nervous system produces increased bowel secretions and peristalsis (and potentially diarrhea), whereas depressing serotonin activity produces reduced secretions and reduce peristalsis (and potentially constipation). Increasing serotonin activity in the brain would increase awareness and, in higher doses, produce anxiety, insomnia and restlessness."

The stress itself or even a migrane could still effect the gut and the gut the brain.

So there could be a lot of reasons.

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My website on IBS is www.ibshealth.com

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