Did you know that many antidepressants can cause weight-gain, including Wellbutrin and the SSRIs Prozac and Zoloft?
Weight-gain associated with antidepressant-use may stem from the fact that these medications disrupt brain/body functions: they can alter appetite, impair digestion, change blood glucose levels, increase the secretion of vasopressin (anti-diuretic hormone) causing bloating and
water weight-gain, etc.

In addition, antidepressants do not actually "increase" levels of serotonin, but rather prolong already available serotonin levels
from being too quickly used up.

"Serotonin is one of the most important brain chemicals involved in satiety." (Source: Herb Allure Resource Toolkit, 5-HTP Power)

"Increasing" levels of serotonin naturally reduces appetite, specifically cravings for carbohydrates.

Fortunately, the supplement 5-HTP naturally "increases" serotonin levels and has been shown in several studies to effectively reduce food intake (especially carbohydrate intake), thus promoting weight-loss. In fact,
5-HTP has been shown to reduce carbohydrate intake, increase satiety and promote weight-loss with or without adherence to dietary restrictions.

Plus, instead of using drugs to try to ease depression, clinical studies have shown that 5-HTP provided "significant improvements in
depression, equivalent to or better than prescription antidepressants, and with fewer, much milder side-effects, if any."

For more information, see "5-HTP Power" in the Herb Allure Resource Toolkit (HART), available in hardcover or on CD.