~ Grumpy Old Man ~

[OhioGuy68]

Greetings fit people! I have a question I hope someone can help me with.

I turned 50 this year and over the past several years I seem to have little zest for life. I work out and eat fairly well but there's no joy, period. I read when we age our bodies don't produce serotonin like we were in our younger years. I don't want to be a grumpy old man but I feel as if that behavior is already starting to creep up on me. I'm not depressed, just lack any joy. Know what I mean? There's a difference and if you go to a doctor about it all they want to do is prescribe anti-depressants. No thanks! Those things are horrible. There has to be some natural ways to help with this but the more I read about supplementation the more confusing it becomes because everyone seems to have their own opinions.

I had a physical about a year ago and according to the blood work I am not deficient in anything. Perfectly healthy in fact.

Anyway, just looking for advice on maybe trying a supplement that may help with mood and serotonin levels. Something that actually works...if there is such a thing.

Thanks!

[JeremyM07201978]

If you have seen a doctor and they recommended an antidepressant, then you might consider that you need one. However, SAM-e, 5-HTP, L-tryptophan, or St. John’s Wort are supplements that are used for treating low serotonin. I can't advise if they work or not and do not know if any will help you. Best to take the advice of a doctor on these things.

[OhioGuy68]

If you have seen a doctor and they recommended an antidepressant, then you might consider that you need one. However, SAM-e, 5-HTP, L-tryptophan, or St. John’s Wort are supplements that are used for treating low serotonin. I can't advise if they work or not and do not know if any will help you. Best to take the advice of a doctor on these things.

NO! The doctor did NOT recommend an anti-depressant. I said that's what they always do when you mention any slightest thing about the lack of joy. There's no way I would put that dangerous junk in my body. I was mainly getting ideas on natural methods and supplements. Appreciate the ideas. I'll look into them.

[OhioGuy68]

Wasn't yelling at ya man...just hate doctors who push pharmaceuticals for the answer to everything. I have RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome) and one doctor prescribed me Trazodone for sleep. What the worse experience in my life. Horrible drug. Now I take natural Hemp oil and problem resolved.

[ljimd]

How 'bout pickin' up something heavy then have a steak.

Might help.

[startingat56]

in order to be happier in life, you need goals ....do you have goals?

"50" + "grumpy old men" ???

50 is the new 30 if you want it to be

no supplement is going to help you enjoy life, you need to rid yourself of negative people and find something you are passionate about. What does "work out" and "eat fairly well" mean? I don't think I have encountered anyone who works out seriously, and does not enjoy life.

Go to a local nursing home and volunteer your time to sit and talk with some residents. You may find your zest for life then.

[startingat56]

Wasn't yelling at ya man...just hate doctors who push pharmaceuticals for the answer to everything. I have RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome) and one doctor prescribed me Trazodone for sleep. What the worse experience in my life. Horrible drug. Now I take natural Hemp oil and problem resolved.

you hate doctors who push pharmaceuticals, but you are looking for a pill to solve your problem

take the advice above ..... pick up something heavy and have a steak

[JeremyM07201978]

Wasn't yelling at ya man...just hate doctors who push pharmaceuticals for the answer to everything. I have RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome) and one doctor prescribed me Trazodone for sleep. What the worse experience in my life. Horrible drug. Now I take natural Hemp oil and problem resolved.

No worries. Wish you luck and there is definitely some other sound advice here. It's all good.

[OhioGuy68]

Geez...never mind. Some of you guys have some serious "lunk" head issues. Not very helpful. Go pump yourselves more. lol

Over and out. Guess I won't go to a Bodybuilding forum for logical advice anymore.

Thanks to Jeremy for the only intelligent answer. Take care!

[EjnarKolinkar]

If you have seen a doctor and they recommended an antidepressant, then you might consider that you need one. However, SAM-e, 5-HTP, L-tryptophan, or St. John’s Wort are supplements that are used for treating low serotonin. I can't advise if they work or not and do not know if any will help you. Best to take the advice of a doctor on these things.

I found this for friend of my brothers a while back, not sure if there is anything more current.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3415362/

5-HTP in the treatment of depression has languished for years. Intuitively, the potential is extraordinary, but from a practical level efficacy is no better than placebo. In review of the science, effective integration of 5-HTP into a patient management plan is much more complicated than simply giving some 5-HTP in order to have more serotonin throughout the system.

Administration of 5-HTP alone is contraindicated for depression and any process involving a catecholamine component due to its ability to facilitate depletion of these neurotransmitters. 5-HTP should be administered carefully in patients because depletion of dopamine and norepinephrine may exacerbate existing disease processes or precipitate onset of catecholamine-related problems.

Administering serotonin or dopamine amino acid precursors should never involve administration of only one amino acid. Improperly balanced amino acid precursors are associated with decreased efficacy, increased side effects, and depletion of the nondominant system.

------

I was mainly getting ideas on natural methods and supplements. Appreciate the ideas. I'll look into them.

There are therapists who work with people that do not push chemical solutions to problems. I'm sorry you have lost some of your zest for life. One of the long standing natural methods to combat this is to reach out for support.

[BS57]

I guess you're not coming back OP, but in case you do...

One of your problems is your skin. It's way too thin, so you may want to consider dealing with that.

Secondly, I'm a decade older than you. Life is what you make it. Make it sucky, and guess what, it sucks. Fill it with things which make you happy, and guess what. Common sense doesn't come in pill form.

[tblodg15]

Life is what you make it. Make it sucky, and guess what, it sucks. Fill it with things which make you happy, and guess what. Common sense doesn't come in pill form.

Agreed!

[Luclin999]

Geez...never mind. Some of you guys have some serious "lunk" head issues. Not very helpful. Go pump yourselves more. lol

Over and out. Guess I won't go to a Bodybuilding forum for logical advice anymore.

Thanks to Jeremy for the only intelligent answer. Take care!

Well, I was going to tell you to try taking 5mg of melatonin at night before bedtime, as a consistent lack of deep sleep can make a person feel fairly worn out and "meh".

<shrug>

[congore]

Exercise, eat well, and get enough sleep. Having a health social environment is also critical (family, friends, lover...). I know a few years ago (5-6) I was at a point where I was frustrated and in a similar 'mood'. I had my testosterone levels checked and found out they were low when I was peaking in my program, but otherwise acceptable. Eventually I discovered it was my insecurity with getting older physically while mentally thinking of myself as 'young' and questioning where I was in my life. For me, it was the mental and not the physical that needed healing. I had to take a good clear look at myself and honestly ask myself if I was where I wanted to be. I realized I was still fairly fit, had a decent career, and a wife who still loved me. I needed to either accept my life as is or make some changes.

I guess it was my 'mid-life crisis', so I finally made a few changes, dumped the self-pity, and took responsibility for my situation. I didn't buy an expensive new sports car, but did do a few other stupid things along the way. In the end no magic pills, just an honest look at myself and some hard decisions. If you are an ambitious and aggressive person, then it will be harder to find satisfaction. But ask yourself what makes you better and what makes you worse. Get rid of the bad (people, habits, careers, hobbies...) and surround yourself with the good. I'm pretty damn happy now, but occasionally feel the darkness. Working out (lifting, mma...), hobbies (scifi, fishing...), and family keep me grounded and anchored. Good luck on your journey.

[strongpath]

This might be helpful:

https://www.heysigmund.com/why-what-...elings-matter/

#2 - connection. Guys generally suck at it and it hits us in midlife. You reached out, you got toyed with on a forum. You shut down. Case in point. Suicide amongst middle age men is the unspoken epidemic. Step outside your comfort zone and go learn something new in a group setting with real people and find your tribe. Adopt a growth mindset and discipline yourself to consciously register what you are grateful for. Count your blessings man! Doc says you are fine. Not me. Stage 1 hypertension and I keep turning down drugs. F it! I just keep living on my own terms and will until I drop dead.

Good luck.

[OldFartTom]

Hope OP comes back, there's wisdom in the posts above.

But have a feeling OP is gone for good.

[tblodg15]

Hope OP comes back, there's wisdom in the posts above.

But have a feeling OP is gone for good.

He didn't want actual advice on life changes, he wanted to know what to take (even though he didn't want a Dr to tell him what to take)?!