I was taking 200mg a day, about 45 mins before I'd go to sleep, with a piece of brown bread. (200mg is considered a high dose - but I hadn't done a lot of research, I was just looking for 'something' to help, and bought from the first shop I found had them.
On one hand, very little else changed for me, I started taking it in late summer so as the days were getting shorter. As my wife was quite ill we still didn't see a lot of people or socialise much.
But around when I'd finished my first box of tablets (180), my job started returning to the office - that could have helped (though at first I hated going back to the office and dreaded it), the spring time we also became more social again. Which is approx when I moved to taking it more irregularly.
Aware my example is purely anecdotal, but before I started taking these I had tried cbd and melatonin tablets to try and help my sleep - my insomnia was terrible and neither had helped noticeably. I had also tried the 'Calm' and 'Headspace' apps and various meditation and breathing exercises and none seemed to help me.
I didn't actually think I was depressed at the time, but looking back it is clear I was in a place I'd not been before. 5htp might not have helped at all, but I'd recommend trying it for someone in a similar position - as it felt so transformative for me.
I equally didn't realised how long it can take to come out of feeling so down, and how much I can now control my mood through exercise and being outdoors.
---edit---
Also to add - this wasn't a magic cure - but I feel it gave me the boost and reset to my mood that I needed to make the changes in my life.
My wife is still ill to some degree, my job is 'more stressful' in some ways, but I've taken care of myself and know what to look for.
