Hi Jen I was on effexor for 4 years. I went off it over 4 weeks, last Aug/03. I am now taking 5hpt and you know what this stuff is the real deal. It worked in one day I am feeling better than I have in four years. I purchased the book called The Mood Cure, it describes in detail about our moods and how to treat them with amino acids and vitamin supplements. This is a God send for me. I thought I would share this with you as I have been through hell with drugs from the MD\'s. NEVER AGAIN.