L-5 hydroxytryptophan is a naturally occurring chemical in the body that can be taken as a dietary supplement. Some people claim that taking the supplement will help with mental health and sleep quality, among other things. The substance is a natural precursor to serotonin, a neurotransmitter that aids in producing “feel-good” chemicals in the brain and body. Read about the potential benefits of 5-HTP in this post.
Serotonin is made in the body through a series of chemical reactions that begin with the amino acid L-tryptophan. 5-HTP is one of the chemicals involved in the conversion of L-tryptophan to serotonin. The supplement is made from the seeds of Griffonia simplicifolia, a plant native to Africa. The supplement isn’t found naturally in food.
Some people claim that taking 5-HTP can boost serotonin levels in the body. A deficiency of serotonin has previously been related to a variety of medical conditions, including depression. As a consequence, in some cases, some physicians consider taking 5-HTP in addition to daily medications.
Sleep: Animal models are used in several studies on the health effects of 5-HTP and sleep. For example, a 2018 study on fruit flies, mice, and rats looked at 5-HTP and gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) effects. After inducing sleeplessness with caffeine, the researchers administered the GABA/5-HTP mixture.
They discovered that the combination could induce sleep and seemed to improve sleep quality and length. Another study of sleep-related therapies found that 5-HTP could help treat arousal disorders, including sleep terrors and sleepwalking.
Weight loss: 5-HTP can help a person lose weight or maintain a healthy weight by supporting weight-loss or weight-maintenance behaviors. Seven stable human participants were given a 5-HTP supplement, and another seven were given a vitamin C supplement in a 2017 study published in the journal Brain and Behavior. They then ran an MRI scan on the participants while showing them actual food and food photos to see how their brains reacted.
Since protein can help people maintain a healthy weight, the researchers hypothesized that 5-HTP might aid weight loss by reducing cravings for unhealthy foods. It’s important to remember that this was a small sample, so further research is needed to confirm the findings.
Depression: Depression is commonly treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. These drugs prevent the body from breaking down serotonin, thus increasing the amount available in the body.
Pain: The treatment of fibromyalgia, a disease that causes chronic nerve pain, has gotten a lot of attention when using 5-HTP for pain relief. Fibromyalgia pain can interfere with a person’s sleep and mood. 5-HTP was found to minimize pain sensitivity in an animal model in a small study.
Dosage: 5-HTP is available in a range of dosages from supplement manufacturers. 25-, 50-, and 100-milligram (mg) capsules are available. Multivitamins can also contain 5-HTP, according to some supplement manufacturers. 5-HTP does not come with a recommended regular allowance. After beginning at a lower dose of 25 mg and raising the quantity monthly, most people can take 50–100 mg per day.
Before taking any supplement, a person should read the label and consult with a doctor. This will help to ensure that no adverse reactions occur. Supplements should be purchased from a reputable manufacturer and stored according to the label’s instructions.
