5-hydroxytryptophan, or 5-HTP, is a modified form of the amino acid tryptophan. 5-HTP is a dietary supplement that is often used by individuals who want to stabilize their moods but who do not wish to take prescription medications. The supplement 5-HTP is particularly popular among people who are depressed. However, 5-HTP is not approved for treating depression or any other condition.
5-HTP Metabolism
The supplement 5-HTP is an intermediate precursor in the synthesis of serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter manufactured in your brain, nervous system and gastrointestinal tract. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that propagate electrical impulses from one neuron to the next, thus allowing the transmission of messages throughout your nervous system. L-tryptophan, an essential amino acid that must be obtained from your diet, is enzymatically converted to 5-HTP, which is in turn converted to serotonin.
Serotonin Cannot Cross Blood-Brain Barrier
Your brain is relatively isolated from your bloodstream by a physiologic envelope called the "blood-brain barrier." According to a 2010 "Endocrinology" review, the serotonin produced by your peripheral tissues, such as your gut, cannot cross into your brain in appreciable quantities. However, both L-tryptophan and 5-HTP can cross this barrier, and thus contribute to serotonin synthesis in your brain.
Serotonin Is a Neurotransmitter With Many Roles
As illustrated in the text "Serotonin Receptors in Neurobiology," serotonin's influence in your body is widespread. It plays a role in intestinal motility, blood clotting, bone remodeling, mood, memory, pain perception, appetite and sleep cycles, to name a few. A multitude of cellular receptors that respond to serotonin have been identified, and many are the targets of current and future pharmacological treatments designed to address such conditions as anxiety disorders, depression, fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, are already among the most widely prescribed drugs for treating depression.
Considerations
For many people, the decision to avoid prescription antidepressants, including SSRIs, is not an idle one. Medications carry a burden of side effects that are unacceptable to many people. For example, a 2011 review in "European Psychiatry," suggesting the negative influence of SSRIs on bone mass, might give pause to women who are at risk for osteoporosis. On the other hand, prescription medications may be the only option for individuals who suffer from major depression or severe anxiety syndromes. If you are interested in using 5-HTP, consult your physician.
References
- "Endocrinology"; Peripheral Serotonin Enhances Lipid Metabolism by Accelerating Bile Acid Turnover; H. Watanabe, et al.; October 2010
- "Serotonin Receptors in Neurobiology"; Calmodulin Is a 5-HT Receptor-Interacting and Regulatory Protein; J.N. Turner, et al.; 2007
- "European Psychiatry"; The Adverse Skeletal Effects of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; E.M. Tsapakis, et al.; February 2011
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