5-Hydroxytryptophan Facts

5-hydroxytryptophan, or 5-HTP, is a chemical made in your body from L-tryptophan, an essential amino acid. 5-HTP can also be obtained from the seeds of an African plant called Griffonia simplicifolia. Supplemental versions of 5-HTP have been used in alternative medicine to improve a variety of clinical problems for more than 30 years. Not all uses for 5-HTP have been approved by the FDA. Consult your doctor before beginning any alternative treatment.

Physiology

L-tryptophan is converted into 5-HTP, which is then converted into serotonin, one of the three main neurotransmitters in your brain. As a neurotransmitter, serotonin helps to carry messages from one area of the brain to another. Serotonin acts on your central nervous system, which includes your brain and spinal cord, helping to regulate various body functions, including sleep, aggression, anxiety, depression, temperature and pain sensation.
All serotonin used in the brain must be made in the brain because the neurotransmitter lacks the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. To produce enough serotonin, there must be a high concentration of L-tryptophan or 5-HTP in the brain. 5-HTP supplements are often used to increase this concentration to help improve various mental and physical problems.

5-HTP and Depression

5-HTP supplements are often used as part of medical therapy for depression. A lack of serotonin in the brain is thought to be responsible for many of the symptoms of depression, such as insomnia, sadness, irritability and aggression. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, 5-HTP supplements may be just as effective as a popular depression medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. 5-HTP increases the levels of serotonin in the brain, reducing the symptoms of depression.

Other Uses

5-HTP has also been used as a part of a treatment programs for fibromyalgia, insomnia, migraines and hot flashes. The University of Maryland Medical Center also notes that the use of 5-HTP supplements has shown promising results for weight loss. A study published in “The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition” in November 1992 reported that obese subjects given oral doses of 5-HTP had reduced food intake and experienced weight loss.

Considerations

5-HTP is not found in food, but its precursor, L-tryptophan, is found in chicken, turkey, milk, potatoes, pumpkin, collard greens and sunflower seeds. General dosage recommendations for 5-HTP supplements are 50 milligrams taken one to three times per day for adults. Children should not take 5-HTP supplements. Talk to your doctor about the right dosage for your individual situation.