5-HTP is derived from the Griffonia seed and is converted into Serotonin in the brain.
5-HTP: A Natural Boost For Brain Health
Updated Apr. 23rd, 2024 | Read Time: 2 Minutes | What You Will Learn:
- What Is Serotonin?
- 5 HTP Health Benefits
- Mood Support
- 5 HTP & Melatonin For Sleep Support
- How Can I Take 5-HTP?
- Nutritional Information
- Reader Comments (6)
5-HTP is a precursor to the neurotransmitter hormones serotonin and melatonin. Serotonin is a hormone that regulates mood, behaviour, appetite, dilation of blood vessels and many other body processes. Serotonin is released in response to fullness and regulates appetite. It is also the neurotransmitter associated with feelings of well-being and happiness. Melatonin regulates the body's sleep/wake cycles. Optimal levels of melatonin allow us to have a restful and restorative sleep. 5-HTP often benefits those suffering from insomnia, jet lag, aging, frequent colds and flus, PMS, memory loss, arteriosclerosis, stroke, cognitive decline, headaches, migraines, obesity, fibromyalgia, stress, anxiety, and mood swings.
What Is Serotonin?
Deficiency of serotonin can lead to overeating and obesity. This also accounts for the fact that when we are under stress our appetite tends to change. Some people become deficient in serotonin and gain weight because they overeat. Others lose their appetite because their brain is reacting to high levels of serotonin released in response to the stressful time.
5 HTP Health Benefits
Mood Support
5-HTP has been tested against tricyclic antidepressants and Prozac in clinical trials for its ability to alleviate depression and was found to be the equivalent or better to commonly used doses of these prescription medications. Serotonin also decreases the diameter of blood vessels. This is helpful in headaches and migraines that are caused by increased blood flow in the brain.
5 HTP & Melatonin For Sleep Support
In addition to sleep cycles, melatonin also cues the body to release growth hormone and sex hormones, which are used during sleep to repair body tissues and normalize hormone levels. Finally, melatonin is an antioxidant that protects tissue by neutralizing damaging free radicals. Interestingly, the amount of melatonin produced by the body naturally declines as we age, and this is thought to be one of the causes of age-related diseases. Supplementing with 5-HTP may be a means to prevent this age-related decline by naturally boosting melatonin levels.
How Can I Take 5-HTP?
5-HTP can be purchased in tablets or capsules, either in its purified form or as an herbal preparation of griffonia (Griffonia simplicifolia). Taking your supplement with a high-carbohydrate food or drink, like juice, will increase its absorption. Dosages range between 50 and 300mg daily. It is generally a good idea to start at the lower end of the dosage range and work to your required dosage.
I can't tell you enough about how much 5-HTP has helped me. After taking it only 2 weeks I slept better and woke up feeling much more rested. My mood improved after about 4 or 5 weeks. Seemed to work even better combined with B-6 as the article notes, but I was getting good results before, too.
That's great, Rusty! Glad to hear that you're getting such good results.
My naturopathic doctor recommended that I use 5-HTP twice a day to help me deal with my grief. Helped tremendously!!! Not crying all the time anymore. Sleeping better too.
I actually felt it slowly working, it goes straight to my head and begins this calming feeling similar to easing of tensions in my mind. I think a lot so I could feel the weight being taken off my mind. It gave me a break to a rest from my racing thoughts. Needs to be taken with water to avoid dehydration. Not a big deal. I take it night before bed otherwise I become too sleepy. I like how it comes with Tyrosine.
Hello Kaveh,
Thank you for sharing your experience with 5HTP. We're so glad to hear it has worked so well for you and calms your thoughts. We think you'll enjoy learning about L-Theanine too, check out this article: https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/supplements/theanine/
This article was really informative and really cool. I had no idea that these things could be supplemented instead of traditional medication of course if you need the medication I’m off for taking it but this is a really cool first step. If you wanna try it I personally didn’t know that you could add melatonin with other things so this was really interesting to see. It makes a lot of sense and as somebody who definitely has trouble sleeping, especially in the winter if you’re not getting enough sunlight, this is a really informative article. Thank you so much for sharing!