What is 5 HTP

5 HTP is the metabolic precursor to the neurotransmitter serotonin. Tryptophane, an essential amino acid, is metabolized into 5-HTP by the body. 5 HTP is in turn, converted into the neurotransmitter Serotonin. Serotonin is responsible for mood, hunger and sleep. Antidepressant drugs approved by the FDA, including selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRI's), are said to work by increasing the amount of serotonin available to the brain. 5 HTP, therefore, may for some individuals, serve as a natural alternative to some prescription SSRI type drugs.

Supplementing either Tryptophane or 5 HTP increases Serotonin levels by supplying more of the building block material needed to make this neurotransmitter. Low levels of Serotonin have been associated with depression, fibromyalgia, chronic pain, altered mood, insomnia, PMS, and headaches. Both tryptophane and 5 HTP are sometimes used as nutritional support for these conditions. 5 HTP is about five times more potent than Tryptophane for this application.
5 HTP for Mood Elevation, Depression and Panic Attacks

      According to medical journals and reviews it has been proven that 5 HTP helps improve the mood of depressed patients and helps panic attacks. The same sources generally recommended that more research on 5 HTP should be done before claims were made.
5 HTP for Sleep and Weight Loss

5 HTP may aid in weight loss and improve sleep patterns for some individuals. Research suggests that good serotonin levels may reduce appetite thereby assisting in weight loss. Serotonin is converted into melatonin in the pineal gland and melatonin, in turn, regulates sleep cycles. The theory is that if 5 HTP can increase serotonin levels, it may be able to improve sleep and aid in weight loss. In the medical articles reviewed, positive results have been reported but the authors caution that more research is needed before claims can be made.
5 HTP Dosage

As with all nutritional supplements or medications, individual response is a variable. It is clear that large excesses of serotonin in the peripheral circulation can cause cardiovascular disease and other adverse effects. Too much 5 HTP in the diet could potentially result in too much serotonin in the peripheral circulation.

Some sources suggest that 5 HTP can be safely used as a nutritional supplement at a dosage of up to 100 milligrams (mg) per day. Some authorities maintain that much larger dosages can be consumed without adverse effects. Some also suggest that 5 HTP, especially in larger doses should be used with the prescription drug carbidopa. The purpose of this drug is to prevent the 5 HTP from being converted to serotonin in the peripheral circulation.
5 HTP Precautions & Side Effects

5 HTP is available without prescription and is generally considered safe and may be beneficial for many individuals. Contraindications to 5 HTP use or conditions under which 5 HTP use should only be under the supervision of a physician are conditions in which increased serotonin levels may be harmful. This list is generic and does not represent a contraindication for all individuals. Obtaining professional advice is advised, especially if prescription medications are also being used.

    Cardiovascular Diseases (high blood pressure, post-stroke, post-heart attack)
    Extremely Elderly Persons
    those with Parkinsons Disease, Cancer or Autoimmune Diseases (Scleroderma, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis, Lupus)
    Lung Diseases
    Chronic Alcoholism
    Liver diseases (hepatitis or cirrhosis)
    Parasitic Infection
    AIDS
    Anorexia Nervosa
    Low protein Diets
    Allergies (severe)
    Myalgia (persistent pain and weakness of the muscles)
    Peripheral Neuropathy (pain weakness of the muscles)
    Rash or Flushing
    Edema
    Nausea
    Diarrhea
    Sickle cell anemia
    Hemophilia
    Pregnancy

      Concurrent drug use: 5 HTP should not be used if taking:

    Anti-depressant drugs
    Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors
    Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI's e.g., Prozac)
    Tricyclic medications
    Weight Loss medications (i.e., dextenfluramine)
    Anti-parkinson medications (e.g., L-dopa)
    Barbiturates and other tranquilizing drugs
    Antihistamines and cold medications
    Alcoholic beverages
    Intravenous (illegal I.V.) drugs
    Cancer Chemotherapy
    Antibiotic Medications

The principal reason for not combining 5-htp with these classes of medications is that many of them may also increase serotonin levels or affect other neurotransmitters, but by different biochemical mechanisms. The combination, in some cases, has the potential of acting synergistically to dramatically increase serotonin levels. This combined action could have adverse effects.
While tryptophan is less potent than 5htp, it may also be safer to use. Its effectiveness is enhanced by the inclusion of synergestic factors including lysine, niacin and synergistic herbal extracts.
Alcohol and 5-HTP should not be taken together. Allow at least six hours between use of alcohol and 5 HTP.

Warning: 5 HTP can increase the effect of some tranquilizing drugs.
 

Research has shown that 5-HTP benefits depression symptoms. 5-HTP now is increasingly being used by those seeking a natural and effective alternative to prescription antidepressants, and here are three reasons why.

1. 5-HTP benefits depression by playing a vital role in serotonin production. Because it is a naturally occurring amino acid used by the body to make the neurotransmitter serotonin, 5-Hydroxytryptophan, or 5HTP, plays a big role in normal nerve and brain function. Mood, sleeping patterns and the perception of pain are all regulated in large part by serotonin, and low serotonin levels have been associated with depression, as well as fibromyalgia, insomnia, and anxiety in numerous clinical studies. 5-HTP benefits depression sufferers by providing the brain with more of what it uses naturally to produce serotonin.

2. 5-HTP is all natural. Commercial 5HTPis in most cases derived from the West African Griffonia simplicifolia plant’s seeds. To feel maximum 5-HTP benefits for depression, taking a dietary supplement is recommended, but small amounts of 5htp can be found naturally occurring in foods such as eggs, fish, nuts, and seeds. Because it is a normal part of the body’s metabolic process, 5HTP users tend to report very few side effects. The most common of which are very mild gastric complaints which tend to subside after the body acclimates to the supplement, usually within a few days.

This is in sharp contrast to anti-depressant medications such as selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, which reduce the rate at which the brain uses available serotonin, potentially increasing serotonin levels. They are 100% laboratory synthesized, and the actions of these medications occur nowhere in the natural world. Not only do they not cause an actual increase in serotonin production, but they are also associated with a plethora of negative side effects, not limited to nausea and vomiting, inability to orgasm, weight gain, dry mouth, diarrhea, insomnia, heart palpitations, tremors, and agitation.

3. 5HTP provides relief from depression now, with no prescription necessary. Because many users find it so effective, 5HTPis fast becoming a very popular dietary supplement. It’s been reported to have an impact on depression symptoms in as little as a day, and usually takes no more than 1-2 weeks to start having a noticable effect. It’s widely available, and can be purchased from most health food stores and pharmacies as well as online at very reasonable prices.

When considering treating depression symptoms with prescription antidepressants, the first step is to consult a doctor or psychiatrist, which can be an expensive and time-consuming proposition in itself. If the medical professional believes than an antidepressant medication should be dispensed, filling the prescription can be costly, especially for those with no prescription insurance coverage. On average, these prescription medications begin to work 3-4 weeks after treatment begins, which can mean enduring 3-4 more weeks of depression symptoms before any improvement occurs.

Most people taking 5-HTP for depression benefits take between 50 and 300 mg daily. Some obtain better results while taking a lower dose, so it’s advisable to start with 50 mg and add more over time if appropriate. For maximum absorption, 5-HTP should be taken with or shortly before a meal, with a full glass of water. You should avoid taking more than 200 mg of 5-HTP at once. 5-HTP may not be medically indicated for everyone, and should not be taken by those using anti-Parkinson’s or prescription antidepressant medications. As with any dietary supplement, consulting a health care professional before beginning a 5-HTP regimen is advised.