What is 5-Hydroxytryptophan?

A natural dietary supplement that has been rapidly gaining popularity is 5-Hydroxytryptophan, also commonly referred to as 5-HTP.

Over the years there has been extensive research geared towards 5-HTP to determine the benefits it has to offer. 5-HTP has been believed to benefit people that suffer from depression, anxiety, insomnia, uncontrollable appetite associated with obesity, and fibromyalgia.

At this point you are most likely wondering how 5-Hydroxytryptophan works.

5-Hydroxytryptophan, a naturally occurring amino acid, works by affecting the levels of serotonin in the brain. Tryptophan can be found in foods which are high in protein such as eggs, soybeans, fish, and cheddar cheese. The tryptophan is naturally converted into 5-HTP by the body, which is then converted into serotonin. Eating protein rich food all the time does not necessarily directly increase the levels of 5-HTP by a significant amount, though.

Serotonin is basically the chemical courier that affects our emotions.

Where does 5-HTP occur naturally?

5-Hydroxytryptophan can be found in the seeds of the plant Griffonia simplicifolia which is native to Central and Western Africa. These seeds are normally processed to extract the 5-HTP and then distributed to the public as a dietary supplement.

Does 5-HTP actually work?

One of the most common uses of 5-HTP is to treat insomnia. Clinical studies have been done to show that 5-HTP improves the quality of sleep in users by increasing REM sleep. In treating insomnia, a lower dose of around 50mg is recommended, as higher dosages have been reported to produce vivid dreams and nightmares.

5-Hydroxytryptophan has also been used as an alternative to prescription medications in treating mood disorders and anxiety. Adequate levels of serotonin as essential for maintaining a positive mood and character.

Chronic headaches, including migraines and stress triggered headaches, are another symptom believed to be associated with low levels of serotonin. Studies have shown that taking doses of 5-Hydroxytryptophan daily may eliminate migraines completely.

Users of Ecstasy and MDMA have also been known to use 5-Hydroxytryptophan. The reason behind this is that MDMA and Ecstasy deplete the amounts of serotonin in the brain, thus resulting in a very negative mood after the effects have worn off.

Conclusively, 5-Hydroxytryptophan can be looked at as a potential natural alternative to prescription medications for treating symptoms such as headaches, insomnia, fibromyalgia, mood disorder and depression.