5-HTP: The Smart Choice For A Healthy Mood

5-HTP is a natural nutrient and chemical produced by the body that helps maintain a healthy mood. It can be taken as a dietary supplement, which is usually in capsule form, to provide for an increase in the levels of serotonin in the brain.

The 5-HTP supplement is also available in powder or liquid form that can be added to food or drinks. Doctors may prescribe it if the person’s depression is caused by low serotonin levels.

The following article will discuss how 5-HTP works, its effectiveness and benefits, side effects, dosage, and how to purchase the supplement.

What is 5-HTP?

5-HTP stands for 5-hydroxytryptophan and is produced by the body from another amino acid called tryptophan.

Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that you need to consume through food or supplements because your body can’t produce it on its own.

It’s also a precursor to niacin (vitamin B3) and melatonin (a hormone involved in sleep cycles).

However,

you cannot convert tryptophan into these other substances.

As you can see in the above diagram, 5-HTP is ultimately converted into serotonin—a neurotransmitter that plays a large role in mood regulation. The blue circles are examples of dietary sources containing some amount of this amino acid.

Benefits of 5-HTP

5-HTP supplements may help you to:

• Feel better about yourself and your abilities
• Enhance motivation, spontaneity, and memory
• Improve sleep patterns and treat insomnia.   
• Manage cravings for carbohydrates.  
• Increase libido.  
• Maintain a healthy mood during times of stress or anxiety.  

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How does it work?

5-HTP can be taken in a supplement or you can consume foods rich in the nutrient.

Once consumed, the brain converts 5-HTP into serotonin. This neurotransmitter then plays an essential role in mood regulation.

The problem for many people is that their bodies don’t produce enough serotonin on their own… …and this is where supplementation comes into play!  

There are two ways you can take 5-HTP to get these results: 

you can either simply ingest the supplement as an oral capsule or you can add it to food or drinks such as juice or tea to dissolve in the liquid first before you consume it. 

Frequently, you’ll see 5-HTP in powder form. This is because the body will absorb it at a higher rate than if you ate or drank it as an oral capsule. 

The steps involved are:  

1. Your digestive system absorbs the 5-HTP you consume and transports it to the blood 
2. Once in your bloodstream, the liver converts the 5-HTP into serotonin 
3.  Serotonin is released into areas of your brain that control mood.  

Does 5-HTP really work?

According to the official website, you’ll benefit from 5-HTP if you:

• Feel depressed, anxious, or irritable 

• Have trouble sleeping

Here is the science:

• https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1983-32327-001
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16023217/

If you suffer from any of these symptoms then you should look into this supplement.   But before you buy a bottle of capsules, you need to make sure you are getting it from a reliable source.  Currently, there is no regulation for supplements and you can easily be scammed into buying something that doesn’t work as advertised.

Side effects of 5-HTP  

Generally, you shouldn’t experience any side effects from taking these supplements unless you’re taking them with other medications. You should always consult your health care provider before you start taking these supplements just to make sure you know you won’t experience any harmful effects.

Is 5-HTP safe long term?  

There is no data you can find online that evaluates the side effects or long-term safety of using 5-HTP supplements.  Since you are producing serotonin in your brain, you should be cautious if you have a history of mental health problems such as depression.  

It’s important to note that you cannot overdose on this substance because you’ll just end up eliminating it through urine.  

The article about Is 5-HTP safe long term? at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov is retracted. You cannot visit the article at archive.org (Wayback Machine) as well.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3415362/

Does 5-HTP make you happy?

You do not expect supplements to make you happy!

There are many things that you can do to try and increase your mood and happiness. One of those things is taking 5-HTP, which is also sometimes called L-Tryptophan.

I personally take this supplement if my stress levels are high, or if I haven’t slept well in a week. It does seem to make me feel better about my life as well, but you might have different results.

If you’re having a difficult time making it through the day because you have low levels of serotonin (a neurotransmitter that is responsible for mood regulation), you could benefit from taking 5-HTP supplements.

Another thing you could do is go for a walk around the block with your pet or partner. The fresh air and sunlight will probably make you feel a lot better than you previously felt.

Is 5-HTP an antidepressant?

It is often sold as an antidepressant. However, you should know 5-HTP is not an antidepressant.

5-HTP can take you from being depressed to feeling less down. If you’re depressed, you will feel better when you take 5-HTP but it doesn’t make you happy or euphoric.

It’s important to realize this because expectations play a large part in how you experience any drug or supplement you take.

If you get your hopes up that a pill will make you happy and euphoric then you’re setting yourself up for disappointment and possibly self-loathing if the results are not what you expected. If, however, you set realistic expectations then you can easily accept diminished results when they occur (as they often do with 5-HTP).

Many people start taking 5-HTP at night before they go to bed so you may not realize you feel better until you wake up. Even then, you may be pleasantly surprised when you do and you might think “Wow, I’m happy! Maybe this stuff does work!”

This is why it’s important to set realistic expectations. If you expect that taking 5-HTP will make you feel more like your old self then you’re setting yourself up for a pleasant surprise (and possibly disappointment if you don’t get the results you had hoped for).

5-HTP isn’t really an antidepressant per se because it doesn’t repair or correct a chemical imbalance in your brain.

Is 5-HTP bad for your liver?

According to American Addiction Centers Resources

It may cause liver toxicity in a small number of users. If you have any existing liver problems, or if you are already taking another supplement that could affect your liver, please consult with your doctor before starting on 5-HTP.

L-tryptophan (amino acid related to 5-HTP) was removed from markets in the late 1980s after it caused liver failures in a small percentage of those taking supplements.

5-HTP Supplements and how are made

There are different forms of 5-HTP you can buy, capsules, tablets, powder, or liquid you could mix with food or drinks. 

Most of the 5-HTP supplements are made from Griffonia Simplicifolia Extract, which is a plant that contains a certain amount of 5-HTP.

Griffonia Simplicifolia extract is an African plant, in powder form. 

In fact, you can purchase it as a tea for this reason. When you add the supplement to liquid you will absorb more nutrients through your intestinal tract than you would if you eat or drink it as an oral capsule instead of using the solubility to your advantage.  

5-HTP for sleep: Dosage and timing

The dosage you take of 5-HTP will depend on what you’re using it for. If you are looking into supplementing 5-HTP to help with anxiety or depression, you will need to take a dose before bed. In fact, most users say the best results come from taking 5-HTP around an hour before you want to go to sleep.

Should I take 5-HTP at night or morning?

All of the research I have seen shows 5HTP is effective when taken in the evening. If you want to try taking it in the morning, that’s fine. Just don’t expect it to help you sleep.

Is 5-HTP safe to take everyday?

5-HTP supplements are with 30-day servings. They recommend taking one or two capsules every day. Supplements need to be taken religiously for them to work.

Dosage information

To get the best results from most products, you’ll need to take the recommended dosage at the correct times. Be sure you’re sticking to the schedule, even if you don’t particularly feel any immediate effects of 5-HTP on anxiety. You might not notice them for up to two weeks or more. This is normal and should be expected when taking a supplement for its intended purpose.

5-HTP for anxiety: How much do you need?

You should take 100mg-300mg total of 5-HTP, taken in half or full doses. Many users say that 50mg is enough, so you can start there and increase your dosage as needed. Remember you should always take the recommended dosage at the correct times in order for supplements to work. .

What you should not expect from taking 5-HTP Supplements?

You shouldn’t expect immediate results when you are trying a supplement like this for the first time, even if it’s supposed to help right away. Some supplements will produce a result a little faster than others, you should not expect immediate results and your supplement will take at least two weeks to get you results. You should also know that you are taking the 5-HTP supplements for their intended purpose: To help you sleep better or feel less anxious.

Where you can buy 5-HTP Supplements?

5-HTP supplements are available to purchase online from Vitamin Shoppe, amazon, eBay and 5 HTP 100 mg by Natrol is also available at Walmart.

If you want you can find it in Holland and Barrett for UK people you can find it online as well but you don’t have a choice of which brand you want.

Do you recommend any particular 5-HTP Supplement?

I take 100mg of Natrol Brand 5-htp every other day as needed if I feel depressed or anxious.

I choose the 100mg because it is more concentrated so its cheaper than buying 50mg strength capsules that have less quantities in them, so you will need to buy several packs. This has been very effective in managing my levels of anxiety.

How much does 5-HTP cost you approximately?

I can say that you can get it on Amazon for £8 and you might find it at a lower price.

Where we can read reviews?

If you are looking to buy this supplement you can check out online reviews on the official website or from other websites like http://www.supplementcritique.com/.

You may also look for customer reviews on Amazon, eBay, Walmart or Vitamin Shoppe where you can buy 5-HTP supplements.

Looking for customer reviews about 5-HTP on Reddit can be helpful, as there are many people who share their experiences and personal information.

Something for finale

5-HTP supplements are an easy and safe way to help with anxiety or depression. They work by increasing serotonin levels in the brain, which then causes a reduction of symptoms from these conditions. If you’re looking for relief without having to take prescription medications, 5-HTP may be your answer. No matter what dosage strength you choose -50mg, 100mg, 200mg, or something else – it is important that you follow directions closely and don’t forget about taking them regularly!

Disclaimer:

This article is for informational purposes only and should not be used as a replacement for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider before you start taking any new supplements.

Please consult with your own medical professionals before you change or stop taking any prescribed medications.  

Some people may be allergic to 5HTP so you should always try it on yourself first to see if you have an adverse reaction.