5-HTP 100 mg

• Extra strength 100 mg formula for ease of dosing
• Naturally sourced, from the seed of the African plant Griffonia simplicifolia
• 5-HTP readily crosses the blood-brain barrier to increase serotonin synthesis in the central nervous system.
• The delayed-release formulation may minimize gastric discomfort and helps prevent the rapid peaks and falls associated with immediate-release 5-HTP.

5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) is an amino acid precursor to the brain chemical serotonin, a neurotransmitter essential for balancing mood and performing cognitive tasks such as learning and memory formation. Low mood and other conditions have long been associated with low serotonin levels, making 5-HTP an attractive natural option for elevating mood and improving emotional health. Extended-release tablets circumvent the limitations of immediate-release formulations. This allows for a sustained increase in serotonin, avoiding the rapid spikes, fluctuations, and drops associated with missing or delaying a dose. In addition, extended-release preparations may help minimize the gastric discomfort some people experience with 5-HTP.

Clinical research supports 5-HTP supplementation for mood. A randomized, double-blind clinical trial of 60 patients evaluated the effectiveness of 5-HTP supplementation compared to fluoxetine. Efficacy was determined by comparing HAM-D scores at baseline with those at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks. After 5-HTP supplementation, 73% of patients taking 5-HTP and 80% of patients taking fluoxetine showed a significant reduction in HAM-D scores from the second week through the end of the study.

5-HTP has also been used to treat serotonin imbalance implicated in chronic pain, including migraines, as well as fibromyalgia and insomnia. People with fibromyalgia who take 300 to 400 mg of 5-HTP daily in divided doses have reported improvements in symptoms, including pain intensity, morning stiffness, and insomnia. 5-HTP is known to improve sleep quality, which is essential for people with fibromyalgia. In fact, 5-HTP has been shown to promote REM sleep in healthy adults. Increasing the time spent in REM sleep is one of the reasons 5-HTP is considered a sleep aid.