5-HTP

Scientific Name: 5-Hydroxyryptophan.

Chemical Formula: (C11H12N2O3).

5-HTP, as it is commonly called, is an amino acid that occurs naturally and is the precursor to serotonin, an important neurotransmitter. 

It is also a functional product in the metabolism of tryptophan.

In the United States and other countries, 5-HTP is marketed as a dietary supplement and has been used for appetite suppression, sleep aid, and antidepressant.

Forms of 5-HTP: Seeds of the Griffonia simplicifolia and OTC pills are the most common sources of 5-HTP. Gelatin capsules of 50mg or 100mg are the most common product on the shelf of health food stores and pharmacies.

Sources of 5-HTP: 5-HTP is found in foods such as turkey and cheese in such minute amounts as to be undefined quantitatively. 

It is also sold as an over-the-counter supplement, usually derived from the seeds of the Griffonia simplicifolia, a woody climbing plant found in central and South Africa.

Home Remedies Using 5-HTP:

Benefits and Uses of 5-HTP:

5-HTP is essential in the formation of serotonin, an important neurotransmitter.

The substance has the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, unlike some similar compounds.

Some patients with severe fibromyalgia report improved symptoms with the administration of 5-HTP. 

Allegedly, 5-HTP can treat mental disorders such as depression and mood disorders, but studies are incomplete. 

Research shows that administration of 5-HTP in children with night terrors for six months reduces persistent nightmares by over 80 percent.

Side Effects of 5-HTP:

An overproduction of serotonin, caused by an administration of artificially high levels of 5-HTP, can result in vomiting and fibrosis of the heart. 

Overuse with the substance carbidopa, which is said to enhance the reaction of the 5-HTP by decreasing the metabolism of it in the liver, can lead to schleroderma-like conditions. 

Doses of over 300mg per day commonly lead to nausea and vomiting.

Other less serious side effects can include constipation, gas, drowsiness, and decrease in sex drive.

Additional Information For 5-HTP:

5-HTP can be used in the treatment of drug addiction and rehabilitation, especially for users of MDMA (ecstasy). 

5-HTP can replenish depleted serotonin in the brain and help to alleviate the depression and mental unsettlement that leads to drug dependency.