5-Hydroxytryptophan - Therapeutic Use

Therapeutic Use

5-HTP is sold over-the-counter in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada as a dietary supplement for use as an antidepressant, appetite suppressant, and sleep aid. 5-HTP in supplement form is typically sold in 50 mg or 100 mg gelatin or vegetarian capsules. It is usually sourced from the seeds of Griffonia simplicifolia.

5-HTP has been studied and shown to be of benefit in the following conditions: primary fibromyalgia syndrome, Friedreich's ataxia, depression, anxiety, binge eating associated with obesity, and insomnia. There is no statistically significant difference between 5-HTP and placebo in treating chronic headaches (primary or otherwise).

A 2001 meta-analysis found that of 108 studies on 5-HTP published between 1966 and 2000, only two met the authors' quality standards for inclusion. The two studies that were deemed of sufficient quality did not deal with 5-HTP exclusively, instead combining results for 5-HTP and tryptophan, so the results may not be completely applicable for 5-HTP alone. While the combined analysis of the two 5-HTP and tryptophan studies showed significant effectiveness over placebo in treating depression, the authors state that overall "the evidence was of insufficient quality to be conclusive". They also state that "because alternative antidepressants exist which have been proven to be effective and safe, the clinical usefulness of 5-HTP and tryptophan is limited at present".

5-HTP is often taken by people coming down from MDMA to relieve post-MDMA dysphoria. The basis for doing this is that 5-HTP is a necessary precursor for the brain to produce more serotonin, and MDMA use depletes a person's natural serotonin levels, thus taking 5-HTP after a dose of MDMA could improve serotonin production. While the practice is common, no verifiable evidence could be found to confirm whether the practice actually works.