5-HTP (Griffonia Seed)
5-HTP (Griffonia Seed) is a dietary supplement made from the seeds of an African plant called Griffonia simplicifolia. It helps raise serotonin levels in the brain which helps regulate mood and behavior, thereby having a positive effect on sleep, mood, anxiety, appetite, and pain sensation. 5-HTP is not found in the foods we eat, although tryptophan is found in foods. Eating foods with tryptophan does not increase 5-HTP levels very much, however. Possible health benefits of 5-HTP include reducing anxiety, depression, fibromyalgia, hot flashes, insomnia, migraine, and weight loss.
Case studies have reported that taking 150-3,000 mg of 5-HTP a day for 2-4 weeks may alleviate symptoms of depression. A preliminary study also found that 5-HTP may work as well as certain antidepressant drugs to treat people with mild-to-moderate depression. Another study found that 5-HTP may help treat depression and apathy in Parkinson’s disease. In addition, some studies have demonstrated that 5-HTP might help promote weight loss by boosting satiety and reducing appetite and caloric intake among obese adults.
The recommended dosage of 5-HTP varies depending on someone’s symptoms, however typically a range of 150 to 800 milligrams daily has been safely used in most research studies. However, taking 5-HTP before surgery might cause too much serotonin in the brain and can result in serious side effects including heart problems, shivering, and anxiety. Among the side effects, the administration of 5-HTP may cause dose-dependent gastrointestinal problems, whereas the combination of 5-HTP with a long-term use in Parkinson’s disease or combining it with other drugs is not recommended. Pregnant or lactating women, scleroderma patients, and those using other prescription medications should also consult their doctor before taking the supplement.
Sources:
- https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-794/5-htp
- https://www.verywellmind.com/5-htp-5-hydroxytryptophan-88320
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7796270/
- https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/supplement/5-hydroxytryptophan-5-htp
- https://draxe.com/nutrition/5-htp/
- https://www.medicinenet.com/12_potential_health_benefits_of_5-htp/article.htm
