Where to Purchase 5-HTP in Australia and New Zealand

5-HTP is a popular supplement in Australia and New Zealand used to elevate mood and improve sleep quality. It is naturally sourced from the seeds of the Griffonia simplicifolia, a West African medicinal plant.

In the body, 5-HTP is produced naturally when Tryptophan is broken down in the liver. Tryptophan is an amino acid found in many staple foods including meat, fish, and beans. Eating more of these foods may help to increase 5-HTP levels, but only to a small degree,because Tryptophan has a number of other roles to fill in the body.

5-HTP supplements are commonly used to raise Serotonin levels. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is connected to mood, sleep, and cognition. 5-HTP is a precursor to Serotonin.5-HTP (either from supplements or the breakdown of Tryptophan)travels through the bloodstream, crosses the blood-brain barrier, and is converted into Serotonin in the brain.

In Australia and New Zealand, people use 5-HTP for various low-Serotonin conditions, such as depression, fibromyalgia, IBS, insomnia, panic attacks, and seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Some studies have also shown that 5-HTP may reduce appetite, caloric intake, and weight in obese individuals.

5-HTP can be purchased on its own or in combination with other vitamins and herbal supplements.

5-HTP

Serotonergic Supplement

Mood

Sleep

Weight Loss

How It Works:

• Increases Serotonin levels in the brain
• Enhances mood and alleviates stress
• Improves sleep and regulates appetite

Dosage:

Between 50 - 250 mg per day

Safety:

Generally Well Tolerated

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Australian Suppliers of 5-HTP

The sale of 5-HTP over-the-counter is restricted in Australia due to regulations by the Therapeutic Goods Authority (TGA). The TGA is the governing body responsible for controlling natural supplements that are purported to have therapeutic value.

If you want to buy 100 mg or higher 5-HTP tablets in Australia, you will need a prescription. Information on buying smaller doses of 5-HTP is conflicting. Some sources say that 50 mg 5-HTP pills may be available without a prescription, while other sources say that all sales are banned in certain states.

Additionally, there is some confusion over the legal status of 5-HTP in different states of Australia; some sources say that 5-HTP is available legally for sale in the state of Queensland, while other say that a prescription is required.

However, it is legal to import 5-HTP supplements without a prescription for personal use. Personal use is typically defined as three months worth of product or less. As such, many Australians buy 5-HTP supplements online from other countries and have them shipped to Australia.

There are some Australian websites that do sell 5-HTP without needing a prescription; however, the legality of this is potentially in question. It is important to note that 5-HTP is not available to buy from the Amazon.com.au website.

Bulk Nutrients sells 120 capsules with 100 mg of 5-HTP for $30.00 AUD (Australian dollars) or 10 grams of bulk powder for $15.00 AUD. They recommend a dosage of 100 mg per day, taken any time of the day. Some users report best results when 5-HTP is taken before bedtime.

Biovea in Australia sells 5-HTP supplements in a variety of doses. They also sell capsules of 5-HTP in value packs with other related supplements.

From Biovea, 5-HTP (Time Release) 100 mg tablets are $64.10 AUD for 180 tablets. Biovea recommends the supplement to decrease symptoms of anxiety, depression and migraine headaches, to promote healthy sleep patterns,and to suppress appetite. The dosage they suggest is one tablet, up to two times daily, with food.

Biovea 5-HTP supplements of 50 mg sell for $25.60 AUD for 90 tablets. The dosage is 1 capsule on an empty stomach. This is the dosage they recommend starting with before increasing levels.

Also available from Biovea is a combination of 5-HTP (100 mg) and L-Tyrosine (500 mg) for $90.80 AUD. The combination of the two tablets may help with mental fatigue. The recommended dosage for the L-Tyrosine is one or more tablets daily on an empty stomach. The recommendation for the 5-HTP is one tablet taken with food, up to twice daily.

Another option from Biovea is the SAMe, 5-HTP and Ultimate B-complex value pack for $106.80 AUD for a 30 day supply. Studies suggest SAMe may help with depression, chronic fatigue syndromes, fibromyalgia, and liver disorders. The dosage is one SAMe tablet on an empty stomach. Dosage for the 100 mg time released 5-HTP is one tablet with food up to twice daily. The B-complex vitamin dosage is two tablets with a meal.

5-HTP in New Zealand

The legal status of 5-HTP in New Zealand is somewhat unclear. In New Zealand supplements are regulated under the Medicines Regulation Act of 1984, which is enforced by MedSafe (Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority).

5-HTP is not specifically mentioned as banned or restricted under the legal drug governing body in New Zealand, MedSafe. 5-HTP cannot however be promoted for a therapeutic purpose (preventing or curing a specific disorder such as depression, anxiety, insomnia, etc).

According to some third party websites, 5-HTP is considered legal and unrestricted as per the Medicines Regulation Act of 1984. However MedSafe does regulate the sale of L-Tryptophan supplements, requiring that they not exceed a recommended dose of 100 mg per serving. Since 5-HTP is technically an analogue of Tryptophan, these regulations may apply to 5-HTP supplements.

If you live in New Zealand, you can import 5-HTP for personal use with little difficulty. You can also purchase 5-HTP from several local New Zealand retailers, but may pay higher prices.

Shaman’s Garden (www.shaman.co.nz) in New Zealand sells 100 mg 5-HTP pills in 50 capsule bottles for $35.00 NZD (New Zealand dollar). They recommend a dose of one capsule daily, taken at night, two hours before or after a meal. For best results they recommend taking this supplement with a vitamin C rich drink of pineapple or orange juice and to avoid high protein foods.

Healthy Online (www.healthy.co.nz) has the brand Sero Tone 5-HTP (50 mg active ingredient) for $59.95 NZD for 90 tablets . The recommended dosage is one or two capsules daily, at bedtime, taken with juice. Supplements Vitamin B3 (niacin), Vitamin B6 and Magnesium are also recommended to maximize benefits and are sold together in value pack deals.

When buying 5-HTP in Australia and New Zealand, be aware that prices will vary greatly among retailers. Purchasing from online vendors may provide substantial cost savings. 5-HTP is legal to use without a prescription in New Zealand. However, it is always recommended to speak to your doctor before you start taking any new supplement.

Evidence Supporting 5-HTP Use

There have been many studies done on the usage of 5-HTP for a number of conditions including depression, anxiety, fibromyalgia, and weight loss.

In one study on “therapy resistant” depression, participants were given 200 mg daily of 5-HTP. Individuals diagnosed with therapy resistant depression have typically undergone several different treatment options with no success in reducing symptoms.

In this study, a 200 mg dosage of 5-HTP led to a significant reduction in depression symptoms in 43 out of 99 participants. This prompted the researchers to say that the supplement should be considered as a “front-line treatment”, as opposed to a “last resort treatment”.

Serotonin levels are linked to pain sensitivity. In many studies, 5-HTP supplements have improved the pain symptoms of Fibromyalgia. Other studies have shown a reduction in the frequency of migraine headaches when 5-HTP supplements are taken. Find out more about how 5-HTP affects migraine headaches here.

The Natural Medicines database has rated 5-HTP as Possibly Effective for improving symptoms of depression. However, 5-HTP has not been approved by the TGA or MedSafe for use as a drug to prevent or treat any conditions. In New Zealand, 5-HTP manufacturers cannot promote the supplement for any therapeutic benefits.

More research is needed to determine what effects 5-HTP tablets may have on disorders like fibromyalgia, anxiety, migraines, and insomnia.

Safety and Side Effects of 5-HTP Pills

Natural Medicines database has rated 5-HTP supplements as Possibly Safe when taken orally.

5-HTP supplements have been rated as Possibly Unsafe for pregnant and nursing mothers and should be avoided. People with Down’s syndrome are also advised not to use 5-HTP, as it is reported to cause seizures in some individuals.

People taking anti-depressants, narcotic medicine, cough remedies containing dextromethorphan (DM), Carbidopa, and the pain-killer Tramadol should avoid this supplement.  If you are taking any herbal remedy that causes drowsiness or has sedative properties, 5-HTP use is not recommended.

Most people can expect to experience no or mild side effects. Mild side effects including drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, heartburn, diarrhea and loss of interest in sex have been reported.

A more serious side effect, Serotonin Syndrome, may occur if 5-HTP is taken with contraindicated medicines such as anti-depressants (e.g. SSRIs and MAOIs). Serotonin Syndrome symptoms include mental fog, excessive sweating, headache, and irregular heartbeat. In severe cases, if left untreated, Serotonin Syndrome can be fatal.

Even though 5-HTP is legal to posses and use in both Australia and New Zealand without a prescription, it is still recommended to consult with a doctor before purchasing.

Always speak with your doctor before beginning any new supplements, especially if you have any pre-existing conditions or are taking any prescription medication. Your doctor will be able to determine if 5-HTP is appropriate for you and determine the best dosage for your needs.

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