Serious 5-HTP Dangers – Risk of Adverse Side Effects if Misused

Assessing 5-HTP dangers is an important step in determining if this natural mood enhancer is right for you.

As with all supplements, it’s important to research safety facts and warnings before you consume the product.

5-HTP is a neurotransmitter precursor used by the brain to synthesize serotonin. In supplemental form, it is a natural derivative of a wild shrub called the Griffonia Simplicifolia, of Africa. Its seeds contain abundant amounts of 5-HTP, an amino acid which is highly useful in regulating human mood.

While the plant is considered non-toxic, there are a few very important risks to consider when trying this remedy. We’ll take a look at how it works, what the side effects are, and how to prevent the dangers of too much 5-HTP.

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

Top 5-HTP Products* ❯

View User Ratings* ❯

How 5-HTP Works

In order to understand 5-HTP dangers, it’s important to examine the mechanism by which it works.

Even without taking any supplements, we all possess an amount of 5-HTP in the brain throughout life.

The compound is easily metabolized from tryptophan, an amino acid which is in many common food sources, most famously turkey. The reason we create 5-HTP is to provide the brain with source materials for the neurotransmitter serotonin.

Serotonin is the chief mood regulating chemical in the brain. It is responsible for generating calm and relaxed mental states. Happiness, contentedness, and euphoria are all products of serotonin release.

If you have been feeling depressed, anxious or are having difficulty relaxing and falling asleep, it may be due to an imbalance of serotonin and the neurotransmitter dopamine. In these cases, food sources may not be enough to keep levels of serotonin balanced in the brain.

Using 5-HTP Capsules

When a 5-HTP supplement is consumed, it enters the blood, crosses the blood brain barrier, and is immediately converted into serotonin. This makes 5-HTP a direct pre-cursor to serotonin.

This conversion time is much shorter than with comparable Tryptophan supplements since it cuts out the middle conversion step. 5-HTP is also converted into the sleep regulating hormone melatonin.

Finally, its presence actually inhibits the release of dopamine. Too much dopamine can result in a highly agitated, overly energized state which leads to stress for many people. 5-HTP encourages calm while inhibiting the fight or flight stress reactions that come from external triggers.

Serotonin Syndrome

One of the chief 5-HTP dangers is the possibility of generating too much serotonin. When this condition occurs, we call it Serotonin Syndrome.

Initially, the symptoms may seem merely uncomfortable, such as trouble concentrating or excessive sweating. More severe side effects like fast and irregular heartbeat follow. In extreme cases, Serotonin Syndrome can be fatal.

That is an extreme outcome, but serves as good reminder to respect dosage recommendations, and listen to your body when negative side effects symptoms present themselves. However within normal dosage guidelines, this will not be a problem for most 5-HTP users.

5-HTP Danger with Other Anti-depressants

One very important contraindication when talking about 5-HTP dangers is the interaction of the compound with prescription anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications.

Pills like Monoamime Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOIs) and Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) should absolutely not be taken in conjunction with 5-HTP. When these meds are combined, they too can produce an over-abundance of serotonin resulting in Acute Serotonin Syndrome.

As your doctor about trying 5-HTP with other mood enhancing natural supplements instead of traditional prescription meds. It is not a good idea to try them at the same time.

Natural therapies for stress relief, mental focus, and mood lift seek to create effects without generating harsh side effects. These remedies work with existing brain biochemical processes to promote improvements to cognition and mood.

Safe Dosages to Avoid 5-HTP Dangers

The routine dose for 5-HTP begins around 50 mg per day. This is an excellent baseline dose for most people. If effects are too mild, you can add an additional 25 – 50 mg.

However, more than 100 mg per day is not considered necessary and will not create any additional benefits for mood enhancement. Above that amount, users will only start to experience more side effects. Higher dosages have been used in studies as a weight loss aid, but only with doctor supervision.

Supplements for Mood Enhancement

If the dangers of excessive serotonin scare you, it will be worthwhile to explore other nootropic supplements for stress relief which do no over-tax the body’s serotonin response. One excellent category of supplements which reduce stress and lift mood are known as GABA agonists.

These compounds address excessive nerve cell firing by stimulating the activity of the body’s GABA receptors. These sites, normally activated by release of the hormone GABA, have an inhibitory effect upon stress triggers in the mind.

The result is a sense of calm, clear thoughts and the ability to successfully manage symptoms of anxiety. The most well-known and effective GABAergics include Phenibut and Picamilon. While less well-known than 5-HTP, these natural supplements can deliver far more powerful stress relief benefits.

Whichever route you choose, be conscious of safe dosage, and respond to any negative side effects by cutting the dose or suspending use altogether. If you respect these simple rules, powerful mood enhancement can be yours, safely.

Rate This Article

(36 votes, average: 3.53 out of 5, rated)

L-Tryptophan

L-Theanine

GABA

Melatonin