5-HTP for Anxiety, Panic Attacks, and Alleviating Stress

5-HTP for anxiety is a natural amino acid which is often taken to increase Serotonin levels. 5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan or Oxitriptan), is the intermediary step in the conversion of L-Tryptophan into the neurotransmitter Serotonin.

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter (chemical messenger in the brain) that regulates mood, feelings of happiness, and states of relaxation. Serotonin also gets converted into Melatonin, which is a hormone primarily responsible for setting the circadian rhythm (sleep/wake cycles) of the body.

In addition to being used for anxiety, 5-HTP supplements are also taken for depression, migraines, sleep disorders, improving mood, and promoting weight loss. In some cases, these conditions and effects are related to low Serotonin levels.

How effective is 5-HTP for anxiety relief and how does it compare to other compounds such as GABAergics? This article will discuss how 5-HTP is used for anxiety, additional benefits, and the safety and side effects of use.

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* ❯

Does 5-HTP Help with Anxiety?

The neurological effects of 5-HTP for anxiety are entirely attributable to its ability to raise Serotonin levels in the brain.

Serotonin itself cannot be directly supplemented as it is unable to cross the blood-brain barrier when administered orally. However, when you take a 5-HTP pill for anxiety, it easily crosses the blood-brain barrier where it gets converted into this important neurochemical.

Serotonin is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that produces mental states associated with calm and feelings of contentedness. Due to its inhibitory actions, it prevents the over-firing and stimulation of neurons. This sort of excess stimulation is one of the major triggers for anxious thoughts and panic attacks.

The effects of Serotonin are often compared with those of the other major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid). When GABA receptors are stimulated, it causes a distinct reduction in stress and anxiety.

However, there are also several side effects associated with using high quantities of GABA stimulating, or GABAergic, supplements, including drowsiness, excessive sedation, and mental fog.

The most common negative effects of alcohol consumption – drowsiness, relaxation, lack of inhibition – are caused by stimulating GABA receptors. For this reason, some anxiety suffers have been turning to Serotonergic supplements such as 5-HTP to help them control their mood.

How 5-HTP Calms the Mind and Reduces Stress

Since Serotonin plays a large part in the regulation of feelings of anxiety, it makes sense that some people use a supplement that aids in the metabolic production of Serotonin to treat these feelings.

Some people prefer 5-HTP as an alternative to other prescription anxiety medication as it is cheaper and available over the counter without a prescription in many countries. However, as with any drug, anyone considering taking it should still consult a medical professional first to ensure that they are prescribed the correct dose.

Typical doses of 5-HTP for anxiety are one 50mg to 100mg capsule daily, but this dosage may be increased if recommended by a doctor. This dosage should be taken with food in the morning and may be repeated in the afternoon if signs of anxiety return.

A small number of user reviews report that 5-HTP did not help particularly with their anxiety symptoms. They said it did decrease their hypersensitivity though, and also allowed them to sleep better and overcome any insomnia they may have had.

Improving sleep quality can be an effective way of addressing some of the underlying physiological causes of anxiety. To use 5-HTP as a sleep aid, it should be taken approximately one hour before bedtime to allow for processing into Melatonin.

Additional Benefits of Taking 5-HTP

In addition to being used for anxiety, 5-HTP pills are often used as a natural antidepressant.

The Natural Medicines database has rated 5-HTP as Possibly Effective for improving the symptoms of depression.

In research trials, 5-HTP has proven to be significantly more effective than a placebo in acting as an antidepressant. In other studies, 5-HTP has been shown to be as effective at improving symptoms of depression as some conventional antidepressants (i.e. fluvoxamine, fluoxetine, imipramine).

The use of 5-HTP has not been adopted in clinical settings for more severe cases of depression because it is not as effective as other, more powerful antidepressants. However, many individuals prefer 5-HTP to pharmaceutical drugs as it is derived from an herbal source and has not been shown to cause tolerance or withdrawal.

In research studies 5-HTP has also been used for fibromyalgia, a disease associated with widespread pain and sensitivity to pressure. In some cases it is believed that Fibromyalgia is related to low levels of Serotonin in the body.

Traditional treatment for Fibromyalgia may include the use of Serotonin-boosting drugs like SSRIs (Selective Serotonin re-uptake inhibitors), which can increase the amount of Serotonin in the body. Clinical studies on fibromyalgia show that 5-HTP can reduce symptoms such as anxiety, as well as pain, insomnia, fatigue, and morning stiffness.

Finally, 5-HTP may be useful for weight loss. Dieting can cause Serotonin levels to drop dramatically; low Serotonin levels have been linked with binge eating and cravings. 5-HTP can be used to curb the appetite of people trying to lose weight.

A couple studies compared the use of 5-HTP to placebo in obese females. The patients who took 5-HTP reported higher levels of satiety and reduced food cravings, and lost significantly more weight compared to the patients on placebo.

Research on the effectiveness of 5-HTP for anxiety, insomnia, fibromyalgia, and weight loss is limited, and more studies need to be done. At this time, the FDA has not approved 5-HTP as a drug to prevent or treat any conditions.

Is 5-HTP a Safe Anti-Anxiety Supplement?

Serious adverse effects from taking 5-HTP are rare, providing that the supplement is taken at the appropriate dose as recommended by a medical professional. 5-HTP has been rated by the Natural Medicines database as Possibly safe for oral use in adults. Use in pregnant or nursing women is considered Possibly Unsafe, and it to be avoided.

Most people who take 5-HTP for anxiety can expect to experience no to mild side effects. Some patients have reported mild digestive problems as a result of taking the supplement. This is because Serotonin is responsible for the contraction of the muscles of the small intestine, a process referred to as peristalsis. An increase in Serotonin levels within the intestines can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

5-HTP can also interact negatively with Serotonin-boosting drugs, including antidepressants of the MAOI (Monoamine oxidase inhibitor) or SSRI classes. Using 5-HTP in conjunction with these drugs can result in Serotonin Syndrome.

Serotonin Syndrome is a serious condition that occurs when there is an excess of Serotonin in the brain. Symptoms include excessive sweating, agitation/irritation, and irregular heartbeat. In severe cases, if left untreated, Serotonin Syndrome can be life-threatening.

Always talk with your doctor before beginning any new supplements, especially if you are taking any prescription medications. Your doctor will be able to determine if 5-HTP for anxiety is right for you, as well as the correct dosage for your physiology and needs.

Sources of 5-HTP Supplements for Anxiety

5-HTP is found in the seeds of the Griffoniasimplicifolia plant, a climbing shrub found in both West and Central Africa. The seeds are said to contain between 5-10% raw 5-HTP, with some seeds yielding as much as 20% 5-HTP extract by weight.

5-HTP is harvested from the Griffonia simplicifolia plant and sold as an over-the-counter dietary supplement in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and many other countries of the world.

You will typically see 5-HTP for anxiety packaged in 50mg to 100mg gelatin encased capsules or in chewable tablets. There are a number of supplement formulations that include 5-HTP for its mood boosting and stress-relieving properties including New Mood by Onnit Labs.

Final Review

5-HTP is used by many people for a variety of low Serotonin conditions including anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Many people find it a useful and cost effective alternative to other prescription anxiety medications.

While studies show that using 5-HTP for anxiety may work for some individuals, some people may experience side effects that preclude them from using this supplement. As with any alternative medicine, you should consult a doctor before taking it to ensure that it is right for you and that you are given the correct dose for your condition, your age and your health.

Rate This Article

(13 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5, rated)

L-Tryptophan

L-Theanine

GABA

Melatonin