What is Griffonia Seed Extract and how does it Work?

Griffonia Seed extract is a natural supplement which is derived from the Griffonia simplicifolia plant.

This plant is a woody climbing shrub native to West and Central Africa. It can grow to as much as 3 meters in height and bears black seed pods.

The seeds of the Griffonia simplicifolia are known to contain the herbal compound 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP). Griffonia seeds contain up to 20% 5-HTP by weight.

In the body, 5-HTP is an important building block used to synthesize Serotonin. As one of the key neurotransmitters for controlling mood and sleep, increasing levels of Serotonin may alleviate anxious thoughts, promote feelings of well-being, and improve sleep.

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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How Griffonia Seed Extract Works

In the body, Serotonin is typically made from the amino acid Tryptophan. Tryptophan is found in many protein-rich foods including red meat, eggs, milk, spinach, green beans, garlic, lentils, and nuts.

Tryptophan either from the diet or supplements is broken down in the liver into 5-HTP and other metabolites. The 5-HTP travels through the bloodstream to the brain, crosses the barrier separating the blood from the brain, and enters the brain. Once in the brain, the 5-HTP is converted into Serotonin.

However, some people’s diet is deficient in Tryptophan, and some people naturally make lower levels of 5-HTP from the Tryptophan they do consume. Additionally, individuals suffering from anxiety, depression, insomnia, and other mood disorders are often found to have low levels of Serotonin.

Supplementing directly with Serotonin is often ineffective at improving mood disorders because Serotonin cannot cross the blood-brain barrier. And while supplementing with Tryptophan may be moderately effective, it is often more effective to use 5-HTP supplements.

Because 5-HTP is an intermediary in the production of Serotonin from Tryptophan, 5-HTP is converted to Serotonin at a faster rate than Tryptophan itself. Also, some of the rate-limiting factors that regulate how much Tryptophan is taken up by the brain are avoided when using 5-HTP directly.

Griffonia simplicifolia is one of a very small number of natural sources for 5-HTP. Griffonia seed extract is metabolized within the liver where the active ingredient 5-HTP can then enter the blood stream, travel to the brain, and be converted into Serotonin.

Griffonia seed extract produces its effects by raising levels of Serotonin in the brain. It also has the opposite effect on Dopamine, another mood neurotransmitter in the brain. As levels of Dopamine drop, the beneficial effects caused by Serotonin tend to increase.

Serotonin is sometimes called the “happiness” neurotransmitter, used to signal feelings of pleasure and contentment between neurons. Using Griffonia supplements may increase levels of this neurotransmitter, producing a wide range of benefits for mental state.

Griffonia Seed Extract Benefits

Because of its relationship to Serotonin, some people use Griffonia seed extract for anxiety. It is used as a natural mood enhancer, and has been observed to promote feelings of well-being, relaxation, confidence, and tranquility. Griffonia seed extract reviewers say that it helps them to release tension after a day of work.

Some people use 5-HTP for pain relief from conditions such as migraines and fibromyalgia. In research studies, 5-HTP has been seen to improve symptoms of fibromyalgia including pain severity, morning stiffness, and sleeplessness.

Some user reports suggest that Griffonia seed extract may be able to control impulsiveness, and some people use it for ADHD. These benefits are all linked to higher levels of Serotonin, which Griffonia seed extract may naturally increase in the brain.

Another important reason for taking Griffonia supplements is that 5-HTP may be effective as an appetite suppressant for weight loss in obese patients. Higher levels of Serotonin can make you feel satiated so you do not feel the urge to eat excessive amounts of food.

Furthermore, Griffonia Seed extract may limit the synthesis of Dopamine, a neurotransmitter which can lead to increased appetite. This dual method of action can substantially inhibit feelings of hunger so that you are more likely to stick to a healthy diet plan.

The Natural Medicines database has rated 5-HTP as Possibly Effective for improving the symptoms of depression. In one research study, 200 mg of 5-HTP per day improved symptoms of depression as effectively as 20 mg of fluoxetine (Prozac). Other similar studies have shown that for improving depression symptoms 5-HTP is also comparable to fluvoxamine (Luvox) or imipramine (Tofranil).

Research on the effects of Griffonia seed extract and 5-HTP on conditions including anxiety, ADHD, and obesity is limited, and more research needs to be done. At this time, the FDA has not approved 5-HTP for use as a drug to prevent or treat any condition.

Griffonia Seed Extract 5-HTP Safety and Side Effects

5-HTP has been rated as Possibly Safe by the Natural Medicines database for oral use in adults. Use by pregnant and nursing women, children, and individuals with Down’s syndrome is considered Possibly Unsafe, and is to be avoided.

Generally, the side effects associated with Griffonia seed extract are very limited and mild. Most users can expect to experience no to mild side effects when taking Griffonia seed extract at the recommended dosage. There have been a few reported side effects though, including nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Very high doses of Griffonia seed extract or the combination of the supplement with antidepressants of the SSRI and MAOI classes can lead to Serotonin Syndrome. This condition occurs when there are excessive levels of Serotonin in the brain.

Symptoms of Serotonin Syndrome include headache, fever, excessive sweating, irritability, and irregular heartbeat. In severe cases, if left untreated, Serotonin Syndrome may be fatal.

Serotonin Syndrome is rare under normal circumstances. To decrease the chance of developing this condition, do not combine Griffonia Seed extract supplements with antidepressants, and do not exceed the recommended dose. Speak with your doctor to determine the best dosage for your needs and sensitivities.

There may also be some potential interactions with other medications. This would be most likely in the case of someone who is currently undergoing treatment for depression or anxiety, but other interactions do exist.

You should always consult a medical doctor before adding this to your supplement routine, especially if you are already taking any prescription medication.

Many Griffonia seed extract supplements come in a blended form with other ingredients such as Melatonin, Tyrosine, GABA or St. John’s Wort. You may want to buy a single ingredient Griffonia simplicifolia product first to test out this supplement independent of other products. This will allow you to determine the effects of 5-HTP on its own before using it in a combined formulation.

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