Is 5-HTP Safe For Regular Use?

Before beginning to take the mood boosting supplement 5-HTP, many people wonder is 5-HTP safe for use?

Studies have shown this naturally derived compound may have a positive impact on mood, focus, and even weight loss.

As a natural precursor to the neurotransmitter Serotonin, 5-HTP is made in the body from the amino acid Tryptophan.

Humans can find this amino acid in many protein-rich foods including poultry, eggs, red meat, beans, and lentils.

However, in some instances it may be necessary to supplement the diet with additional sources of 5-HTP. Some people do not consume enough Tryptophan in their diet, while other people naturally make lower levels of 5-HTP from the Tryptophan they do consume. Safe 5-HTP supplementation may be useful in these instances.

Supplementation with 5-HTP may help to raise Serotonin levels, contributing to a sense of happiness and relaxation, and satiety of the appetite.

This article will discuss the safety of taking 5-HTP pills daily to help regulate mood, suppress the appetite, and for depression and anxiety.

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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Is 5-HTP Safe? – The Role of 5-HTP in the Body

5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan) in supplements is extracted from the seeds of the Griffonia simplicifolia plant. This plant from Central and West Africa bears seeds which contain up to 20% 5-HTP by weight.

Tryptophan 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.

Then the 5-HTP crosses the barrier separating the bloodstream from the brain. Once inside the brain the 5-HTP is converted into Serotonin.

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) is a neurotransmitter impacts cognitive function like mood, memory, sleep, and logical reasoning. Serotonin is crucial for a balanced, healthy mental state. Serotonin also acts as a hormone to promote peristalsis (rhythmic contractions during digestion) in the gut.

Some Serotonin in the brain is converted into Melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone associated with the maintenance of circadian rhythm (sleep/wake cycles) in humans. During the evening and nighttime, higher levels of Serotonin are converted into Melatonin then during the day.

5-HTP, Serotonin, and Depression

In some cases, an imbalance in Serotonin levels has been linked with the symptoms of depression. Some people may be able to correct a Serotonin imbalance through the diet, by consuming more Tryptophan rich foods. However, people who already have stronger imbalances may not be able to correct Serotonin levels with food alone.

A conventional Western medicine approach to Serotonin imbalances has been to adjust the balance of neurochemicals using Monoamime Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOIs), Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs), and Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs).

Research has found that it may also be possible to make these adjustments using all natural, plant-derived supplements, including 5-HTP.

In one clinical study conducted over an 8 week period, it was determined that a daily dose of 150-400 mg of 5-HTP was comparable for improving symptoms of depression as a daily dose of 20-40 mg of Prozac (fluoxetine).

Other studies have found 5-HTP to be comparable to fluvoxamine (Luvox) or imipramine (Tofranil) for improving symptoms of depression.

In combination, increased levels of Serotonin and Melatonin may reduce stress signals, induce elevated mood, and make sleep and rest easier.

Some of the most challenging things for depression and anxiety sufferers to manage are stress and the ability to get adequate sleep when desired. By potentially lowering stress levels and improving sleep patterns, 5-HTP may allow other natural mechanisms for body and mind repair to proceed.

The Natural Medicines database has rated 5-HTP as Possibly Effective for improving the symptoms of depression. Research on the effects of 5-HTP on anxiety and sleep disorders is limited, and more research is still needed. The FDA has not approved 5-HTP as a drug to prevent or treat any condition.

5-HTP Safety and Mild Side Effects

5-HTP has been rated as Possibly Safe for oral use in adults by the Natural Medicines database.

Insufficient reliable information is available on use in pregnant or nursing women. For this reason, at this time, 5-HTP is considered Possibly Unsafe for pregnant or nursing women and use is to be avoided.

5-HTP is reported to cause seizures in some patients with Down’s syndrome; in these cases, use should only be under doctor’s instruction.

Use in children is considered to be Possibly Safe when used orally and appropriately. Doses up to 5 mg/kg have been used in infants and children up to 12 years old.

At present, it is not recommended to take 5-HTP supplements for more than 12 weeks at a time without a break. Long term use of 5-HTP (up to a year) has been done in controlled clinical studies. However, use for this amount of time is not currently recommended for the general public, unless directed by a doctor.

Most individuals will experience no to mild side effects when taking 5-HTP at recommended dosages. Mild side effects have been reported in various clinical studies and by users, including: heartburn, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

5-HTP Serious Side Effects and Contraindications

More serious side effects can occur if 5-HTP is taken at very high dosages, or in conjunction with certain medications.

The Natural Medicines database has rated 5-HTP as Possibly Unsafe when used in extremely large doses. Doses of 6 grams to 10 grams have been associated with severe gastrointestinal effects and hyperkinesis (uncontrollable muscle movement/spasms).

5-HTP use should be avoided in individuals who are taking any antidepressants from the MAOI or SSRI classes, as this combination may cause Serotonin Syndrome.

Serotonin Syndrome occurs when there is an excess of Serotonin in the body. This excess causes too much nerve cell inhibition, resulting in many side effects including mental fog, headache, arrhythmia, nausea, and heavy sweating. Very serious cases produce even more severe effects, and may even be fatal if left untreated.

Other medication that may have a negative interaction with 5-HTP includes, but is not limited to: carbidopa (Lodosyn), lorazepam (Ativan), phenobarbital (Donnatal), clonazepam (Klonopin), zolpidem (Ambien), cough medicine containing dextromethorphan (e.g. Robitussin), meperidine (Demerol), and tramadol (Ultram).

Check with your doctor for personalized advice regarding negative interactions between 5-HTP and any medications you may be taking.

Eosinophilia Myalgia Syndrome (EMS)

In 1989-1990, nearly 1500 people who took Tryptophan supplements became ill with Eosinophilia Myalgia Syndrome (EMS), and 36 people died due to the syndrome. This serious disorder causes widespread muscle pain/tenderness, weakness, swelling of the extremities, and blood abnormalities.

It was initially thought that the Tryptophan and related supplements themselves caused EMS. However, it was later determined that the supplements were contaminated with up to 60 different impurities. The chemical impurities were determined to have caused the cases of EMS, and not the Tryptophan.

Stricter regulations on manufacturing practices now exist. Always check to be sure that your supplements come from a reputable company to ensure you are receiving pure safe 5-HTP supplements.

Safe Dosage Information

As with all supplements, it’s valuable to take a cautious approach when determining an ideal, safe dosage for you.

Many people of healthy mental state (not suffering from clinical mental disorders), may receive noticeable mood enhancement from as little as 50 mg of 5-HTP per day.

In cases of more extreme depression, or if there is already a significant Serotonin imbalance, up to 300 mg per day has reportedly been taken.

Starting with a low dose (50 mg) and increasing incrementally over days and weeks is a good strategy to determine the best dose for you.

Always speak with your doctor before beginning any new supplements. Appropriate dosages will vary by individual, as many factors are involved, including age, weight, personal sensitivities, and physiology.

A doctor will be able to determine the most appropriate dosage for your needs and sensitivities. While some people may wonder is 5-HTP safe, for many people, when used at an appropriate doctor recommended dosage, this mood enhancing supplement is quite safe.

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