What are the Health Effects of 5-HTP Supplements?

The amino acid 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is part of the chemical pathway that leads to the production of serotonin. The benefits of taking 5-HTP supplements are not completely proven at this time, but evidence is building that they are helpful in treating several illnesses including depression and insomnia. There are also suspected risks associated with taking 5-HTP supplements including heart problems and interactions with medications. Some are concerned that dangerous impurities will find their way into the supplements.

In the body, naturally occurring 5-HTP is made from tryptophan. It’s then converted into serotonin, an important neurotransmitter that relays signals of happiness and contentment between nerve cells in the brain. By potentially increasing the serotonin production in the brain, 5-HTP supplements may counteract conditions that cause a person to produce insufficient serotonin or to break the serotonin down too quickly.

Many medications and treatments in the battle against depression involve adjusting the production or availability of serotonin. This makes the use of 5-HTP supplements seem like a promising alternative to prescription drugs. The possible effect of 5-HTP supplements on insomnia is that 5-HTP is converted to serotonin and then a portion of serotonin is used to produce melatonin, which is directly involved in inducing sleep. Some studies have also linked 5-HTP supplements with improvements in fibromyalgia, binge eating, and anxiety. Some animal trials and one very small human study have found significant evidence that 5-HTP can help reduce the desire to eat too much, but much more human testing is needed before this treatment can be safely recommended.

The potential risks that may be found in very long term use or overdose situations when using 5-HTP supplements relate to very high levels of serotonin in the body. These risks are primarily a concern when a person is taking Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors, Monoamine Oxydase Inhibitors, or tricyclic antidepressants in combination with a 5-HTP supplement. They might include heart disease, damage to the valves of the heart, and serotonin syndrome — characterized by fever, confusion, and lack of muscular control and coordination. It is also believed that the supplement itself can sometimes cause heartburn and nausea.

Tryptophan is no longer sold in the U.S. because impurities found in supplements made by one company caused a blood disorder in many people who took it. Since 5-HTP is so closely related to tryptophan, regulatory agencies carefully test 5-HTP supplements for signs of similar impurities. No illnesses have been directly associated with 5-HTP supplementation as of yet.