5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) is a naturally occurring substance derived from the African plant Griffonia simplicifolia. 5-HTP is the immediate nutrient precursor to the neurotransmitter serotonin. This means that 5-HTP converts directly into serotonin in the brain. Serotonin has many profoundly important functions, including a role in sleep, appetite, memory, learning, temperature regulation, mood, sexual behavior, cardiovascular function, muscle contraction, and endocrine regulation.
WHAT'S THE PROBLEM WITH SEROTONIN DEFICIENCY?
Serotonin production declines with age, and at any age its abundance can be compromised further by stress. Low levels of serotonin are most commonly manifested by depressed mood, anxiety, and insomnia, seriously affecting one's quality of life. 5-HTP crosses the blood-brain barrier while serontonin can not, so supplementation with 5-HTP therefore increases production of Serotonin. Serotonin plays an important role in controlling anger, aggression, body temperature, mood, sleep, human sexuality, appetite, and metabolism.
The level of serotonin in certain areas of your brain can have a major effect on your mood. Consuming 5-HTP may increase serotonin in these brain areas, possibly lessening feelings of anxiety and helping you avoid or improve symptoms of depression. Clinical research suggests that 5-HTP might be an effective antidepressant. A German study published in "Archiv fur Psychiatrie und Nervenkrankheiten," researchers found that subjects experiencing depression who consumed 5-HTP supplements for up to 20 days had improvement of their symptoms that was equal to that experienced by others who took antidepressant medication.
5-HTP caused fewer side effects than the prescription drug. The neurotransmitter serotonin helps nerve cells in certain parts of your brain communicate with each other. These brain areas are important in regulating your pattern of sleep, mood, level of anxiety, appetite and sensitivity to pain. Your body needs a constant and adequate supply of 5-HTP, which it converts into serotonin.
5-HTP might also help relieve insomnia according to a review study in "Alternative Medicine Reviews," which concluded that taking serotonin precursors such as 5-HTP can shorten the time it takes to fall asleep and increase a type of sleep called slow-wave sleep. The University of Maryland says that 5-HTP may also help reduce symptoms of fibromyalgia, a disorder that may be caused by low serotonin levels and can cause muscle pain, insomnia, headaches and memory problems.
Taking 5-HTP might also help in a weight control program, possibly by increasing your feeling of fullness after eating and causing you to eat less. As serotonin levels increase your hunger diminishes and you feel satiated faster without feeling the need to restrict your food intake. One study found that women ate less carbs without even trying, and there was less stress-related eating.