5-HTP

Last Updated: July 22, 2023

5-HTP is the precursor to serotonin, which is often described as the neurotransmitter responsible for happiness. 5-HTP has successfully been used to restore serotonin levels in people with depression and other conditions.

5-HTP is most often used for.



Don't miss out on the latest research

1.

Sources and Structure

1.1

Biosynthesis

The neurotransmitter serotonin is synthesized from the amino acid tryptophan through 5-HTP. In which tryptophan gets converted into 5-HTP via the enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase and 5-HTP gets converted into serotonin via the enzyme L-amino acid decarboxylase.[1] Serotonin is later degraded into 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) by monoamine oxidase.

image

2.

Pharmacology

2.1

Oral

A study using an oral cavity spray of 5-HTP (via the plant source of Griffonia Simplicifolia) has noted that 7.68mg of 5-HTP via 30.72mg of Griffonia Simplicifolia extract taken five times daily (total daily dose of around 40mg) has confirmed an increase in urinary 5-HIAA (from 3.71+/-1.27mg/24 hours to 8.80+/-4.02mg/24 hours; a 137% increase) relative to baseline, confirming that 5-HTP can be absorbed sublingually.[2] Similar results have been noted elsewhere with this spray, although it should be noted that it is confounded with other herbs (detailed in the appetite subsection).[3]

Appears to be able to be absorbed sublingually when a spray is applied to the oral cavity

2.2

Serotonin

It is used as a supplement (rather than tryptophan) to increase serotonin levels as tryptophan can be diverted into niacin production or protein construction whereas 5-HTP has the sole fate of serotonin synthesis. 5-HTP also crosses the blood brain barrier easily.[4]

Supplementation of 5-HTP has been shown to be more effective than tryptophan supplementation alone. This additional benefit of 5-HTP supplementation arises because 5-HTP bypasses the cell's L-tryptophan's own self-regulation on the IDO enzyme, in which it upregulates the activity of IDO (discussed in next section) to maintain body homeostasis of tryptophan[5] and it bypasses the tryptophan hydroxylase enzyme, which is the rate limiting step in serotonin biosynthesis.[6]

5-HTP is very reliable in increasing serotonin levels. 5-HTP is actually used as a clinical test to judge the potency of drugs that affect serotonin levels (by pairing an experimental drug with 5-HTP to induce 'serotonin syndrome', or serotonin toxicity, one can see how much that drug exacerbates serotonin biosynthesis or bioavailability by seeing how much of a 5-HTP dose is required to induce the syndrome; the lower dose indicative of higher drug potency). This test is known as the 5-HTP induced syndrome test.[7]

3.

Neurology

3.1

Appetite

At least one study using an extract of Griffonia simplicifolia (10.24mg giving 2.56mg 5-HTP; confounded with Centella asiatica and Taraxacum officinale at 11.7mg and 4.55mg Paulina cupana and 9.75mg Artichoke extract) taken in three hits, five times a day (40mg 5-HTP total), by 20 overweight or obese females (non-depressive and without eating disorders) for 4 weeks has noted an increase in satiety and reduced binge eating tendencies; the increase in satiety was said to account for the improved weight loss results seen in the experimental group when both were given weight loss advice and diets.[2] This spray has been noted elsewhere to increase satiety (and vicariously through that, body weight) over 2 months in a similar demographic of women.[3]

In 19 obese females given either placebo or 8mg/kg (weight not actually given, only BMI between 30-40 for women) daily for 5 weeks without any concurrent dietary recommendations, 5-HTP treatment was associated with a decrease in appetite and food intake (resulting in weight loss) without significantly affecting mood state.[8] This study noted that food intake was reduced from an average of 2,903kcal to 1,819kcal (62% of baseline) while placebo only reduced calories to 80%, and the 0.5kg weight loss in placebo was outperformed by a near 1.5kg loss in 5-HTP. These weight loss effects have been noted with 750mg 5-HTP over 2 weeks in overweight diabetics[9] and over 12 weeks in obese persons given 900mg 5-HTP daily (58% of baseline intake); this latter study had a 6 week trial without a diet (in which significant weight loss was only noted at week 6) followed up by coadministration with a diet where weight loss proceeded to reach an additional 3.3kg over the subsequent 6 weeks;[10] this latter study is duplicated in Medline.[11]

5-HTP appears to reduce food intake secondary to increasing satiety, although most studies are currently conducted in women (in regards to 5-HTP being related to serotonin, this may be relevant; see our creatine page and the Depression section for more information). At least one study that was mixed gender supports the notion it benefits both genders, however

At least one study has actively differentiated between 'an increase in satiety' (sensation of fullness from food) and a 'decrease in appetite' (less desire to eat) and noted that 5-HTP causes an increase in satiety without a concomitant decrease in appetite.[8] Additionally, most studies are in exclusively females which may have more significance with interventions pertaining to serotonin metabolism; only one study mentioned above was conducted in men as well[9] but appears to suggest that it benefits both genders.

A more correct phrase would be that 5-HTP can increase satiety (sensation of fullness) rather than reducing appetite (preventing the desire to eat), although the end result is less food intake. Currently, this is only investigated in obese persons

It should be noted that, anecdotally, 5-HTP is said to reduce cravings for carbohydrates in particular. The serotonergic (related to serotonin) system plays a role in macronutrient selection particular in obese persons with a craving for carbohydrates[12] and enhancing serotonergic transmission is known to reduce these cravings.[13] Beyond this, depressed serotonergic tranmission (hypothalamus) is also implicated in increased eating and reduced satiety in general.[14]

When looking at studies that investigate carbohydrates per se, one study in overweight women given 8mg/kg 5-HTP for 5 weeks noted that while placebo did not reduce carbohydrate ingested (calories were reduced in placebo, but carbohdyrate remained at 38% of voluntary calorie intake) that 5-HTP also retained 38% of intake as carbohydrates despite consuming less calories and carbohydrates in total.[8] A decrease in both carbohydrate and dietary fat has been noted with 750mg 5-HTP daily for 2 weeks in diabetics (with no dietary guidelines given), but appeared to be reduced to a similar degree as calories overall.[9] Only one study supports these anecdotes, where the reduction in calories seemed to be acounted mostly for by carbohydrates (75% of observed reduction) and then fats (25%).[9]

5-HTP supplementation has been reported to cause a selective reduction in cravings for carbohydrates. Currently this is weakly supported (two studies suggest it just reduces all caloric intake indiscriminately) although at least one study suggests it might selectively reduce carbohydrate intake

3.2

Depression

It has been reported that deficiencies in the amino acid tryptophan (precursor to 5-HTP) are correlated with depression, as evidence by serum tryptophan in depressed persons.[15][16] Decreased levels of tryptophan in the body can come from various means but are most likely caused by a diet lacking in the amino acid as substrate, or by upregulation of enzymes (most notably indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase(IDO) and tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase(TDO)) that degrade tryptophan or direct it to paths that are not serotonin synthesis causing a relative deficiency.[17][18] These enzymes can be upregulated in states of chronic inflammation[17][19] and injection of some pro-inflammatory cytokines has been implicated in depression,[20] and increasing the kyurenine:tryptophan ratio, which is indicative of IDO activity being increased.[21] The activity of tryptophan hydroxylase can also be further downregulated in cases of Magnesium or vitamin B6 deficiency, stress, or excessive tryptophan levels.[6]

For those deficient in tryptophan, supplemental tryptophan and 5-HTP could be somewhat effective,[16] although a meta-analysis found barely statistically significant results (Odds Ratio of 1.3-13.2) from a statistically subpar collection of studies, and based on the inclusion criteria it set it had to expand its analysis to both 5-HTP and Tryptophan to get two studies to assess.[22]

5-HTP as monotherapy in depression, despite the theoretical benefit, is not yet proven

In regards to interventions, one study in treatment resistant depressed persons that combination therapy of 5-HTP with Carbidopa noted that 43 out of 99 (43.4%) patients improved with an average 200mg (variable 50-600mg) dosage of 5-HTP.[23] It has been noted[24] that since Cardidopa is a peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor that can prevent metabolism of monoamines including serotonin[25] that these results are unlikely to reflect monotherapy with 5-HTP, despite being within the 30-45% range sometimes seen with the placebo effect.[24][26]

Interventions showing promise with 5-HTP tend to use other compounds alongside 5-HTP to augment efficacy

3.3

Sleep

A nutrient combination of GABA and 5-HTP (amongst other ingredients such as Valerian and Cocoa polyphenols) has been noted to decrease the time required to fall asleep with concomitant improvments in sleep duration and quality as assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).[27]

3.4

Stress

One study investigating romantic stress that looked at nondepressed youth who went through a recent breakup and were given 60mg of Griffonica Simplicifonia (12.8mg 5-HTP) twice a day for 6 weeks in an open-label study noted reductions in percieved romantic stress when measured at the 3 week mark with no further improvement at 6 weeks; there was no control nor placebo group in this study.[28]

3.5

Menopause

5-HTP has been investigated for its role in hot flashes as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) have been noted to reduce the occurrence of hot flashes and menopausal symptoms.[29][30] In a study in menopausal females given 150mg 5-HTP daily (50mg taken thrice a day) for a period of one week failed to quantitivatively reduce the occurrance of hot flashes[31] as assessed by a Flashmark Pro recording device.[32]

3.6

Addiction/Withdrawal

In 20 persons undergoing alcohol withdrawal taking 5-HTP (5mg) alongside Glutamine (150mg) and D-Phenylalanine (300mg) and some minerals such as Calcium and Magnesium, it was noted that after 40 days of nutritional therapy (in a hospital setting) that all withdrawal symptoms assessed via SCL-90-R except for anxiety noted a greater reduction with nutritional support relative to placebo.[33]

3.7

Panic/Anxiety

Serotonin appears to be associated with panic attacks. Although studies that have used tryptophan depletion techniques in humans do not necessarily induce a panic attack[34][35][36] it appears it may sensitize the body by an increase in neurovegetative panic symptoms and increased anxiety[37] which suggests that serotonin is protective against panic attacks, at least acutely.[38][39] A study in 24 unmedicated panic disorder patients and normal participants given 200mg 5-HTP prior to a 35% CO2 test (used to induce a panic attack-like response) noted that the test was able to induce panic attack in both panic disorder patients and normal persons and that 200mg 5-HTP was protective in both conditions but to a greater degree in persons suffering from panic disorders.[40] This has been replicated with cholecystokinin-4 induced panic attack with 200mg 5-HTP in otherwise healthy persons.[41]

Persons who suffer from Panic disorders may be more susceptable to serotonergic imbalances, with tryptophan depletion (thought to be a reliable model to reduce serotonin) causing greater susceptability to panic attacks.

Expanding upon the possible anti-panic effects of 5-HTP, one study using 2mg/kg 5-HTP to children (3.2-10.6 years of age) at bedtime for 20 days noted that 5-HTP was asssociated with beneficial response (more than 50% reduction in night terror frequency) of 93.5% of children relative to 28.6% in placebo.[42] Oddly, 6 months after the initial supplementation period the 5-HTP group still reported less sleep terrors (83.9% reporting improvement).[42]

4.

Interactions with Hormones

4.1

Cortisol

In persons with Panic Disorders (versus persons without as control) ingesting 200mg of 5-HTP, both groups experienced an increase in salivary cortisol within 3 hours but the persons with Panic Attacks continued to have greater increases after the 3 hour mark; this increased cortisol was independent of any percieved side-effects such as headache, fatigue, perspiration, nausea, etc.[43]

5.

Nutrient-Nutrient Interactions

5.1

L-Tyrosine

It has been noted[24] that isolated supplementation of 5-HTP may deplete or reduce the bioactivity of catecholamines such as dopamine[44][45][46] (which extends to L-Tryptophan[45]) and that this relationship also acts in reverse, with supplemental L-Tyrosine possibly able to deplete 5-HTP[47][48] and Serotonin itself,[48] which extends to supplemental L-DOPA which may reduce all intermediate of serotonin synthesis[49][50][51] although L-DOPA may also deplete L-Tyrosine (as it is merely later in the same metabolic chain).[50] Due to excessive levels of either one depleting the other, some authors have suggested that combination therapy of 5-HTP and L-Tyrosine (the furthest back in the metabolic chain while still passing rate limiting enzymes) is a potentially useful avenue for anti-depressive effects.[52]

Monoamine metabolism appears to be in somewhat of a balance, and supplementing compounds early in the catecholamine synthesis pathway (L-Tyrosine and L-DOPA) may reduce levels of those in the serotonergic pathway (L-Tryptophan and 5-HTP) as well as vice-versa

5.2

Aromatic L-Amino Acid Decarboxylase inhibitors

The enzyme dopamine decarboxylase (aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase) mediates the conversion of 5-HTP into serotonin, and this enzyme is expressed in stomach tissue.[53] Inhibition of this enzyme in the stomach during 5-HTP ingestion is thought to promote the concentration of 5-HTP that reaches neural tissue, which is supported by a study using 100-200mg Carbidopa (pharmaceutical inhibitor) alongside 5-HTP to increase radioactivity of 5-HTP (indicative of neural accumulation) in humans.[54]

Green tea catechins (both EGCG and EGC) appear to irreversibly inhibit the enzyme with inactivation values of 868M/min and 1511M/min, respectively, and this inhibition has been noted at 100µM.[55]

The combination of supplemental 5-HTP and a dopamine decarboxylase inhibitor is also thought to reduce the risk for cardiovascular complications, as excess serum (but not neural) serotonin is associated with heart valve disease in rats.[56] Due to the accumulation of 5-HTP in neural tissue following the combination[54] it is plausible to assume a reduction in systemic serotonin; this has not been demonstrated yet, however.

Pairing supplemental 5-HTP with an inhibitor of dopamine decarboxylase appears to promote accumulation of 5-HTP and subsequently serotonin in the brain, which has been noted in human case studies. This theoretically reduces the risk of heart valve complications (not yet demonstrated)

6.

Safety and Toxicity

6.1

General

In some studies that record appetite suppression with 5-HTP supplementation, nausea appears to also be reported at higher freqencies than placebo,[8] although some interventions note this as the only relevant side effect.[9] Short term studies tend to note that nausea persists throughout the study period[9] while those expanding beyond three weeks note that reports of nausea tend to decline at this time point.[8]

6.2

Clinically Relevant

No toxicity reports have been noted with doses at or below 50mg/kg bodyweight. However, doses of 100-200mg/kg bodyweight have been associated with Serotonin Syndrome in lab animals when administered in isolation.[1]

With normal dosages of 5-HTP (typically around 300mg a day), however, side effects and the serotonin syndrome have not been observed in humans even with coingestion of anti-depressants such as MAOIs.[57][58][59][60][61] Due to the limited size of the samples in said studies, however, it is suggested that these results be seen as preliminary.[1]

It should be noted that supplemental 5-HTP can cause an increase in urinary 5-HIAA, which is the major metabolite of serotonin that is excreted in the urine. Increased urinary 5-HIAA is also sometimes a diagonistic marker for carcinoid tumors due to increased conversion of tryptophan to serotonin in these tumors,[62][63] and in this case serum chromogranin A should be measured (as supplemental 5-HTP does not appear to increase chromogranin A).[63]

References
1.^Turner EH, Loftis JM, Blackwell ADSerotonin a la carte: supplementation with the serotonin precursor 5-hydroxytryptophanPharmacol Ther.(2006 Mar)
3.^Rondanelli M, Klersy C, Iadarola P, Monteferrario F, Opizzi ASatiety and amino-acid profile in overweight women after a new treatment using a natural plant extract sublingual spray formulationInt J Obes (Lond).(2009 Oct)
7.^O'Neil MF, Moore NAAnimal models of depression: are there anyHum Psychopharmacol.(2003 Jun)
8.^Ceci F, Cangiano C, Cairella M, Cascino A, Del Ben M, Muscaritoli M, Sibilia L, Rossi Fanelli FThe effects of oral 5-hydroxytryptophan administration on feeding behavior in obese adult female subjectsJ Neural Transm.(1989)
9.^Cangiano C, Laviano A, Del Ben M, Preziosa I, Angelico F, Cascino A, Rossi-Fanelli FEffects of oral 5-hydroxy-tryptophan on energy intake and macronutrient selection in non-insulin dependent diabetic patientsInt J Obes Relat Metab Disord.(1998 Jul)
10.^Cangiano C, Ceci F, Cascino A, Del Ben M, Laviano A, Muscaritoli M, Antonucci F, Rossi-Fanelli FEating behavior and adherence to dietary prescriptions in obese adult subjects treated with 5-hydroxytryptophanAm J Clin Nutr.(1992 Nov)
11.^Cangiano C, Ceci F, Cairella M, Cascino A, Del Ben M, Laviano A, Muscaritoli M, Rossi-Fanelli FEffects of 5-hydroxytryptophan on eating behavior and adherence to dietary prescriptions in obese adult subjectsAdv Exp Med Biol.(1991)
13.^Wurtman RJ, Wurtman JJBrain serotonin, carbohydrate-craving, obesity and depressionObes Res.(1995 Nov)
20.^Jennifer M Loftis, Peter HauserThe phenomenology and treatment of interferon-induced depressionJ Affect Disord.(2004 Oct 15)
21.^Bonaccorso S, Marino V, Puzella A, Pasquini M, Biondi M, Artini M, Almerighi C, Verkerk R, Meltzer H, Maes MIncreased depressive ratings in patients with hepatitis C receiving interferon-alpha-based immunotherapy are related to interferon-alpha-induced changes in the serotonergic systemJ Clin Psychopharmacol.(2002 Feb)
22.^Shaw K, Turner J, Del Mar CAre tryptophan and 5-hydroxytryptophan effective treatments for depression? A meta-analysisAust N Z J Psychiatry.(2002 Aug)
24.^Hinz M, Stein A, Uncini T5-HTP efficacy and contraindicationsNeuropsychiatr Dis Treat.(2012)
25.^Hinz M, Stein A, Uncini TAmino acid management of Parkinson's disease: a case studyInt J Gen Med.(2011 Feb 28)
26.^Hinz M, Stein A, Uncini TMonoamine depletion by reuptake inhibitorsDrug Healthc Patient Saf.(2011)
27.^Shell W, Bullias D, Charuvastra E, May LA, Silver DSA randomized, placebo-controlled trial of an amino acid preparation on timing and quality of sleepAm J Ther.(2010 Mar-Apr)
28.^Emanuele E, Bertona M, Minoretti P, Geroldi DAn open-label trial of L-5-hydroxytryptophan in subjects with romantic stressNeuro Endocrinol Lett.(2010)
29.^Speroff L, Gass M, Constantine G, Olivier S; Study 315 InvestigatorsEfficacy and tolerability of desvenlafaxine succinate treatment for menopausal vasomotor symptoms: a randomized controlled trialObstet Gynecol.(2008 Jan)
30.^Stearns V, Slack R, Greep N, Henry-Tilman R, Osborne M, Bunnell C, Ullmer L, Gallagher A, Cullen J, Gehan E, Hayes DF, Isaacs CParoxetine is an effective treatment for hot flashes: results from a prospective randomized clinical trialJ Clin Oncol.(2005 Oct 1)
32.^Freedman RR, Wasson SMiniature hygrometric hot flash recorderFertil Steril.(2007 Aug)
34.^Park SB, Coull JT, McShane RH, Young AH, Sahakian BJ, Robbins TW, Cowen PJTryptophan depletion in normal volunteers produces selective impairments in learning and memoryNeuropharmacology.(1994 Mar-Apr)
35.^Oldman A, Walsh A, Salkovskis P, Fairburn CG, Cowen PJBiochemical and behavioural effects of acute tryptophan depletion in abstinent bulimic subjects: a pilot studyPsychol Med.(1995 Sep)
37.^Klaassen T, Klumperbeek J, Deutz NE, van Praag HM, Griez EEffects of tryptophan depletion on anxiety and on panic provoked by carbon dioxide challengePsychiatry Res.(1998 Feb 27)
39.^Schruers K, Klaassen T, Pols H, Overbeek T, Deutz NE, Griez EEffects of tryptophan depletion on carbon dioxide provoked panic in panic disorder patientsPsychiatry Res.(2000 Apr 10)
40.^Schruers K, van Diest R, Overbeek T, Griez EAcute L-5-hydroxytryptophan administration inhibits carbon dioxide-induced panic in panic disorder patientsPsychiatry Res.(2002 Dec 30)
42.^Bruni O, Ferri R, Miano S, Verrillo EL -5-Hydroxytryptophan treatment of sleep terrors in childrenEur J Pediatr.(2004 Jul)
43.^Schruers K, van Diest R, Nicolson N, Griez EL-5-hydroxytryptophan induced increase in salivary cortisol in panic disorder patients and healthy volunteersPsychopharmacology (Berl).(2002 Jun)
45.^Zhelyaskov DK, Levitt M, Udenfriend STryptophan derivatives as inhibitors of tyrosine hydroxylase in vivo and in vitroMol Pharmacol.(1968 Sep)
49.^Ritvo ER, Yuwiler A, Geller E, Kales A, Rashkis S, Schicor A, Plotkin S, Axelrod R, Howard CEffects of L-dopa in autismJ Autism Child Schizophr.(1971 Apr-Jun)
54.^Orlefors H, Sundin A, Lu L, Oberg K, Långström B, Eriksson B, Bergström MCarbidopa pretreatment improves image interpretation and visualisation of carcinoid tumours with 11C-5-hydroxytryptophan positron emission tomographyEur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging.(2006 Jan)
55.^Bertoldi M, Gonsalvi M, Voltattorni CBGreen tea polyphenols: novel irreversible inhibitors of dopa decarboxylaseBiochem Biophys Res Commun.(2001 Jun 1)
56.^Gustafsson BI, Tømmerås K, Nordrum I, Loennechen JP, Brunsvik A, Solligård E, Fossmark R, Bakke I, Syversen U, Waldum HLong-term serotonin administration induces heart valve disease in ratsCirculation.(2005 Mar 29)
61.^Nardini M, De Stefano R, Iannuccelli M, Borghesi R, Battistini NTreatment of depression with L-5-hydroxytryptophan combined with chlorimipramine, a double-blind studyInt J Clin Pharmacol Res.(1983)
62.^van der Horst-Schrivers AN, Post WJ, Kema IP, Links TP, Willemse PH, Wymenga AN, de Vries EGPersistent low urinary excretion of 5-HIAA is a marker for favourable survival during follow-up in patients with disseminated midgut carcinoid tumoursEur J Cancer.(2007 Dec)