NatuGena® – 5 HTP

Description

The 5 HTP effect – what is it anyway?

5-HTP (stands for 5-hydroxytryptophan) is a precursor of the neurotransmitter serotonin. It is produced from the amino acid (the “building blocks of proteins”) tryptophan. Tryptophan is first converted into 5-HTP via the enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase and 5-HTP is then converted into serotonin via the enzyme L-amino acid decarboxylase. It may have several other names as a dietary supplement, such as Griffonia extract, Griffonia simplicifolia and Oxitriptan. What can the 5 HTP effect be useful for? 5-HTP supplements are usually taken to treat the following symptoms and conditions:

• Sleep disorders, including insomnia
• Mood-related problems, such as depression and anxiety
• Headaches and migraines
• Obesity and overeating
• Pain, also for fibromyalgia and PMS or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDS)
• ADHD symptoms
• Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and other neurological problems
• Alcohol withdrawal symptoms
• Seasonal affective disorder

5 HTP effect – benefits & use

How does 5 HTP work in your body? It works mainly by increasing the synthesis of serotonin, a ‘feel-good’ neurotransmitter. For this reason, it can potentially have positive effects on mood, energy levels, motivation, appetite, sleep and nervous system function. Serotonin itself cannot be taken in supplement form because it cannot cross the blood-brain barrier, but taking 5-HTP, or the 5 HTP effect, is one way to provide the body with resources to make more of it on its own.

Here are some of the main benefits and uses of 5-HTP:

1. stress management

Neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine and melatonin are needed to transmit important information between the synapses in the brain.
We rely on the amino acid L-tryptophan or 5-HTP so that these neurotransmitters can be formed.

5-HTP acts in the brain and central nervous system by increasing the production of serotonin.
Serotonin can influence sleep, appetite, libido and pain perception.

While the 5 HTP effect doesn’t help everyone, there is evidence that 5 HTP supplements can help reduce feelings of stress, depression, anxiety symptoms and panic attacks in some people. How does the 5 HTP effect compare to SSRI drugs (which are used to treat anxiety/depression symptoms)? SSRIs do not work by increasing serotonin production, but by preserving the serotonin already in the brain by preventing the enzymatic breakdown of synaptic serotonin. However, 5-HTP may also help the brain produce more serotonin. Doctors often recommend their patients use 5-HTP along with other antidepressant substances or medications for an additional effect. The 5-HTP effect may also be useful for people with depression who are resistant to SSRIs.

2. sleep quality

5-HTP doesn’t work like sleep-inducing drugs, which can make you very sleepy, but it can help you feel more relaxed, making it easier to fall asleep. The 5-HTP effect has been found to work particularly well against insomnia when taken together with GABA and valerian root, which also have a calming effect. This combination can reduce the time it takes you to fall asleep. It can promote better sleep by converting serotonin into melatonin, a hormone that is important for regulating your circadian rhythm (your ‘internal clock’).

3. pain relief?

Some studies have found evidence that 5-HTP, in a dose of at least 3 x 100 milligrams per day, can help reduce a number of fibromyalgia symptoms, such as pain, tension, anxiety, fatigue and stiffness. In one study, “adequate” clinical improvement was observed in almost 50 percent of patients during the treatment period. It should be taken for at least several weeks or months to achieve the greatest benefit. The 5 HTP effect may also be able to relieve migraine symptoms. Migraines are another condition thought to be possibly triggered by serotonin levels. One study found that supplementation led to a significant improvement in 71 percent of participants treated with 5-HTP.

4. weight

Some studies have shown that the 5-HTP effect may promote weight loss by increasing satiety and reducing appetite and calorie intake in overweight adults. One study, in which participants took 750 milligrams of 5-HTP for two weeks, found that supplementation caused participants to eat less (especially carbohydrates) and lose some weight.