There are many contributing factors to mental health:
diet/lifestyle, hormone imbalance, vitamin/mineral deficiencies, digestive disorders, chronic inflammation, stress, and exposure to environmental toxins.

A randomized double-blind study supplemented seasonal affective disorder (SAD) patients with 150–400 mg of 5-HTP per day. Within the first two weeks, the scores on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) of patients taking the supplement significantly decreased compared with the placebo. After eight weeks, 73% of the patients showed notable improvements in emotional well-being.[1]

5-HTP can also help improve serotonin imbalances associated with chronic pain conditions, such as musculoskeletal pain, tenderness, morning stiffness, and fatigue experienced by fibromyalgia patients.[2] Studies lasting up to one year show that fibromyalgia patients who take 300–400 mg of 5-HTP per day in divided doses can significantly improve the severity of symptoms. [2] By increasing serotonin production, 5-HTP can be used to control appetite and carb cravings. In a placebo-controlled study, overweight women supplemented with 5-HTP for five weeks. Even without having additional dietary restrictions, the women were found to eat less and lose weight during the study.[3]

Healthy serotonin levels help the brain recognize feelings of satiety after eating.

Look for timed-release caplets of 5-HTP, available in natural health stores, because they deliver 5-HTP gradually, helping smooth out the fluctuations in serotonin levels that can often occur with immediate-release forms. This supplementation method is especially crucial for people with weak emotional well-being who cannot risk a relapse of symptoms or adverse events related to rapid spikes in serotonin levels.[4]

Serotonin is one of the major neurotransmitters in the body and plays an essential role in emotional well-being, sleep, pain, and appetite.

Low serotonin can be an underlying factor in multiple chronic health problems.

5-HTP naturally enhances serotonin levels by readily crossing the blood-brain barrier providing a direct route to relieving symptoms of low serotonin.

Common symptoms of low serotonin include:

  • Low mood
  • Anxiety
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Migraines
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Cravings
  • DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY DISORDERS are conditions that are becoming more and more prevalent in people of all ages.
  • The numbers are staggering, with mental health disorders affecting about 40 MILLION ADULTS IN NORTH AMERICA in a given year.
  • The National Institute of Mental Health reports that by 2020, anxiety-related disorders will affect SEVEN OUT OF TEN INDIVIDUALS IN NORTH AMERICA alone.

References:

  1. Jangid P, Malik P, Singh P, et al. Comparative study of efficacy of L-5-hydroxytryptophan and fluoxetine in patients presenting with first depressive episode. Asian Journal of Psychiatry. 2013; 6(1):29-34.
  2. Birdsall TC. 5-Hydroxytryptophan: A clinically-effective serotonin precursor. Alternative Medicine Review. 1998; 3(4):271-280.
  3. Ceci F, Cangiano C, Cairella M, et al. The effects of oral 5-hydroxytryptophan administration on feeding behavior in obese adult female subjects. Journal of Neural Transmission. 1989; 76(2):109-117.
  4. Jacobsen JPR, Oh A, Bangle R, et al. Slow-release delivery enhances the pharmacological properties of oral 5-hydroxytryptophan: mouse proof-of-concept. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2019; 44(12):2082-2090.