However, severe side effects, including abnormal mental functions, behavioral disturbances and intolerance are associated with this treatment. Hari Shanker Sharma, in International Review of Neurobiology, 2019 Abstractĥ-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), a precursor of serotonin, is therapeutically used for several psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression in the clinic. 5-HTP also interacts with carbidopa (used to treat Parkinson's disease), and the combination can cause skin changes similar to those that occur with scleroderma.Īruna Sharma. 5-HTP should not be used in conjunction with tricyclic antidepressants or SSRIs due to the possibility of serotonin syndrome. There have been a few reports of symptoms similar to those caused by contaminated tryptophan, and researchers have identified at least one contaminant in some batches of 5-HTP.ĥ-HTP interacts with MAO inhibitors, with an increase in risk of hypertension. There is some concern about contamination, even though the manufacture of 5-HTP is different from that of the standard tryptophan, which was banned in 1989. People with kidney disease, peptic ulcers, or blood platelet disorders should not use 5-HTP. It is possible that 5-HTP causes seizures in children with Down syndrome, and its safety for pregnant or nursing women and those with liver and kidney disease has not been established. Euphoria, hypomania, restlessness, rapid speech, anxiety, insomnia, aggressiveness, and agitation have also been reported. The most common side effects of 5-HTP are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and anorexia.

However, these studies have some notable flaws (small sample sizes, short durations, no placebo group, poor definition of depression, and the inclusion of patients with bipolar depression). Several small studies have compared 5-HTP to standard antidepressant medications.

Studies conducted in the 1970s and early 1980s have shown 5-HTP to be more effective than placebo in treating depression. It is also used to treat fibromyalgia, insomnia, binge-eating, attention deficit disorder, and chronic headaches.

It is metabolized into serotonin and is thought to alleviate depression by enhancing serotonin neurotransmission. 5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan)ĥ-HTP is an herbal supplement manufactured from the seeds of the African plant Griffonia simplicifolia. Cummings, in Encyclopedia of Psychotherapy, 2002 II.B.

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