5-Hydroxytryptophan supplement benefit and side effects, use for depression, anxiety, appetite control : by Ray Sahelian, M.D.

5-Hydroxytryptophan side effects, dosage, benefits, safety, 50 mg and 100 mg, for depression, mood, weight loss, sleep, stress and anxiety

5-Hydroxytryptophan supplement Honest Information by Ray Sahelian, M.D., Best selling author of 5-HTP: Nature's Serotonin Solution

Is there a natural supplement that can give you similar benefits as SSRI drugs but with fewer side effects? 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-hydroxytryptophan or 5-hydroxy-l-tryptophan) is a natural supplement that converts in the brain into serotonin. Serotonin is an important brain chemical involved in mood, behavior, appetite, and sleep. Serotonin is also involved in impulse control. For instance, low serotonin levels may lead to addictive behavior such as gambling or other habits caused by weak will power. Serotonin is known as 5-HT, or 5-hydroxytryptamine, and is found in many places in the body particularly the brain, gastrointestinal system, and blood cells. On this web page I will discuss the proper use of 5-Hydroxytryptophan along with mentioning 5-Hydroxytryptophan side effects and the use of 5-Hydroxytryptophan for depression.
5-Hydroxytryptophan has been helpful for some people, but the effects are not consistent in everyone who uses it. Some people are deficient in serotonin and hence 5-Hydroxytryptophan may be helpful to them whereas other people may have depression, anxiety, and other symptoms that may appear to be due to serotonin deficiency, but may actually be from other causes. There's really no easy way -- for instance blood studies in a doctor's office -- to tell whether someone is deficient in serotonin, and if they are, whether 5-Hydroxytryptophan would help them. In addition to 5-Hydroxytryptophan, other nutrients and herbs that have an influence on stress or anxiety include passion flower, tryptophan, kava, theanine, taurine, and valerian. Mind Power Rx is a formula that helps support mood and provides mental clarity, along with better focus and concentration. Good Night Rx is quite helpful in most people to induce and maintain sleep, and it works better than 5-Hydroxytryptophan for sleep. 5-hydroxytryptophan can help some people reduce their food cravings. Other supplements that could may reduce appetite include green tea extract and hoodia. You can purchase green tea extract and Hoodia Extract here.

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5-Hydroxytryptophan side effects, safety, caution, risks
5-Hydroxytryptophan was introduced to the over the counter market in 1994. Our understanding of 5-Hydroxytryptophan's clinical role and its side effect profile is still fuzzy. We don't know as much as we should about the effects of chronic 5-Hydroxytryptophan use. Therefore, until we learn more, the idea is to take 5-Hydroxytryptophan in the minimum effective dosage and to avoid its prolonged continuous use. I tell my patients who use 5-Hydroxytryptophan for depression or other reasons to take frequent breaks to avoid potential 5-Hydroxytryptophan side effects (the frequency and length of breaks varies since each person is unique). During these breaks, other forms of therapy could be substituted. As of now, and after more than a decade off 5-Hydroxytryptophan being available to the public, I am not aware of any reports in the medical literature of anyone who has encountered life threatening or other serious 5-Hydroxytryptophan side effects. It's best to be cautious, limit use to 50 mg or at most 100 mg a day, and take breaks.
Common side effects with 5-Hydroxytryptophan include nausea, stomach upset, loose stools or constipation, and headache.

5-Hydroxytryptophan Dosage, 50 mg, 100 mg or 300 mg
Some studies have used dosages of 300 mg a day of 5-Hydroxytryptophan for depression, but I consider any 5-Hydroxytryptophan dose above 50 mg to 100 mg a high dose. Most 5-Hydroxytryptophan products on the market are sold in 50 and 100 mg capsules. Some people do well with 20 to 50 mg, while others may temporarily require 100 mg or more. I'm not aware of 5-Hydroxytryptophan products on the market that are less than 50 mg. Those who do well with small doses can open a capsule and take a portion mixed with water. 5-Hydroxytryptophan is best absorbed on an empty stomach, or some users have tried taking a smaller amount of 5-Hydroxytryptophan sublingually, that is, under the tongue. Medical supervision is recommended if high doses of 5-Hydroxytryptophan are required to treat a particular condition. I don't recommend the routine use of daily intake doses greater than 100 mg since there's the possibility of nausea or nightmares. Also, we still don't know if there are any long term 5-Hydroxytryptophan side effects if people take high doses for many years. 5-Hydroxytryptophan enhances dreams and makes them more vivid. Use less than 50 mg in the evening to avoid or reduce nightmares. Some people may find 10 to 30 mg works better. Capsules can be easily opened by pulling on each end.

Safety of 5-Hydroxytryptophan supplement -- as discussed in the April 2004 issue of Toxicology Letters
5-Hydroxy-L-tryptophan (5-Hydroxytryptophan) is the immediate precursor in the biosynthesis of 5-hydroxy-tryptamine (5-HT; serotonin) from the essential amino acid L-Tryptophan. The use of L-Tryptophan as a dietary supplement was discontinued in 1989 due to an outbreak of eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS) that was traced to a contaminated synthetic L-Tryptophan from a single manufacturer. 5-Hydroxytryptophan has since become a popular dietary supplement in lieu of the removal of L-Tryptophan from the market. Because of its chemical and biochemical relationship to L-tryptophan, 5-Hydroxytryptophan has been under vigilance by consumers, industry, academia and government for its safety. However, no definitive cases of toxicity have emerged despite the worldwide usage of 5-Hydroxytryptophan for the last 20 years, with the possible exception of one unresolved case of a Canadian woman. Extensive analyses of several sources of 5-Hydroxytryptophan have shown no toxic contaminants similar to those associated with L-Tryptophan, nor the presence of any other significant impurities. A minor chromatographic peak (peak X) reported in some 5-Hydroxytryptophan samples lacks credibility due to chromatographic artifacts and infinitesimal concentrations, and has raised undue speculations concerning its chemistry and toxicity.
Das YT, Bagchi M, Bagchi D, Preuss HG. Safety of 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan. Toxicol Lett. 2004 Apr 15. ISSI Laboratories Inc., 515 Blue Ridge Avenue, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA.

Short term 5-Hydroxytryptophan side effects
5-Hydroxytryptophan side effects from high doses (which could be 70 to 100 mg and greater) include nausea and vomiting, stomach cramps, nightmares, and decreased sex drive. Serotonin has an inhibitory effect on sexual behavior, therefore, one of the 5HTP side effects is decreased libido. Tiredness and sleepiness can occur after several days or weeks of use, which may indicate that a break should be taken from 5-Hydroxytryptophan use. For those who experience nightmares or other 5HTP side effects such as nausea or decreased libido, you may consider taking a lower dose. Here's a report from one user, "Hi, great website. I am writing because I just yesterday took a 100 mg. 5-Hydroxytryptophan. I feel awful for the most part. I am usually sensitive to any side effects, and I just feel the stomach discomfort and fullness and then feel kind of disoriented and weird."
     Nightmares sometimes decrease after the first few nights.

Long term 5-Hydroxytryptophan side effects
Long term side effects with 5-Hydroxytryptophan are not fully known. When hundreds of thousands of people start taking a supplement that has not had adequate long-term testing, there may be some individuals who have a biochemical abnormality in metabolizing that nutrient that was previously not known. We don't know the consequences on the immune system, skin, and other tissues of long-term 5-Hydroxytryptophan therapy. Regular long term use is not recommended at this time.
     At this point of our knowledge with 5-Hydroxytryptophan, it would be best not to use it while trying to become pregnant or during pregnancy. The safety of 5-Hydroxytryptophan during lactation and breast feeding is not known.

Source and manufacture
5-Hydroxytryptophan is made in the body from the amino acid tryptophan. Most of the 5-Hydroxytryptophan produced in the body comes from its manufacture in the intestines from tryptophan. Tryptophan is an essential amino acid; that is, the body does not have the capacity to synthesize it. All the supply of tryptophan must be gotten through foods that contain protein.
   5-Hydroxytryptophan sold over the counter is extracted from the Griffonia seed. The seeds come from an African tree grown mostly in Ghana and the Ivory Coast. 5-Hydroxytryptophan can also be made synthetically in the laboratory. The final product is the same as the one made by the body. Only a small (3 to 7) percent of the griffonia seed is made of 5-Hydroxytryptophan, therefore, consuming griffonia seeds is not an efficient way of getting 5-Hydroxytryptophan. 5-Hydroxytryptophan is not made from fermentation of bacteria.

5-Hydroxytryptophan Interactions
The use of 5-Hydroxytryptophan for depression in combination with SSRIs such as Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, and others has not been formally evaluated. Anecdotal reports indicate that many people tolerate small amount of 5-Hydroxytryptophan, 50 mg or less, with reduced doses of SSRIs when used under the guidance of a medical professional. The effects of taking 5-Hydroxytryptophan for depression along with a pharmaceutical antidepressant are sometimes difficult to predict. Since the SSRIs, like Prozac, block serotonin reuptake, and 5-Hydroxytryptophan converts into serotonin, it is possible that dangerously high levels of serotonin could occur, a condition called serotonin syndrome.
     It is difficult to predict the interaction of 5-Hydroxytryptophan with lithium, MAO inhibitors, anti-anxiety agents, beta blockers, birth control pills, and other pharmaceutical medicines.
     Some physicians are using a combination of two or more natural antidepressants such as 5-Hydroxytryptophan, St. John's wort, SAM-e, and others. However the interactions are not fully known and caution is advised when 5-Hydroxytryptophan is used for depression in combination with other supplemetns. Any such combination should be done under medical supervision.

5-Hydroxytryptophan Dosage and Timing
It's difficult to say what the best time to take 5-Hydroxytryptophan since it varies among individuals. It depends whether 5-Hydroxytryptophan is being used for sleep, in that case it is taken in the evening; for anxiety or depression, 5-Hydroxytryptophan can be taken any time of day. For weight loss or appetite control, 5-Hydroxytryptophan may be taken on an empty stomach an hour or two before a meal.
   If you do take 5-Hydroxytryptophan during the day, it's best to keep your 5-Hydroxytryptophan dosage to less than 50 mg since sleepiness may occur. 5-Hydroxytryptophan is absorbed better taken on an empty stomach.
   There is has not been enough research done with 5-Hydroxytryptophan to know the ideal dosage and timing. Also, there is significant individual variability to the response to 5-Hydroxytryptophan. Hence, each person may need to find out for himself or herself the lowest 5-Hydroxytryptophan dosage that works well, and the ideal timing, whether early in the day, midday or evening.
   A small amount of alcohol usually does not interfere with 5-Hydroxytryptophan, but larger amounts may.

Benefit of 5-Hydroxytryptophan for Anxiety and Sleep
Some people who take 5-Hydroxytryptophan notice the benefit of better mood balance, decrease in appetite, reduced anxiety, better impulse control, and better sleep. Try a dose lower than 50 mg for sleep, and 5-Hydroxytryptophan is not consistent in inducing sleep. I have come across some individuals who find themselves more alert rather than in a relaxed, sleepy state of mind with 5-Hydroxytryptophan.
   Does 5-Hydroxytryptophan help with weight loss? Some find that 5-Hydroxytryptophan helps curb appetite. This nutrient could be used temporarily for appetite suppression while other lifestyle and dietary changes are being incorporated regarding a life long plan for keeping weight off. Not everyone notices the appetite suppressing effect from 5-Hydroxytryptophan. A study in rodents indicates that 5-Hydroxytryptophan may be useful in controlling the excessive food intake sometimes generated by stress. Long term human studies are not available to determine whether 5-Hydroxytryptophan for weight loss is a good option.
   5-Hydroxytryptophan may be temporarily helpful in conditions that normally require prescription antidepressants, anti-anxiety agents, sleeping pills, and weight loss drugs. 5-Hydroxytryptophan may also be helpful in some individuals with migraine headaches and fibromyalgia although much more research is needed.
   This supplement reduces the severity of a panic attack which may indicate that panic attacks may partly be due to low serotonin levels.

5-Hydroxytryptophan Research studies
Pyridoxine, regardless of serotonin levels, increases production of 5-hydroxytryptophan in rat brain.
Arch Med Res. 2004 Jul-Aug;35(4):271-4.
The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of pyridoxine and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) on lipid peroxidation and on levels of 5-hydroxytryptophan and serotonin. Thirty rats (30 days of age) were used in the survey, measuring levels of lipid peroxidation (TBARS), hemoglobin, 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-Hydroxytryptophan or l 5-Hydroxytryptophan), and serotonin (5-HT) after intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections of 4 and 10 mg/kg/day of pyridoxine HCl during 20 days and a single dose of 2 microM/kg (440 microg) of BHT. Levels of TBARS and 5-Hydroxytryptophan increased considerably in all vitamin- and/or BHT-treated groups, and 5-HT increased partially only in B(6) with or without BHT-treated groups compared with control group. Results suggest that pyridoxine plays a role in tryptophan metabolism, increasing production of 5-Hydroxytryptophan.

5-Hydroxytryptophan is a more potent in vitro hydroxyl radical scavenger than melatonin or vitamin C.
J Pineal Res. 2005 Jan;38(1):62-6.
Hydroxyl radicals are involved in direct damage of important biomolecules. Potent radical scavengers such as vitamin C and indoles of the tryptophan family can avert the potential damage. Melatonin and its precursor 5-hydroxytryptophan ( 5-Hydroxytryptophan ) were compared with water-soluble vitamin C. 5-Hydroxytryptophan showed highest hydroxyl radical scavenging effects, more than vitamin C, which was more than melatonin.

5-Hydroxytryptophan Prevents Panic Attacks -- A panic attack involves the sudden appearance of several symptoms including shortness of breath, sweating or shaking, palpitations, and the fear of dying or losing control. Women are more likely than men to have this condition. Doctors often prescribe anti-anxiety medicines such as Xanax or Valium. However, a nutrient known as 5-Hydroxytryptophan may play an important role. 5-Hydroxytryptophan stands for 5-Hydroxytryptophan, a supplement available over the counter that, when ingested, goes to the brain and converts into the brain chemical serotonin. Serotonin is known to induce relaxation and balance mood. Researchers at the Department of Neuropsychology at Maastricht University in The Netherlands were able to induce a panic attack in volunteers who suffer from panic disorder by having them breathe a high concentration of carbon dioxide. They repeated the study, this time giving half of the volunteers 200-mg of 5-Hydroxytryptophan while the others received a placebo. Those who took 5-Hydroxytryptophan had a significantly diminished panic response compared to those on placebo.
Dr. Sahelian says: 5-Hydroxytryptophan is available in health food stores in a dosage of 50 mg. The results of this study are quite interesting and indicate that those with panic attacks may not have adequate levels of serotonin. If you suffer from frequent panic attacks, it would be worthwhile to discuss the findings of this 5-Hydroxytryptophan study with your physician.

The effect of 5-hydroxytryptophan on cholecystokinin-4-induced panic attacks in healthy volunteers.
Department of Psychiatry, University of Tartu, Raja, Estonia.
J Psychopharmacol. 2004 Jun;18(2):194-9.
Previous studies suggest a modulatory role of serotonin in experimentally-induced panic attacks. In the current study, we investigated the acute effects of 5-HT precursor l-5-hydroxytryptophan ( 5-Hydroxytryptophan ) on the response to panicogenic challenge with cholecystokinin-tetrapeptide (CCK-4) in healthy volunteers. Thirty-two subjects were randomized to receive either 200 mg of 5-Hydroxytryptophan or placebo with the CCK-4 challenge following in 90 min in a double-blind, parallel-group design. The results showed a nonsignificant difference between the groups in panic rate (19% after 5-Hydroxytryptophan and 44% after placebo, p = 0.13) with a trend for lower intensity of symptoms after 5-Hydroxytryptophan . Further analysis by gender revealed that females in the 5-Hydroxytryptophan group had a significantly lower panic rate and intensity of cognitive symptoms whereas, in males, the effect of 5-Hydroxytryptophan was limited to lowering the intensity of somatic panic symptoms. Thus, an increased availability of 5-HT may have a gender-dependent protective effect in CCK-4-induced panic.

5Hydroxytryptophan supplement questions
Q. I have seen the following terms used 5 hydroxytryptophan, 5 hydroxytryptophan, 5hydroxy tryptophan, 5 hydroxytryptophan, 5 hydroxy l tryptophan. Which one is the most accepted term?
A. I have seen research studies use a number of different ways of mentioning 5 Hydroxytryptophan, so I am not sure which is the most accepted way to spell it.

Q. Some website say that a person can take up to 900 mg a day, this seems quite high to me.
A. Researchers have given as high as 900 mg a day, but most people do very well with 50 mg or 100 mg a day.