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COMPOUNDS / AMINO ACID / 5-HTP
AMINO ACID

5-HTP

MEDIUM RISK
BEST FOR:Mood●●●●●●○○○○6/10
5-HTP · 5-HYDROXYTRYPTOPHAN · OXITRIPTAN · CINCOFARM · LEVOTHYM · PRESTAB · 5-HYDROXY-L-TRYPTOPHAN
Serotonin PrecursorAmino AcidMoodSleepAppetite Suppressant

Serotonin precursor amino acid used for mood, sleep, and appetite regulation; crosses the blood-brain barrier freely.

ROUTE / DOSAGE
LOW50-100mg
STANDARD100-300mg
HIGH300-500mg
Note: Take with water; food may reduce nausea but slow onset
CYCLE
Daily use acceptable cycle off every 4-6 weeks to assess continued need
BIOAVAILABILITY
~40-70% oral crosses BBB freely but significant peripheral conversion reduces CNS availability
ACTIVE DURATION
4-8h (subjective)
STORAGE
Room temperature dry away from light and moisture
HALF-LIFE
2-7 hours (plasma)
DURATION BREAKDOWN
Total4-8 hours
Onset30-90 min
Come up30-60 min
Peak1-3 hours
Offset1-3 hours
After effects2-4 hours
Duration varies by route, dose, and individual. Source: community reports.
§ 01 — EFFECTS
6 documented
Elevated mood
Reduced anxiety
Improved sleep quality
Appetite suppression
Mild relaxation
Increased serotonin synthesis
§ 02 — RISKS
Serotonin syndrome when combined with SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs, tricyclics, tramadol or other serotonergic agents
Eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS) from contaminated preparations
Gastrointestinal distress including nausea, diarrhea and cramping
Reversible hippocampal ischaemia reported in acute overdose (10x recommended dose)
Anxiety, agitation or dysphoria at higher doses
Potential drug interactions with all serotonergic medications
§ 03 — INTERACTIONS
No interaction with your stack
VIEW STACK
AVOID · DANGEROUS
SSRIs
SNRIs
Serotonin releasers
MAOIs
Tricyclic antidepressants
Tramadol
§ 04 — SCIENCE

Multiple double-blind placebo-controlled trials have examined 5-HTP for depression with generally positive but methodologically limited results; sample sizes are often small and older studies predate modern diagnostic criteria. Evidence for sleep improvement and appetite suppression is more robust, with several trials showing reduced caloric intake and improved sleep quality. A preliminary RCT found significant fat mass reduction at 100 mg daily over 8 weeks without changes in lean mass or body fat percentage. Safety concerns include eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS) linked to contaminated preparations, serotonin syndrome risk when combined with serotonergic drugs, and a case report of reversible hippocampal ischaemia following a 10x overdose. Long-term safety data remain limited.

§ 06 — SOURCES
[1]
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP): Natural Occurrence, Analysis, Biosynthesis, Biotechnology, Physiology and Toxicology
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
[2]
Serotonin a la carte: supplementation with the serotonin precursor 5-hydroxytryptophan
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
[3]
In brief: 5-HTP for depression
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
[4]
L-5-hydroxytryptophan-(L-5-HTP) therapy
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
[5]
The Effects of 5-HTP on Body Composition: An 8-Week Preliminary RCT
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
[6]
L-DOPA and 5-HTP modulation of air-stepping in newborn rats
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
[7]
5-HTP hypothesis of schizophrenia
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
[8]
Hippocampal ischaemia from accidental 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) overdose case report
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
[9]
PsychonautWiki - 5-Hydroxytryptophan
psychonautwiki.org ↗
Disclaimer. Protokol.wiki is an informational reference. Nothing on this site is medical advice. Compounds listed may be unapproved, unregulated, or illegal in your jurisdiction. Consult a licensed physician before use. Data compiled from peer-reviewed literature.
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