5-HTP As A Complementary And Alternative Medicine

What is 5-HTP?

5-HTP is a chemical precursor to the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter responsible for positive mood balance. 5-HTP stands for 5 hydroxy-L-tryptophan. L-tryptophan is an amino acid found in lean meats that combines with vitamin C to produce serotonin. 5-HTP is produced naturally within the body, but it can also be extracted from the seeds of the Griffonia simplificifolia tree and used as a dietary supplement that supports a positive neurotransmitter balance.

Neurotransmitters are chemicals used by the brain to relay information from neurons to other cells. Each type of neurotransmitter has a different function, but they all essentially tell our bodies and brains what to do. When these neurotransmitters are balanced at healthy levels, we experience optimum functioning.

Serotonin is the neurotransmitter responsible for several functions including memory, emotional responses, wakefulness and the body’s temperature regulation. Serotonin works together with other neurotransmitters such as dopamine, which is responsible for motivation, and norepinephrine, which stimulates mental arousal, balances mood and other important cognitive functions. How we feel emotionally has a lot to do with these neurotransmitters, so maintaining a healthy balance is key for feeling our best.

5-HTP for Emotional Health

Supplementing the diet with 5-HTP supports a positive neurotransmitter balance and may help to boost serotonin productivity. Because serotonin is related to mood regulation, 5-HTP has been indicated as having the potential to relieve a depressed mood, mild to moderate mood changes, nervous tension and occasional anxiety due to everyday stress. nnThe amounts of L-tryptophan found in dietary sources such as poultry, fish and other foods are very small. It is believed that supplementing the diet with 5-HTP in an herbal supplement pill may help to increase serotonin levels. Low levels of serotonin have been associated with depression and mood disorders such as bipolar disorder. While 5-HTP has not been approved to treat or cure emotional disorders such as major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder, it is a natural way to manage serotonin levels that are normally healthy, but which can suffer in the face of everyday stress.

Combining 5-HTP with Other Herbs and Vitamins

Because serotonin production also requires vitamin C, it may be a good idea to combine 5-HTP supplementation with vitamin C supplementation. In fact, there are a number of herbs and vitamins that, when combined into a single pill, support a positive neurotransmitter balance. These herbs and vitamins include:

n
• Passion Flower
n
• Valerian Root
n
• St. John’s Wort
n
• B-Vitamin Complex
n
• Vitamin C
n
• SAM-e
n

When these herbs and vitamins are combined, they may support a positive mood balance and reduce the negative emotional effects of daily stress.