Is 5 HTP safe?

Introduction

5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is a naturally occurring amino acid and chemical precursor in the biosynthesis of serotonin. It is commonly used as a dietary supplement for various conditions, including depression, anxiety, and obesity. Given its widespread use, understanding the safety profile of 5-HTP is crucial.

Key Insights

General Safety and Tolerance:
- Extensive use of 5-HTP over the past 20 years has not resulted in definitive cases of toxicity, with the exception of one unresolved case .
- 5-HTP has been shown to be well-tolerated in clinical settings, with no significant impurities or toxic contaminants found in analyzed samples .
Potential Side Effects:
- In dogs, accidental ingestion of 5-HTP can lead to severe symptoms resembling serotonin syndrome, including seizures, depression, tremors, vomiting, and hyperthermia. However, most dogs recovered with prompt treatment.
- In humans, there is a potential risk of serotonin syndrome, especially when combined with other serotonergic agents.
Efficacy and Contraindications:
- While 5-HTP is marketed for its benefits in treating depression, some studies suggest it may be contraindicated for certain patients with depression.
- 5-HTP has been found to be effective in reducing food intake and promoting weight loss in obese patients, with good tolerance observed.
Comparative Safety with L-Tryptophan:
- Unlike L-tryptophan, which was associated with eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS) due to contamination, 5-HTP has not shown similar contamination issues .

Conclusion

Overall, 5-HTP appears to be a generally safe supplement for most users, with a good tolerance profile and no significant contamination issues. However, caution is advised due to potential side effects, particularly serotonin syndrome, and it may not be suitable for all patients with depression. Further research and vigilance are necessary to ensure its continued safety.

Summary

Consensus Meter

Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

Safety of 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan.

5-HTP, a popular dietary supplement, has not been linked to toxicity or significant impurities, despite concerns about its chemical and biochemical relationship to L-tryptophan.

Eating behavior and adherence to dietary prescriptions in obese adult subjects treated with 5-hydroxytryptophan.

5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) effectively reduces weight and improves adherence to dietary restrictions in obese patients, suggesting its potential safety for treating obesity.

5-HTP efficacy and contraindications

5-HTP's effectiveness in treating depression and other serotonin-related diseases is not supported by science, and may be contraindicated in some cases.

5-Hydroxytryptophan toxicosis in dogs: 21 cases (1989-1999).

Ingestion of 5-HTP in dogs can result in a potentially life-threatening syndrome resembling serotonin syndrome in humans, requiring prompt and aggressive care.

Serotonin a la carte: supplementation with the serotonin precursor 5-hydroxytryptophan.

5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) supplementation shows potential in treating depression, but safety issues must be considered due to potential side effects.

5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP): Natural Occurrence, Analysis, Biosynthesis, Biotechnology, Physiology and Toxicology

5-HTP plays a crucial role in neurologic and metabolic diseases, with potential therapeutic applications for depression, anxiety, panic, sleep disorders, obesity, myoclonus, and serotonin syndrome.

5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-Hydroxy-l-Tryptophan, l-5-Hydroxytryptophan, Oxitriptan)

5-HTP is a safe alternative to l-tryptophan, which was banned by the FDA in 1989 due to its association with eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome.

Centrally and peripherally administered 5-HTP have opposite effects on respiration

Different routes of administration of 5-HTP cause opposite effects on respiration, highlighting the need for caution in interpreting experimental results following exogenous agent administration.

Serotonin (5-HT) precursor loading with 5-hydroxy-l-tryptophan (5-HTP) reduces locomotor activation produced by (+)-amphetamine in the rat.

5-HTP and benserazide can reduce the locomotor effects of (+)-amphetamine, potentially enhancing monoamine function in clinical settings while reducing undesirable effects.

5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) augments spontaneous and evoked phrenic motoneuron discharge in spinalized rats

5-HTP administration in spinalized rats increases spontaneous and evoked phrenic motoneuron discharge, suggesting that spinal serotonin enhances the efficacy of synaptic inputs to phrenic motoneurons.

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