5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is a naturally occurring amino acid and chemical precursor of the neurotransmitters serotonin and melatonin. Tryptophane is metabolized into 5-HTP by the body, and 5-HTP is in turn converted into the neurotransmitter serotonin. Serotonin is an important chemical in terms of mood, hunger and sleep. 5-HTP supplements work by increasing the supply of the building block material needed to make serotonin.

Studies have shown that low levels of serotonin have been associated with fibromyalgia, chronic pain, altered mood, insomnia, PMS, and headaches. Chronic headache sufferers have low levels of serotonin in the tissues, leading many in the medical community to refer to migraine and chronic headaches as a “low serotonin syndrome”. The use of 5-HTP in the prevention of migraine headaches can provide a significant advantage over drug therapy.

Although many other drugs have been shown to be very useful, many of them incur considerable side effects on the patient. 5-HTP has also been proven to improve the mood of depressed patients and can significantly help with panic attacks. Furthermore, 5-HTP has been shown to be very effective in combating depression when taken in conjunction with St. John’s wort. 5-HTP is a popular product for individuals seeking support for these conditions.

5-HTP has also been shown to aid in weight loss and assist individuals with attaining a regular sleeping pattern. Research suggests that proper serotonin levels can help individuals with weight loss by suppressing appetite. A relatively huge obstacle to successful weight loss programs is the tendency to binge eat following the diet. Cravings for carbohydrates and the resulting binge eating may be associated with low serotonin levels in the brain. By increasing the serotonin levels, 5-HTP can therefore contribute to successful weight loss.

In terms of a sleep aid, melatonin regulates sleep cycles, and because serotonin is converted into melatonin by the pineal gland, serotonin is then an effective sleep aid. It has also been suggested that 5-HTP products, as opposed to melatonin products, can help to improve sleep quality and not simply sleep regularity.