What Is The Best 5 HTP Supplement On The Market? Top 6 Picks

_{This post was originally published in May 2022. Updated in October 2023.}

You must have heard about the remarkable benefits of 5 HTP or 5-Hydroxytryptophan for health as many people have been taking it for years now.

It’s an amino acid that is found naturally in the body and it’s available in supplements.

The best 5 HTP supplements can help boost your health, may treat some health conditions, reduce the symptoms of some diseases, and improve your mood.

For those beneficial reasons, 5 HTP supplements have become super popular among people around the world.

There are many good 5 HTP supplement brands on the market that you can choose from, depending on what you need!

In this article, I will include a list of the best 5 HTP supplements, what is 5 HTP, the benefits and side effects of 5 HTP, the recommended dosage, and more FAQs.

What Is 5 HTP?

5 HTP is a natural chemical (amino acid) that the human body produces. With the help of 5 HTP, your body produces serotonin through a series of chemical processes.

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that sends messages between the nerve cells in the brain throughout the body.

Studies showed that serotonin plays a major role in enhancing mood, improving digestion, suppressing appetite, and regulating emotions.

When your body produces low levels of serotonin, this could lead to serious issues.

It’s linked to anxiety, obesity, depression, sleep disorders, migraines, headaches, and other health problems.

So your body needs 5 HTP to produce enough serotonin to help you live a healthy life.

However, high levels of serotonin could lead to serotonin syndrome which is a serious health problem. So remember balance is the key to staying healthy and preventing problems.

6 Best 5 HTP Supplements To Try:

1- Dr. Emil Nutrition 200 MG 5-HTP

This is the bestseller 5 HTP supplement on Amazon with over 8.000 five-star reviews.

Each capsule contains 200mg of pure 5 HTP that includes serotonin synthesizers 20mg of SAMe and 20mg of L-tryptophan.

It also contains vitamin B6 which helps improve brain development, keep the immune system healthy, and support 5 HTP conversion efficiently.

Dr. Emil Nutrition 200 MG 5-HTP Plus Formula can promote sleep, enhance mood, make you feel calm and relaxed, and relieve stress.

This supplement’s formula is approved and derived by doctors and it’s made with the finest and purest ingredients.

Plus, Dr. Emil Nutrition 200MG 5-HTP is cGMP-certified which means it’s manufactured with high standards to provide high-quality supplements.

Furthermore, they are committed to creating a healthier life for their customers and keeping them active and happy.

Pros:

• Bestseller 5 HTP supplements.
• Doctor-derived formula.
• 5 HTP 200mg.
• Enriched with vitamin B6.
• Gluten-free.
• Non-GMO.
• Caffeine-free.
• Vegan.
• Free of hype.
• 100% hormone-free.
• cGMP certified.
• 60 vegan capsules.
• Serving size: 2 capsules.
• Made in the USA.
• 100% money-back guarantee.

Cons:

• Some customers said that they prefer the old formula.

2- NOW Supplements 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) 100 mg

This is the best 5 HTP supplement brand on the market as its products are tested and examined for potency, consistency, and formulation. Besides, it’s vegan, non-GMO, free of gluten and soy, and other allergen ingredients.

Furthermore, NOW is a family-owned business that has been operating since 1968. And their products are packaged in the USA.

Each serving of this supplement is formulated with 100 mg of 5 HTP to help boost the production of serotonin, support the nervous system, improve sleep, enhance mood, and curb appetite.

5 HTP is extracted from the seed of an African plant, Griffon Simplicifolia. It’s best to store it in a cool and dry place after opening the bottle.

Pros:

• 5 HTP 100mg.
• NPA A-rated GMP certified.
• Vegan/vegetarian.
• Gluten-free.
• Soy-free.
• Nut-free.
• Egg-free.
• Dairy-free.
• Wheat-free.
• Fish-free.
• Shellfish-free.
• Non-GMO.
• Kosher certified.
• Made in the USA.
• Family-owned company.
• 120 capsules.
• Serving size: one capsule.

Cons:

• None.

3- Solgar 5-HTP 100 mg

The Solgar supplement is formulated with 5-HTP, magnesium, Valerian root, and vitamin B6.

Those ingredients help increase serotonin production, boost a positive mood, make you relax, and improve the symptoms of certain health issues.

At Solgar, they use the purest raw materials, and their formulas are supported with scientific proof.

They extracted 5 HTP from a natural source: Griffonia Simplicifolia scrub which is Peak X-free.

Plus, they make the supplements in small batches in-house and they don’t use artificial ingredients or allergen ingredients.

They use HEPA air filtration and USP water filtration to guarantee a healthy and active lifestyle for their customers.

Furthermore, the bottles they use are made from recycled amber glass, they protect the product against heat, light, and moisture.

This makes Solgar the best 5-HTP supplement that can provide your body with its needs without causing complications.

Pros:

• 5 HTP 100mg.
• Contains vitamin B6, magnesium, and Valerian root.
• Science-backed formula.
• USP water filtration.
• HEPA air filtration.
• High-quality ingredients.
• In-house manufacturing.
• Gluten-free.
• Dairy-free.
• Wheat-free.
• Soy-free.
• Yeast-free.
• Sugar-free.
• Sodium-free.
• Artificial flavor-free.
• Sweetener-free.
• Artificial color-free.
• No preservative.
• Peak X-free.
• Vegan.
• Non-GMO.
• Kosher certified.
• Halal.
• Recycled bottles.
• 90 vegetable capsules.
• Serving size: 1-2 capsules a day.
• Made in the USA.

Cons:

• None.

4- Nature’s Nutrition 5-HTP 200mg Capsules

This brand is committed to manufacturing high-quality third-party tested supplements.

The Nature’s Nutrition Supplement is packed with 5 HTP and calcium. They extracted 5 HTP from natural and non-GMO Griffonia Simplicifolia plants for optimal support.

Those two ingredients work together to support brain health, relieve stress, boost mood, promote sleep, and improve your overall health.

Plus, this supplement is packaged in the United States and it’s GMP certified, meaning, the manufacturing process was examined for formulation and potency.

Furthermore, the formula is scientific-based and tested carefully in labs to help boost your health.

Pros:

• 5 HTP 200mg.
• Contain Calcium.
• Scientific formula.
• Non-GMO.
• Lab-tested.
• Natural premium ingredients.
• High-quality.
• GMP certified.
• Third-party tested.
• 120 capsules.
• Serving size: 2 capsules.
• Bottled in the USA.

Cons:

• Some reviewers mentioned that this supplement upset their stomachs as It contains calcium. So if you are not used to taking calcium supplements, your stomach may not handle it very well.

5- Nature’s Way 5-HTP Supplement

Nature’s Way’s mission is to help as many people as they can live a healthy and happy life.

They have been producing high-quality tested nutritional supplements for over 50 years.

Each serving of this supplement is formulated with 50mg of 5 HTP, 120mg of vitamin C, and 8mg of vitamin B6.

They extracted 5 HTP from high-quality Griffon Simplicifolia beans for optimal benefits.

Vitamin B6 plays an important role in aiding 5 HTP to convert to serotonin. Vitamin C is also a powerful antioxidant that keeps your body healthy and improves skin health.

So the Nature’s Way 5 HTP supplement can enhance positive mood, suppress appetite, regulate sleep, and relieve the painful symptoms of certain diseases.

Also, it’s free of allergen ingredients and harmful ingredients that could affect your health.

Furthermore, this is the best 5 HTP supplement for you if you’re a beginner and want to start taking 5 HTP as each tablet contains only 50mg of 5 HTP.

Pros:

• 5 HTP 50mg.
• Contain vitamin C & B6.
• Packed with antioxidants.
• High-quality natural ingredients.
• Vegetarian.
• Gluten-free.
• Soy-free.
• Wheat-free.
• Dairy-free.
• Salt-free.
• No artificial colors.
• No artificial flavors.
• No preservatives.
• 60 tablets.
• Serving size: 1-2 tablets, 3 times a day.

Cons:

• Pretty pricey.

6- Natrol 5-HTP Mood Positive Tablets

Natrol 5-HTP Mood Positive Tablets are packed with 5 HTP, vitamins B12 & B6, L-theanine, and folic acid. Those tablets are rich in antioxidants that are essential to maintaining a healthy body.

L-theanine helps support the brain’s alpha waves which promote a deep state of relaxation and make you feel better.

Vitamin B12 and folic acid can relieve stress, improve nerve system function, and boost brain health while Vitamin B6 is a cofactor that helps support serotonin conversion.

And 5 HTP boosts positive mood, improves sleep, curbs appetite, and keeps you relaxed.

This brand is a leading manufacturer of minerals, vitamins, and supplements in the United States that help enhance customers’ moods, health, and immunity.

Pros:

• Include vitamin B6, Folate, and vitamin B12.
• Antioxidant-rich formula.
• Drug-free supplement.
• Non-habit forming.
• Safe to use.
• Vegetarian.
• Milk-free.
• Egg-free.
• Fish-free.
• Soybean-free.
• Nut-free.
• Peanut-free.
• Yeast-free.
• Crustacean shellfish-free.
• No artificial colors.
• No preservatives.
• No artificial flavors.
• No sugar.

Cons:

• The size of tablets could be large for some people, you may need to split the tablet before taking it.

What Are The Benefits Of 5 HTP?

Based on many studies that are held by scientists and researchers, they found that taking 5 HTP supplements has some potential benefits for health including:

Weight Loss

A study showed that 5 HTP supplements may help you eat less, lose some weight, reduce carbohydrate intake, and improve blood sugar levels.

The study was conducted on 20 people with diabetes, they divided into two groups and gave one group the 5 HTP supplements while the other group took a placebo for 14 days.

Another study found that those supplements can help suppress appetite, curb cravings, and increase feelings of fullness in obese adult females.

Depression

Low levels of serotonin could affect mood and cause depression and anxiety. A study found that 5 HTP supplements can reduce depression symptoms in adult women.

Also, research showed that taking 5 HTP supplements along with antidepressant medications is more effective than taking them alone.

Sleep

In a study, researchers divided 18 people who had difficulty falling or staying asleep into two groups. The first group took a supplement that contained 5 HTP and gamma-aminobutyric acid while the other group took a placebo.

They found that the group who took 5 HTP supplements fell asleep easier, plus, 5 HTP helped enhance the quality and duration of sleep.

Other Potential Benefits.

Research showed that taking 5 HTP supplements for 90 days may help reduce the symptoms of primary fibromyalgia such as anxiety, trouble sleeping, tenderness, and pain.

Also, Researchers divided 124 people with constant migraines into two groups. They treated the first group with 5 HTP supplements and the other group took methysergide (a popular migraine medication). Patients took it for 6 months every day.

They found migraine episodes were reduced or prevented in 71% of participants who took 5 HTP supplements.

Furthermore, 5 HTP may reduce the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease if taken with conventional medications. Unfortunately, this improvement in the symptoms may last for only 5 months.

Related: 6 Science-Based 5 HTP Benefits That Will Surprise You

What Are The Side Effects Of 5 HTP?

You may suffer from stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea, heartburn, bloating, or vomiting when using 5 HTP supplements.

Keep in mind that experiencing those side effects depends on how much 5 HTP you take. Every time you increase the dose, the side effects get worse.

It’s best to start with 50-100 mg twice a day then gradually increase the dose to what’s recommended over two weeks if you don’t notice any side effects.

Also, combining medication that increases serotonin levels with a 5 HTP supplement could lead to serotonin syndrome which is a life-threatening condition.

It causes excessive sweating, confusion, high blood pressure, diarrhea, fever, irregular heartbeat, and shivering.

Plus, taking 5 HTP supplements with prescription sedative medications such as Ambien or Klonopin may make you sleepy all day as 5 HTP promotes sleep.

Some patients who took 5 HTP supplements developed eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome. It’s a serious health problem that leads to blood abnormalities, muscle pain, and muscle cramps.

Therefore, it’s highly recommended to consult a doctor before taking 5 HTP supplements to avoid interactions.

Children and pregnant or breastfeeding women should also talk to a doctor before using 5 HTP supplements.

What Is The Recommended Dosage?

The recommended dose is not the same for each health issue, here’s how much you should take according to each health problem:

• Depression: 50-300 mg daily. (1)
• Fibromyalgia: 100 mg, take it 3-4 times a day with your meals. You’ll notice the difference after two weeks. (2)
• Mood improvement: 50-100 mg, You can take it 3 times a day with meals. After one week, you will notice the effect. (3)
• Insomnia: 100-300 mg, take it 30-45 minutes before going to bed. It’s recommended to find a supplement that contains both 5 HTP and GABA to boost its effectiveness. (4)
• Migraines: 100-200 mg, take it 2-3 times a day with your meals. You’ll start to notice a beneficial effect after 2-3 weeks. (5)
• Weight loss: 250-300 mg, take it 30 minutes before having your meal. (6)

Make sure to talk to your healthcare provider before taking the supplements.

FAQs:

Wrapping Up

5 HTP has many benefits for health as it may treat depression, help you lose weight, make you sleep better, reduce the symptoms of fibromyalgia and Parkinson’s disease, and prevent migraine episodes.

The best 5 HTP supplement for you is the one that can make you feel better and boost serotonin levels in the body.

Keep in mind that 5 HTP supplements have side effects and it’s advised to consult a doctor before taking them.

So check the list I brought to you above and let me know which one will you purchase!

^{These supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and they are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.}

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