NOW® Foods, 5-HTP, 50 mg, 30 Veg Capsules

Because it’s sold as an herbal supplement and not a medication, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved 5-HTP. There haven’t been enough human trials to prove or disprove the supplement’s:

• effectiveness
• dangers
• side effects

Still, 5-HTP is widely used as an herbal treatment. There’s some evidence that it may be effective in treating certain symptoms.

People take supplements for many reasons, including:

• weight loss
• sleep disorders
• mood disorders
• anxiety

These are all conditions that can be improved naturally through an increase in serotonin.

According to one study, taking a 5-HTP supplement of 50 to 300 milligrams every day might improve symptoms of depression, binge eating, chronic headaches, and insomnia.

5-HTP is also taken to alleviate symptoms of:

• fibromyalgia
• seizure disorders
• Parkinson’s disease