Introduction to 5-htp
5-htp (5-hydroxytryptophan) is an essential amino acid, naturally occuring in the human body and also obtained from the seeds of the Griffonia simplicifolia plant.
5-htp is coverted to serotonin in the body from l-tryptophan, which occurs naturally in meats, chocolate and dairy products.
Serotonin is the neurotransmitter linked to mood and behaviour.
Griffonia is a climbing shrub native to West and Central Africa.
Using 5-htp
5-htp is used to alleviate symptoms of depression, also to counteract depletion of serotonin in the brain before and after use of MDMA (Ecstacy).
5-htp also has use as an appetite suppressant and sleep aid.
There is some debate as to whether 5-htp is useful in relieving the symptoms of PMS (Pre-Menstrual Syndrome),
Ways of administration
5-htp is available commercially in capsule and tablet form, and as powder.
Effects of 5-htp
5-htp helps to regulste serotonin levels in the brain and CNS (Central Nervous System).
Combinations with 5-htp
Concurrent drug use: 5 HTP should not be used if taking:
Anti-depressant drugs
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors http://www.drugs-forum.com/threads/85344
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI's e.g., Prozac)
Tricyclic medications
Weight Loss medications (i.e., dextenfluramine)
Anti-parkinson medications (e.g., L-dopa)
Barbiturates and other tranquilizing drugs
Antihistamines and cold medications
Alcoholic beverages
Intravenous (illegal I.V.) drugs
Cancer Chemotherapy
Antibiotic Medications
Different Uses for 5-htp
5-htp use has proved useful in some people, to the point of replacing anti-depressants.
Here is an associated thread: http://www.drugs-forum.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=115456
This is not a recommended course of action per say, and to reiterate, 5-htp should not be used in conjunction with MAOIs, SSRIs or trycyclic medications, which are often used for anti-depressants and/or anti-psychotics.
Use of these substances together poses a real and serious risk of serotonin syndrome, which can be fatal.
The dangers of 5-htp
5-htp must not be taken within 4 hours of intake of a MAOI, due to the risk of serotonin toxicity (serotonin syndrome), a potentially fatal overdose of serotonin.
Producing 5-htp
5-htp is extracted from the seeds of the Griffonia plant fruits in the form of a white powder.
Some of the more popular foods rich in l-tryptophan are:
aBaked potatoes with their skin
Bananas
Beans
Cheddar Cheese
Cottage Cheese
Eggs
Fish
Gruyere (a type of Swiss cheese)
Hazelnuts
Heated milk
Hummus
Lentils
Kelp
Meat (including red meats)
Milk
Nuts
Peanuts
Rice
Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Sesame Seeds
Shellfish
Soy Milk
Soybean Nuts
Sunflower Seeds
Swiss cheese
Tofu
Tuna
Turkey
Yogurt
Pharmacology of 5-htp
Chemistry of 5-htp
[1]
Column 1 Column 2 Systematic (IUPAC) name: 2-amino-3-(5-hydroxy-1H-indol-3-yl) propanoic acid Synonyms: 5-hydroxytriptophan; oxitriptan, L-5HTP, Cincofarm, Levothym, Lévotonine, Oxyfan, Telesol, Trypt-Oh Molecular Formula: C11H12N2O3 Molar mass: 220.22 g/mol [2] CAS Registry Number: 56-69-9, 4350-09-8 (L-form), 4350-07-6 (D-form) Melting Point: no data Boiling Point: no data Flash Point: no data Solubility: 10 mg/mL (water, 5°C), 55 mg/mL (water, 100°C), 25 mg/mL (50% boiling alcohol) Additionnal data: decomposes at 298-300°C Notes: Aspect : minute rods or needles; crystallized from ethanol; aqueous solutions are stable at low pH
Forms of 5-htp
5-htp is usually found in pre-measured capsules, or from health shops as tablets.
Legal status of 5-htp
United Nations
USA
5-HTP (5-Hydroxy-Tryptophan) is sold over-the-counter across the United States and can be purchased in a variety of supplements. Its sale is weakly controlled by the US laws regarding 'nutritional supplements' (primarily the 1994 "Dietary Supplement Health & Education Act") and is included in a wide variety of nutritional "health" supplements.
L-Tryptophan now appears to be legal to sell as a supplement in the US. L-Tryptophan was controlled for sale in the United States (for human consumption only) by the FDA in 1989, due to association with a series of deadly and disabling symptoms. See Ceri.com's overview of this here:http://www.ceri.com/trypto.htm . Pure L-Tryptophan has been available in the United States as a veterinary supplement and in other forms not intended for general human consumption. Since 2001, more and more human-consumption-targeted products have shown up on the U.S. market and the defacto status of L-Tryptophan supplements appears to have changed.
There is some confusion added by a statement by the FDA from February, 2001 which states:
This may mean that the FDA has softened its prohibition on the sale of L-Tryptophan containing supplements and these may now be considered 'legal' in the US. Importation of L-Tryptophan is still blocked under this rule.
Canada
No restrictions.
EU
Austria:
Sold over-the-counter
Prohibited for import *
Belgium:
Bulgaria:
Cyprus:
Czech Republic:
Denmark:
Estonia:
Finland:
Prohibited for import**
France:
In France, tryptophan is controlled more as a pharmaceutical than as a food. Schedule 1: legal to possess with a prescription. Classified as an antidepressant. Sale tightly controlled. According to one contributor:
As of 2001, there is in france only 1 product, called LEVOTONINE containing OXYTRIPAN (5-HTP), and costs about 43 USD for 100 pills (treatment : 10 pills/day).
(2010)Germany:
5-HTP is available by prescription only in Germany. L-Tryptophan is available in pharmacies without a prescription. (unconfirmed)
Prohibited for import *
Greece:
Hungary:
Ireland:
Italy:
5-HTP & L-Tryptophan are reportedly legal and widely available from health food stores, probably behind the counter?. Sold by pharmacists as 5-Idroxy-TP
Prohibited for import*
Latvia:
Lithuania:
Luxembourg:
Malta:
Netherlands:
Poland:
Portugal:
Romania:
Slovakia:
Slovenia:
Spain:
Sweden:
U.K.:
5-HTP & L-Tryptophan legal and widely available from health food stores.
Other Countries
History of 5-htp
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References
Legal Status of 5-htp retrieved on 26/01/2010 and 28/01/2010 from Erowid Tryptophan Vault hxxp://www.erowid.org/smarts/tryptop...phan_law.shtml
[1]Merck Index, fifteenth edition (2013)
[2]Calculated from Atomic Weights of the Elements, 2007
5-htp warnings retrieved 06/02/2010 from About.com http://depression.about.com/cs/altmed5htp/f/5htp.htm
5-htp contraindications partly from Advance-health.com http://www.advance-health.com/5htp.html retrieved 15/03/2010
5-htp molecule from pubchem
Import restrictions marked* Bodybuilding.com
Import restriction marked** Azarius.com
a list (after research) from: http://www.healthinformationnews.com...ryptophan.html
