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| Alternative Names: 5-HTP, 5 HTP.. 5-HTP is a naturally-occuring substance derived from the seed pods of Griffonia simplicifolia, a West African medicinal plant. In humans, 5-HTP is the immediated nutrient precursor to the neurotransmitter serotonin. If a patient has insomnia along with depression then tryptophan would appear to be even more effective, possibly because both conditions may be due to this deficiency. Tryptophan works better for acute insomnia than for chronic sleep problems. The therapeutic range is up to 4gm per day, and medical supervision of treatment can be helpful. An equivalent dose of 5HTP (compared to 1gm of tryptophan) is about 100mg. Doses of 100mg tid have been used, but it may be best to start at a lower dose and slowly increase as the side-effect of nausea can occur at higher doses. Starting at a lower dose reduces the likelihood of nausea, which usually disappears in less than 2 weeks. Side-Effects; Counter-Indicators Generally, side-effects of tryptophan are negligible, and tryptophan does not distort sleep patterns until more than 10gm are taken. Patients with asthma or systemic lupus erythematosus should not take tryptophan. |
| Bulimic Tendency Depression Insomnia Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Tourette's Syndrome Tryptophan Need |