What are the side effects of 5htp?

• Nausea, diarrhea, drowsiness or vomiting.
• Heartburn, bloating, and gas.
• Pain or discomfort in the stomach.
• Reduced appetite and digestive problems.

The serious side effects are:

• Eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome.
• Sexual dysfunction.

Eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome

EMS is a very serious health condition. It causes abnormalities in blood and extreme tenderness in muscles.

The person who is diagnosed with EMS may experience a sudden and severe episode of cramping and muscle pain. Also, trouble in breathing and swelling in the body are common symptoms.

The number of white blood cells may also increase than normal level in some patients.

Therefore, it is important to consult a doctor and discontinue the use of 5-htp immediately.

Sexual dysfunction

5-HTP may reduce your sex drive only if you consume too much of it.

Keep in mind, if your consumption is within limits according to the recommendation then it will not cause any sexual dysfunction.

How to avoid 5 HTP side effects?

If you take a very little amount of 5-HTP then you may not get any side effects because your body will adjust to it.

However, if you take too much of it then it will interact with your hormonal levels and cause toxicity in your body. This results in side effects.

The thing is that till you are taking it in moderation, it will give health benefits but when you start taking too much then you get side effects.

What is 5-HTP?

5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) or Oxitriptan is a naturally occurring amino acid. It is also a chemical precursor that intermediates in the biosynthesis of serotonin.

5-HTP comes from tryptophan in your diet. Tryptophan is an essential amino acid.

The main purpose of Tryptophan is to balance nitrogen in your body. It also creates niacin. Niacin is extremely effective in creating serotonin.

There are mainly two types of tryptophan:

1. L-tryptophan
2. D-tryptophan

Both these types of tryptophan help in increasing serotonin production in your body. This is the main reason behind the popularity of 5-htp.

What does 5htp do to you?

5-htp the one available in the form of a supplement is made from the seeds of a plant. This plant is known as Griffonia Simplicifolia. It is naturally grown in West Africa.

The natural levels of the 5-HTP present in your body start reducing as you age. This results in a lot of problems like increased stress levels, insomnia, depression etc.

Therefore, to deal with these problems it is important to increase the levels of 5-HTP in your body.

Does 5 HTP make you lose weight?

The main purpose of 5 HTP is to increase serotonin levels and not weight loss. So, it should not be considered as a weight loss supplement.

However, due to the presence of serotonin, you feel good, happy and satisfied. As a result, you do not over-eat. This suppresses your appetite, ultimately resulting in weight loss.

So, basically, you eat less and naturally lose some weight and become more active and energetic.

It is your own brain that signals your body that you are full and you should not eat too much. So, it is a natural weight loss process.

Here are some more concerns and questions of people regarding the safety and side effects of 5-htp:

Can 5 htp raise blood pressure?

No, 5 htp does not raise blood pressure but it does the opposite. This means that it may lower your blood pressure.

People who take prescription medicines to lower their blood pressure should not take 5 htp as it may interact with some medicines. It can also make you drowsy.

Can taking 5 HTP cause serotonin syndrome?

5-HTP if taken in fewer amounts does not cause any side effects including serotonin syndrome. However, taking large amounts is dangerous.

When you take 5-HTP, it is converted into serotonin by your body. Prescription medicines for the treatment of depression also release serotonin in the brain.

Researchers worldwide have shown interest in the potential of 5-htp and they often tout it as a natural alternative to antidepressants, insomnia, fibromyalgia, obesity and other similar issues.

Is 5 htp dangerous?

Not really, but it is important to take it wisely. Also, keep notice of any kind of uneasiness or side effects.

As mentioned above, 5-htp may actually give you side effects so if that happens, immediately consult your doctor and do not overlook your health.

Is 5 HTP good for sleep?

Yes, 5 HTP is good for sleep to a certain extent. This means that you should not depend completely on it for sleep.

When you take it in moderation then it is highly effective in reducing insomnia. It makes you more relaxed and reduces stress levels so that you can sleep better. Again, serotonin is the main reason behind it.

Research also shows that it helps in reducing sleep terror in children.

Many scientific studies and researches have been performed on it and it is stated that it promotes relaxation that helps with a good night’s sleep.

Can 5 htp cause anxiety?

Yes, 5 htp can cause anxiety but only if you have too much of it in your system.

When you have too much of 5-htp in your system, it will raise your serotonin levels. This results in side effects like anxiety, shivering or even heart problem.

Serotonin is actually a chemical (hormone) released in your brain. It is responsible for improving your mood.

However, when you have too much of serotonin released then it might cause hormonal imbalance in your body leading to several side effects.

Conclusion

These days, it is easily available in the form of a dietary supplement. You can buy the supplement online as well as offline over-the-counter. Be aware of cheap quality supplement though.

The main use of 5-htp is treating depression, insomnia, and other similar health conditions.

Keep in mind that consuming too much of it can cause serious side effects.

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Resources:

1. https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/5-htp-side-effects-dangers
2. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-794/5-htp
3. https://www.everydayhealth.com/drugs/5-htp-5-hydroxytryptophan
4. https://www.poison.org/articles/5htp-safety-concerns-173
5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5-Hydroxytryptophan