Life can be very hectic. Balancing work and social lives, prioritizing self care, and facing daily struggles like needing to fold laundry can make your days tiring and can put a strain on your mental health. Major depressive disorder affects approximately 17.3 million American adults and 50 to 70 million people in the U.S. have ongoing sleep disorders. These statistics show that there is really a mental health problem in the U.S., but with problems also come solutions. Whether it be in medication, or therapy there are ways to improve the symptoms of the disorders mentioned above. However, it can feel incredibly overwhelming to know where to start.
If you are someone that suffers from depression, anxiety, or a sleep disorder, have you ever considered taking supplements as a way to overcome one of these illnesses or disorders? The world of medication and supplements can seem overwhelming, but 5-HTP may be a helpful starting point. 5-HTP may be the best supplement possible that you can take! 5-HTP is a supplement that works in the brain and nervous system and can have lots of helpful benefits to them. Want to know more about this amazing supplement?
Continue reading to learn:
- What is 5-HTP?
- What Are the Benefits of 5-HTP?
- Are There Side Effects to 5-HTP?
- How Much Should You Take and When?
What is 5-HTP?
5-HTP, or 5-hydroxytryptophan, is considered to be a by-product of a protein called L-tryptophan. It is a natural amino acid and chemical that helps to transmit serotonin to your brain to help boost your mood. 5-HTP can also be found in the seeds of an African plant called Griffonia Simplicifolia. Want to know how it works? Serotonin is what your brain needs in order to boost your mood. Researchers think that serotonin is necessary in treating depression, especially since depression thus far has unknown concrete causes. 5-HTP works in your brain and central nervous system to help create more serotonin which helps someone suffering from anxiety, depression, or even a mood disorder. When you don’t have enough serotonin in your body, it can affect how you sleep, your body temperature, your appetite for food, your sexual behavior, and even your pain sensation. Overall, 5-HTP is believed to help battle anxiety, depression, insomnia, obesity, and many others just by helping to boost the serotonin in your brain.
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What Are the Benefits of 5-HTP?
There are many extensive benefits to 5-HTP, so let’s discuss how it can help your body and mind!
- Boosting Serotonin Levels
If you feel that your serotonin levels are low (in other words, if you feel like your mood is off and you’re having other emotional difficulties) consider taking 5-HTP supplements that come with some amazing benefits. As stated before, 5-HTP can help boost your serotonin levels to help you combat your depression and boost your mood too. Depression can cause imbalanced serotonin levels in your body, so 5-HTP may be able to treat this, especially if you’re already on antidepressant medications, which could help boost the effects of 5-HTP even more.
- Weight Loss
Do you struggle with weight problems and want to lose weight, or just to suppress your appetite to avoid unnecessary eating? This is a common issue among many adults, but did you know that 5-HTP can help do just that? 5-HTP can counteract these hunger-inducing hormones and suppress them to help lose weight successfully. Another great benefit of 5-HTP is its ability to create a feeling of fullness. Weight loss can be a long and complicated journey, and many people find that they are more hungry than usual because of the hormones that weight loss produces. 5-HTP can counteract these hormones by suppressing your appetite and cause you to eat less. In turn, you may find it easier to lose weight. Furthermore, 5-HTP is able to inhibit the intake of calories from carbs, allowing for better blood sugar control. Some animal studies have even shown 5-HTP to reduce excessive eating as a coping mechanism for stress or depression.
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- Boost Melatonin Levels
5-HTP can also help boost your melatonin levels to help you sleep better at night. If you suffer from insomnia, 5-HTP can help produce more melatonin within your body, and even stay in REM sleep throughout the night. Even those who don’t suffer from insomnia have those nights of laying awake and waiting for sleep to come, but higher melatonin levels can help with this. Your sleep schedule is an important part of living a happy and balanced life. According to studies, healthy sleep is important for cognitive functioning, mood, mental health, and cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and metabolic health
- Migraine Prevention
This supplement has also been known to decrease your frequency of migraines and even improve symptoms of fibromyalgia. There is currently no known cause of fibromyalgia, but researchers believe that low serotonin levels could be a contributing factor. Fibromyalgia is characterized by muscle and bone pain, and 5-HTP can potentially help to ease muscle pain, help you sleep better at night, calm your anxiety, and help fight fatigue. There is not enough clear research yet to determine whether 5HTP is definitely helpful for fibromyalgia patients, but the evidence suggests it could be beneficial.
Are There Side Effects to 5-HTP?
Worried about potential side effects to 5-HTP supplements? Learn what they are to determine if they’re right for you!
With every supplement, medication, or really anything you can think of, there are always some side effects that come along with it. While medications and supplements affect everyone differently, it’s important to consider the pros and cons before taking anything.
5-HTP supplements are generally safe to take, if taken correctly with the right dosage. The safe dosage for 5-HTP supplements is 400 mg every day for a year. Taking doses larger than 400 mg can lead to severe stomach problems and even muscle spasms. In rare conditions, individuals can develop eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS) where the muscles can become extremely tender and sore and even cause abnormalities to form in your blood.
Other minor side effects to 5-HTP can include:
- Heartburn
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea
- Drowsiness
- Sexual issues
- Muscles problems
While these side effects aren’t guaranteed to happen to you, it’s important to talk to your doctor first about 5-HTP supplements to ensure that they are right for you to take, and what dosage is best suited for your needs.
How Much Should You Take and When?
How much 5-HTP you should take depends on your reason for using it. For weight management: 250–300 mg, 30 minutes prior to each meal, or 750 mg per day. For mood enhancement: up to 100 mg, twice daily. For fibromyalgia symptom relief: 100 mg, 3–4 times per day with meals for at least 2 weeks. For migraines: up to 600 mg per day for at least 6 months. Lastly, for sleep aid: 100–300 mg before bedtime. However there is still needed research to determine more specific dosages.
Overall, 5-HTP supplements are amazing to take especially when you suffer from depression, anxiety, or even a sleep disorder. This supplement can also help with other problems such as obesity, frequent migraines, and fibromyalgia. Now it’s time for you to decide whether 5-HTP is for you. With the benefits that come from taking them, to the side effects that can also take place in your body, make sure to talk to your doctor about 5-HTP supplements today!
Consider taking Dr. Emil’s 5-HTP Plus and enjoy the many benefits that come from this amazing supplement.
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