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How to Take 5-HTP

First available over the counter in 1994, supplemental 5-HTP is derived from the seeds of the griffonia plant, which is native to western Africa. According to Phyllis A. Balch, CNC, and James F. Balch, M.D., authors of Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 5-HTP should be used together with a high-carbohydrate food liquid as part of a comprehensive nutritional program.

The authors also say that anyone who takes large doses of the substance, over 300 mg daily, should undergo blood testing for eosinophil every three months. According to the website 5­HTP.org, excessive 5-HTP stimulation may cause "serotonin syndrome," which is an excess accumulation of serotonin in the synapses. This syndrome is characterized by altered mental states, problems performing independently, and muscle control problems. 

For those who want to use 5-HTP continuously, Dr. Sahelian recommends limiting that time to fewer than three months, with daily dosages not exceeding 75 mg. "As with any medicine, it's best to use the lowest effective dosage and to occasionally take breaks," he writes.

A cause for concern came in 1998, when the Food and Drug Administration released a report stating that a chemical compound known as "peak X" was detected in some 5-HTP products. Peak X may cause a disabling and sometimes fatal blood disorder. It's the reason tryptohan was taken off the market, and it was assumed that 5-HTP couldn't pose the same risk.

Despite some issues, there are plenty of clinical studies proving the worth of 5-HTP as an anti-depressant and as an aid for headaches (especially for children and those suffering migraines). In fact, Dr. Sahelian believes that done correctly, 5­HTP can be used in combination with pharmaceutical antidepressants, anti-anxiety agents, and sleeping pills.