HealthyPIG Magazine

Bananas indirectly contain serotonin by providing the amino acid tryptophan. Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that is a precursor to serotonin...

5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is converted into serotonin in the body. It is often used to treat depression. There is less evidence that it causes insomnia and anxiety. 5-HTP is a chemical byproduct of the protein building block L-tryptophan. It is produced commercially from the seeds of an African plant called Griffonia simplicifolia. 5-HTP works in the brain and central nervous system by increasing the production of the chemical serotonin. Serotonin affects sleep, appetite, body temperature, sexual behavior, and pain perception. Since 5-HTP increases serotonin levels, it is used in situations where serotonin is thought to play an important role. These include depression, anxiety, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.