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Benefits of 5HTP

5HTP, also known as 5-hydroxy-tryptophan, is a chemical compound and neurotransmitter which the body produces to control serotonin levels in the brain and nervous system. While the compound is created naturally in the body, it can also be extracted from Griffonia simplicfolia plant seeds. Serotonin, in turn, has a pronounced effect on mood, sleep patterns and appetite, making 5HTP an effective natural treatment for depression, sleep problems and appetite control.

  1. Treatment for Depression

    • By increasing serotonin levels, 5HTP can measurably alleviate depression directly caused by flagging serotonin levels. According to a study in the medical journal, "Advances in Biochemical Psychopharmacolgy," 200 mg of 5HTP administered orally to patients resulted in an almost 50 percent decrease in depression levels. The study also concluded, however, that 5HTP had the best results in treating depression when paired with a prescription antidepressant. For severe and/or long-lasting cases of depression, 5HTP alone will not suffice as a thorough and definitive treatment for the chemical causes of depression.

    Treatment For Sleep Problems

    • For sufferers of insomnia or for those suffering from an inability to remain asleep, 5HTP aids in better sleep via the increase of serotonin production, alleviating the depression and/or anxiety that can prevent adequate, unbroken periods of sleep. Additionally, 5HTP increases internal levels of melatonin, an organic compound which regulates circadian rhythms and is found in a number of sleep aids.

    Treatment For Appetite Suppression

    • As with sleep patterns, melatonin levels can have an influence on appetite, particularly if an individual's eating habits are tied to feelings of depression and/or anxiety. In a study conducted by medical researchers Schwarz, Young and Brown, 300 mg of 5HTP were administered to patients over a six-week period before each meal, resulting in an average of 1 pound of weight loss per week. A further six weeks of treatment led to an average of somewhere between 1 to 1.5 pounds of weight loss per week.

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