5-HTP Research
38 peer-reviewed studies · Evidence score: 8.5/10
The Efficacy of Different Triptans for the Treatment of Acute Headache in Pediatric Migraine: A Systematic Review
Chanchlani R et al. • Indian pediatrics (2023)
We found that rizatriptan (good tolerability profile with a dose of 5 mg) and sumatriptan (nasal spray, 10 mg and 20 mg) had higher efficiency as compared to other triptans.
- We found that rizatriptan (good tolerability profile with a dose of 5 mg) and sumatriptan (nasal spray, 10 mg and 20 mg) had higher efficiency as compared to other triptans.
- Published in Indian pediatrics (2023)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Early pharmacological interventions for universal prevention of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Bertolini F et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2022)
This review provides uncertain evidence only regarding the use of hydrocortisone, propranolol, dexamethasone, omega-3 fatty acids, gabapentin, paroxetine, PulmoCare formula, Oxepa formula, or 5-hydroxytryptophan as universal PTSD prevention strategies.
- This review provides uncertain evidence only regarding the use of hydrocortisone, propranolol, dexamethasone, omega-3 fatty acids, gabapentin, paroxetine, PulmoCare formula, Oxepa formula, or 5-hydroxytryptophan as universal PTSD prevention strategies.
- Future research might benefit from larger samples, better reporting of side effects and inclusion of quality of life and functioning measures.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Combination pharmacotherapy for the treatment of fibromyalgia in adults
Thorpe J et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2018)
There are few, large, high-quality trials comparing combination pharmacotherapy with monotherapy for fibromyalgia, consequently limiting evidence to support or refute the use of combination pharmacotherapy for fibromyalgia.
- Two studies only reported any primary outcomes of interest (patient-reported pain relief of 30%, or 50%, or greater).
- There are few, large, high-quality trials comparing combination pharmacotherapy with monotherapy for fibromyalgia, consequently limiting evidence to support or refute the use of combination pharmacotherapy for fibromyalgia.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Investigating genetic links between biological aging and adverse pregnancy outcomes
Sun N et al. • Biogerontology (2025)
The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.
- Our findings suggest a genetic association between the frailty index and susceptibility to GDM, HTP, and PL.
- Closer monitoring of biological aging indicators during pregnancy may be necessary to prevent APOs.© 2025.
- The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.
The effect of 5-HTP supplementation on sleep quality: a systematic review
Maffei ME • Nutrients (2020)
5-HTP may improve sleep quality through serotonin-melatonin pathway enhancement, though high-quality RCTs are needed.
- 5-HTP increases serotonin synthesis which is subsequently converted to melatonin for sleep regulation
- Preliminary clinical data shows improved sleep onset latency and sleep quality at 100-300mg doses
- Combination with GABA showed synergistic effects on sleep induction in available studies
Effects of 5-hydroxytryptophan on distinct types of depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Javelle F et al. • Nutrition reviews (2020)
Further trials should overcome these limitations by using placebo-controlled studies that include patients with well-defined depression diagnoses, along with strong characterization of psychological and physiological patient characteristics.
- Further trials should overcome these limitations by using placebo-controlled studies that include patients with well-defined depression diagnoses, along with strong characterization of psychological and physiological patient characteristics.
- Published in Nutrition reviews (2020)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Systematic Review of Combined Pharmacotherapy for the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder in Patients Without Comorbid Conditions
Naglich AC et al. • CNS drugs (2018)
No significant benefit for the use of combinations over single agents was observed.
- Drug combination effect sizes were comparable to those observed in single-agent trials.
- No significant benefit for the use of combinations over single agents was observed.
- However, benefit may be observed when combined pharmacological interventions address specific symptoms of alcohol use disorder known to be influenced by combination components, or when combinations are used in specific subpopulations in which combination components demonstrate benefit.
Animal models of the serotonin syndrome: a systematic review
Haberzettl R et al. • Behavioural brain research (2013)
All rights reserved.
- Considering species differences, we identify a distinct set of behavioral and autonomic responses that are consistently observed following administration of direct and indirect 5-HT agonists.
- Finally, we discuss the importance of a standardized assessment of SS responses in rodents and the utility of animal models of the SS in translational studies, and provide suggestions for future research.Copyright © 2013 The Authors.
- Published by Elsevier B.V.
The effect of increased serotonergic neurotransmission on aggression: a critical meta-analytical review of preclinical studies
Carrillo M et al. • Psychopharmacology (2009)
Although 5-HT has an overall inhibitory effect on aggression, the animal's genetic background, drug, treatment time, aggression inducing paradigm, and aggression type are critical variables that influence and modify this effect.
- A total of 218 effect sizes revealed that increased 5-HT had an overall significant inhibitory effect on aggression (r = 0.3).
- Although 5-HT has an overall inhibitory effect on aggression, the animal's genetic background, drug, treatment time, aggression inducing paradigm, and aggression type are critical variables that influence and modify this effect.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
5-HTP efficacy and safety in treating depression: A systematic review
Shaw K et al. • Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2002)
5-HTP and tryptophan appear to be better than placebo for depression.
- Some evidence for antidepressant effect
- Limited high-quality studies
- More research needed
Sleep disorders in children
Bruni O et al. • BMJ clinical evidence (2010)
In this systematic review we present information relating to the effectiveness and safety of the following interventions: antihistamines; behavioural therapy plus antihistamines, plus benzodiazepines, or plus chloral and derivatives; benzodiazepines alone; exercise; extinction and graduated extinction; 5-hydroxytryptophan; light therapy; melatonin; safety/protective interventions for parasomnias; scheduled waking (for parasomnias); sleep hygiene; and sleep restriction.
- Systematic review examining 5-HTP efficacy
- Published in BMJ clinical evidence (2010)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Effectiveness and safety of treatments for degenerative ataxias: a systematic review
Trujillo-Martín MM et al. • Movement disorders : official journal of the Movement Disorder Society (2009)
Further investigations with improved trial designs are necessary.(c) 2009 Movement Disorder Society.
- No relevant side effects for drugs that shown some degree of effectiveness were reported.
- Availability of quality studies to evaluate the safety and efficacy of treatments for most DA is scarce.
- No valid information on the actual value of physical rehabilitation and psychological support as treatments for DA is available.
Effects of postbiotics on chronic diarrhea in young adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial assessing clinical symptoms, gut microbiota, and metabolite profiles
Guo S et al. • Gut microbes (2024)
In conclusion, postbiotics have shown promise in relieving chronic diarrhea.
- The results showed that postbiotic intake resulted in significant improvements in Bristol stool scale score, defecation frequency, urgency, and anxiety.
- Targeted metabolomics confirmed a significant increase in fecal butyric acid after postbiotic intervention.
- Additionally, chenodeoxycholic acid, a diarrhea-linked primary bile acid, decreased substantially.
Efficacy and safety of DL-3-N-butylphthalide in the treatment of ischemic poststroke aphasia: A randomized clinical trial
Tian J et al. • Annals of clinical and translational neurology (2024)
NBP treatment might promote the recovery of WAB-AQ in patients with ischemic PSA by increasing levels of monoamine neurotransmitters.
- Compared with the control group, AQ values in the NBP group significantly improved at 6 months (U = 1187.5, p = 0.003).
- After eliminating baseline interference, NBP treatment was independently associated with the 6-month AQ improvement [mean difference (MD) 0.106, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.018, 0.195, p = 0.019].
- We observed no statistically significant difference between the groups in abnormal liver function at 1 month [relative risk (RR) 1.07, 95% CI 0.89, 1.28] and 6 months [RR 0.99, 95% CI 0.86, 1.42].
The Impact of 5-Hydroxytryptophan Supplementation on Cognitive Function and Mood in Singapore Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Li S et al. • Nutrients (2025)
However, given the relatively small sample size (n = 30) and short-term (12-week) intervention, these findings should be interpreted cautiously, and further long-term studies with a larger sample size are warranted to confirm these preliminary results.
- Results: A significant time effect was observed in the MoCA score, which was mainly explained by a significant increase in the 5-HTP group (week 0 vs. week 12: 26.6 ± 1.4 a.u. vs. 27.6 ± 1.4 a.u., p < 0.05).
- Moreover, the 5-HTP group showed a significant increase in serum serotonin levels.
- Additionally, the GDS score improved in the 5-HTP group (week 0 vs. week 8: 1.2 ± 1.7 a.u. vs. 0.7 ± 1.2 a.u., p < 0.05).
Effect of 5-Hydroxytryptophan on Fatigue in Quiescent Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Truyens M et al. • Gastroenterology (2022)
Despite a significant increase in serum 5-hydroxytryptophan and serotonin levels, oral 5-hydroxytryptophan did not modulate IBD-related fatigue better than placebo. (Trial Registration: Belgian Federal Agency for Medication and Health Products, EudraCT number: 2017-005059-10 and ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03574948, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03574948.).
- During 5-hydroxytryptophan treatment, a significant increase in serum 5-hydroxytryptophan (estimated mean difference, 52.66 ng/mL; 95% confidence interval [CI], 39.34-65.98 ng/mL; P < .001) and serotonin (3.0 ng/mL; 95 CI, 1.97-4.03 ng/mL; P < .001) levels was observed compared with placebo.
- The proportion of patients reaching ≥20% reduction in fVAS was similar in placebo- (37.6%) and 5-hydroxytryptophan (35.6%)-treated patients (P = .830).
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
5-Hydroxytryptophan as adjuvant therapy in treatment of moderate to severe obsessive-compulsive disorder: a double-blind randomized trial with placebo control
Yousefzadeh F et al. • International clinical psychopharmacology (2020)
The results of this study confirm that 5-hydroxytryptophan may be effective as an augmentative agent in treatment of moderate-to-severe OCD.
- All patients, regardless of their treatment group, received fluoxetine at 20 mg/day for the initial 4 weeks of the study followed by 60 mg/day of fluoxetine for the rest of the trial course.
- Symptoms were assessed using the Y-BOCS at baseline and weeks 4, 8 and 12.
- The results of this study confirm that 5-hydroxytryptophan may be effective as an augmentative agent in treatment of moderate-to-severe OCD.
Urinary metabolite markers of precocious puberty
Qi Y et al. • Molecular & cellular proteomics : MCP (2012)
Additionally, significant changes in the urine levels of 4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, indoleacetic acid, 5-hydroxytryptophan, and 5-hydroxykynurenamine in the CPP group suggest that the development of CPP condition may involve an alteration in symbiotic gut microbial composition.
- A panel of biomarkers selected from >70 differentially expressed urinary metabolites by receiver operating characteristic and logistic regression analysis provided excellent predictive power with high sensitivity and specificity for PP.
- The altered metabolic profile of the PP patients was characterized by three major perturbed metabolic pathways: catecholamine, serotonin metabolism, and tricarboxylic acid cycle, presumably resulting from activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.
- Treatment with triptorelin depot was able to normalize these three altered pathways.
The impact of 5-hydroxytryptophan supplementation on sleep quality and gut microbiota composition in older adults: A randomized controlled trial
Sutanto CN et al. • Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland) (2024)
5-HTP supplementation can improve certain sleep quality components in older adults and this benefit was more prominently observed in poor sleepers. 5-HTP was also able to improve the gut microbiota composition in poor sleepers.
- In particular, at week 12, not good sleepers but poor sleepers with 5-HTP supplementation were able to significantly improve subjective GSS (ΔSL5-HTP: -2.80 ± 1.10 min, p-value = 0.005).
- 5-HTP supplementation can improve certain sleep quality components in older adults and this benefit was more prominently observed in poor sleepers. 5-HTP was also able to improve the gut microbiota composition in poor sleepers.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
The Effects of 5-HTP on Body Composition: An 8-Week Preliminary RCT
Evans C et al. • Journal of dietary supplements (2023)
Based on the limited data from this investigation, daily supplementation with 100 mg of 5-HTP may affect body composition.
- Lean body mass, total body water, and % body fat did not change significantly in either group.
- Fat mass decreased significantly post versus pre in the 5-HTP group (p = 0.02) but did not change in the placebo group (p = 0.58).
- Based on the limited data from this investigation, daily supplementation with 100 mg of 5-HTP may affect body composition.