5-HTP also known by it’s scientific name 5-hydroxytryptophan is a chemical that the body makes from tryptophan an essential amino acid that you get from food, such as turkey. After tryptophan is converted into 5-HTP, the chemical is changed into another chemical called serotonin, a neurotransmitter that relays signals between brain cells. 5-HTP dietary supplements help raise serotonin levels in the brain. Since serotonin helps regulate mood and behavior, 5-HTP may have a positive effect on sleep, mood, anxiety, appetite, and pain sensation. In one study, people who took 5-HTP went to sleep quicker and slept more deeply than those who took a placebo.1
- https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/supplement/5-hydroxytryptophan-5-htp
