5-Hydroxytryptophan: benefits by goal, the dosage that worked, and the supplements ranked
What the 36 human studies of 5-Hydroxytryptophan we graded show for each goal, the dose that worked, and the products that hold it. This page is educational, not medical advice.
5-Hydroxytryptophan benefits, by goal: what the studies show
Members OnlyThe top 1 of 1 goals
4 of these 36 human studies gave 5-Hydroxytryptophan by drip, not by mouth.
| Goal | What the studies show | Studies | Dose that worked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mood | Improved in studies 36 studies, 12 showed an improvement, 4 found none, 5 pooled analyses, 4 by drip, injection or inhaler | 36 | 100 mg |
5-Hydroxytryptophan supplements, ranked by the human studies
Members OnlyThe top 2 of 2
5-Hydroxytryptophan dosage: how much per day
The dose that worked in the studies, and the upper limit
The studies taken by mouth that showed an improvement gave 100 to 300 mg a day.
Biohacker panel
Members OnlyWhat our 10 biohackers say about 5-Hydroxytryptophan
Dr. Mark Hyman, 23 Oct 2026: Lists 5-hydroxytryptophan, or 5-HTP, as a serotonin precursor that can help lower anxiety or depression symptoms. Source
Ben Greenfield, 30 Aug 2018: He recommends Thorne 5-Hydroxytryptophan for reversing damage from EMF exposure. Source
Thomas DeLauer, 16 Mar 2017: Recommends 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) for appetite control, explaining it's a precursor to serotonin and acts on specific brain areas correlated with hunger, leading to reduced calorie consumption. Source
Questions people ask
Members OnlyAnswered from the figures on this page
What is 5-Hydroxytryptophan good for?
By the human studies we graded, 5-Hydroxytryptophan shows an improvement for mood.
5-Hydroxytryptophan for mood: what do the studies show?
In the human studies of 5-Hydroxytryptophan we graded for mood: 36 studies, 12 showed an improvement, 4 found none, 5 pooled analyses, 4 by drip, injection or inhaler. The dose that worked: 100 mg a day.
How much 5-Hydroxytryptophan per day?
The studies taken by mouth that showed an improvement used 100 to 300 mg a day.
When should I take 5-Hydroxytryptophan?
The label of the one 5-Hydroxytryptophan product we graded says to take it split into two or more doses a day.
Can I take 5-Hydroxytryptophan with my meds?
Some supplements can change how meds work or are absorbed. Members have every product checked against the meds in their Health Profile before it joins their protocol.
Educational, not medical advice. Figures come from the human studies on PubMed we have graded; a study counts for a form when it names the form it used. Updated as new studies arrive. How we grade →
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