Thorne 5-Hydroxytryptophan Review

Thorne 5-Hydroxytryptophan has a strongly positive reputation, with about 4,381 ratings across the stores and most written feedback praising it for sleep and mood. A few buyers found the effect small, and some objected to the added vitamin B6. **What buyers say it did for them:** Sleep is the most common benefit. Buyers describe falling asleep faster and staying asleep. One says, "I've been able to sleep through the night and wake up rested." Another says it "magically wards off bad dreams 95% of the time." Mood is the second theme, with people reporting a steadier, lifted mood. One writes, "My mood is a lot more stable, more energized." Some reviewers also report fewer food cravings and less hunger, such as "little craving for junky, carbohydrate-laden foods." A few combined it with Thorne's PharmaGABA-250 or magnesium glycinate and were pleased with the results. One reviewer noticed a difference within a week, and another says a husband slept better after a few days. **What they complain about:** The main complaint is the vitamin B6 in the formula. One one-star reviewer says, "You added b6 which i already take," and will not rebuy. On Vitacost, a long-term user believes the B6 caused severe hip neuropathy that eased after switching to a 5-HTP product without B6. The Supplement Facts panel lists B6 at 6.8 mg per two capsules, or 400% of the daily value. Others found the effect weak: "effectiveness is marginal for me." One calls it only "Helps a little bit with a mood," and another reports mixed results, a mild improvement in relaxation that is "not an immediate or dramatic effect." One reviewer saw little change in mood but did get better sleep. **Taste, smell, pill size, form:** Reviewers say the capsules are easy to swallow and cause no stomach upset or morning grogginess. One notes "no stomach ache" and "no bad taste." A Vitacost reviewer describes the ingredients as clean, with no unnecessary fillers. The 90-count bottle is said to last a long time. Another reviewer points out that the 50 mg capsule size lets you adjust the dose. Reviews of other forms of the product were left out. **Value for money:** Opinion is split. A Vitacost reviewer calls the price fair for the brand, and one repeat buyer is on a third re-order. One reviewer finds it "quite costly product, given that the dosage is small," and needs two or three capsules a day to feel a mood effect. Another values it because few brands make 5-HTP. **Who it seems to suit and who it did not:** It seems to suit people looking for sleep help, steadier mood, or less craving, and fans of the Thorne brand. One person says it avoided the morning drowsiness they got from a med PM. Another uses it to maintain serotonin levels alongside other medication, and a postpartum mom says it helped her avoid raising her a med dose. It suited people who want B6 included, as one reviewer says it "includes the b6 necessary for optimum results." It did not suit people who already take B6 or want to avoid it, those with B6 concerns, or those who need a stronger effect per capsule. One reviewer cautions that results vary and that it is not something to approach casually.