5/8/2025
Last update
5/8/2025
Reviewed By
Reviewed By
Overview
SCIENTIFIC SCORE
Questionable
Based on 10 Researches
6
USERS' SCORE
Moderately Good
Based on 5 Reviews
7.2
Supplement Facts
Serving Size: 1 Tablet
Amount Per Serving
%DV
Calcium (as Dibasic Calcium Phosphate)
32 mg
2%
5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan)[from Griffonia simplicifolia) (seed)
100 mg
*
Top Medical Research Studies
8
We conducted a double-blind crossover study with 30 children experiencing primary headaches. The participants were divided into two groups, receiving either L-5-HTP or a placebo for 12 weeks.
Each group was evaluated using a Migraine Index to measure headache severity, duration, and frequency. Results showed a significant decrease in headache symptoms for those treated with L-5-HTP compared to placebo, demonstrating its potential effectiveness.
Overall, both groups exhibited similar improvements, affirming the benefits of L-5-HTP in managing headaches in this age group.
Each group was evaluated using a Migraine Index to measure headache severity, duration, and frequency. Results showed a significant decrease in headache symptoms for those treated with L-5-HTP compared to placebo, demonstrating its potential effectiveness.
Overall, both groups exhibited similar improvements, affirming the benefits of L-5-HTP in managing headaches in this age group.
7
In our investigation, we measured the levels of serotonin and beta-endorphin in 20 young headache sufferers before and after a 3-month treatment using L-5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP). Unfortunately, we didn’t find significant differences in serotonin levels among headache patients and controls. However, we did observe notably lower beta-endorphin levels in the patients compared to healthy individuals.
After treatment, while beta-endorphin levels rose slightly, and overall headache symptoms improved, these changes were not significant statistically. This suggests that while 5-HTP might boost beta-endorphin levels, its impact on headaches remains uncertain.
After treatment, while beta-endorphin levels rose slightly, and overall headache symptoms improved, these changes were not significant statistically. This suggests that while 5-HTP might boost beta-endorphin levels, its impact on headaches remains uncertain.
5
We conducted a double-blind cross-over study to investigate how effective L-5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is in treating chronic primary headache. In our research involving 31 patients, we compared 5-HTP to a placebo over two months.
While we observed that 5-HTP reduced headache frequency and severity, the results weren't statistically significant. Interestingly, nearly half of the participants reported a favorable response after two months, yet psychogenic headache patients showed less benefit. Overall, we found 5-HTP to be moderately effective and safe, offering patients another option for headache management.
While we observed that 5-HTP reduced headache frequency and severity, the results weren't statistically significant. Interestingly, nearly half of the participants reported a favorable response after two months, yet psychogenic headache patients showed less benefit. Overall, we found 5-HTP to be moderately effective and safe, offering patients another option for headache management.
Most Useful Reviews
0
Headache issue
1 people found this helpful
Frankly, I found a nice improvement in mood. It calmed my nerves, but I did experience a severe headache. I found some relief from this with sleep. The dosage is normal and the packaging is of excellent quality.
9
No headaches
The best 5-HTP I’ve tried; it works gently without causing headaches. It improves my mood consistently and gradually.
2
No effect
I purchased this supplement for my mother, but there was no effect apart from her experiencing a headache while taking it.
Medical Researches
SCIENTIFIC SCORE
Questionable
Based on 10 Researches
6
- All Researches
8
Potential migraine prevention with L-5-HTP
In a thoughtful and controlled study, we explored the effects of L-5-HTP on migraines, one of the most common forms of primary headache. The findings were promising, showing a significant reduction in the frequency of migraines for those predisposed to headaches.
This long-term, placebo-controlled research suggests that L-5-HTP might influence central nervous system factors involved in migraine development. While more research is needed, the data offers a novel look at potential preventive measures for those suffering from migraines.
This long-term, placebo-controlled research suggests that L-5-HTP might influence central nervous system factors involved in migraine development. While more research is needed, the data offers a novel look at potential preventive measures for those suffering from migraines.
8
We conducted a double-blind crossover study with 30 children experiencing primary headaches. The participants were divided into two groups, receiving either L-5-HTP or a placebo for 12 weeks.
Each group was evaluated using a Migraine Index to measure headache severity, duration, and frequency. Results showed a significant decrease in headache symptoms for those treated with L-5-HTP compared to placebo, demonstrating its potential effectiveness.
Overall, both groups exhibited similar improvements, affirming the benefits of L-5-HTP in managing headaches in this age group.
Each group was evaluated using a Migraine Index to measure headache severity, duration, and frequency. Results showed a significant decrease in headache symptoms for those treated with L-5-HTP compared to placebo, demonstrating its potential effectiveness.
Overall, both groups exhibited similar improvements, affirming the benefits of L-5-HTP in managing headaches in this age group.
8
We examined the role of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in managing headaches, particularly migraines. Our findings showed that both acute and chronic administration of tryptophan significantly alleviated headaches when compared to placebo treatments.
In some patients with severe pain from cancer, tryptophan reduced the need for morphine as well. Conversely, chronic use of parachlorophenylalanine resulted in lowered pain thresholds and spontaneous pain in some migraine patients—an effect that reverted upon stopping the treatment.
These insights suggest that while 5-HT plays a crucial role in pain modulation, its turnover might be disrupted in individuals with chronic headache conditions.
In some patients with severe pain from cancer, tryptophan reduced the need for morphine as well. Conversely, chronic use of parachlorophenylalanine resulted in lowered pain thresholds and spontaneous pain in some migraine patients—an effect that reverted upon stopping the treatment.
These insights suggest that while 5-HT plays a crucial role in pain modulation, its turnover might be disrupted in individuals with chronic headache conditions.
7
In our investigation, we measured the levels of serotonin and beta-endorphin in 20 young headache sufferers before and after a 3-month treatment using L-5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP). Unfortunately, we didn’t find significant differences in serotonin levels among headache patients and controls. However, we did observe notably lower beta-endorphin levels in the patients compared to healthy individuals.
After treatment, while beta-endorphin levels rose slightly, and overall headache symptoms improved, these changes were not significant statistically. This suggests that while 5-HTP might boost beta-endorphin levels, its impact on headaches remains uncertain.
After treatment, while beta-endorphin levels rose slightly, and overall headache symptoms improved, these changes were not significant statistically. This suggests that while 5-HTP might boost beta-endorphin levels, its impact on headaches remains uncertain.
7
We explored the impact of L-5-hydroxytryptophan (L-5-HTP) on headaches in children who also experienced sleep disorders. After selecting forty-eight elementary and junior high school students based on a school-wide questionnaire, we conducted a double-blind, cross-over trial comparing L-5-HTP to a placebo.
Results were promising, as L-5-HTP showed positive effects on reducing headaches and aiding with sleep issues, such as frequent awakenings.
This suggests that L-5-HTP could be a helpful treatment avenue for children struggling with these interconnected problems.
Results were promising, as L-5-HTP showed positive effects on reducing headaches and aiding with sleep issues, such as frequent awakenings.
This suggests that L-5-HTP could be a helpful treatment avenue for children struggling with these interconnected problems.
User Reviews
USERS' SCORE
Moderately Good
Based on 5 Reviews
7.2
- All Reviews
- Positive Reviews
- Negative Reviews
0
Headache issue
1 people found this helpful
Frankly, I found a nice improvement in mood. It calmed my nerves, but I did experience a severe headache. I found some relief from this with sleep. The dosage is normal and the packaging is of excellent quality.
9
No headaches
The best 5-HTP I’ve tried; it works gently without causing headaches. It improves my mood consistently and gradually.
2
No effect
I purchased this supplement for my mother, but there was no effect apart from her experiencing a headache while taking it.
6
Mild improvement
5 people found this helpful
The effect was gentle and unlike that of SSRIs. It improved my headache and reduced overeating from stress. I found myself awakening halfway through my sleep, returning to being a long sleeper. The impact on my sleeping state remains uncertain.
6
Decreased headaches
This being my first purchase of 5-HTP, I chose the time-release version based on research. I plan to continue with one tablet in the morning. Personally, I feel that my headache has slightly decreased since I started using it.
Frequently Asked Questions
6
Decreased headaches
This being my first purchase of 5-HTP, I chose the time-release version based on research. I plan to continue with one tablet in the morning. Personally, I feel that my headache has slightly decreased since I started using it.
2
No effect
I purchased this supplement for my mother, but there was no effect apart from her experiencing a headache while taking it.
9
No headaches
The best 5-HTP I’ve tried; it works gently without causing headaches. It improves my mood consistently and gradually.
0
Headache issue
1 people found this helpful
Frankly, I found a nice improvement in mood. It calmed my nerves, but I did experience a severe headache. I found some relief from this with sleep. The dosage is normal and the packaging is of excellent quality.
6
Mild improvement
5 people found this helpful
The effect was gentle and unlike that of SSRIs. It improved my headache and reduced overeating from stress. I found myself awakening halfway through my sleep, returning to being a long sleeper. The impact on my sleeping state remains uncertain.
7
We explored the effectiveness of L-5HTP, a serotonin precursor, in treating primary headaches by studying 100 patients over four months. The treatment was administered at a dose of 300 mg daily.
Our findings confirmed that L-5HTP showed consistent effects across various headache types, regardless of its frequency. We identified characteristics of patients most likely to benefit, including a history of major mood disorders and fewer anxiety symptoms. Overall, while the treatment shows promise, further research is needed to clearly understand its impact on headache relief.
Our findings confirmed that L-5HTP showed consistent effects across various headache types, regardless of its frequency. We identified characteristics of patients most likely to benefit, including a history of major mood disorders and fewer anxiety symptoms. Overall, while the treatment shows promise, further research is needed to clearly understand its impact on headache relief.
4
We investigated how L-5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) affects chronic tension-type headaches by conducting a double-blind, randomized trial with 78 participants. While 5-HTP did not significantly change the number of headache days or their intensity compared to placebo, we found that participants reduced their use of analgesics. Notably, in the follow-up period, there was a promising decrease in headache days, with subjective reports favoring 5-HTP. These findings suggest that while 5-HTP may not directly alleviate headaches, it can help reduce medication dependency.
References
- Victor S, Ryan SW. Drugs for preventing migraine headaches in children. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2003.
- Ribeiro CA. L-5-Hydroxytryptophan in the prophylaxis of chronic tension-type headache: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. For the Portuguese Head Society. Headache. 2000;40:451.
- Nicolodi M, Sicuteri F. L-5-hydroxytryptophan can prevent nociceptive disorders in man. Adv Exp Med Biol. 1999;467:177.
- Battistella PA, Bordin A, Cernetti R, Broetto S, Corrà S, et al. beta-endorphin in plasma and monocytes in juvenile headache. Headache. 1996;36:91.
- De Giorgis G, Miletto R, Iannuccelli M, Camuffo M, Scerni S. Headache in association with sleep disorders in children: a psychodiagnostic evaluation and controlled clinical study--L-5-HTP versus placebo. Drugs Exp Clin Res. 1987;13:425.
- De Benedittis G, Massei R. Serotonin precursors in chronic primary headache. A double-blind cross-over study with L-5-hydroxytryptophan vs. placebo. J Neurosurg Sci. 1985;29:239.
- Bono G, Micieli G, Sances G, Calvani M, Nappi G. L-5HTP treatment in primary headaches: an attempt at clinical identification of responsive patients. Cephalalgia. 1984;4:159.
- Longo G, Rudoi I, Iannuccelli M, Strinati R, Panizon F. [Treatment of essential headache in developmental age with L-5-HTP (cross over double-blind study versus placebo)]. Pediatr Med Chir. 1984;6:241.
- Bussone G, Boiardi A, Cerrati A, Girotti F, Merati B, et al. Monoamine oxidase activities in patients with migraine or with cluster headache during the acute phases and after treatment with L-5-hydroxytryptophan. Riv Patol Nerv Ment. 1979;100:269.
- Sicuteri F, Anselmi B, Del Bene E, Galli P. 5-Hydroxytryptamine and pain modulation in man: a clinical pharmacological approach with tryptophan and parachlorophenylalanine. Acta Vitaminol Enzymol. 1975;29:66.
