Overview

SCIENTIFIC SCORE
Possibly Effective
Based on 11 Researches
7.5
USERS' SCORE
Good
Based on 18 Reviews
8.8
Supplement Facts
Serving Size: 1 Veg Capsule
Amount Per Serving
%DV
5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) (from Griffonia simplicifolia Extract) (Seed)
100 mg
*

Top Medical Research Studies

8
Effective in pediatric migraines
We examined the impact of L-5-HTP, a common supplement, on reducing migraines in children. In this double-blind, cross-over study involving 30 patients, each participant received either L-5-HTP or a placebo for 12 weeks in two alternating phases.

The results showed a significant reduction in headache severity, duration, and frequency when patients took L-5-HTP. Statistical analyses confirmed this positive effect, demonstrating that L-5-HTP can effectively improve migraine symptoms in young patients.
Read More
8
5-HTP shows promise for migraines
We explored how 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) influences migraine aura by studying cortical spreading depression (CSD) in male and female rats. The results showed that 5-HTP reduced CSD frequency in cycling females, particularly during their estrus phase, while it had no effect on males. In females without ovaries, estrogen treatment increased CSD susceptibility, but this decreased after estrogen was removed. Overall, the findings suggest that 5-HTP may be beneficial for women experiencing migraine with aura, especially when ovarian hormones are involved.
Read More
8
L-5-HTP shows migraine reduction
We explored the effectiveness of L-5-HTP as a potential treatment for migraines in a long-term, placebo-controlled study. Our findings indicated that L-5-HTP can significantly reduce the frequency of migraine attacks, which is especially encouraging given that it's one of the most common forms of primary pain.

This suggests that L-5-HTP may address underlying central nervous system issues contributing to migraines, particularly in individuals who are already prone to headaches. Overall, this emerging data offers hope for those seeking relief from migraines.
Read More

Most Useful Reviews

10
No more migraines
243 people found this helpful
After 15 years of suffering from migraines and trying numerous treatments, nothing worked until I tried 500mg of 5-HTP before bed. Since then, I haven’t experienced a migraine. I'm incredibly grateful for this discovery!
Read More
9
Migraine relief achieved
8 people found this helpful
With 5-HTP, my mood and sleep have normalised, and I’ve experienced a disappearance of headaches and migraines. I take it with my wife. I switched from two 50mg antidepressant tablets to just one, and it suffices. My wife has eliminated her antidepressants completely! I regret not knowing about this supplement sooner—it’s truly effective! I feel more composed and my mood has vastly improved, aiding my sleep too. Please rate my review if you found it helpful!
Read More
10
No more migraines
7 people found this helpful
No more headaches. I used to get a migraine a week. Not always severe, but I had to go to the ER a few times due to the pain. After inconclusive tests, I found out about this on the Joe Rogan Podcast. My migraines are GONE, and I’m in a better mood. My constant headaches are also gone. There’s a note about not being on certain meds due to concerns of "serotonin syndrome". Regardless, my headaches have vanished!
Read More

Medical Researches

SCIENTIFIC SCORE
Possibly Effective
Based on 11 Researches
7.5
  • All Researches
We explored how freeze-dried latex from Calotropis gigantea could help with migraine relief. This study tested both freeze-dried and sun-dried latex for their effects on behavior linked to migraine symptoms.

The freeze-dried variant showed improved properties and efficacy in reducing climbing behaviors induced by various stimuli. It appears that this form of latex interacts positively with dopamine and serotonin receptors, which play a role in migraine management.

Overall, we found that freeze-dried latex might offer a promising natural treatment option for those suffering from migraines.
Read More
8
5-HTP shows promise for migraines
We explored how 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) influences migraine aura by studying cortical spreading depression (CSD) in male and female rats. The results showed that 5-HTP reduced CSD frequency in cycling females, particularly during their estrus phase, while it had no effect on males. In females without ovaries, estrogen treatment increased CSD susceptibility, but this decreased after estrogen was removed. Overall, the findings suggest that 5-HTP may be beneficial for women experiencing migraine with aura, especially when ovarian hormones are involved.
Read More
8
Low serotonin may impact migraines
We explored the potential link between low serotonin levels and familial hemiplegic migraine in two siblings.

Both sisters displayed severe symptoms alongside low cerebrospinal fluid serotonin metabolites and platelet levels.

Remarkably, their symptoms improved significantly with treatment using 5-hydroxytryptophan, underscoring the importance of serotonin in managing their condition.

These findings suggest a deeper connection between serotonin transport issues and migraine, opening new avenues for understanding and treating this rare migraine subtype.
Read More
8
L-5-HTP shows migraine reduction
We explored the effectiveness of L-5-HTP as a potential treatment for migraines in a long-term, placebo-controlled study. Our findings indicated that L-5-HTP can significantly reduce the frequency of migraine attacks, which is especially encouraging given that it's one of the most common forms of primary pain.

This suggests that L-5-HTP may address underlying central nervous system issues contributing to migraines, particularly in individuals who are already prone to headaches. Overall, this emerging data offers hope for those seeking relief from migraines.
Read More
8
5-HTP shows promise for migraine
We treated 124 migraine sufferers with either 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) or methysergide, ensuring that the groups were similar in key demographics and migraine characteristics.

Most notably, 71% of those taking 5-HTP experienced improvement, especially in terms of pain intensity and duration, versus 75% for methysergide.

Importantly, 5-HTP had fewer side effects compared to methysergide, making it a promising option for migraine prevention.
Read More

User Reviews

USERS' SCORE
Good
Based on 18 Reviews
8.8
  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
10
No more migraines
243 people found this helpful
After 15 years of suffering from migraines and trying numerous treatments, nothing worked until I tried 500mg of 5-HTP before bed. Since then, I haven’t experienced a migraine. I'm incredibly grateful for this discovery!
Read More
9
Migraine relief achieved
8 people found this helpful
With 5-HTP, my mood and sleep have normalised, and I’ve experienced a disappearance of headaches and migraines. I take it with my wife. I switched from two 50mg antidepressant tablets to just one, and it suffices. My wife has eliminated her antidepressants completely! I regret not knowing about this supplement sooner—it’s truly effective! I feel more composed and my mood has vastly improved, aiding my sleep too. Please rate my review if you found it helpful!
Read More
10
No more migraines
7 people found this helpful
No more headaches. I used to get a migraine a week. Not always severe, but I had to go to the ER a few times due to the pain. After inconclusive tests, I found out about this on the Joe Rogan Podcast. My migraines are GONE, and I’m in a better mood. My constant headaches are also gone. There’s a note about not being on certain meds due to concerns of "serotonin syndrome". Regardless, my headaches have vanished!
Read More
9
Essential for migraine control
4 people found this helpful
I couldn't manage without 5-HTP! It keeps my migraines to a minimum.
Read More
9
Mood and sleep enhancement
1 people found this helpful
The amino acid 5-HTP normalises serotonin and melatonin levels, leading to improved emotional states and sleep. It alleviates depression, apathy, and irritability, while migraines and headaches fade away, enhancing mood and vitality. This supplement also eases PMS symptoms.
Read More

Frequently Asked Questions

7.5
Migraine improvement
31 people found this helpful
After taking 50mg for three months, my migraine headache improved. I was quite stressed and took migraine medication almost daily. I initially limited sweets, but later indulged in them. After consuming 2 capsules of 50mg, my headache vanished, and I lost my desire for sweets. I now take 100mg, one capsule daily, to manage my headaches effectively, alternating between 50mg and 100mg based on my physical condition.
6
Effective mood and migraine relief
18 people found this helpful
For bad mood and migraines, it helps to cope with irritability and, with long-term use, treats migraines. I drink one capsule in the morning and another 30 minutes before meals. The results are evident. A month-long course is possible, or even more.
2
Ineffective for migraines
I tried 5-HTP hoping it would alleviate my migraines and decrease my reliance on triptans, but it didn’t work for me. I didn’t feel notably calmer or experience any improvement, which was disappointing. I would suggest trying different options if you suffer from migraines.
9
Migraine relief achieved
8 people found this helpful
With 5-HTP, my mood and sleep have normalised, and I’ve experienced a disappearance of headaches and migraines. I take it with my wife. I switched from two 50mg antidepressant tablets to just one, and it suffices. My wife has eliminated her antidepressants completely! I regret not knowing about this supplement sooner—it’s truly effective! I feel more composed and my mood has vastly improved, aiding my sleep too. Please rate my review if you found it helpful!
9
Essential for migraine control
4 people found this helpful
I couldn't manage without 5-HTP! It keeps my migraines to a minimum.
9
Significant migraine reduction
1 people found this helpful
I take this in conjunction with Butterbur from the same company, and the frequency and intensity of my migraines have significantly decreased.
9
Mood and sleep enhancement
1 people found this helpful
The amino acid 5-HTP normalises serotonin and melatonin levels, leading to improved emotional states and sleep. It alleviates depression, apathy, and irritability, while migraines and headaches fade away, enhancing mood and vitality. This supplement also eases PMS symptoms.
7.5
Improved migraine situation
It was recommended to me for my migraine, along with magnesium. I have noticed an improvement, with no headaches like I had before every day.
8
5-HTP shows promise for migraines
We explored how 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) influences migraine aura by studying cortical spreading depression (CSD) in male and female rats. The results showed that 5-HTP reduced CSD frequency in cycling females, particularly during their estrus phase, while it had no effect on males. In females without ovaries, estrogen treatment increased CSD susceptibility, but this decreased after estrogen was removed. Overall, the findings suggest that 5-HTP may be beneficial for women experiencing migraine with aura, especially when ovarian hormones are involved.
7
5-HTP shows limited migraine benefit
We observed the effects of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) compared to propranolol in treating migraines over four months. In a double-blind trial with 39 participants, both treatments significantly reduced the frequency of migraine attacks. However, propranolol outperformed 5-HTP in reducing attack duration and the need for pain relief. While 5-HTP could serve as an alternative treatment option, it seems less effective than propranolol, which is the established standard for migraine management.
8
5-HTP shows promise for migraine
We treated 124 migraine sufferers with either 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) or methysergide, ensuring that the groups were similar in key demographics and migraine characteristics.

Most notably, 71% of those taking 5-HTP experienced improvement, especially in terms of pain intensity and duration, versus 75% for methysergide.

Importantly, 5-HTP had fewer side effects compared to methysergide, making it a promising option for migraine prevention.
5
Moderate efficacy, mild side effects
We investigated the role of L-5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) in managing chronic primary headache, including migraines, using a double-blind, cross-over study design. This involved 31 patients over a two-month period, where we compared the effects of 5-HTP against a placebo. While we observed reductions in headache frequency and severity with 5-HTP, these differences were not statistically significant. Notably, 48% of participants reported substantial improvement, but some types of headaches, particularly psychogenic headache, did not respond well. Side effects were mostly mild and transient, highlighting 5-HTP as a moderately effective and safe option.
7
5-HTP affects migraine pain threshold
We engaged in a study comparing the effects of 5-HTP treatment on chronic migraine sufferers against those treated with acetylsalicylic acid. Patients receiving 5-HTP showed some beneficial responses, particularly in relation to their pain thresholds. This suggests that 5-HTP may enhance serotonin activity, potentially aiding in pain relief. However, the overall effectiveness varies among individuals, and it’s essential to consider that not everyone experiences significant improvement with this treatment.
8
5-HTP shows mixed migraine effects
We investigated how 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HTP) influences migraine pain. Our findings show that when patients received tryptophan, either through infusion or ingestion, they experienced significant improvements compared to those on placebo. Additionally, while tryptophan reduced pain in some cancer patients, the use of parachlorophenylalanine was problematic, lowering pain thresholds and causing spontaneous pain in some migraine sufferers. This suggests that 5-HTP may have varied effects on individuals prone to migraine. Overall, the effectiveness of 5-HTP in treating migraines remains inconclusive.

References

  1. Bhatia S, Al-Harrasi A, Kumar A, Behl T, Sehgal A, et al. Anti-migraine activity of freeze-dried latex obtained from Calotropis gigantea Linn. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2022;29:27460. doi:10.1007/s11356-021-17810-x
  2. Chauvel V, Multon S, Schoenen J. Estrogen-dependent effects of 5-hydroxytryptophan on cortical spreading depression in rat: Modelling the serotonin-ovarian hormone interaction in migraine aura. Cephalalgia. 2018;38:427. doi:10.1177/0333102417690891
  3. Horvath GA, Selby K, Poskitt K, Hyland K, Waters PJ, et al. Hemiplegic migraine, seizures, progressive spastic paraparesis, mood disorder, and coma in siblings with low systemic serotonin. Cephalalgia. 2011;31:1580. doi:10.1177/0333102411420584
  4. Nicolodi M, Sicuteri F. L-5-hydroxytryptophan can prevent nociceptive disorders in man. Adv Exp Med Biol. 1999;467:177.
  5. 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.
  6. Maissen CP, Ludin HP. [Comparison of the effect of 5-hydroxytryptophan and propranolol in the interval treatment of migraine]. Schweiz Med Wochenschr. 1991;121:1585.
  7. Titus F, Dávalos A, Alom J, Codina A. 5-Hydroxytryptophan versus methysergide in the prophylaxis of migraine. Randomized clinical trial. Eur Neurol. 1986;25:327.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. Boiardi A, Crenna P, Merati B, Negri S, Tansini E, et al. 5-OH-Tryptophane in migraine: clinical and neurophysiological considerations. J Neurol. 1981;225:41.
  11. 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.
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