Last update
6/21/2026
Reviewed By
Overview
SCIENTIFIC SCORE
Possibly Effective
Based on 11 Researches
7.5
USERS' SCORE
Moderately Good
Based on 4 Reviews
7.6
Supplement Facts
Serving Size: 1 Veg Capsule
Amount Per Serving
%DV
5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) (from Griffonia simplicifolia Extract) (seed)
50 mg
*
Top Medical Research Studies
8
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.
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
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.
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
7.5
Improves mood
5 people found this helpful
Happily, it worked well. After using another brand of 5 HTP for years, which was discontinued, I tried NOW brand upon recommendation. It’s effective when combined with Tylenol or ibuprofen at the early stages of a migraine. It also lifts my mood and reduces irritability. However, it's best not to use it every day to avoid tolerance.
Read More
7.5
Migraine prevention
I didn’t notice much calmness, but I took it primarily to prevent migraines. After two months of use, I experienced only one migraine, whereas previously, I would have had at least three. Therefore, I believe hydroxytryptophan has been beneficial.
Read More
6
Migraine relief
Good tryptophan that effectively fights migraines, calms, and improves sleep quality.
Read More
Medical Researches
SCIENTIFIC SCORE
Possibly Effective
Based on 11 Researches
7.5
- All Researches
8
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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
Moderately Good
Based on 4 Reviews
7.6
- All Reviews
- Positive Reviews
- Negative Reviews
7.5
Improves mood
5 people found this helpful
Happily, it worked well. After using another brand of 5 HTP for years, which was discontinued, I tried NOW brand upon recommendation. It’s effective when combined with Tylenol or ibuprofen at the early stages of a migraine. It also lifts my mood and reduces irritability. However, it's best not to use it every day to avoid tolerance.
Read More
7.5
Migraine prevention
I didn’t notice much calmness, but I took it primarily to prevent migraines. After two months of use, I experienced only one migraine, whereas previously, I would have had at least three. Therefore, I believe hydroxytryptophan has been beneficial.
Read More
6
Migraine relief
Good tryptophan that effectively fights migraines, calms, and improves sleep quality.
Read More
2
Increased migraine frequency
4 people found this helpful
Satisfactorily I couldn't use it. I drink at night – I feel like a vegetable in the morning. All day long, I’m stupidly lying in prostration until the evening. Migraines have become more frequent. Constant weakness and apathy make it hard to cope. I fall asleep quickly, but at what cost! (The mood did not change in any way) Used for 2 weeks.
Read More
Frequently Asked Questions
7.5
Migraine prevention
I didn’t notice much calmness, but I took it primarily to prevent migraines. After two months of use, I experienced only one migraine, whereas previously, I would have had at least three. Therefore, I believe hydroxytryptophan has been beneficial.
2
Increased migraine frequency
4 people found this helpful
Satisfactorily I couldn't use it. I drink at night – I feel like a vegetable in the morning. All day long, I’m stupidly lying in prostration until the evening. Migraines have become more frequent. Constant weakness and apathy make it hard to cope. I fall asleep quickly, but at what cost! (The mood did not change in any way) Used for 2 weeks.
6
Migraine relief
Good tryptophan that effectively fights migraines, calms, and improves sleep quality.
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.
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.
8
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.
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.
7
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.
5
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.
References
- 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. 10.1007/s11356-021-17810-x
- 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. 10.1177/0333102417690891
- 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. 10.1177/0333102411420584
- Nicolodi M, Sicuteri F. L-5-hydroxytryptophan can prevent nociceptive disorders in man. Adv Exp Med Biol. 1999;467:177. PubMed
- 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. PubMed
- 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. PubMed
- 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. PubMed
- 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. PubMed
- 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. PubMed
- 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. PubMed
- 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. PubMed
