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| 5-Hydroxytriptophan |
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| 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), also known as oxitriptan (INN), is a naturally-occurring amino acid and chemical precursor as well as metabolic intermediate in the bio synthesis of the neurotransmitters serotonin and melatonin from tryptophan. |
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| 5-HTP is milky white Powder, highly soluble in water. Its Chemical Formula is 2-amino-3- (5-hydroxy-1H-indol-3-yl) propanoic acid and molecular formula is C11H12N2O3. |
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| 5-HTP is used as a dietary supplement, antidepressant, appetite suppressant, and sleep aid. |
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| Source |
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| 5-HTP is extracted from the seeds of an African plant, Griffonia simplicifolia. |
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| Griffonia simplicifolia is a woody climbing shrub native to West Africa and Central Africa. It grows to about 3 m, and bears greenish flowers followed by black pods. |
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| Pharmacology |
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| The psychoactive action of 5-HTP is due to the production of serotonin in central nervous system tissue. 5 -Hydroxytryptophan crosses the blood-brain barrier and by the enzyme aromatic-L-amino-acid decarboxylase with the help of Vitamin B6 it decarboxylated to serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine or 5-HT).More specifically, 5-HTP increases the production of serotonin. |
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| 5 -HTP also act by interfering with a natural process -the re uptake or recycling of released serotonin molecules. The net effect of this action is to make more serotonin molecules available to stimulate serotonin receptors. |
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| Therapeutic Application |
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| 5-HTP can be helpful for : |
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- Relieving depression
- Alleviating anxiety, panic, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Reducing the pain and frequency of migraine attacks
- Alleviating the pain and discomfort of fibromyalgia
- Improving sleep
- Suppressing appetite and losing weight
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| Dosage |
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- Depression, anxiety, and panic attacks: 50 to 100 mg twice a day.
- Insomnia: 50-100 mg 30 minutes before going to bed.
- Weight control: 50-100 mg three times a day, 20 to 30 minutes before meals.
- Migraine prevention: Work gradually up to a dosage that controls migraine pain, starting with 50 mg three times a day.
- Fibromyalgia and other chronic pain: l00 mg three times a day. If drowsiness occurs, reduce the dose to 50 mg three times a day.
- Tobacco Dependence: 50mg Three times a day.
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