Is the herbal supplement 5htp harmful in any way?

Question

So far I haven't found any info on it.

Answer 1

There are a few ways that it could potentially be. The warnings on the bottle say not to take it if you are taking a prescription antidepressant, if you're pregnant, or if you're nursing, plus you should ask your healthcare practitioner if you have a medical condition or are taking any prescriptions (all of which are normal warnings).

However, if you are taking anything else (supplement or drug) that increases Serotonin, you probably don't want to take 5-HTP (unless a doctor has recommended it knowing that you're taking the other things). If you take too many things that increase your Serotonin, you can actually negate the sleeping effects and be wide awake all night... then be dead tired all day because you haven't slept (which is why the warning is on it).

Answer 2

5HTP is not a herb, it's an amino acid.

Amino acids come from protein.

Side effects are extremely rare, though people on antidepressants should not take it.

Answer 3

I saw this on an alternative medicine web site.  They combine scientific trial data from natural standard a leading authority on alternative medicine

"...5-HTP may cause drug interaction with medications such as antidepressants and sleep medicines. 5-HTP is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding, unless otherwise advised by a doctor...."