We updated the following FAQs:
What are 5-HTP's main benefits?: We added more details on the benefits of 5-HTP, as well as research limitations. Reducing symptoms of depression and promoting weight loss through appetite regulation remain the main potential benefits of 5-HTP. We removed sleep from this section due to unclear evidence of a benefit and potentially negative effects on sleep. Parkinson's disease, headache prevention, and fibromyalgia were added as areas of interest with a currently inconclusive and mixed evidence base.
What are 5-HTP's main drawbacks?: We added information about possible side effects with 5-HTP, the most common being nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. We discussed the connection between 5-HTP and eosinophilia myalgia syndrome which was likely due to a toxic contaminant in the supplements and has not been observed in recent years.
Does 5-HTP affect sleep?: We added an FAQ to discuss the research on 5-HTP and sleep. Currently, no consistent benefit on sleep has been observed and some studies have reported increased rates of nightmares or reduced sleep duration.
Is tryptophan supplementation a suitable alternative to 5-HTP?: We added an FAQ to discuss whether tryptophan can be taken in place of 5-HTP. 5-HTP is a more reliable way of increasing serotonin levels than tryptophan because it crosses the blood-brain barrier more easily, requires less steps for serotonin synthesis, and has less alternative uses in the body.