NOW Foods Supplements, 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) 50 mg, Neurotransmitter Support*, 90 Veg Capsules

The mood boost is very subtle and short-lived. I am taking this to calm my anxiety at night to reduce anxiety-induced RLS-like itching. It has dampened my symptoms incredibly, but isn't a cure for it. But at least it gives me time to take my medication without it feeling like an emergency to get rid of any symptoms in order to sleep or function properly. In terms of mood, I still get angry and frustrated at work lol, but I don't feel depressed or think about bad pessimistic thoughts anymore, so that's a plus in my book!

I have trusted this brand for 25 years. The 5HTP is a key part of my sleep routine, consistently helping me without any issues the next day if I don't take too much. Some people have no problems with that dose. I find that 5HP improves my sleep, but timing, dosage, and food intake are important. I take it with food to avoid stomach problems, and I have none, especially taking a low 50mg; only one medication I can think of in my sleep protocol, trazodone, has caused stomach issues on an empty stomach. I make sure to take it earlier than bedtime so that the effects of all the sleep medication I use will wear off when rising; if not left in the mouth for a long period, there’s no taste, and I don't think in 25 years I have ever tasted it. Also. The capsules are easy for me to swallow with a gulp of my favorite electrolytes. I used to take tablets, and those are smaller, but I have found this brand and dosage are the best price for their quality. I don't buy brands that aren't established with a track record like NOW has. So, I find the value solid especially since I trust in the brand. While some may take higher doses for sleep, calmness, etc, I only use 50mg because I rely on multiple supplements for long-term insomnia, alongside a couple of prescriptions. I cannot sleep without medication, basically at all. My sleep protocol was assisted by an expert in the field of pain and fatigue and has made a significant difference in my sleep. With improved sleep comes less pain, fatigue, and better focus. I'm grateful to NOW for their quality and consistency. No odor I have ever noticed, unlike, say, valerian, which has never agreed with me. Sweet dreams.

I had bad experience with Now Valeriane root, so I was afraid to buy Now 5-htp. Maybe that reaction was to herb Valeriane generally, and it wasn't Now's issue, I really don't know. Now I'm so happy, that I purchased this 5-htp. Really good. Sometimes I can take 2 caps (50 mg) a day, or 1 caps of 5- htp and 1 caps of Tyrosine Now. It improves my mood (maybe, of course, this is placebo effect, but I feel differences). :)

I was recently advised by my neurologist to stop taking Zoloft. I thought I would remain unmedicated, but soon felt my symptoms creeping back in and was advised to try this supplement by the same doctor. I purchased 5-HTP with guarded expectations. I've been taking 50mg 3 times a day and as long as the doses are on time, my anxiety and depression remain greatly reduced. My appetite is also suppressed, and I find that my sleep is more restful and I require less sleep for the same amount of energy. Of course I did say "as long as the doses are on time", and that is the downside of my experience. I have found if the dose is late by even as little as 30 to 45 minutes, I feel a bit manic and my anxiety slides right back in. Another downside is that I don't require as much sleep. I am not quite ready to say that this 5-htp induced insomnia, but it's pretty close. I've gone from getting 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night with no naps to 4 or 5 with a short 20 to 30 minute nap during the day. I also have to remember to eat. I don't feel hunger very strongly until the dose begins to leave my system. I would recommend this supplement. I took another 5-htp brand before this one and felt like it must have been very bad quality because I felt no changes whatsoever in my depression or anxiety. This brand seems effective. I would buy it again.

I take a 100 mg dose at bedtime. I began with 50mg in May 2017 and increased when effectiveness seemed to taper off. But I have not had to increase again. Has helped me sleep more restfully. I dream very anxious dreams and would wake in the middle of the dream and be unable to go back to sleep, my mind still racing. Tried Melatonin which helped falling asleep but once I woke up in middle of night, I could not go back to sleep. Not sure how this helps but I think it is helping me finish a sleep cycle. I still wake most night but not in the middle of my dreams and I fall back asleep very quickly. I sometimes remember enough to know I was dreaming, but no details, they do not invade my consciousness. I take a time release version in the AM. Between the two, my anxiety is down and my mood is (do I dare say) stable under stress. I have been battling with this since hitting menopause 7 years ago. I am a type A personality multi-tasker and a doctor said she thought the anxiety may be fed by my frustration in reduced memory and recall. My first success was with Phosphatidyl Serine in the AM, which I began 3.5 years ago, but I still needed more help and this is it.

I began using this product simultaneously with Biotech Nutritions Dopa Mucuna. I take 100mg in the morning to hit peak blood level, then maintain with another 50mg at 1:30pm, 5:30pm and 8:30pm. Arrived at dosing schedule after researching 5-HTP metabolic action, half-life etc. Results were outstanding almost from the first day. Much lighter state of mind, much lighter mood. Like a heavy blanket being lifted. Also a natural-feeling calmness, not like being doped or numbed. It has been many weeks now and the positive effects have not faded. Everyone's internal chemistry is different, but for me this product has brought a huge improvement in quality of mental and emotional life.

It's an OK supplement. I have tons of experience taking 5-HTP over the years for bad anxiety and mood issues. I used to take the Natrol brand and it was very, very effective. 5-HTP provides a very delicate calm, kind of like laying on a fluffed pillow. This brand more or less provides that, but I am only taking 50 mg. I take a low-dose antidepressant and I chose to add 5-HTP to it (doctor approved) to control my appetite better - I was really skinny when I was on 5-HTP before. I can't say I've noticed a significant difference but I do "think" a bit more before I stuff something in my mouth. So, if you are new to this supplement and you don't take AD's, you will probably fall in love with this product. I'd recommend adding Vit B6 as well. I think some people try to go the natural route when it comes to alleviating symptoms of psychiatric or emotional disorders. While they can really take the edge off, I recommend combining this with therapy. Eventually you will gain an tolerance. Anyway, try this formula in 100 mg if you have experience with 5-HTP and obviously start here if you have none.

I first discovered 5-HTP many years ago, recommended by a friend for low mood. I started taking another brand 100mg 5-HTP and it significantly helped. Life added more stressors so I went on a lose dose SSRI anti-depressant. This helped but the effects wore off. I really did not want to be on an SSRI long term so I tapered off of it and felt sad again. Decided to go back on 5-HTP at a smaller dose. I am very impressed by NOW 5-HTP and it has given me a boosted mood even at 50mg. If I decide I need more, I can always double up the dose.