Origin
Nonessential, Plant-Based, Synthetic
Source
Beans, Lentils, Chickpeas, Dairy, Fish
Category
Amino Acids
Age Range
18-60, >60
Toxicity
May be toxic in high doses
What is 5-HTP
5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan) is a naturally occurring amino acid and a precursor to serotonin, an important neurotransmitter involved in regulating mood, sleep, appetite, and other functions.
Sleep
Sleep is a very important physiological process, as it regulates the body’s functions.
It is responsible for promoting / facilitating energy conservation, synthesis and secretion of hormones and proteins, learning and memory through brain changes. Sleep is mainly driven by the circadian cycle, which involves exposure to light, hormones such as melatonin, and hypothalamic activity.
The compounds that help regulate sleep work in different pathways, they can facilitate the process of falling asleep, increase the duration of continuous sleep or improve the quality of sleep.
Stress
Stress can be understood as a situation in which the individual is physically or mentally overloaded, which can cause pain, tension and physical injury, as well as emotional fatigue, tiredness, reduced productivity and attention.
The substances that help control stress act on hormonal regulation (for example, cortisol), on the circadian cycle and promote physical and mental relaxation.
Anxiety
Anxiety is the body’s natural response to stress. It’s a feeling of fear or apprehension about what’s to come. It can be triggered by a specific situation and not last long – which is very common and ok – or it can be a generalized disorder (which is considered a illness) that can bring harm to everyday life and also cause other conditions like depression.