People mainly take 5-HTP for mood, sleep, anxiety. Based on 265 first-hand reports and 15 meta-analyses & systematic reviews in the medical literature. Ranked #111 of 1,974 overall.
Of reports that state an outcome, 44% are positive.
Of the people who reported each effect, the share who said it got better.
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses from PubMed, with their published conclusions.
3+ meta-analyses or systematic reviews and 10+ randomized controlled trials in humans. The grade measures how much human research exists — read the conclusions below for what it found.
Conclusion: There are few, large, high-quality trials comparing combination pharmacotherapy with monotherapy for fibromyalgia, consequently limiting evidence to support or refute the use of combination pharmacotherapy for fibromyalgia.
PubMed 29457627 ↗Conclusion: In this systematic review we present information relating to the effectiveness and safety of the following interventions: antihistamines; behavioural therapy plus antihistamines, plus benzodiazepines, or plus chloral and derivatives; benzodiazepines alone; exercise; extinction and graduated extinction; 5-hydroxytryptophan; light therapy; melatonin; safety/protective interventions for parasomnias; scheduled waking (for parasomnias); sleep hygiene; and sleep restriction.
PubMed 21418676 ↗Conclusion: Further trials should overcome these limitations by using placebo-controlled studies that include patients with well-defined depression diagnoses, along with strong characterization of psychological and physiological patient characteristics.
PubMed 31504850 ↗Conclusion: There is insufficient and low or very low quality evidence from either RCTs or observational studies to determine the effectiveness of any treatment for speech disorder in any of the hereditary ataxia syndromes.
PubMed 25348587 ↗As stated by users — not a recommendation. Follow the label or your doctor.
How often each side effect came up across all reports.
Verbatim quotes, shortened only — each links to the original discussion.
“I use 5htp every night”
“avoid 5-htp if you're on an SSRI already”
“For me it's 1.5 cups of filter coffee along with 100mg of 5-htp. If I don't finish it or I redose I redose with 5-htp as well. Excellent mood lifter. No tension.”
“I take 200mg 5-HTP daily and it helps me.”
“I'd stick with a pure 5-HTP supplement if you can.”
User data from public discussions; research from PubMed. Information only, not medical advice — talk to a doctor before starting, stopping or combining anything. Data updated October 2, 2026. How we rate