Catch more zZZZ with 5-HTP

YAWN… do you wake every day feeling unrefreshed? Do you drag yourself out of bed to ply yourself with coffee in an attempt to kickstart yourself for the day? Well, you are not alone. You are part of the one in three Australians not getting enough sleep* but there is good news 5-HTP can help.

With 85% of Australians waking at least once and 30% of people only getting 4-6 hours sleep a night, a lot of people need sleep support**. Lack of sleep can have a serious impact on your physical and emotional well-being, so finding a solution is important.

A popular herbal supplement we produce is 5-HTP.

What is 5-HTP?
5-Hydroxytryptophan—commonly known as 5-HTP—is a compound made naturally in the body. 5-HTP is created as a by-product of the amino acid L-tryptophan. We don’t make L-tryptophan naturally, as we absorb it from the foods we eat.

Both sleep and mood are influenced as a result of using 5-HTP and this is good news considering the complicated relationship between the two. Stress, depression, and anxiety can disturb healthy sleep, and poor sleep makes us more vulnerable to issues with mood and emotional regulation. So how can 5-HTP help?

Benefits of 5-HTP

5-HTP helps the body to produce more serotonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays a key role in regulating mood and sleep-wake cycles. Healthy levels of serotonin contribute to a positive mood and promote restful sleep. Research suggests 5-HTP may help reduce the time it takes to fall asleep, as well as improving mood and easing symptoms of stress, pain, appetite control, and anxiousness.

Because of its direct influence over serotonin and indirect influence over other hormones such as melatonin, the compound is being researched for its therapeutic potential for a host of issues including:

• Menopausal symptoms
• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
• Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
• Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Parkinson’s disease
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Nervous system disorder
• Ramsey-Hunt syndrome
• Alcohol and drug withdrawal symptoms

While it is comforting to know there are natural ways to help manage sleep issues, 5-HTP could have interactions with other medicines, therefore ensure you seek a doctor’s advice first.

* Research YouGov 2019