What is 5-hydroxytryptophan
Is a by-product formed during the manufacture of L-tryptophan in the body. L-tryptophan itself is a building block of the proteins. It can be manufactured outside the body commercially from the seeds of the African Plant Griffonia simplicifolia. It is used as a dietary supplement because of the large number of benefits it offers to the human body. The greatest benefit of using 5-HTP as a supplement is that it enhances the cognitive ability of the user tremendously. Other benefits include improving the sleep quality and alertness after waking up from sleep. Sleep-deprived people also have reported better coordination and focus after using the supplement.
Historical Context
The Africans have long been using the seeds of Griffonia simplicifolia for increasing cognitive ability and memory. Until the end of the 19th century, the composition of the active agent was never known. In the 18th century, researchers found out that the effects of the Griffonia simplicifolia seeds were basically due to the presence of 5-HTP in it. On a commercial scale, the chemical was started to be purified and isolated in the 20th century. Since then, the substance is being used as a potent nerve tonic and cognitive enhancer and is regarded as some of the most useful dietary supplement of all times.
Mode of Action
Serotonin is one of the most important chemical substances in the brain which is precisely balanced to make the brain work smoothly and it affects all the functions of the brain including cognitive ability, memory, focus, concentration and even the resting phase of the brain known as sleep. To make the brain function properly a certain amount of the chemical is a must. 5-HTP stimulates the secretion of serotonin in the brain which increases the abilities of the brain especially when it is fatigued. It plays an important role in alleviating and preventing a number of situations like depression, insomnia, obesity, and many other conditions.
Effects
Much has been said about the way this chemical acts on the brain. Talking about the effects practically observed in the users, below are some of the effects of the supplement on the human body.
- Researchers have found that using the supplement in recommended dosage for as long as 40 days at a stretch can help the user improve the cognitive and memory functions of the brain permanently.
- It can help the users prevent the onset of dementia and other brain disorders by empowering the brain and strengthening the nerves
- It can prevent anxiety and the abnormal heart beats associated with anxiety
- It helps improve the quality of sleep in normal people, especially the ones who cannot sleep properly due to fatigue.
Side Notes
By laboratory tests and verification the supplement has been marked safe for adults of all ages and both sexes. The recommended daily average dose for a normal adult is 400 mg of the active agent. No adverse effects have been reported until unless someone has a known allergy to the active agent and that is an extremely rare case as the substance occurs in the body normally.