5-HTP

Tier 3 — weak evidence · Mood · Sleep · Appetite

Your body converts it directly into serotonin. Small trials show modest benefits for mood and sleep. Critical warning: combining 5-HTP with antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs), MAOIs, or migraine triptans can trigger serotonin syndrome — a dangerous overload of serotonin causing fever, confusion, muscle rigidity, and potentially death. Never use alongside serotonergic drugs.

Dose: 50–100 mg/day; maximum 6–8 weeks continuous use; NEVER combine with SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs, or triptans