
Moreover, many reviews conclude that additional, high-quality studies are needed before 5-HTP can be recommended as a treatment for depression ( 24, 25). However, much of the research suggests that the potential antidepressive effects of 5-HTP are stronger when combined with other substances or antidepressant medications, compared to when they are used alone ( 17, 21, 22, 23). Similarly, another analysis concluded that 5-HTP may help treat depression ( 20). However, two of them did not use placebos for comparison, limiting the strength of their findings ( 16, 17, 18, 19). In fact, several small studies have found that 5-HTP reduced symptoms of depression. While the exact cause of depression is largely unknown, some researchers believe that a serotonin imbalance may influence your mood in a way that leads to depression ( 14, 15).ĥ-HTP supplements are thought to treat depression by increasing serotonin levels. The effects of 5-HTP on symptoms of depression have been well studied. Summaryĥ-HTP is likely effective at increasing feelings of fullness, which may help you eat less and lose weight. Moreover, animal studies have shown that 5-HTP may reduce excessive food intake due to stress or depression ( 12, 13). Many other studies have also found that 5-HTP increased feelings of fullness and aided weight loss in overweight or obese people ( 8, 9, 10, 11). What’s more, 5-HTP primarily inhibited the intake of calories from carbohydrates, which was associated with better blood sugar control ( 7). The results showed that those who received 5-HTP consumed approximately 435 fewer calories per day, compared to the placebo group ( 7). In one study, 20 people with diabetes were randomly assigned to receive either 5-HTP or a placebo for two weeks. These feelings of constant hunger can make losing weight unsustainable in the long term ( 3, 4, 5).ĥ-HTP may counteract these hunger-inducing hormones, working to suppress appetite and help you lose weight ( 6). Weight loss can increase the production of hormones that make you feel hungry.


5-HTP may increase feelings of fullness, causing you to eat less and lose weight.
