How does 5HTP compare with L-tryptophan?
It is inevitable that 5HTP will be compared with L-Tryptophan – given that L-tryptophan is also a naturally occurring anti-depressant and that tryptophan is also involved in the production of serotonin. Indeed, the benefits of 5HTP are very similar to those of L-tryptophan. However, 5HTP has two distinct advantages over L-tryptophan. First and foremost, because 5HTP is one step closer to serotonin than L-tryptophan, it is more effective. Also there have been serious concerns in the past over the safety of L-tryptophan and a severe allergic reaction known as eosinophilia myalgia syndrome (EMS). Contamination during production of L-tryptophan has led to EMS. L-tryptophan is safe if properly prepared, free from any contamination, but its production does require bacterial fermentation – a process that lends itself to contamination. 5HTP, on the other hand, is produced from the seeds of griffonia simplicifolia making it an inherently safer option. Indeed, researchers at NIH (the National In
