5-HTP User Reviews & Ratings

• And...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 3, 2020

For Anxiety "I suffered from anxiety for over 15 years. I tried everything possible, like EMDR, CBT, antidepressants (quite a few with no success as the anxiety was worse on medication than off). I came across this supplement 5-HTP a few days ago, and it has changed my life radically! My anxiety was gone the same day I started taking it. Such a huge difference in outlook and interacting with people! I used to have SAD/GAD. Since I have been on this, nothing matters anymore. I do not think about the things I used to think about (e.g., getting anxiety for no reason, or being worried about how others perceive my accent). I do not care. I hope these meds continue to work, and I will make sure to give you an update in a month. I wish all the sufferers out there peace and fast recovery! Anxiety is awful!"

• Gan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 29, 2019

For Anxiety "Yes, it works. I am floating after taking 5-HTP. I take 100 mg after breakfast and 100 mg after dinner. Also, I stopped smoking. Good for my anxiety and stress. In the past, talking to people was hard. I am a shy guy. I think too much, which is not at all required. After taking 5-HTP, I feel the confidence. I am a skinny guy and used to worry people around me are watching. Now I don’t care, it’s my life, and I got my confidence now. I used to get tears automatically while talking to people because of nervousness. 5-HTP gave me my life back. Thanks."

• Sha...
• July 11, 2019

For Anxiety "Took SSRI (Prozac) for Anxiety/Depression for 18 years with the only side effects being needing more sleep (8.5-9 hours a night minimum) than normal people. Four months ago, decided to quit the Prozac cold turkey because I thought I could manage without it. No issue initially, but couple months later I started getting very irritable and quite moody. Not wanting to go back to clinical drugs, decided to try 5-HTP. Taking slow time-released 5-HTP 100mg twice a day. Two weeks in, the effects are undeniable. The moodiness is under control, the 'overall feeling of well-being' is back, sleep quality is much improved. Remember to take it with food. You might feel drowsy with mild headaches initially, this goes away in a week or so. Give it at least a couple weeks to fully kick in. Now, just hope the effects last long term and don't 'plateau' out. Maybe I'll make another post a year later, haha. Good luck!"

• Cal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 9, 2019

For Anxiety "I have been suffering from severe panic disorder, depression, and anxiety for over a decade. I have tried different antidepressants and they only made it worse. I was at the lowest point I've ever been and I finally decided to give 5-HTP a shot. I took 50mg yesterday afternoon, and another 50 mg before bed. I woke up this morning happy. I can't even describe how incredible that feels to me. Everything is normal now. I'm not afraid of people. I'm not afraid to go outside anymore. I no longer feel like I need to self-medicate with alcohol just to cope, and I am no longer suicidal. Everything is gone. But I'm still here. I highly recommend this, just to make sure you do your research or talk to a doctor."

• Suf...
• April 11, 2017

For Anxiety "I have been troubled with severe generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) and social anxiety disorder for several years. I occasionally get panic attacks as well, and I struggle with insomnia. I have tried escitalopram, venlafaxine, and sertraline in the past; and while they all helped a lot (especially the first six months), they did by no means take off more than 40-50% of the anxiety - max. I have been on 5-HTP for one week now. I am astonished at how well it works! I have absolutely no anxiety left! I feel completely normal... I don't have social anxiety, I don't even think or worry about issues that I usually always did and that has tormented me for so long. Of course, all this can be placebo, but I have tried many medications and no one can compare to this!"

• Nut...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 16, 2021

For Anxiety "Be very mindful it's all about the dosage & type. Always start with the lowest dosage, this is a very strong drug not to be messed with. 25-50mg is all that is needed to start with and use slow release to avoid bad side effects. I started this for PTSD, ADHD, depression, insomnia, mood swings. I use 50mg slow release as soon as I open my eyes and if need be during stressful times, another 50mg after lunch. At 1st, I did take the recommended dosages which in my experience are dangerous. Horrendous side effects. Trial, error, and masses of research were the key in the end. I have now been taking 5-HPT for 13 years on and off due to PTSD and undiagnosed ADHD, which was causing me all sorts of issues from Depression, Anxiety, Insomnia, Terrible Mood Swings, Migraines, the list goes on. This stuff has helped tremendously with all the above. I cannot rate it enough, actually saved my life :)"

• Job...
• April 13, 2016

For Anxiety "For years, I silently suffered from depression and bouts of anxiety. I just thought this is who I am and accept it. I tried antidepressants only a couple of times, on and off again, when I felt desperate or overwhelmed, only to make me feel even worse. I was extremely tired all the time, pissed off at everything, became less social, ate more, and just never felt a day of happiness without really trying. Until 5-HTP. For me, it has worked wonders in just 24 hours after many years of not feeling right. I wake up and feel good! I am not tired one bit. I feel human again, like someone gave me my life back as an unexpected gift. Never did I think it would help or work as amazingly as it does and I feel. No side effects."

• Jig...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 1, 2018

For Anxiety "Retired LEO (Law Enforcement Officer) with PTSD & GAD. Have tried the Big Pharma route, assorted Tricyclics, SSRIs, and many drugs that had names ending with 'Pam'. All had major side effects so gave them all up. Been drug-free for over a decade but it's been a daily battle with intrusive thoughts, mood swings, depression, over-the-top anxiety, lots of nightmares, flashbacks. Finally gave this a try. Started with 100mg per day in conjunction with B complex vitamins. After a week, I must say that I'm feeling more grounded than I have in years. Even my wife has noticed a big difference. Going to increase it another 50mg per day and we'll see how it goes from there."

• aut...
• January 18, 2016

For Anxiety "I am taking 5-HTP (100mg) combined with a complex B vitamin (100mg) and SAM-e 200mg every day. It works. I am taking these three to treat depression and anxiety. I did not want to be on an antidepressant. My mood is lighter, I feel happier, and I feel okay. I fell into a deep depression and felt very hopeless, and these, along with counseling, are helping me through it. I am blown away by the effectiveness of these three supplements together. I highly recommend them. I can sleep just fine, and I don't feel like there is a rain cloud over my head anymore. I've been waiting to see the sunshine through my heart (sounds cheesy lol) but it's true! And I feel it! I hope you can too."

• Rev...
• March 19, 2013

For Anxiety "After years of trying supplements that had no appreciable effect and being adamantly opposed to taking antidepressants after researching them, I'd given up on feeling 'good' and tried to accept my anxious, depressed, miserable, irritable state as my personality. But, on a whim, I gave 5-HTP a shot. And... just wow. WOW. No placebo, no question, no nonsense. 5-HTP has a very strong, STRONG positive effect on me. My mind feels cushioned and clear, my anxieties fade away, and I feel just... collected, calm, comfortable, positive, eager to laugh. It's like night and day off and on. And again, 5-HTP hits hard and immediately, but with no side effects aside from mild gastrointestinal distress."

• Kel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 17, 2016

For Anxiety "I started taking 300 mg/day about a month ago, and it has drastically changed my quality of life (though it did not happen in one day for me, as other people have noted). I've been on a series of antidepressants over the last 5-6 years, but could never reconcile the side effects with the minimal improvements I got from the medications. Over the past 2-3 weeks, I've stopped the daily crying jags I was experiencing before, and I actually feel like I'm in a good mood a couple of times a week. Even my child has commented that I'm more fun."

• jor...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 18, 2016

For Anxiety "5-HTP worked straight away for me after being recommended by a friend. After losing my father suddenly, I found I was no longer normal, felt so lost, unhappy, not sleeping, tearful, nothing in life made me happy. I tried the doctors, they wanted to give me antidepressant tablets. I did not want to go there, so I went shopping and bumped into a friend. She recommended 5-HTP. So the same day, I went and got them. I haven't looked back since. That was 11 months ago. Thank you to 5-HTP."

• Kat...
• November 29, 2013

For Anxiety "I have always suffered from mild mood disorder, general anxiety, stress-induced panic attacks, mixed with ups and downs. My chiropractor mentioned 5-HTP, so I gave it a try. Within 48 hours, I was feeling a night & day difference. Since I discovered this supplement, I take it in a cycle of a few months on and then a month off. I find that my body builds a tolerance after a while, and I will stop and restart again with no side effects in the meantime. After taking 5-HTP, I feel happy, calm, and my life is in perspective. Make sure you purchase the 5-HTP, not just cheap HTP. The tryptophan is the active ingredient on a molecular level, with vitamin C to help your body absorb the supplement."

• Duh...
• May 1, 2016

For Anxiety "I just started taking it. The results have so far been fantastic. I take 100 mg, 4 times a day. The depression has lifted and I have more energy. I think you have to be careful with it. Do a lot of reading and monitor yourself - keep a journal. I will take it for one month; see how I do and then maybe back off a bit. I have suffered severe depression my entire adult life. I hope this is finally the miracle I have been praying for."

• Joh...
• December 25, 2016

For Anxiety "5-HTP HAS CHANGED MY LIFE!!! I'm 27 and have suffered from chronic depression since I was 13. Have attempted to take my life several times, and by age 17, I took to drugs to get away from my depression. I spent years searching for a substance/experience to help me feel 'normal'. Once I got clean, the depression came back worse than ever. I tried several meds like cymbalta, prozac, and effexor, and they all made me worse or had no effect. Once I started 5-HTP, I started to feel better within 3 days. I play around between 100-300mg, and they just work like magic for me. I feel totally normal on them. I buy mine off the internet, and I can honestly say I have suffered no side effects whatsoever, other than very vivid dreams. I would highly recommend everyone to try."

• BAS...
• April 13, 2020

For Anxiety "Have had anxiety for as long as I can remember. Always nervous and in a fearful state. Facing my fears did not help. The only relief I got from anxiety was when I exercised and afterwards for a couple of hours. I had a gut feeling it was a chemical balance and tried numerous natural aids, some helped a little. Then I tried 5-HTP 100 mg and my anxiety was gone. I take 50 mg 3 times per day. As someone who was using benzos on and off for 15 years, I tapered off using niacinamide and L-theanine, then finally came across 5-HTP. 5-HTP is better than benzos for me. Better mood and no anxiety."

• Ear...
• October 18, 2016

For Anxiety "I suffer from depression, anxiety, PTSD, panic attacks, insomnia & migraines. I prefer holistic treatments, so after some research, I tried 5-HTP. All my 'issues' have either improved massively or disappeared completely. I take 100mg time-release each morning. In times of extra stress, I take another 100mg at night just to stay on top of everything. Note: Your body needs a break from 5-HTP every now & then, or it will become used to it & not be as effective. I usually take it for 3 months, then take a 1 to 2-month break (during which I supplement with St. John's Wort if I find I'm having any 'head space' or stress issues). IMPORTANT: Check with a doctor if you are already on anti-D meds as it can interact with some nasty side effects."

• Tin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 13, 2016

For Anxiety "I have suffered from social/generalized anxiety for as long as I can remember. It got really bad as I entered puberty, and I think I went out a maximum of 10 times my entire high school career. I also suffer from depression, and when I went on the Depo birth control shot, both mental illnesses were the worst they have ever been. Even my husband became concerned and spent hours a day researching ways to get me up and about again. I would spend my entire day in bed, and the shot also caused me to gain 30 lbs, which destroyed any self-esteem I had left. A customer and friend suggested 5-HTP, and I'm never looking back! I can enjoy life again, I can feel, and I'm not having anxiety attacks from leaving my house anymore. I've also lost 10 lbs. It works!"

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 28, 2020

For Anxiety "I came off my antidepressants about 6 months ago with medical supervision, and decided to try 5-HTP about a month after. I got the impression it made me a lot more anxious and a bit paranoid, so I stopped using it after a couple of weeks and wondered if it was too close to coming off my medication. Six months later, I thought I would give it another go. It has been 4 days since I started, and today I feel much more anxious and paranoid again. I think 5-HTP works well for some people, but for others, it makes anxiety worse."

• TKa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 16, 2019

For Anxiety "I was at Walgreen's buying some Melatonin to help me sleep, and I just happened to see the bottle of 5-HTP in the same section advertising anti-anxiety properties. I was skeptical but decided that it was worth the 20 bucks to see if it would help alleviate my anxiety issues. I was teaching a class that night and took one of the 5-HTP pills (50 mg) and kind of forgot about it. Several hours had passed, and I was on my way home from said class and realized I felt pretty good and relaxed, and then remembered the pill I had taken. I was still skeptical, however, and decided to try another one the next day, and I got the same feeling. It's not a tired or groggy feeling, it's actual relief from anxiety, and it really works. The only drawback is it can cause your stomach to churn a bit when you first start taking them, so make sure you take them with food."

• Sha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 13, 2020

For Anxiety "I have been taking 5-HTP for 1 week, 100mg at night. I can tell you this works better than any other SSRI or SNRI that I have tried. The only side effect that I get is sometimes weird dreams. But the next morning after I take my dose, I feel so good and I don't have much anxiety throughout the day. I'm a lot happier, as if the black cloud has been lifted. I struggle with anxiety and PTSD. For me, this herb works better than prescription drugs, and I'm thankful that I've tried it!"

• Hel...
• March 13, 2019

For Anxiety "I have been suffering with anxiety & depression for 16 years. 10 years ago I took Zoloft & had therapy for a few years but have been on my own with it for 6 years. Recently it was getting hard to deal with again. I tried some herbal routes and St. John’s wort & ashwagandha make me manic. A few months ago someone suggested 5-HTP which I eventually went out & got some. Game changer. I’m small (4’10” 95 lbs) so I take 50 mg every other day- or every three days. If I’m still experiencing a mildly uplifting mood or lack of intrusive thoughts, I just keep going without taking another pill. It’s been super helpful & I never thought I’d be able to live like this. This is the first relief I have found that actually feels healthy & not that I’m just masking part of my sensitivity."

• Big...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 28, 2019

For Anxiety "I was reluctant to try this at first, but after a failed attempt at getting relief from depression and anxiety with, I almost lost all hope. I saw a reference to it on the website for recovering addicts, and me being a recovering opioid addict, realized that maybe it might help my serotonin levels go back up. I’ve also been taking suboxone for approx 2 years. Really am convinced that this stuff 5-HTP does work! I’m very aware of placebo effects of taking something. I feel clearer mentally and overall more like someone pulled the shades open!"

• Cod...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 30, 2017

For Anxiety "I have Opioid withdrawal-induced anxiety/low energy. After decades of opioid usage, I've suffered from anxiety - I'm assuming from excessive noradrenaline (norepinephrine) that's known to be produced in withdrawal. (Slow, easy withdrawal - minor problems, after a big use up - crazy nasty anxiety). I've been taking the advised dosage of 5-HTP for about two weeks, and it has helped with the anxiety to such an extent that I'd currently describe it as completely abated. What's more, it has totally reinvigorated my 'mojo', for want of a medical description. Years of opioid use leading to my current successful but slow withdrawal have left the old brain chemistry all over the place, but this has given me new confidence and energy. I strongly recommend this supplement based on my personal experience to date."

• Aan...
• November 15, 2019

For Anxiety "Wanted to share my experience with 5-HTP in case it helped anyone. I've used 50mg once daily for the past few years to help with depression/anxiety/sleep issues, and it did help for a while, especially with sleeping better. Unfortunately, I now have to stop after realizing it has been making symptoms worse after taking it probably too long. Too much serotonin in your system will cause worse anxiety, so just know that just because this product is sold in the health food section - I would definitely consider it a natural drug you should do your research on. If the dose is too high, it will cause worse anxiety issues. This drug can also interact with other medications and alcohol, so just be aware. Buy a brand with good reviews and figure out what time of day taking it works best for you. It made me a bit too relaxed to take it in the morning, but taking it right before bed caused crazy dreams - so taking it with dinner at least a few hours before bed worked best for me personally."