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5-htp, Antidepressants & St John's Wort - do they work?
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For those seeking an alternative to antidepressants along your quest, you may have encountered 2 supplements - 5-htp and St John’s Wort. How do these two natural supplements stack up against antidepressants and each other? Exciting research shows promise for 5-htp; this over-the-counter supplement works similarly to prescription antidepressants by increasing serotonin levels in the brain. 5-htp can save you from the side effects of medication and another herbal remedy called St John's Wort while still providing you with a natural option. Here’s how serotonin works and how increasing its intake could give that much-needed mood boost you’ve been looking for, bringing sunshine back into your lives.
What vitamin is a natural antidepressant?
A natural isolated nutrient, 5-htp is often praised for its serotonin-boosting properties leading to it being dubbed a "natural antidepressant" on forums and social media sites alike. It’s the building block of your feel-good chemical serotonin (5-ht). It’s found in certain seeds, honey and mushrooms in very small amounts, therefore it’s challenging to get enough of it through your diet[1,2,3,4,5,6,7]. People looking for a natural boost in their mood may opt for a serotonin supplement. Let’s take a look at how 5-htp works its magic.
What is 5-htp and how does it work?
Due to 5-htp's conversion into the mood-boosting serotonin, research has explored its use for a wide range of conditions including anxiety, sleep disorders, PMS, stress depression and fibromyalgia. 5-htp is a compound converted from a nutrient called tryptophan to form serotonin[8]. This feel-good chemical is a recognised brain messenger that is present all over the brain, particularly in the component of the brain that plays a key role in emotion, the amygdala[9]. Low serotonin levels have been connected to depression, mood disorders, the regulation of sleep, anxiety and pain sensation, among other conditions[10]. Some studies suggest that certain nutrients and building blocks to serotonin, such as 5-htp, are effective in treating many of these conditions[11].
Is 5-htp like Prozac?
5-htp and antidepressants differ in the way they affect your body. The usual and most well–known way of treating depression is with antidepressants, like Prozac or Zoloft. Prescription medications for depression aim to correct chemical imbalances such as low levels of serotonin in the brain. They can stop the mood-boosting chemical from being re-used for brain processes once it’s produced in the brain, giving serotonin a chance to be released, and also boost the production of the happiness hormone itself[12]. Research has shown 5-htp’s promising results with some experiencing progress in mental health as soon as after just 1 week of supplementation[13]. 5-htp elevates serotonin levels quicker compared to most antidepressants which take anywhere from a couple of weeks to a month to kick in. This faster response time makes 5-htp appealing to those seeking relief. As an over-the-counter natural supplement, 5-htp is also easy to obtain without a prescription. This gives people more autonomy and ensures a possible natural remedy even for those preferring alternative ways of treating low mood. Additionally, antidepressants are also known for various side effects. Let’s take a look at what they are.
Side effects of antidepressants
While effective, antidepressants give you side effects influencing sleep quality, drowsiness and libido[14]. The evidence from multiple studies shows that antidepressants can also increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviours in some populations[15]. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) even issued a so-called “black box” warning in 2004 about the increased risk in children, adolescents and young adults up to age 24[16]. Assessing true impact is complex and more research is needed given the public health implications[17]. In contrast, 5-htp rarely causes significant side effects. 400 mg has been proven safe when taken for up to a year[18].
Why you can't take 5-htp with antidepressants?
In short, too much serotonin can harm you. 5-htp & depression and their relationship have been researched quite a lot. Even though the results of an efficacy study of 5-htp in combination with an antidepressant showed promising results for the mental health of participants, you need to be aware of how to take 5-htp[19]. Antidepressants boost your feel-good chemical serotonin. Because 5-htp does the same, taking them together would result in a condition called serotonin syndrome which can cause restlessness, fast heartbeat, hallucinations and an increased body temperature[20].
How much 5-htp can I take for depression?
5-htp is yet to be recognized as an official treatment for depression by the NHS. More studies need to confirm its impact first. Some studies measured the efficacy of 5-htp for depression in a hope to establish a better understanding. For example, a study on 60 people who were experiencing their first depressive episode found 5-htp as effective for treating depression as an antidepressant called fluoxetine[19]. They also confirmed that a 5-htp dose of up to 400mg per day is safe even if taken for longer periods. Results of a literature review examining 13 studies on 5-htp & depression showed that safe dosage used in studies varied from 150 mg to 3250 mg per day[21].
brain feed's 5HTP is naturally extracted from the griffonia seed and contains 100mg per capsule - twice the strength of 5-htp available from Holland & Barrett and MyProtein! Take 1-a-day for a convenient, fast serotonin boost in a single tablet.
Is St John's Wort or 5-htp better?
Another one of the natural alternative remedies for depression is St John's Wort. 5-htp benefits are scientifically proven while St John’s Wort’s are still up for debate. Benefits of the plant are yet to be properly researched and still, St John’s Wort and depression are often frequently talked about. The plant has been a popular folk remedy for various mental health conditions for centuries. Why is St John’s Wort considered so healthy? It contains an active ingredient called hyperforin which affects your feel-good hormone serotonin and the brain’s relaxation chemical called GABA[22,23]. That’s why St John’s Wort and anxiety have also been researched. Here’s how it works compared to the well-known 5-htp.
5-htp vs St John's Wort
There’s a lack of evidence about whether exactly St John’s Wort works as an antidepressant and even as a supplement. Hyperforin helps keep levels of feel-good brain chemicals like norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine higher in the brain[22,23]. It does this by slowing down the process that normally absorbs these brain chemicals back into brain cells after they are used[22,23]. This leaves more of the chemicals available in the spaces between cells, where they can continue to work to improve mood and emotions. St John’s Wort also keeps the GABA levels stable, which helps reduce stress and anxiety[23]. As an easy comparison between the two, St John’s wort claims to stop the reabsorption of serotonin while 5-htp increases the amount of serotonin. While both 5-htp and St John’s Wort are used as natural remedies for depression by some people, they are yet to be cleared in larger markets. In fact, St John’s Wort's side effects combined with the lack of evidence for the plant's positive impact means the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has denied the plant’s products to be licensed for prescription or over-the-counter treatments[24].
St John’s Wort side effects
There are other important considerations for those interested in this natural supplement. Regardless of how big or small the St John’s Wort dosage is, there may be serious side effects[25]. It reportedly reacts with over 800 medications[26]. Furthermore, it's been suggested that consumers need higher awareness of taking St John's Wort, as 47% of those undertaking a group trial of St John's Wort to treat depression experienced side effects; one patient consequently required an emergency room visit[27]. For this reason, it is important to discuss with your doctor or pharmacist before you start any supplements.
If you’re looking for a safe, scientifically-backed way to boost your serotonin levels, opt for 5-htp, the natural feel-good chemical booster.
References
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[2] Maffei, M. E. (2021). 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP): Natural Occurrence, Analysis, Biosynthesis, Biotechnology, Physiology and Toxicology. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(1), Article 1.
[3] Muszyńska, B., Sułkowska-Ziaja, K., & Wójcik, A. (2013). Levels of physiologically active indole derivatives in the fruiting bodies of some edible mushrooms (Basidiomycota) before and after thermal processing. Mycoscience, 54(5), 321–326.
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