Best 5-HTP Supplements of 2020

5-HTP is the precursor of serotonin, the neurotransmitter is sometimes promoted as

responsible for happiness. 5-HTP is a simple way to increase serotonin levels in the brain
bypassing the speed limit step, and users are reaping the rewards or the risk of increasing
serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is one of the main neurotransmitters involved in happiness
and the fight against depression. Low levels of serotonin are associated with sleep
disturbances, such as insomnia, depression, weight gain and anxiety, to name a few.

5-HTP has been used successfully to restore serotonin levels in those who may be suffering
from a decrease in serotonin levels, such as depressed people and those with high levels of
body inflammation (usually in metabolic syndrome). As such, supplementation can be
beneficial even for the simple reason of maintaining homeostasis.

To help you find a good product, we have researched and reduced the best 5-HTP
supplements currently on the market.

Rating
 NOW Foods 5-HTP 100mg 97%

 Natrol 5-HTP Tablets 96%

 Arazo Nutrition 5-HTP Capsules 94%
 Pure Encapsulations 5-HTP
92%
Hypoallergenic Capsule
 Doctors Best 5-HTP Enhanced
90%
 Nature Wise 5-HTP Plus
87%
 Thorne Research 5-HTP
 Nutricost 5-HTP 100mg 86%

 NutraChamps 5-HTP 83%

 Integrative Therapeutics 5-HTP

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  Dr. Emil Nutrition 5-HTP Plus 82%
Serotonin Supplement 81%

79%

NOW Foods 5-HTP 100mg

Rating: 97%

Why We Picked It?

NOW Foods 5-HTP is a superior 5-HTP supplement made by a reliable and well-known
supplement company. NOW Foods 5-HTP is a superior 5-HTP supplement made by a
reliable and well-known supplement company. It contains 100 mg of 5-HTP per capsule,
which facilitates the customization of your dose according to your individual needs.

It is one of the best 5-HTP pills on the market. Its simple formula offers no more than pure 5-
hydroxytryptophan, and the 100 mg dose is perfect to start with little and customize your
dose if necessary. And as this is done by NOW Foods, you can rely on the quality and
consistency of the product.

Highlights:

 100mg 5-HTP per serving

 Simple and effective formula
 GMP quality assured
 Vegan / vegeterian capsules
 Non-GMO
 Free from Soy, dairy, egg & gluten

Who Makes It?

This product is manufactured by NOW Foods, a large-scale manufacturer of food and natural
supplements with operations worldwide. With decades of experience, NOW is an undisputed

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leader in the industry, which constantly produces high quality products at very affordable
prices. They are also known for their excellent customer service.

Pros Cons

· Helps to relieve symptoms of · Not recommended with anti-depressant

fibromyalgia
· May cause drowsiness
· Helps to relieve symptoms of
fibromyalgia
· Reduces the severity and duration of
migraine headaches when taken as a
prophylactic
· Natural source

· Kosher and Non-GMO

· Affordable & great value

Natrol 5-HTP Tablets

Rating: 96%

Why We Picked It?

The Natrol Time Release 5-HTP tablet is one of best supplements and is designed to lighten
mood and reduce stress with a natural solution. This 5-HTP supplement serves a controlled
release effect and is considered to be highest strength. Each tablet is 200 mg, so only one
tablet per day is recommended and each bottle contains 60 tablets. The main ingredients of
this tablet are 5-HTP directly from Griffonia simplicifolia with also 55 mg of calcium. If you
are looking for an effective source of 5-HTP, this is a great option.

Highlights:

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  200mg 5-HTP per serving
 Time-release formula
 Provides benefits for up to 10 hours
 Popular and best-selling
 Affordable & great value

Who Makes It?

This product is manufactured by Natrol, a large supplement manufacturer based in Los

Angeles, California. Since its founding in 1980, Natrol has made a name for itself by
producing cutting-edge and highly effective supplements in major categories. They
constantly produce high quality products and their size allows them to maintain competitive
and affordable prices for consumers.

Pros Cons

· Time Release Amino Acid tablet to · No flavour or sweeteners

promote relaxation and mood
· Risky with other supplements
· Help promote better sleep
containing L-tryptophan or 5-HTP
· Vegeterian formula
· 100% natural & drug free
· Control appetite

Arazo Nutrition 5-HTP Capsules

Rating: 94%

Why We Picked It?

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Arazo Nutrition has designed its 5-HTP capsules to help you sleep deeply and wake up fresh
without stun effects in the morning. The formula is formed to improve brain function,
improve your mood and improve the quality of your sleep.

This particular compound is very powerful and pure. Arazo Nutrition formula contains 200
mg of pure Griffonia simplicifolia 5-HTP with some extra calcium. The capsules are
vegetable capsules and all the ingredients are of plant origin. Each bottle contains with 120
capsules and a dose is 2 capsules. This product was manufactured in a US factory certified by
the FDA and GMP.

Highlights:

 200mg 5-HTP per serving

 120 capsules each bottle
 Vegetable capsules & plant origin
 FDA & GMP certified
 Third party lab tested

Who Makes It?

The producer of the Arazo Nutrition supplement is a health and nutrition company with more
than 10 years of scientific research specialized in health and nutrition with the aim of helping
people live healthier lives. Its supplements are formulated by a team of doctors, health
specialists and health care experts, who strictly offer the best products in the industry. All
Arazo health products are produced in an FDA and GMP certified facility here in the United
States. Each product is tested by third parties through numerous series of tests and quality
analysis throughout the production process to verify purity, quality and total potency.

Pros Cons

· Improves brain function & mood · Very sleepy

· Improves quality of sleep
· Nauseous to the point of vomiting
· Natural source of amino acids
· High potency

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 · Trusted for ingredient safety, nutritional
value and label accuracy

Pure Encapsulations 5-HTP Hypoallergenic Capsule

Rating: 92%

Why We Picked It?

Pure Encapsulations conforms to the pure in its title with this particular supplement. Its 5-
HTP version contains only pure 5-HTP at 100 mg without other additives to the supplement.
There are additional ingredients for the vegetable capsule, but they are minor and of no
consequence.

This capsule is unique because it is designed to be hypoallergenic. Even the capsule is made
of hypoallergenic vegetable fibers in order to promote your emotional well-being through
better sleep with a completely pure solution. The Pure Encapsulations capsule is vegan and
vegetarian. This formula is commonly recommended by healthcare professionals.

Highlights:

 100mg 5-HTP per serving

 No fillers or additives
 Hypoallergenic
 Made by a great company
 Free from gluten, soy, dairy

Who Makes It?

This particular product is manufactured by Pure Encapsulations which is a company that

emphasises on the production of pure, simple and effective supplements using high quality
ingredients.

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 Pros Cons

· Promotes emotional well-being · Quite expensive

· Help moderate appetite and food
cravings.
· Sleep support
· Vegan & vegetarian friendly
· Recommended by medical professional
· Allows to take more than one capsule

Doctors Best 5-HTP Enhanced

Rating: 90%

Why We Picked It?

Doctor’s Best 5-HTP Enhanced contains 100 mg of 5-HTP. and vitamins B6 and C, which
are included to help the absorption of the active ingredient. It is a good product of a good
company. It works well, but it contains some additives.

Highlights:

 100mg 5-HTP
 200mg vitamin C
 15mg vitamin B6
 Non-GMO, gluton free
 Vegan/ Vegeterian

Who Makes It?

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This product is produced by Doctor’s Best that is a well-known and respected manufacturer
of supplements. Doctor’s Best uses clinical research in the process of developing cutting-
edge supplements.

Pros Cons

· Provides a drug-free support for sleep & · May impair the ability to drive &
mood operate machinery
· Help Maintain Mental and Emotional
· Contains some addictives
Well-Being
· Naturally Occuring Amino Acid
· Helps regulate body temperature and
sexual desire
· Vegan

Nature Wise 5-HTP Plus

Rating: 87%

Why We Picked It?

The supplement is an herbal formula designed to provide support for sleep and mood. This
formula is consisted of 200 mg of 5-HTP from Griffonia simplicifolia and an enhanced
amount of vitamin B6 for absorption. It is a vegetarian capsule without binders or fillers. This
supplement is made in the United States and is subject to quality testing, but it is not clear if it
is produced in a GMP facility.

Highlights:

 200mg 5-HTP per serving

 5-HTP enhanced

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  Vitamin B6 for absorption
 Without binders or fillers
 Non-GMO & gluton free

Who Makes It?

The supplement is manufactured by Nature Wise. It is another long-standing company that

provides natural supplements and appropriate quality options. All its products are
manufactured in the United States and the company also supports the angels of nonprofit
vitamins.

Pros Cons

· Mood support · Higher doses of 5-HTP can cause

· Natural sleep aid headaches or nausea
· Helps curb appetite
· Not clear about GMP facility
· Delayed release capsule easy on the
stomach
· Vegan & vegetarian friendly

Thorne Research 5-HTP

Rating: 86%

Why We Picked It?

Thorne's 5-HTP formula is highly rated among middle-aged people, mostly between 30 and
50, but it can work well for any age group. It is designed to optimally support an age group
that tends to be stressed, anxious, cranky and tired. This formula is compounded with 100 mg
of 5-HTP with a small amount of B6 for absorption purposes. Thorne makes all of its
supplements from scratch and offers its own unique version of its supplements, including this
one in particular.

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Highlights:

 100mg 5-HTP per serving

 8mg vitamin B6
 Affordable & good value
 Without gluten & other allergens
 Third party lab tested

Who Makes It?

This product is manufactured by Thorne Research, a large supplement manufacturer that has
been an industry leader for over 30 years. Committed to the search for quality, Thorne is
constantly working to improve the health of all his clients. All of its products go through
several testing processes before being distributed for quality purposes.

Pros Cons

· Supports restful sleep · May causes panic attack

· Helps decrease sugar cravings
· Developes rash
· Nutritional support for stress
· Made with the purest possible
ingredients
· Added vitamin B6 to increase
absorption & efficacy

Nutricost 5-HTP 100mg

Rating: 83%

Why We Picked It?

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Nutricost 100 mg contains 240 high quality 5-HTP vegetable capsules. The supplement is
vegan, non-transgenic and does not contain gluten or other allergens. It is tested by third
parties by ISO accredited laboratories. The product is manufactured in a GMP which
complies with FDA registered facilities.

Highlights:

 240 vegetable vapsules of high quality 5-HTP

 100mg of 5-HTP per capsule
 Vegan Friendly,
 Non-GMO & gluten free
 Third party lab tested

Who Makes It?

Nutricost is a Utah-based supplement company, and as the name suggests, they specialize in
cheaper supplements: their motto is "Quality supplements and vitamins for less." They offer a
wide variety of products that range from standard vitamins and minerals to niche Plus
products such as support for the ketogenic diet and spinach powder.

Pros Cons

· Supports brain & sound sleep · Causes stomach upset

· Reduce anxiety
· Nauseous
· Third party lab tested
· Vegan/ vegetarian friendly
· Free from gluten & other allergens

NutraChamps 5-HTP

Rating: 82%

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Why We Picked It?

NutraChamps has another excellent 5-HTP supplement option that is worth checking out.
They announce their formula as "planting the serotonin seed" and foster a positive outlook as
an expected result of this vitamin. This formula is consisted of 200 mg of 5-HTP from
Griffonia simplicifolia in a dose of 2 capsules. They also added vitamin B6 and vitamin C for
absorption in order to get the best results. Each bottle includes 60 servings of the supplement.

Highlights:

 200mg 5-HTP per serving

 Vitamin B6 and Vitamin C
 Non-GMO
 Without stearate and fillers
 Third party lab tested
 GMP certified

Who Makes It?

NutraChamps is a nutritional supplement company has goal to help people on their journey
towards optimal health, well-being and longevity. All its products are pure, clinically tested,
tested by third parties, without GMO, without stearate and fillers, with GMP certification.
This business has a unique feature in that it supports angels of nonprofit vitamins.

Pros Cons

· Nutritional support for Brain, Mood & · May causes stomach distress
sleep
· Severe depression
· Calm & relaxing serotorine boost
· Kick stress & rest easy
· Premium formula with Vitamins B6 &

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 C

Integrative Therapeutics 5-HTP

Rating: 96%

Why We Picked It?

5-HTP Integrative Therapeutics offers 50 mg per serving. The dose size is relatively small,
but they are prepared by a good company and are well reviewed. It is a simple and
straightforward option. However, the low dose combined with the relatively high price means
that there are better options.

Highlights:

 50mg 5-HTP per serving

 No fillers or additives
 Simple formula
 Gluton free
 No artificial flavour

Who Makes It?

This product is manufactured by Integrative Therapeutics, a mid-size supplement

manufacturer based in Wisconsin. They specialize in supplements to treat gastrointestinal
problems, metabolic problems and more.

Pros Cons

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 · Nutritional support for normal sleep and · Relatively high prices
mood
· Not recommended for vegan
· Contains no sugar or addictives

 No artificial colour or flavour

· Ingredients of animal origin

Dr. Emil Nutrition 5-HTP Plus Serotonin Supplement

Rating: 79%

Why We Picked It?

This formula contains 200 mg of 5-HTP, as well as vitamin B6, L-tryptophan and S-adenosyl
methionine in its formula. Each of these elements remains a natural ingredient that leads to
the cause of better sleep and better mood and mental health thanks to this posture. This
compound is free from allergens and hormones and is 100% natural. It is made in an
American factory. UU. FDA and GMP certified.

Highlights:

 200mg 5-HTP per serving

 SAMe and L Tryptophan
 High dosage of Vitamin B6
 Synergistic mood booster
 100% natural

Who Makes It?

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Dr. Emil Nutrition is a company that produces supplements based on superior nutrition
knowledge and supplements from a doctor and nutrition coach. This doctor felt the need to
provide high quality supplements from a medical point of view. All products are subject to
third party laboratory tests.

Pros Cons

· Promotes positive mood · Causes stomach upset

· Anxiety relief & better sleep
· Very spicy
· 5-HTP enhanced super formula
· B6 for improved seretorine conversion
· Third party lab tested

How Does 5-HTP Works?

5-HTP supports the brain and central nervous system by enhancing the production of
chemical serotonin. Serotonin may affect sleep, appetite, temperature, sexual behavior and
pain sensation. Since 5-HTP increases serotonin synthesis, it is used for several diseases in
which serotonin is known to play a vital role, including depression, insomnia, obesity and
many other conditions.

 Depression: preliminary studies suggest that 5-HTP may work together with certain
antidepressants to treat people with mild to moderate depression. Like the class of
antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which includes
fluoxetine (Prozac) and sertraline (Zoloft), 5-HTP increases serotonin levels in the
brain. One study compared the effects of 5-HTP with fluvoxamine (Luvox) in 63
people and found that those who received 5-HTP did as well as those who took
Luvox. They also had less side effects than the Luvox group. Nevertheless, these
studies were too small to say with certainty whether 5-HTP works. More research is
needed.

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  Fibromyalgia: research suggests that 5-HTP may improve fibromyalgia symptoms i.
e. pain, anxiety, morning stiffness & fatigue. Some people with fibromyalgia have
low levels of serotonin and doctors often prescribe antidepressants. Like
antidepressants, 5-HTP increases serotonin levels in the brain. But, it does not work
for all individuals with fibromyalgia. More studies are neccessary to understand its
effect.

 Insomnia: study suggests that people who took 5-HTP slept faster as well as slept
more deeply than those who took a placebo. Researchers recommend 200 to 400 mg
at night to increase serotonin, but it can take 6 to 12 weeks to be completely effective.

 Migraines and other headaches: antidepressant is often treated as a medication for

migraines. Studies suggest that high doses of 5-HTP can help people with different
kinds of headaches, including migraines. Nevertheless, the evidence is mixed, with
other studies showing no effect.

 Obesity: some small studies have examined whether 5-HTP can help people to lose
weight. In a study, those who took 5-HTP ate less calories, although they did not try
to diet, relative to those who took a placebo. Researchers believe that 5-HTP has
made people feel fuller (fuller) after eating, so they ate less.

Guideline to Pick a good 5-HTP supplement

There are many good 5-HTP supplements, which can sometimes make it difficult to choose
the best option for you. These are some factors that you should pay attention to when you
cover one.

 Ingredients included: see what ingredients are included and what quantities. 100-200
mg of 5-HTP per serving is standard. Some products also use vitamin B6, which can
help increase the effectiveness of 5-HTP.

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  Value: observe the price of the product per serving. It is not necessary to find the
cheapest option possible, but the price must be taken into account.

 Brand reputation: who makes the product and what is its reputation? Buying from a
good brand is of great importance, that's why we only list products from reputable
companies.

Possible interactions

If you are currently receiving treatment with any of the following drugs, you should not use
5-HTP without first talking to your healthcare professional.

 Antidepressants: people taking antidepressants should not take 5-HTP without the
supervision of their provider. These drugs could be combined with 5-HTP to cause
serotonin syndrome, a dangerous condition that involves rapidly changing mental
changes, hot flashes, high blood pressure and heart rate, and possibly coma.

 Carbidopa: taking 5-HTP with carbidopa, a drug used to treat Parkinson's disease,
can cause a disease similar to scleroderma. Scleroderma is a situation in which the
skin becomes hard, thick and inflamed.

 Tramadol: used to relieve pain, and sometimes prescribed to people with

fibromyalgia, can increase serotonin levels too much if taken with 5-HTP. Serotonin
syndrome has been found in some people who take the two together.

 Dextromethorphan: taking 5-HTP with dextromethorphan, found in cough syrups,

can cause levels of serotonin to rise to dangerous levels, a stage called serotonin
syndrome.

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  Meperidine: taking 5-HTP with Demerol can raise serotonin levels to dangerous
levels, a condition called serotonin syndrome.

 Triptans (used to treat migraines): 5-HTP may increase the risk of side effects,
including serotonin syndrome, when taken with drugs like Naratriptan (Amerge),
Rizatriptan (Maxalt), Sumatriptan (Imitrex), Zolmitriptan (Zomig).

Side Effects of 5-HTP

 Supplementation with 15-HTP may cause nausea. Since serotonin in the digestive
system controls feces, any intervention that increases serotonin levels, including 5-
HTP supplements and SSRI antidepressants, can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Slow-release 5-HTP may be better tolerated and less prone to cause side effects.

 Other common side effects include headache, fatigue, drowsiness and muscle pain.

 Serotonin syndrome (an overdose of serotonin in the body) has been observed at
higher doses in laboratory rats. However, at the same dose (in relation to body
weight), this side effect has not been demonstrated in humans. With normal doses of
5-HTP (usually around 300 mg per day), no side effects and serotonin syndrome have
been observed in humans, even with congestion of antidepressants such as MAOIs.

 Long-term supplementation with 5-HTP can drain dopamine, norepinephrine and

epinephrine. Serotonin shares the same conversion and decomposition enzyme
(MAO) with other neurotransmitters (dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine).
Long-term administration of 5-HTP supplements may cause imbalances in these
neurotransmitters, which can worsen neurological and psychiatric diseases. Therefore,
it is recommended that 5-HTP supplementation be supervised by qualified physicians
and balanced with neurotransmitter precursors.

 5-HTP can cause specific side effects of serotonin. Since 5-HTP is converted to
serotonin in your system, you should experience side effects related to serotonin.

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 These side effects include changes in appetite, sexual behaviour, body temperature
and pain sensation.

 5-HTP can cause EMS. Although 5-HTP is considered primarily safe to take as a
supplement, there have been cases in which people who have taken high doses of this
supplement may develop EMS (eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome, which is a condition
that mimics fibromyalgia with sensitivity Extreme muscle with additional blood
abnormalities.

 5-HTP is not recommended for children. 5-HTP is only recommended for children in
very low doses of up to 5 mg per day only if the child is under 12 years old. It is
incredibly difficult to find such a minimal dose in this type of supplement.

 High doses of 5-HTP orally can be potentially dangerous. This is mainly true for
doses taken in excess for prolonged periods. For example, the recommended daily
dose of 5-HTP is between 100 and 300 mg for the adult dose.

Natural Sources

You cannot get 5-HTP from food. Tryptophan, an amino acid that used to produce 5-HTP, is
found in turkey, chicken, milk, potatoes, squash, sunflower seeds, turnips and kale and
seaweed.

Recommended Dose

The amount of 5-HTP you should take depends on the reason for its use.

 As a sleeping pill, you should use 100 to 300 mg 45 minutes before bedtime.

 To suppress appetite to help lose weight, take 250 mg approximately 30 minutes

before a meal.

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  To combat depression and increase mood, take 50 to 100 mg, 3 times a day with food.
You need at least 7 days to saturate your system before you start taking full advantage
of it.

 Finally, to help deal with headaches, take 100-200 mg, 3 times a day with food. You
will need at least 21 days to feel the full effect.

5-HTP Supplement FAQs

Q: Is it better to take 5-HTP or L-tryptophan?

A: 5-HTP is a better option for many reasons. It only turns into serotonin, easily crosses the
blood-brain barrier and is not able to become toxic metabolites, like its counterpart L-
tryptophan.

Q: Is there an advantageous 5-HTP battery?

A: 5-HTP supplements are quite useful in themselves, but in some cases, combining them
with other supplements can be helpful. Building a stack of 5-HTP supplements can create
impressive results. For example, some people use 5-HTP and melatonin for sleep, or 5-HTP
and fish oil to regulate mood and brain chemistry.

Q: Who can benefit from 5-HTP?

A: The main group of people who can benefit from taking 5-HTP supplements are those who
suffer from anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, eating disorders and related problems.
Anyone with unbalanced brain chemistry could also benefit.

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The groups that will experience the greatest benefit from effective 5-HTP supplements
include:

 People with mild to moderate depression

 Those who have anxiety
 People with eating disorders or those on a diet
 People with sleep problems
 People with premenstrual syndrome or menopause

Q: How long does 5-HTP take to work?

A: Within a week or two, the person should feel the difference and see results. If nothing is
noticed, an increase in the dose may be necessary. Always be sure to write down slowly,
skipping no more than 100 mg at a time.

Q: Can 5-HTP be taken daily?

A: There is not enough information on the prolonged use of 5-HTP in the recommended dose
levels. Most studies found that taking 5-HTP for up to a year a day is safe.

Final Thought

5-HTP is a precursor of serotonin that is a neurotransmitter strongly associated with feelings

of happiness. It works to increase the production of serotonin, which can cause feelings of
euphoria, a decrease in appetite, an increase in satiety, an increase in the quality of sleep and
an improvement in depression.

5-HTP appears to be safe and effective in moderate doses between 100 and 300 mg, but its
safety has not been adequately evaluated in combination with prescription medications.

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In general, 5-HTP is a safe supplement. However, excess 5-HTP in your system can increase
serotonin levels, causing side effects such as anxiety, chills and serious heart problems. It is
not recommended that children supplement with 5-HTP, due to the high possibility of
overdose.

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