How does 5-htp work on low serotonin levels?
The chemical 5-HTP is produced by the body and also available in supplement form; it can aid in the production of serotonin, a chemical messenger that influences mood.SerotoninPeople experience different moods and sensations when chemicals called neurotransmitters affect the brain. One of these neurotransmitters, serotonin, affects mood, and a lack of serotonin can cause depression, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center website.Function of 5-HTPThe body normally gets its serotonin from an amino acid called tryptophan by first converting the tryoptophan into 5-HTP, then converting the 5-HTP into serotonin.EffectsA larger store of 5-HTP in the bloodstream allows the body to increase its serotonin level, helping to combat depression caused by a serotonin deficiency.AvailabilitySince tryptophan supplements have a history of toxicity, health food and grocery stores sell 5-HTP instead as a safer mood-regulating supplement.SupplementationThe Mayo Clinic cautions that an exces
