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5-hydroxytryptophan explained: what it is and sources

EFSA (the European Food Safety Authority) says 5-HTP is an intermediate step in the body's conversion of tryptophan into serotonin. Supplement 5-HTP usually comes from Griffonia simplicifolia seeds. One product we reviewed lists 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), and none prints its individual amount.

By HowNook's Health desk · Updated

OHOHONHNH₂OHOHONHNH₂
What it is
Amino acid
Amounts EFSA names
Proposed daily supplement amounts contain 16.4 to 49.2 mg of L-5 hydroxytryptophan.
In the products we reviewed
1, its label does not print the amount

What 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is

  • Supplement 5-HTP usually comes from Griffonia simplicifolia seeds.1
  • 5-HTP is an intermediate step in the body's conversion of tryptophan into serotonin.1
  • 5-HTP is usually taken as a food supplement.1

Foods that have it1

  • bananas
  • tomatoes
  • plums
  • avocados

How much 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) each product gives

Per serving, as each label prints it, against the amounts EFSA names

EFSA: 16 mg to 49 mg per dose

Amount not printed: the dashed line shows the most it can be, the whole blend

SeroBurnNot printed · at most 844 mg

The product we reviewed that lists 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)

ProductForm and serving5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) per servingOur scorePrice a bottleBuy
SeroBurn#3 in weight loss supportCapsules2 capsulesNot printedIn a 843.5 mg proprietary blend9.3$49Check price
Prices checked Oct 5, 2026

Questions people ask

What is 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)?

5-HTP is an intermediate step in the body's conversion of tryptophan into serotonin, according to EFSA (the European Food Safety Authority). EFSA also says 5-HTP is usually taken as a food supplement.

Where does supplement 5-HTP come from?

Supplement 5-HTP usually comes from Griffonia simplicifolia seeds. Foods that contain it include bananas, tomatoes, plums and avocados.

How much 5-HTP is taken a day?

EFSA names proposed daily supplement amounts containing 16.4 to 49.2 mg of L-5 hydroxytryptophan. Ask a clinician before starting a supplement.

Which supplements we reviewed contain 5-HTP?

SeroBurn is the only product we reviewed that lists 5-HTP. Its individual amount is not printed, and it appears inside an 843.5 mg proprietary blend per serving of 2 capsules.

Sources

The products, amounts and prices come from each product's label and checkout, as its review shows them. AI drafts our pages from listed sources, figures are checked against them, and we have not tried the products.

  1. 1EFSA Journal (2011), scientific opinion 2198efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doichecked
  2. 2EFSA Journal (2009), scientific opinion 1273efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doichecked