5-Htp Natural Stress Relief to Take Off the Edge

5-HTP for Relaxation

Doesn’t this model look so happy, calm, and peaceful? Some days I wish I could lounge around without a care in the world, a cup of tea in my hand. Not with two kids under the age of 8, and I can only dream of having a white sofa! I’ll have to wrap it in plastic first!

And so the stress begins to melt away slowly, and then you’re back into a nonstop life with a gray couch (which I have & totally love, BTW).

The feeling of anger and frustration fueled by stress no longer melts away, and you can’t seem to “fake it till you make it” anymore.  

You’ve tried the standard deep breathing techniques, counting to 10, and even locked yourself in a quiet room to get away from it all.  Or at least that’s what I’ve done. As I mentioned, I have two little girls, 7 and 5 years old, who love to talk so much that I can’t even hear myself think, let alone count to 10 or have a deep breathing session.  

So what do you do when you can’t get rid of the stress that has now mounted on top of your shoulders like a heavy boulder? And you don’t want to use prescription medications? Well, there’s 5-HTP. So what is it?

5–HTP ( 5–Hydroxytryptophan ) Natural Stress Relief

5–Hydroxytryptophan (5–HTP) is an amino acid that your body already produces. It’s derived from an African plant known as Griffonia simplicifolia.  It helps to increase the serotonin levels in your body, thus boosting your mood.

I have taken it to help with anxiety and whenever I’m feeling a little down. Initially, I learned about this supplement around 15 years ago. A nurse that I worked with at the time recommended it.

I used it during a period in my life when I was emotionally stressed from a marriage that was going downhill and just feeling down. Emotional and mental well-being were my goals at the time. I also wanted a natural stress reliever rather than a prescription. Please read about my panic attacks here.

I was also seeing a therapist at the time, who helped with talking through my feelings which did help in releasing some of my emotions. (Never underestimate the healing benefits of being able to speak to an unbiased third party). But sometimes, there was just something there that kept me from being my usual relaxed and happy self. I just needed to get that extra push over the hump.

5-HTP did precisely that; it gave me the extra push towards positivity with the benefits of the deep breathing techniques all in one. I find myself going back to 5-HTP off and on now for over 15 years. I only use it when I’m stressed out and then stop once I feel things are back to a manageable state. I’ve used this brand and this one over the years.

Here’s a rundown of the supplement’s benefits, uses, and possible side effects.

5-HTP BENEFITS

There are several other uses for 5-HTP, which include the following:

Weight Loss

A study found that 5-HTP may help people lose weight by reducing appetite and cravings for unhealthful foods. At the end of the study, the women who took 5-HTP reported greater satiety, or fullness, when eating, which led to a decreased food intake.

When I am consistently taking this supplement, I do notice a curb in my appetite. Usually, I notice it over a week and realize that I haven’t had my usual appetite. You may have a different experience with this.

Anxiety

It brings about a sense of calm and relaxed mood by enabling the body’s synthesis of Serotonin, the chemical messenger that greatly enhances mood.

Depression

While the exact cause of depression is largely unknown, some researchers believe that a serotonin imbalance may influence your mood in a way that leads to depression.  5-HTP supplements are thought to treat depression by increasing serotonin levels.

Insomnia

5-HTP helps the body to produce more serotonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in regulating mood and sleep-wake cycles. Healthy levels of serotonin contribute to a positive mood and outlook and also promote restful sleep. One of the many benefits of lavender is promoting sleep; give that a try if you have insomnia.

PMS (premenstrual syndrome)

Several studies have found that the serotonin-increasing effects of 5-HTP may help to alleviate PMS. The boost in serotonin appeared to help combat feelings of low or negative mood and regulate sleep. Read more about PMS/PMDD and hormone disruptors if you suffer from PMS/PMDD.

Stress

You can feel a sense of the weight being lifted off your shoulders and the ability to breathe easily—the sense of feeling relaxed and less stressed. You may feel like all of a sudden, your body exhaled, shoulders come down, and you have a feeling of relaxation. Aaahhh. Seemingly, you’re less agitated and have managed some stress relief. Also, check out 5 Natural Ways to Relax and Get Centered.

Migraines

5–Hydroxytryptophan has been shown in studies to prevent both migraines and tension-type headaches. Taking 5-HTP as a supplement is believed to reduce headache frequency and severity by modulating serotonin and increasing endorphin levels.

SIDE EFFECTS

We all need a little help sometimes, as we are all going through the same life experiences.  You may find that you only need to take 5-HTP a few days to get the benefits, or you may need to take it a little longer, and it takes weeks. Either way, listen to yourself and your body, and it will tell you when you no longer need to take it.  Always trust your intuition and listen to it, for it will not misguide you.

Start taking the supplement in small doses. You may experience nausea if taken on an empty stomach. Or stomach upset if the dosage is too much. Allow a week to notice the effects of the supplement. I recommend taking it with food.

We are all human and need help, in whatever positive form, to get us to our better selves. I’m a work in progress, but I have learned along the way to seek alternative health methods or natural stress relief to better my life and soul. Other natural ways to reduce stress are reading 5 meditations to try, especially when I feel struggling and overwhelmed. You’ll be well on your way to feel happier, calmer, and less stressed.

Let me know what natural stress relief items you like to use in the comments below.

I wish you peace and guidance on your journey. Take care and be well.

UPDATE 11/2/2021

Over this past year, I’ve tried other alternatives to 5-HTP, such as Ashwagandha. You can read about the 11 Benefits of Ashwagandha here and, of course, CBD and hemp oil. You can read more about those experiences here.

I’ve found benefits of all three different types of these products. But the one I tend to go back to over and over is Ashwagandha Root. I believe it’s a personal preference and finding what works best for you.