5-Hydroxytryptophan
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| Chemical Nomenclature | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Common names | 5-HTP, Oxitriptan, Cincofarm, Levothym, Levotonine, Oxyfan, Telesol, Tript-OH, and Triptum | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Substitutive name | 5-Hydroxytryptophan | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Systematic name | 2-amino-3-(5-hydroxy-1H-indol-3-yl)propanoic acid | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Psychoactive class | Nootropic | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Chemical class | Tryptamine / Amino acid | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| SSRIs | |||||||||||||||||||||
| SNRIs | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Serotonin releasers | |||||||||||||||||||||
| MAOIs | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Tricyclic antidepressants | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Tramadol | |||||||||||||||||||||
5-Hydroxytryptophan, also known as 5-HTP and oxitriptan, is a naturally occurring amino acid and chemical precursor as well as a metabolic intermediate in the biosynthesis of the neurotransmitters serotonin and melatonin from tryptophan. It is available over the counter in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada as a dietary supplement and often used as an antidepressant, sleep aid, and appetite suppressant. In some European countries, it is marketed as a prescription drug for the treatment of major depression.[1]
5-HTP is also popularly consumed by users of MDMA and other serotonin-releasing agents try to reduce the negative after effects that begin during the drug's come down period, including anxiety, depression, and cognitive fatigue.[2] Since 5-HTP is a precursor for the neurotransmitter serotonin and MDMA depletes both serotonin levels in the brain as well as inhibit the enzyme needed to produce it (i.e. tryptophan hydroxylase) for a short period after.[3], it is believed that taking 5-HTP after coming down will speed the production of serotonin and decrease the time needed to recover (though there are many popular misconceptions and controversies about just how effective it is for this purpose).[citation needed]
5-HTP should not be taken until 12 hours after one's last dose of MDMA because combining the two drugs could synergistically increase brain's serotonin levels to dangerous degrees -- resulting in a potentially life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome.
Chemistry
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This chemistry section is incomplete. You can help by adding to it. |
5-HTP is a molecule of the tryptamine class. It is the 5-Hydroxy analog of tryptophan. It contains a propanoic acid group at RN, which it shares with tryptophan, phenylalanine and several other natural compounds. It is sold as the levorotatory isomer.
Pharmacology
The psychoactive action of 5-HTP is derived from its increase in production of serotonin in central nervous system tissue. 5-HTP is decarboxylated to serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine or 5-HT) by the enzyme aromatic-L-amino-acid decarboxylase with the help of vitamin B6.[4] This reaction occurs both in nervous tissue and in the liver.[5] 5-HTP crosses the blood–brain barrier,[6] while 5-HT does not.
5-HTP is decarboxylated to serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine or 5-HT) by aromatic-L-amino-acid decarboxylase with the help of vitamin B6.[7] This reaction occurs both in nervous tissue and in the liver.[8] 5-HTP crosses the blood–brain barrier,[9] while 5-HT does not. Excess 5-HTP, especially when administered with vitamin B6, is thought to be metabolized and excreted.[10][11]
Subjective effects
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This subjective effects section is a stub. As such, it is still in progress and may contain incomplete or wrong information. You can help by expanding or correcting it. |
Physical effects
For some individuals, 5-HTP can cause the following side effects (although rare, and typically at higher dosages).
- Abnormal heartbeat
- Appetite suppression
- Diarrhea
- Headaches
- Heartburn
- Increased blood pressure
- Increased heart rate
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sedation
- Stimulation
- Stomach bloating
- Stomach cramps
- Teeth grinding
Cognitive effects
- Cognitive euphoria - Although mild, this effect is present at heavier dosages, but may also come with it a number of peripheral side effects due to peripheral serotonin activity (mostly on the gut).
- Thought acceleration or Thought deceleration
- Motivation enhancement
- Anxiety suppression
- Sleepiness
After effects
Toxicity and harm potential
Due to the conversion of 5-HTP into serotonin by the liver, with prolonged use there may be a significant risk of heart valve disease from serotonin's effect on the heart, which is thought to be due to agonism of the 5HT-2b receptor present on it.[12][13]
It has been suggested that 5-HTP may cause eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS), a serious condition which results in extreme muscle tenderness, myalgia, and blood abnormalities. However, there is evidence to show that EMS was likely caused by a contaminant in certain 5-HTP supplements instead of the drug itself.[14]
Dangerous interactions
Although many drugs are safe on their own, they can become dangerous and even life-threatening when combined with other substances. The list below contains some common potentially dangerous combinations, but may not include all of them. Certain combinations may be safe in low doses of each but still increase the potential risk of death. Independent research should always be done to ensure that a combination of two or more substances is safe before consumption.
Combinations in the list below may increase the amount of neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, to dangerous or even fatal levels, resulting in life-threatening serotonin syndrome.
- Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) - When combined with antidepressants of the SSRI class, high doses of 5-HTP can cause acute serotonin syndrome in rats.[15][15]
- Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
- Serotonin releasers such as MDMA, 4-FA, MDAI and αMT - To prevent serotonin syndrome, 5-HTP should only be taken once the user has come down from the MDMA (or other serotonin releaser), roughly 12 hours after the last dose.
- MAOIs such as syrian rue, banisteriopsis caapi, 2C-T-2, 2C-T-7, αMT, and some antidepressants - When combined with antidepressants of the MAOI class, high doses of 5-HTP can cause acute serotonin syndrome in rats.[15][15]
- Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)
- Tramadol
Legal issues
5-HTP is commonly sold over the counter as a dietary supplement in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada and is not subject to any illicit substance control laws.
In some parts of Europe, where it prescribed as an antidepressant, there may be some controls on its sale and distribution.
See also
External links
- 5-Hydroxytryptophan (Wikipedia)
- 5-Hydroxytryptophan (UM Medical Center)
- 5-HTP (Examine.com)
- 5-HTP (Drugs.com)
References
- ↑ https://books.google.com/books?id=5GpcTQD_L2oC&lpg=PA1528&pg=PA773&hl=en#v=onepage&q&f=false | Swiss Pharmaceutical Society (2000). Index Nominum 2000: International Drug Directory (Book with CD-ROM). Boca Raton: Medpharm Scientific Publishers. ISBN 3-88763-075-0.
- ↑ http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306452207006732 | Wang, X.; Baumann, M. H.; Dersch, C. M.; Rothman, R. B. (2007-08-10). "Restoration of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine-induced 5-HT depletion by the administration of l-5-hydroxytryptophan". Neuroscience. 148 (1): 212–220. doi:10.1016/j.neuroscience.2007.05.024. PMID 17629409.
- ↑ Acute inactivation of tryptophan hydroxylase by amphetamine analogs involves the oxidation of sulhydrl sites | http://www.maps.org/images/pdf/1989_stone_1.pdf
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6983619 | Effect of pyridoxal phosphate deficiency on aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase activity with L-DOPA and L-5-hydroxytryptophan as substrates in rats.
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6974228 | Characteristics of dihydroxyphenylalanine/5-hydroxytryptophan decarboxylase activity in brain and liver of cat.
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18445233 | Augmented brain 5-HT crosses the blood-brain barrier through the 5-HT transporter in rat.
- ↑ Template:Effect of pyridoxal phosphate deficiency on aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase activity with L-DOPA and L-5-hydroxytryptophan as substrates in rats
- ↑ Characteristics of dihydroxyphenylalanine/5-hydroxytryptophan decarboxylase activity in brain and liver of cat | doi = 10.1111/j.1471-4159.1982.tb12555.x
- ↑ Augmented brain 5-HT crosses the blood-brain barrier through the 5-HT transporter in rat | doi=10.1111/j.1460-9568.2008.06201.x
- ↑ Biochemical properties and kinetic parameters of dihydroxyphenylalanine--5-hydroxytryptophan decarboxylase in brain, liver, and adrenals of cat | doi=10.1139/o79-126}}
- ↑ title=On the tryptophan-serotonin metabolism in manic-depressive disorders. Changes in plasma 5-HT and 5-HIAA levels and urinary 5-HIAA excretion following oral loading of L-5HTP in patients with depression | |pmid=1088369
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15781732 | Long-term serotonin administration induces heart valve disease in rats.
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12466135 | Serotonin mechanisms in heart valve disease II: the 5-HT2 receptor and its signaling pathway in aortic valve interstitial cells.
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7699627 | An eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome related disorder associated with exposure to L-5-hydroxytryptophan.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18499101 | Characterization of serotonin-toxicity syndrome (toxidrome) elicited by 5-hydroxy-l-tryptophan in clorgyline-pretreated rats. Cite error: Invalid
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