Amino acid derivative
5-HTP
5-Hydroxytryptophan
A direct serotonin precursor derived from the Griffonia seed. Potentially the most potent mood-related supplement here — and for exactly that reason, the one that demands the most caution.
Our pick, and why
Choosing a 5-htp on iHerb
5-HTP is the one product on this site where the 'Our Pick' framing stays deliberately conservative — the criterion is safety and clarity, not efficacy. NOW Foods is our pick: the cleanest label of the three, just 5-HTP from Griffonia seed plus rice flour and a cellulose capsule. No added cofactors that could complicate interactions, nothing to make careful dose titration harder. Doctor's Best adds Vitamin C and B6 (claimed to support serotonin conversion) — a reasonable formulation, but extra actives add variables when you're introducing 5-HTP carefully. Natrol's time-release tablet adds calcium and a modified-release mechanism, making the dose curve harder to control — the opposite of what careful introduction requires. Important: please read the interaction warning on this page and discuss 5-HTP with a clinician before starting, regardless of which product you choose.
How we judge these
100 mg from Griffonia seed, minimal fillers, no co-formulation that complicates interactions or dose titration.
| Product | Product | Dose | Source | Added cofactors | Format | Meets it | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Our pick NOW Foods 5-HTP 100 mg | 100 mg | Griffonia simplicifolia seed | None | Veg capsule | ✓ | iHerb → | |
| Doctor's Best 5-HTP Enhanced (B6 + Vitamin C) | 100 mg | Griffonia simplicifolia seed | B6 15 mg, Vit C 200 mg | Veg capsule | ✓ | iHerb → | |
| Natrol 5-HTP 100 mg Time Release | 100 mg | Griffonia simplicifolia seed | Calcium 32 mg | Time-release tablet | ✓ | iHerb → |
- NOW Foods 5-HTP 100 mgOur pick
- Dose
- 100 mg
- Source
- Griffonia simplicifolia seed
- Added cofactors
- None
- Format
- Veg capsule
- Meets our criterion
- ✓
- Doctor's Best 5-HTP Enhanced (B6 + Vitamin C)
- Dose
- 100 mg
- Source
- Griffonia simplicifolia seed
- Added cofactors
- B6 15 mg, Vit C 200 mg
- Format
- Veg capsule
- Meets our criterion
- ✓
- Natrol 5-HTP 100 mg Time Release
- Dose
- 100 mg
- Source
- Griffonia simplicifolia seed
- Added cofactors
- Calcium 32 mg
- Format
- Time-release tablet
- Meets our criterion
- ✓
Specs verified against live listings at time of writing and can change — confirm on the product page. Links are affiliate links; details.
5-HTP is a step removed from serotonin itself — the body converts it directly. That directness is exactly why it appears in mood research, and exactly why it carries more risk than anything else on this list.
We’ve deliberately rated its everyday-use evidence as emerging and wrapped it in warnings, because the realistic scenario for many people interested in mood supplements is that they may already be taking, or considering, a prescription antidepressant. Combining those with 5-HTP is the specific situation that can go wrong. Please treat the caution box above as the most important thing on this page.
What to look for
- A clean Griffonia simplicifolia extract
- A conversation with your doctor or pharmacist first if you take any medication
- Low starting doses, never stacked with other serotonergic supplements