5-HTP and Serotonin 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is produced in the body from the essential amino acid L-tryptophan. It is converted to the neurotransmitter serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT). Taking 5-HTP as a supplement increases the production of serotonin. Serotonin in the body helps to make one feel relaxed, happy, and confident. It also has many other uses such as appetite control, mood and behaviour regulator, cardiovascular function, sleep, muscle contraction, endocrinal secretions’ regulation, memory and learning, temperature regulation, etc. Although 5-HTP is not found in food, amino acid tryptophan from foods such as chicken, turkey or milk can be utilized by our body to make 5-HTP.

Serotonin and Feelings of Well-Being Serotonin, at an appropriate level, can help promote feelings of comfort and well-being. According to information provided by Dr. Charles Grisham and Dr. Reginald Garrett, the brain makes serotonin when it is signaled. One signal is carbohydrate consumption. This is why there is a feeling of being happy and content after eating foods that contain sugar such as a sugary or starchy snack. For this reason, patients who suffer from depression is prescribed prescription that helps the brain synthetically elevate serotonin levels, such as 5-HTP medication, which could relieve depression symptoms.

Serotonint and Sleepiness Serotonin is a chemical precursor for melatonin, the hormone which is used to reduce jet lag, adjust sleep-wake cycle, and as a sleep aid. Serotonin can facilitate either the wakefulness or sleepiness. When serotonin level is low, the body increases the level of excitatory neurotransmitter as a compensative mechanism, disrupting sleep-wake cycle. In one study, participants who consumed 5-HTP could sleep quicker and deeper when compared to placebo. Another study in the journal “Sleep” notes that a deficiency or malfunctioning serotonin transporters in the brain increase the risk of insomnia. In fact, 5-HTP may be as effective as certain antidepressant drugs, with fewer side effects.

Chemically speaking, the link between 5-HTP and sleep go one step deeper. Assuming that 5-HTP is derived from protein rich food, here is a pathway that leads from Tryptophan to Melatonin.

Protein -> Tryptophan -> 5-HTP -> Serotonin -> N Acetyl Serotonin -> Melatonin
The resulting melatonin is the hormone that helps us sleep quicker and deeper.

 

• Nicolodi M and Sicuteri F. Fibromyalgia and migraine, two faces of the same mechanism. Serotonin as the common clue for pathogenesis and therapy. Adv Exp Med Biol 1996;398:373-379
• Poldinger W, Calanchini B, and Schwarz W. A functional-dimensional approach to depression: serotonin deficiency as a target syndrome in a comparison of 5-hydroxytryptophan and fluvoxamine. Psychopathology 1991;24(2):53-81.
• Zmilacher K, Battlegay R, and Gastpar M. L-5-hydroxytryptophan alone and in combination with a peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor in the treatment of depression. Neuropsychobiology 1988;20(1):28-35.
• Angst J, Woggon B, and Schoepf J. The treatment of depression with L-5-hydroxytryptophan versus imipramine. Result of two open and one double-blind study. Arch Psychiatr Nervenkr 1997;224:175-86.This page is not intended to be a comprehensive review of the medicinal ingredient.

 

Adults: 1 capsule 3 times per day. Take with food.

To minimize the risk of gastrointestinal side effects, start dosing at 1 per day and slowly increase to effective dose over 2 weeks period.
 

1. Shipping

1) Shipping Rates

• Free Shipping Conditions:
   - South Korea & Canada: Orders over $45
   - USA: Orders over $100
   - China: Orders over $250
   - Other Countries: Orders over $500

• Shipping Fees for Orders Below the Free Shipping Threshold:
   - South Korea: Orders $45 or less, add $12.99 for shipping
   - USA: Orders $100 or less, add $12.99 for shipping
   - Canada: Orders $45 or less, add $9.99 for shipping
   - China: Orders $250 or less, add $25 for shipping
   - Other Countries: Orders $500 or less, add $45 for shipping

• Orders shipped to Yukon, NWT, and Nunavut may carry an additional shipping charge. You will be contacted by email if this applies.
• Please be aware this offer does not apply to Items sold and shipped by Marketplace Sellers (3rd party sellers).

2) Delivery Standards

• Orders are usually shipped within 1 business day after they are received. If your order is placed before 11:00am EST, your order will usually be shipped on the same day.
• In Canada delivery time is about 1-3 business days and orders are shipped by Canada Post or UPS.
• In the US delivery time is about 5-10 business days and orders are shipped by Canada Post or UPS.
• South Korea delivery time is about 4-5 business days.
• Certain areas may have longer delivery standards. You may find the detailed information on the Canada Post website. (http://www.canadapost.ca)

International delivery standards are varied by countries or orders. Please contact our Customer Service for estimated time and cost for the delivery to your country.

SHIPPING DELAYS:

Due to COVID-19, our carriers have been experiencing delays in delivery. While most orders are shipped within 1-2 business days, delivery may take longer than usual to process.

3) International Orders: Importing of goods and taxes

Please ensure that ordering from us does not contravene the customs laws of your country regarding the importation of nutritional supplements and herbs. Customs fees and/or impounding of an order (including any resultant expense, subsequent loss and/or return shipping) are the sole responsibility of the purchaser.

2. Order Processing and Cancellations

1) Processing Time

Once you place an order*, we will ship the package within 1 business day.
* Any order confirmation (electronic or paper receipt) given to you through Caforia.com does not signify our acceptance of your order, nor does it constitute confirmation of an offer to sell. Also note that Caforia reserves the right to refuse the processing or shipment of an order for any reason.

2) Back order/Out of Stock/Pricing/Currency

If an item is temporarily unavailable from our suppliers, you will be informed promptly by email.

It does not happen very often, but if you find an error in your order, please contact our Customer Service within one week of receiving it and we will correct it as soon as possible.

Pricing: Caforia endeavors to maintain a consistent price policy and to update this site to reflect any changes in price; however, some prices may vary depending on availability from our suppliers. This does not necessarily mean prices will always increase.

3) Cancellation

You can cancel your order within 1 hour after it has been placed. If you're unable to cancel an order, you can request a return via our Customer Service.

Here’s how you cancel your order:
1. Sign in to your Caforia account.
2. Go to ‘My Account’ -> ‘Order History’ and click the ‘Details’ button of the order you wish to cancel.
3. Click the ‘Cancel Order’ button at the bottom right of the ‘Order Information’ page and confirm your cancellation.
Once your order is cancelled, we’ll send you an email notification to let you know and we’ll also update your ‘Order History’ in your account to show the cancelled order.

3. Returns and Refunds

ANY TIME RETURN POLICY

At Caforia, we aim to provide a 100% Customer Satisfaction Guarantee for our direct-sale products (Seller: Caforia, Manufacturer: David Health). Please note that for clearance sale products or countries outside of Canada, returns and refunds are not available unless the product is defective.

To ensure a smooth return procedure, please read the following conditions.

1. Contact our Customer Service with your order number, your name, the item(s) that you would like to return, and the reason for your return. Do not send the item(s) first without submitting the return request.
2. Customers are responsible for all return shipping charges except for damaged items or shipping errors.
3. Any outbound shipping charges paid will not be refunded if the order is returned.
Returns are typically received within two weeks from the time that you mail them. Once we receive your return, please allow approximately 2-10 business days for us to process a refund.
Refunds will be credited to your original method of payment. Once a refund is issued it can take up to 7 - 9 business days to process. However, it may take up to one billing cycle for some payment types.

Return Address (For products sold and shipped by Caforia ONLY)
Caforia.com
1111 Flint Road, #25
North York, ON, Canada
M3J 3C7
Tel: 416-739-8228