5-HTP 200 mg Time Release

5-HTP 200 mg Time Release

Natrol4.5 (8,024 ratings)
Format:Tablet Quantity: 30 Tablet(s) · 30 servings
Goals
$13.80 $0.46 per serving
WalmartLowest$13.80Amazon$14.99Pure Formulas$19.44iHerb$21.66Vitacost$21.66

Product analysis

70 out of 100

5-HTP 200 mg Time Release may contribute to fullness and sleep support, though the benefits remain uncertain. Its role in making mood-related chemicals does not establish a lasting mood improvement.

AI assessment of the formula, label and price. How scoring works

Nutrient Quality40

The 5-HTP plant source and calcium source are named. Those descriptions do not establish a preparation advantage from the time-release claim.

Ingredient Transparency100

Both listed amounts and sources are supplied, allowing a basic comparison. The plant-source description does not explain whether time release changes the active ingredient contribution.

Value For Money76

The 5-HTP amount compares favorably on cost. A separate calcium value judgment remains uncertain.

Customer Satisfaction86

Ratings suggest positive satisfaction across a large number of responses. The broad response provides a more established picture of satisfaction without proving mood, sleep or weight effects.

Product Focus65

The main active relates to appetite and the chemical pathway involved in mood and sleep. Evidence for everyday stress relief, lasting mood change and sustained weight loss remains limited.

Format
Tablet
Container
30 Tablet(s)
Per serving
$0.46
Customer rating
4.5 · 8,024 ratings
Report analysis

Goals

Stress Relief
Stress Relief
Impact
Moderate effect
B+ Ingredient FitD PathwaysC- EvidenceA+ Formulation Logic
Study evidence
5-HTP Supportive 18 studies
Mood Support
Mood Support
Impact
Highest effect
B+ Ingredient FitC- PathwaysA EvidenceA+ Formulation Logic
5-HTP · 200 mg
Study evidence
5-HTP Supportive 9 studies
Sleep Support
Sleep Rhythm
Sleep Support
Impact
Moderate effect
B+ Ingredient FitC PathwaysC- EvidenceA+ Formulation Logic
Study evidence
5-HTP Supportive 1 study
Weight Loss
Cravings
Weight Loss
Impact
Moderate effect
B- Ingredient FitF PathwaysC EvidenceA+ Formulation Logic
Study evidence
5-HTP Supportive 5 studies

Ingredients

IngredientAmount per servingScore
Calcium (Dibasic Calcium Phosphate)
 55 mg
5-HTP (Griffonia simplicifolia)
 200 mg 82
Adults 18–50 Dairy Free Vegetarian
Report overview
5-HTP (Griffonia simplicifolia) · 200 mg OverallScore82
B- Active Ingredient Quality & BioavailabilityA Dose, Safety & Label TransparencyA- Value
Each serving supplies 200 mg of 5-HTP; its estimated cost per 100 mg is moderate. The Griffonia simplicifolia source is named, but its standardization percentage is unclear. The label includes a medication interaction warning.
How this ingredient is rated

Active Ingredient Quality & Bioavailability70

The 5-HTP comes from Griffonia simplicifolia, but its standardization percentage is not given.
Botanical Source & Standardization
The 5-HTP comes from Griffonia simplicifolia, but its standardization percentage is not given.

Dose, Safety & Label Transparency93

Each serving provides 200 mg of 5-HTP. The label includes a warning about serotonin-related medication interactions.
Dosage Potency & Range
Each serving provides 200 mg of 5-HTP.
Safety Warnings & Label Clarity
The label includes a warning about serotonin-related medication interactions.

Value85

The estimated cost per 100 mg of 5-HTP is moderate.
Price per 100mg 5-HTP
The estimated cost per 100 mg of 5-HTP is moderate.
View ingredientView products
85 Performance

5-HTP 100 mg

NOW
Clearer botanical sourcing makes this a stronger quality alternative. Its 100 mg 5-HTP serving offers a more cautious starting option than the original’s 200 mg amount. The same serious interaction caution with serotonin-raising medicines applies.
83 Performance

5-HTP 100 mg Extra Strength

Swanson
A more focused formula and stronger disclosed ingredient profile make this a better quality choice. Its 100 mg 5-HTP serving offers a more cautious starting option than the original’s 200 mg amount. The same serious interaction caution with serotonin-raising medicines applies.
83 Performance

5-HTP Enhanced with Vitamins B6 and C

Doctor's Best
A more focused formula and stronger disclosed ingredient profile make this a better quality choice. Its 100 mg 5-HTP serving offers a more cautious starting option than the original’s 200 mg amount. The same serious interaction caution with serotonin-raising medicines applies.
84 Budget

5-HTP 50 mg

NOW
The lower recurring cost makes this a more economical eligible choice. Its 50 mg 5-HTP serving offers a more cautious starting option than the original’s 200 mg amount. The same serious interaction caution with serotonin-raising medicines applies.
85 Budget

5-HTP 100 mg

Doctor's Best
The lower recurring cost makes this a more economical eligible choice. Its 100 mg 5-HTP serving offers a more cautious starting option than the original’s 200 mg amount. The same serious interaction caution with serotonin-raising medicines applies.
82 Budget

5-HTP 50 mg

Swanson Premium Brand
The lower recurring cost makes this a more economical eligible choice. Its 50 mg 5-HTP serving offers a more cautious starting option than the original’s 200 mg amount. The same serious interaction caution with serotonin-raising medicines applies.
83 Value

5-HTP 200mg

Best Naturals
Focused 5-HTP dosing and a lower recurring cost create a favorable quality-to-cost balance. A Griffonia source is identified, but active standardization remains incomplete. The same serious interaction caution with serotonin-raising medicines applies.
83 Value

5-HTP with Vitamin B6 & Vitamin C

Lake Avenue Nutrition
Focused 5-HTP dosing and a lower recurring cost create a favorable quality-to-cost balance. The active amount is disclosed, but botanical-source detail remains incomplete. The same serious interaction caution with serotonin-raising medicines applies.
82 Value

5-HTP 200 mg Maximum Strength

Swanson
Focused 5-HTP dosing and a lower recurring cost create a favorable quality-to-cost balance. A Griffonia source is identified, but active standardization remains incomplete. The same serious interaction caution with serotonin-raising medicines applies.
Report alternatives

Sources

Published studies used for the product analysis and the top-ranked studies for each ingredient and goal.

  1. Comparative study of efficacy of l-5-hydroxytryptophan and fluoxetine in patients presenting with first depressive episode.
    Jangid P; Malik P; Singh P; Sharma M; Gulia AK · Asian journal of psychiatry · 2013
    Randomized trial70 participantsMood Support for5-HTP
  2. The Impact of 5-Hydroxytryptophan Supplementation on Cognitive Function and Mood in Singapore Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
    Li S; Sutanto CN; Xia X; Kim JE · Nutrients · 2025
    Randomized trial30 participantsMood Support for5-HTP
  3. Effects of 5-hydroxytryptophan on distinct types of depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
    Javelle F; Lampit A; Bloch W; Häussermann P; Johnson SL; Zimmer P · Nutrition reviews · 2020
    Meta-analysis13 studies pooledMood Support for5-HTP
  4. Tryptophan and 5-hydroxytryptophan for depression.
    Shaw K; Turner J; Del Mar C · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2002
    Systematic review64 participants2 studies pooledMood Support for5-HTP
  5. 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) and a MAOI (nialamide) in the treatment of depressions. A double-blind controlled study.
    Aliño JJ; Gutierrez JL; Iglesias ML · International pharmacopsychiatry · 1976
    Non-randomized trial30 participantsMood Support for5-HTP
  6. The impact of 5-hydroxytryptophan supplementation on sleep quality and gut microbiota composition in older adults: A randomized controlled trial.
    Sutanto CN; Xia X; Heng CW; Tan YS; Lee DPS; Fam J; Kim JE · Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland) · 2024
    Randomized trial30 participantsSleep Support for5-HTP
  7. Effect of a serotonin precursor and uptake inhibitor in anxiety disorders; a double-blind comparison of 5-hydroxytryptophan, clomipramine and placebo.
    Kahn RS; Westenberg HG; Verhoeven WM; Gispen-de Wied CC; Kamerbeek WD · International clinical psychopharmacology · 1987
    Randomized trial45 participantsStress Relief for5-HTP
  8. Acute L-5-hydroxytryptophan administration inhibits carbon dioxide-induced panic in panic disorder patients.
    Schruers K; van Diest R; Overbeek T; Griez E · Psychiatry research · 2003
    Randomized trial48 participantsStress Relief for5-HTP
  9. Pharmacology of rising oral doses of 5-hydroxytryptophan with carbidopa.
    Smarius LJ; Jacobs GE; Hoeberechts-Lefrandt DH; de Kam ML; van der Post JP; de Rijk R; van Pelt J; Schoemaker RC; Zitman FG; van Gerven JM; Gijsman HJ · Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) · 2008
    Randomized trialStress Relief for5-HTP
  10. Enhanced tolerability of the 5-hydroxytryptophane challenge test combined with granisetron.
    Jacobs GE; Kamerling IM; de Kam ML; Derijk RH; van Pelt J; Zitman FG; van Gerven JM · Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) · 2010
    Randomized trialStress Relief for5-HTP
  11. An open-label trial of L-5-hydroxytryptophan in subjects with romantic stress.
    Emanuele E; Bertona M; Minoretti P; Geroldi D · Neuro endocrinology letters · 2011
    Single-arm trial15 participantsStress Relief for5-HTP
  12. The Effects of 5-HTP on Body Composition: An 8-Week Preliminary RCT.
    Evans C; Mekhail V; Curtis J; Czartoryski P; Kaminski J; Ellerbroek A; Bustillo E; Jiannine L; Santana JC; Antonio J · Journal of dietary supplements · 2023
    Randomized trial48 participantsWeight Loss for5-HTP
  13. Effects of oral 5-hydroxy-tryptophan on energy intake and macronutrient selection in non-insulin dependent diabetic patients.
    Cangiano C; Laviano A; Del Ben M; Preziosa I; Angelico F; Cascino A; Rossi-Fanelli F · International journal of obesity and related metabolic disorders : journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity · 1998
    Randomized trial25 participantsWeight Loss for5-HTP
  14. The effects of oral 5-hydroxytryptophan administration on feeding behavior in obese adult female subjects.
    Ceci F; Cangiano C; Cairella M; Cascino A; Del Ben M; Muscaritoli M; Sibilia L; Rossi Fanelli F · Journal of neural transmission · 1989
    Clinical trial19 participantsWeight Loss for5-HTP
  15. Serotonergic drugs : effects on appetite expression and use for the treatment of obesity.
    Halford JC; Harrold JA; Boyland EJ; Lawton CL; Blundell JE · Drugs · 2007
    Narrative reviewWeight Loss for5-HTP
  16. Eating behavior and adherence to dietary prescriptions in obese adult subjects treated with 5-hydroxytryptophan.
    Cangiano C; Ceci F; Cascino A; Del Ben M; Laviano A; Muscaritoli M; Antonucci F; Rossi-Fanelli F · The American journal of clinical nutrition · 1992
    Randomized trial20 participantsWeight Loss for5-HTP