5-HTP and Upset Stomach: What Users Say

• TKa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 16, 2019

For Anxiety "I was at Walgreen's buying some Melatonin to help me sleep, and I just happened to see the bottle of 5-HTP in the same section advertising anti-anxiety properties. I was skeptical but decided that it was worth the 20 bucks to see if it would help alleviate my anxiety issues. I was teaching a class that night and took one of the 5-HTP pills (50 mg) and kind of forgot about it. Several hours had passed, and I was on my way home from said class and realized I felt pretty good and relaxed, and then remembered the pill I had taken. I was still skeptical, however, and decided to try another one the next day, and I got the same feeling. It's not a tired or groggy feeling, it's actual relief from anxiety, and it really works. The only drawback is it can cause your stomach to churn a bit when you first start taking them, so make sure you take them with food."

• 5ht...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 27, 2017

For Anxiety "It has been the only thing that has relieved my symptoms of depression and anxiety, and possibly my pain. The only downside is that it makes me vomit, make sure you eat BEFORE taking it. It can also make my stomach hurt and feel nauseous. That's the only reason I didn't give it a 10."

• Gez...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 18, 2015

For Anxiety "Don't start off with too high a dosage, it affected my sleep. I went from 150 mg back to 20 mg and slowly increased. After two weeks of stomach upset, it went away. I have noticed I am calmer, however, my body seems to get used to the dosage quickly, and I need to increase it. I am up to 180 mg now and again need to up the dosage. It's really worth giving this product a try before you turn to pharmaceutical medication."

• gbg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 13, 2018

For Anxiety "Just started and noticed the difference overnight. No more stomach churning or ulcer-like pain. Was tested for ulcer - negative. Feeling relaxed and a lot smoother. A little dry mouth and I know there's something in my system, but no overwhelming or harsh. Started with 50 mgs."

• One...
• January 5, 2016

For Anxiety "Been using timed-release 200 mg for the last month and used to 400 mg daily. Slight stomach and headache issues but gone after the first week. Works very well but need to buy a quality product. I paired this with Niacinamide 1500-2000 mg, this is all medicinal level and it's working nicely with slight mood swings. My sleep is better with a higher dose, and I'm not suffering major panic attacks. I'm off Seroquel for now, and this is working for my seasonal depression, and I am bipolar 1. I would recommend a neuropath when using this, but I'm very well trained and aware of my body."

• NoN...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 10, 2017

For Anxiety "I have been taking 5-HTP for about a month now for depression and mood swings. Works on depression and moods, but over the last few days, I have been experiencing severe stomach cramps. I have not changed my diet and am still doing and taking everything as normal. The only difference is that I had added 5-HTP to my daily diet. After experiencing these stomach cramps, I decided to research these effects it was having on me. Apparently, stomach cramps are a well-known side effect of 5-HTP, so I have decided to stop taking them and try something different."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 25, 2015

For Insomnia "I have a love-hate relationship with 5-HTP. It has definitely helped me sleep in the past, but after a while, I build up a tolerance. I don't like stopping and restarting because the first few days of restarting give me an upset stomach."

• Joh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 4, 2021

For Anxiety "When you first take 5-HTP, you should start out slow, 50 mg a day a few hours before sleep. Make sure you use a reputable brand and make sure it is enteric coated and have it with vitamin B6 and C so it can convert to serotonin. The enteric coating will help prevent the 5-HTP from converting to serotonin in the stomach, which can cause stomach upset. Up the dosage slowly until you start noticing a benefit. (Effective dosages are between 50 to 300 mg a day.) As with any supplement or medication, give it time. Give the product at least 6-8 weeks to notice a benefit. Always talk to a medical professional before taking any new supplement or medication. And never take the product with an MAOI or SSRI. You could develop serotonin syndrome. Read the article below to educate yourself on 5-HTP and the current research."

• Den...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 17, 2019

For Anxiety "Took 5-HTP for the 1st time in like a year. Took 400 mg along with a probiotic, and about an hour later got a nasty stomachache along with nausea and feeling like I would throw up. Think it was a combination of too much at once along with an empty stomach. So I'm going to try a smaller dose along with eating before."

• Nat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 4, 2017

For Anxiety "Well, I had high hopes for this supplement and must say it didn't work for me. I had stomach cramps, fatigue, and an overall sense of anxiety. Unfortunately, a waste of money for me."

• Dav...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 31, 2019

For Insomnia "Took 5-HTP for insomnia, but it made it worse, gave me stomach cramps, and made me feel hungover the next day, horrible."