Sleep & stress
Look for
Also goodThe food oneL-tryptophan
The bedtime team-upSleep blends with tryptophan
What variations of L-tryptophan exist?
An essential amino acid your body turns into serotonin and melatonin. It's used for sleep and mood. It comes in 3 forms, and they aren't all the same. Here's how they differ.
Medical Disclaimer
For education only. What's right for you depends on your health and your medications, so check with your provider before you start or switch. Book a consult
Pick by what you want help with
Mood
Look for
Also goodOne step closer5-HTP
Every form, in plain words
The food one
L-tryptophan
The form found in food. Your body turns it into 5-HTP, then serotonin.
Good for: Sleep & stress
One step closer
5-HTP
One step further along the path to serotonin.
Good for: Mood
The bedtime team-up
Sleep blends with tryptophan
Often paired with magnesium or calming herbs. Check how much tryptophan you get per serving.
Good for: Sleep & stress
Spotting a good one on the shelf
Look for
- Look for 'L-tryptophan' on the label (the food one)
Watch out for
- No third-party testing for purity. A contaminated batch in 1989 caused a serious illness.
- Sleep blends that hide amounts in a proprietary mix
Check with your provider first if…
- You take an antidepressant (such as sertraline or fluoxetine), a migraine triptan, tramadol, or another medicine that raises serotonin. Together they can cause serotonin syndrome, which can be dangerous.
- You have bipolar disorder
- You take sedatives or sleep medicine
- You have liver or kidney disease
- You're pregnant or breastfeeding
- Drowsiness, nausea, or an upset stomach are the most common side effects
Ready to find the root cause?
Dr. Lesher is a Naturopathic Doctor who focuses on autoimmune and chronic conditions in women. Since 2020, she's helped hundreds of patients stop managing symptoms and start healing.