Tryptophan
⤢ 3D
Tryptophan is an essential amino acid and the precursor to serotonin (and melatonin). Some evidence suggests benefits for mood and sleep, and depleting it worsens mood in vulnerable people, supporting serotonin’s role. Supplements can raise serotonin-syndrome risk when combined with serotonergic drugs, and a historical contamination episode causing eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome underscores the importance of product quality.
Too little may be associated with
Low serotonin, poorer mood and sleep.
Too much may be associated with
Sedation; caution with serotonergic drugs.
Informational only — not medical advice.
Neurotransmitters
Hormones
Amino acids
Related
Research (34)
- Ruminal 5-hydroxytryptophan increases serum serotonin and peripheral vasodilation in growing beef cattle Matos et al. (2026) Full text ↗ PubMed ↗
- Gut-derived lactic acid enhances tryptophan to 5-hydroxytryptamine in regulation of anxiety via Akkermansia muciniphila Wang et al. (2025) Full text ↗ PubMed ↗
- [Nutrition in improving sleep quality and fighting insomnia] Ortega et al. (2025) Full text ↗ PubMed ↗
- Intermittent fasting boosts sexual behavior by limiting the central availability of tryptophan and serotonin Zhou et al. (2025) Full text ↗ PubMed ↗
- Breastfeeding: The Multifaceted Impact on Child Development and Maternal Well-Being Purkiewicz et al. (2025) Full text ↗ PubMed ↗
- Antidepressive and anxiolytic effects of a combination of Saffron and Chamomile in rats and their relationship with serotonin using methods Ahmad et al. (2025) Full text ↗ PubMed ↗
- Physical activity promotes brain development through serotonin during early childhood Jing et al. (2024) Full text ↗ PubMed ↗
- The Role of Gut Microbiome in Sleep Quality and Health: Dietary Strategies for Microbiota Support Sejbuk et al. (2024) Full text ↗ PubMed ↗
- Possible role of exercise therapy on depression: Effector neurotransmitters as key players Alizadeh (2024) Full text ↗ PubMed ↗
- [Properties of milk in sleep induction] Ortega et al. (2023) Full text ↗ PubMed ↗
- Interactions between gut microbiota and polyphenols: A mechanistic and metabolomic review Liu et al. (2023) Full text ↗ PubMed ↗
- Clinician guidelines for the treatment of psychiatric disorders with nutraceuticals and phytoceuticals: The World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (WFSBP) and Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) Taskforce Sarris et al. (2022) PubMed ↗
- Atypical strategies for cuticle pigmentation in the blood-feeding hemipteran Rhodnius prolixus Berni et al. (2022) Full text ↗ PubMed ↗
- Tryptophan metabolites modulate inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer by affecting immune system Ala (2022) Full text ↗ PubMed ↗
- Targeting SERT promotes tryptophan metabolism: mechanisms and implications in colon cancer treatment Xu et al. (2021) Full text ↗ PubMed ↗
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