People take 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) supplements to ease:
- Depression. Some research showed that 5-HTP worked as well as some antidepressants.
- Fibromyalgia symptoms. In some studies, it eased pain, morning stiffness, and sleep problems.
- Other conditions, including insomnia, anxiety, and obesity. There's not enough evidence to know whether it works for these conditions.