L-tryptophan is the spark that ignites the body’s production of 5-HTP and from that, serotonin, a neurotransmitter that controls sleep, memory, learning, the body’s temperature, mood, behavior, many sexual responses, cardiovascular functions, and endocrine regulation. L-Tryptophan is the best alternative for relaxation and improved mood.

Even though L-tryptophan and 5-HTP are converted to serotonin, widely known as the body’s mood and sleep regulator, there are differences in the two. First is that L-tryptophan is an important amino acid that has many functions in the body—for example, it can be converted to niacin, or to the precursor to the kynurenines, a family of biochemicals that help regulate the immune system, if that is what the body needs. These multiple functions cannot be done by 5-HTP. Another difference is that all 5-HTP is converted to serotonin. The body regulates the amount of Ltryptophan that is converted to serotonin based upon the body’s needs.