5-HTP is a naturally occurring amino acid that serves as a precursor to the neurotransmitters serotonin and melatonin, which are essential for various bodily functions.

Serotonin, often called the "happiness hormone," is crucial for maintaining mood balance and promoting a sense of well-being. It also helps regulate appetite and supports healthier eating habits by curbing cravings. Meanwhile, melatonin, the "sleep hormone," regulates the sleep-wake cycle, ensuring restful and rejuvenating sleep.

Equil’s 5-HTP is derived from the seeds of the Griffonia simplicifolia plant, grown in Ghana. By supporting healthy 5-HTP levels, our product aids in improving sleep quality, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep through the night. It also helps calm the nervous system, reducing stress and anxiety, fostering a more peaceful and balanced state of mind.

Our product undergoes third-party testing for active compounds using the HPLC method to ensure a high potency product. Many leading 5-HTP products advertise 200mg doses, but with only a 10% concentration, this delivers just 20mg of actual 5-HTP. Equil 5-HTP, on the other hand, offers 100mg with over 99% purity, providing a significantly more potent and effective dose. We also don't use any fillers, binders or flow-aids - just the active ingredient!

We test for heavy metals and pesticide residues, ensuring a clean and effective supplement.

Equil Plant 5-HTP is a natural product, and is not synthetic.

5-HTP can come in two different enantiomeric forms: L and D.

L-5-HTP is the natural form of the compound that the body can biologically use, and is derived from the seeds of the Griffonia simplicifolia plant, and is used as a precursor to serotonin. This means the body can convert L-5-HTP into serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in mood regulation, sleep, and appetite control.

D-5-HTP is the ‘inactive’ form, which means the body cannot convert it into serotonin. This form of 5-HTP is not biologically useful to humans, and its presence in a 5-HTP supplement would essentially reduce the effectiveness of the product, as it does not contribute to increasing serotonin levels. (This synthetic 5-HTP can contain a racemic mixture, which means a mix of both L and D forms). Concerns about synthetic 5-HTP include lower potency and potential impurities from the manufacturing process.

We recommend taking Equil’s Plant 5-HTP with water, on an empty stomach. If you feel nauseous, then taking it with food is advised. Some people prefer to dip their toes in – only taking one capsule a day, and usually at night.