{"id":9277,"date":"2020-08-14T14:00:12","date_gmt":"2020-08-14T21:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.everywomanover29.com\/blog\/?p=9277"},"modified":"2025-09-11T13:40:47","modified_gmt":"2025-09-11T20:40:47","slug":"5-htp-can-raise-salivary-cortisol-does-this-cause-a-wired-tired-feeling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.everywomanover29.com\/blog\/5-htp-can-raise-salivary-cortisol-does-this-cause-a-wired-tired-feeling\/","title":{"rendered":"5-HTP can raise salivary cortisol: does this cause a \u201cwired-tired\u201d feeling?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"5-htp<\/p>\n

Are you aware that 5-HTP – an amino acid supplement that supports serotonin levels – can raise cortisol levels and leave you feeling \u201cwired-tired\u201d? You may be able to relate to this if you\u2019ve ever used 5-HTP to help with anxiety and insomnia and ended up feeling more anxious and more wide-awake despite your exhaustion and need for sleep. You feel \u201cwired-tired\u201d and it\u2019s not pleasant at all.<\/p>\n

Both 5-HTP and tryptophan, used as supplements, help to boost serotonin levels so you can feel happy, calm, sleep well and not crave carbs in the afternoon\/evening. They also help with panic attacks and phobias, lack of confidence, depression, negativity, imposter syndrome, PMS, irritability, anger issues, pain\/fibromyalgia, TMJ and anger. I typically have my clients with low serotonin symptoms start with a trial of tryptophan<\/a>\u00a0because I see such excellent results with this amino acid. That being said, some people simply do better on one versus the other and you may do better with 5-HTP.<\/p>\n

However there is one big caveat with 5-HTP. I don\u2019t recommend 5-HTP when a client has elevated cortisol levels because we know that it can raise cortisol levels in certain individuals. This can leave you feeling agitated, cranky, as well as wired and yet tired at the same time.<\/p>\n

In this 2002 study, L-5-hydroxytryptophan induced increase in salivary cortisol in panic disorder patients and healthy volunteers<\/a><\/p>\n

Salivary cortisol levels were measured in 24 panic disorder patients and 24 healthy volunteers, following ingestion of 200 mg L-5-hydroxytryptophan or placebo.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The experiment was carried out in the afternoon, \u201cwhen basal cortisol secretion is more stable<\/em>.\u201d The first saliva sample was obtained at 1pm and the subjects ingested the 200mg 5-HTP at 2pm. Additional saliva samples were obtained at 2:30pm, 3:00pm and 3:30pm.<\/p>\n

They report the following:<\/p>\n

A significant rise in cortisol was observed in both patients and controls following ingestion of L-5-hydroxytryptophan. No such effects were seen in the placebo condition.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Here are a few additional comments and my thoughts:<\/p>\n