5-HTP a natural stop smoking aid?

Posted on Mon, 6 Feb 12

The dietary supplement 5-HTP may be a useful stop smoking aid with evidence suggesting it reduces nicotine withdrawal symptoms.

Analysis of smokers brains has found unusually low levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin and it has been suggested that low levels of serotonin may contribute to withdrawal symptoms making it harder for smokers to quit.

It is possible to increase brain serotonin with the nutritional supplement 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) so a group of researchers conducted an experimental study in rats to see if 5-HTP might help reduce withdrawal symptoms.

They found that 5-HTP reduces some nicotine withdrawal symptoms (like teeth chattering and shakes) as a result of its ability to increase brain serotonin “and could be an adjunct smoking cessation aid.”

An earlier human study also found that tryptophan, a precursor of 5-HTP, tends to increase tobacco smoking quitting rate.

References:

1. Ohmura Y, Jutkiewicz EM, Yoshioka M, Domino EF. 5-Hydroxytryptophan attenuates somatic signs of nicotine withdrawal. J Pharmacol Sci. 2011;117(2):121-4.

2. Bowen DJ, Spring B, Fox E. Tryptophan and high-carbohydrate diets as adjuncts to smoking cessation therapy. J Behav Med 1991;14:97–110.