Question: is 5 htp the same as l tryptophan?
Answer: The amino acids 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) and l-tryptophan are precursors of serotonin. 5-HTP is generally recommended over l-tryptophan because it crosses the blood-brain barrier at a higher rate, is converted into serotonin more efficiently than l-tryptophan, and has a more pronounced antidepressant effect.