Supplement
Griffonia simplicifolia is a West African shrub whose seeds are rich in 5-HTP, which the body converts into the mood-shaping messenger serotonin. In migraine trials, about as many people improved on 5-HTP as on a standard migraine drug, mostly through milder, shorter attacks. The evidence is limited, though: the studies were small, many date from the 1980s, and most tested purified 5-HTP rather than the seed extract.
Sources: PMID 3536521; PMID 3533271
- Updated
- How we grade
- 17 studies cited
- Best evidence
- Grade C
- Conditions studied
- 2
- Outcomes
- 7
- Graded outcomes
- 0070
Evidence by condition
- Strong
- Moderate
- Limited
- Very limited
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appetite and Food Intake Two small RCTs using Griffonia extract specifically (oral/sublingual spray, n=20 and n=27) showed significantly increased satiety and reduced BMI in overweight women. Three placebo-controlled 5-HTP trials by Cangiano et al. (n=19-25 each) demonstrated reduced food intake, decreased carbohydrate consumption, and weight loss in obese subjects, including those with type 2 diabetes (750 mg/day). An 8-week RCT in trained adults found 5-HTP may reduce body fat mass. | Improves (the measure goes down) | Moderate effect | 7 studies | 140 people | ||
Studies that measured appetite and food intake
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General
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Depression Symptoms A systematic review and meta-analysis of 5-HTP (the active compound in Griffonia seeds) encompassing 13 studies found large effect sizes for depression remission (Hedges' g = 1.11). An RCT (n=60) found 5-HTP comparable to fluoxetine for first-episode depression (73% vs 80% response). A Cochrane-style review concluded 5-HTP is superior to placebo for unipolar depression. A small crossover RCT in Parkinson's patients (n=25) showed significant improvement in depression scores. Most evidence uses isolated 5-HTP rather than whole Griffonia extract. | Improves (the measure goes down) | Moderate effect | 6 studies | 250 people | ||
Studies that measured depression symptoms
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| Sleep Quality A 12-week single-blinded RCT (n=30) in older adults found 100 mg/day 5-HTP improved sleep quality components measured by PSQI and actigraphy, especially in poor sleepers. A crossover RCT in Parkinson's patients with REM sleep behavior disorder (n=18) showed 50 mg/day 5-HTP increased total REM sleep percentage without worsening RBD episodes. Earlier foundational studies in normal subjects documented 5-HTP effects on sleep architecture via serotonin-to-melatonin conversion. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Small effect | 6 studies | 70 people | ||
Studies that measured sleep quality
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| Fibromyalgia Symptoms A double-blind placebo-controlled RCT (n=50) found 5-HTP 300 mg/day for 30 days significantly improved tender point count, subjective pain intensity, morning stiffness, sleep patterns, anxiety, and fatigue in primary fibromyalgia patients. A 90-day open-label study (n=50) confirmed significant improvements across all clinical parameters (p<0.001). Side effects were mild and transient in both studies. | Improves (the measure goes down) | Moderate effect | 6 studies | 100 people | ||
Studies that measured fibromyalgia symptoms
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| Migraine Frequency An RCT (n=124) comparing 5-HTP to methysergide for migraine prophylaxis found significant improvement in 71% of the 5-HTP group (vs 75% for methysergide), with 5-HTP primarily reducing intensity and duration. A double-blind crossover in children (n=27) and a crossover in chronic primary headache (n=31) showed trends favoring 5-HTP over placebo. A placebo-controlled trial in chronic tension-type headache (n=78) and a prospective study both supported preventive effects. A long-term study found 5-HTP significantly decreased migraine appearance. | Improves (the measure goes down) | Moderate effect | 6 studies | 280 people | ||
Studies that measured migraine frequency
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| Body Weight A Griffonia extract oral spray RCT (n=20) in overweight women found significant reductions in BMI, skinfold thickness, and hip circumference vs placebo over 4 weeks. Double-blind crossover 5-HTP trials (8 mg/kg/day) in obese women demonstrated weight loss without dietary restriction. A placebo-controlled trial in overweight diabetic patients (750 mg/day, n=25) showed reduced body weight. Effects are likely mediated via serotonin-induced satiety signaling. | Improves (the measure goes down) | Small effect | 5 studies | 90 people | ||
Studies that measured body weight
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| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anxiety Symptoms In rodent models, Griffonia simplicifolia seed extract (10-25 mg/kg) significantly increased time in the light compartment in the dark-light test and reduced thigmotaxis in the open field, indicating anxiolytic-like effects. A double-blind trial compared 5-HTP to clomipramine and placebo in anxiety disorders. A controlled infusion study (n=40) found 5-HTP did not provoke panic in panic disorder patients and some reported subjective relief. | Improves (the measure goes down) | Small effect | 6 studies | 60 people | ||
Studies that measured anxiety symptoms
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Key findings
- Appetite and Food IntakeImproves (the measure goes down)
- Depression SymptomsImproves (the measure goes down)
- Anxiety SymptomsImproves (the measure goes down)
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- Grade C
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Studies cited
17 studies from PubMed
- 5-HTP supplementation and sleep quality and gut microbiota in older adults
- The effect of 5-hydroxytryptophan on body composition in exercise-trained adults
- From forest to pharmacy: Should we be depressed about a sustainable Griffonia simplicifolia (Fabaceae) seed supply chain?
- 5-Hydroxytryptophan for REM sleep behavior disorder in Parkinson's disease
- 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP): Natural occurrence, analysis, biosynthesis, biotechnology, physiology and toxicology
- Adjunctive 5-hydroxytryptophan slow-release for treatment-resistant depression: clinical and pre-clinical rationale
- Griffonia simplicifolia and magnesium for motion sickness in children
- Griffonia simplicifolia oral spray for satiety in overweight women
- Anxiolytic-like effect of Griffonia simplicifolia Baill. seed extract in rats
- Satiety and amino-acid profile in overweight women after a new treatment using a natural plant extract sublingual spray formulation
- Serotonin a la carte: supplementation with the serotonin precursor 5-hydroxytryptophan
- 5-HTP and tryptophan for depression: a systematic review
- Primary fibromyalgia syndrome and 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan: a 90-day open study
- Double-blind study of 5-hydroxytryptophan versus placebo in the treatment of primary fibromyalgia syndrome
- Effect of a serotonin precursor and uptake inhibitor in anxiety disorders: a double-blind comparison of 5-hydroxytryptophan, clomipramine and placebo
- 5-Hydroxytryptophan versus methysergide in the prophylaxis of migraine
- L-5-hydroxytryptophan in childhood migraine prophylaxis: a double-blind crossover study