5-HTP for the Treatment of Insomnia

5-HTP, abbreviated from 5-Hydroxytryptophan, is a chemical produced by the body from tryptophan, an essential amino acid. Tryptophan is naturally occurring in foods including seeds (pumpkin, chia, sesame, sunflower), dairy (mozzarella, parmesan, cheddar), meat (beef, pork), poultry (chicken, turkey), fish (halibut, salmon, trout, snapper) and grain (oats, buckwheat).  5-HTP is attributed to increasing the production of serotonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter affecting mood, sleep, appetite, sexual behavior and pain, while promoting feelings of well being. As a supplement, 5-HTP is produced from Griffonia simplicifolia seeds, a woody, climbing shrub native to Africa.