NOW Foods 5-HTP 50mg 180 Veg Capsules

What it is

NOW Foods 5-HTP 50 mg is a dietary supplement in a bottle of 180 veg capsules, with 50 mg of 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) in each one-capsule serving. The bottle front carries the NOW wordmark, a Non-GMO mark, a letter K and the line "Vegetarian/Vegan", and a banner across the label panel reads "Amino Acids". At the labeled serving of one capsule daily, a bottle of 180 is a 180-day supply — this is the long-running format rather than a small starter size.

The company is printed on the panel: NOW FOODS, 395 S. Glen Ellyn Rd., Bloomingdale, IL 60108, USA, with the web address nowfoods.com and the line "Family owned since 1968."

What's inside

There is one active ingredient and two other ingredients, and the panel names all three. The formula is deliberately plain — there is no blend to break down and no proprietary mixture hiding the amounts.

• 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan), 50 mg, from Griffonia simplicifolia Extract (Seed). The label describes it in a single objective sentence: 5-HTP is "the intermediate metabolite between the amino acid L-tryptophan and serotonin", and it "is extracted from the seed of an African plant (Griffonia simplicifolia)". So the material in the capsule is isolated from a seed rather than assembled synthetically. The panel entry carries an asterisk pointing to the footnote "Daily Value not established" — no official reference intake has been set for this compound. General background on plant-derived supplement ingredients is published in the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements briefing on botanical dietary supplements; it is a general reference and does not refer to this product.
• Rice Flour. The first of the two other ingredients named on the panel.
• Hypromellose (cellulose capsule). The capsule shell itself, made from cellulose rather than gelatin. The bottle front separately carries the line "Vegetarian/Vegan".

Nothing else is listed on the panel. If you want to compare printed panels across brands before buying, the NIH maintains a public archive of them in the Dietary Supplement Label Database, an independent index that does not refer to this product.

Supplement Facts

* Daily Value not established.

How to use it

The label's Suggested Usage reads: "Take 1 capsule daily, preferably on an empty stomach at bedtime." That is the whole of the printed direction — one capsule, once a day, timing as stated. The panel adds one storage line: "Store in a cool, dry place after opening."

The caution text on the bottle also notes that you can "Take with food in case of GI upset" — on the label, food is offered as a remedy if the capsule unsettles you, not as the routine way to take it.

Who it's for

This is a product for adults over 18 who already know they want 5-HTP at the 50 mg strength and want a long-running bottle. The caution printed on the pack is specific about who should speak to a physician first, and it is reproduced in full below — read it before ordering, particularly the line about medications. On this site the product is listed under Amino Acids, Supplements and Health & Wellness.

Good to know

Caution, printed on the bottle, word for word: "For adults only. Not recommended for pregnant/nursing women. Consult physician if taking medications (especially antidepressants), or have a medical condition. May cause drowsiness and mild transient GI symptoms. Take with food in case of GI upset. Keep out of reach of children."

Allergen statement, as printed: "Not manufactured with wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish or tree nut ingredients. Produced in a GMP facility that processes other ingredients containing these allergens."

Marks on the pack: the bottle carries a Non-GMO mark, a "GMP Quality Assured" roundel and a letter K. The K appears without a certifying agency named beside it, so we describe the mark rather than attribute it to any particular body.

Appearance: the label notes that "Natural color variation may occur in this product."

For general consumer guidance on using supplements safely, the NCCIH overview of dietary and herbal supplements and the FDA's questions and answers on dietary supplements are both general references, and neither refers to this product.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many capsules are in this bottle?

There are 180 veg capsules in the bottle, as printed on the front of the label. The serving size is one capsule, so at the labeled serving that works out to 180 servings and a 180-day supply.

When does the label say to take it?

Once a day at bedtime, preferably on an empty stomach — the Suggested Usage on the bottle reads "Take 1 capsule daily, preferably on an empty stomach at bedtime." The same pack notes you can take it with food if it causes stomach upset.

Is this suitable for vegetarians and vegans?

Yes — the bottle front states "Vegetarian/Vegan", and the capsule shell is hypromellose, a cellulose capsule rather than gelatin. The only other ingredient named on the panel is rice flour.

Does it contain wheat, gluten, soy, milk or nuts?

No — the panel states the product is "Not manufactured with wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish or tree nut ingredients." The same line adds that it is "Produced in a GMP facility that processes other ingredients containing these allergens", which matters if you react to trace amounts.

How is the order packaged for delivery?

Your order ships in plain, unbranded outer packaging. It will not show the Gear Isle name.

Product information compiled and reviewed by the Gear Isle product team. We transcribe supplement facts directly from manufacturer packaging. Found an error? Tell us.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Dietary supplement for adults 18 and over. Consult a licensed healthcare professional before use, especially if you have a medical condition, heart concerns, or take prescription medication (including nitrates). Keep out of reach of children.