NOW Foods 5-HTP 50mg 30 Veg Capsules

What this is

NOW Foods 5-HTP 50 mg is a dietary supplement that supplies 50 milligrams of 5-hydroxytryptophan in a single vegetarian capsule, and the bottle holds 30 of them. The front of the bottle identifies it as a Non-GMO, Vegetarian/Vegan dietary supplement, and the side panel files it under the brand's Amino Acids range. The serving size printed on the Supplement Facts panel is one veg capsule, so a 30-capsule bottle works out to 30 servings — a one-month supply at the labeled serving.

Everything described on this page is transcribed from the printed bottle: the Supplement Facts panel, the Suggested Usage and Caution panel, and the front label. The panel carries the line "Manufactured & Quality Tested by NOW FOODS, 395 S. Glen Ellyn Rd., Bloomingdale, IL 60108, USA", the note "Family owned since 1968.", a GMP Assured seal and a kosher mark.

What's inside

This is a single-ingredient formula, which makes the label unusually easy to read. One capsule contains one active compound and two excipients, and nothing else is listed.

• 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan), 50 mg — sourced from Griffonia simplicifolia Extract (Seed). The bottle's own description panel explains the chemistry plainly: 5-HTP is "the intermediate metabolite between the amino acid tryptophan and serotonin," and it "is extracted from the seed of an African plant (Griffonia simplicifolia)." In other words, it is a naturally occurring compound that sits between two better-known molecules in the body's own biochemistry, and here it is isolated from a plant source rather than produced synthetically. The panel marks the 50 mg figure with an asterisk and notes that a Daily Value has not been established for it, which is standard for compounds that have not been assigned a reference intake.
• Griffonia simplicifolia — a woody climbing shrub native to West and Central Africa. Its seeds are the commercial source of the 5-HTP used across the supplement industry, which is why so many 5-HTP labels name this one plant. The NIH keeps general background on plant-derived supplements in its botanical dietary supplements fact sheet.
• Rice Flour — listed first under Other ingredients. In a capsule this small, a neutral flour acts as a filler and flow agent so that a 50 mg dose can be weighed and encapsulated consistently.
• Hypromellose (cellulose capsule) — the capsule shell itself. Hypromellose is derived from plant cellulose rather than animal gelatin, which is what allows the front of the bottle to carry the Vegetarian/Vegan marking.

The panel also prints a cosmetic note worth knowing in advance: "Natural color variation may occur in this product." Capsules from different batches may not look identical, and the label says so up front.

Supplement Facts

That is the whole panel. There is no proprietary blend, no second active, and no vitamin or mineral row to reconcile.

How to use it

The Suggested Usage printed on the bottle is: take 1 capsule daily, preferably on an empty stomach at bedtime. That is one capsule per day — the label gives no second daily serving and no higher amount, so one a day is the instruction to follow.

The Caution panel adds a practical exception to the empty-stomach suggestion: "Take with food in case of GI upset." If an empty stomach does not agree with you, the label itself sanctions taking the capsule with a meal instead.

For storage, the panel reads: store in a cool, dry place after opening. A kitchen cupboard away from the stove or a bedside drawer both qualify; a steamy bathroom shelf does not.

Who it's for

This is a product for adults — the Caution panel states "For adults only" in those words. It suits someone who wants a plant-sourced 5-HTP rather than a synthetic one, and someone who prefers a short ingredient list over a multi-ingredient stack, since there is exactly one active compound on the panel.

The vegetarian capsule and the absence of the eight major allergens from the manufacturing inputs make it workable for a range of diets. If you are browsing the wider Supplements range or the rest of our Health & Wellness section, note that this bottle is a single-compound product rather than a blend, so it is easy to slot alongside something else without duplicating ingredients.

The label is explicit about who should not use it without advice: it is "Not recommended for pregnant/nursing women."

Good to know

The Caution panel is printed in full on the bottle and is reproduced here without alteration in substance: 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.

Two points from that block deserve emphasis. First, the drowsiness note is a reason the label suggests bedtime rather than morning. Second, the instruction to consult a physician if you take medications is not generic boilerplate on this particular compound — it is a line to act on rather than skim.

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. That second sentence matters if you react at trace levels — shared equipment is disclosed, not denied.

General consumer background on choosing and using supplements safely is available from NCCIH and in the FDA's questions and answers on dietary supplements. Labels for marketed supplements can also be searched in the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. None of these organizations endorses this or any other product; they are general references only.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many capsules are in a bottle, and how many servings is that?

The bottle holds 30 veg capsules. Because the Supplement Facts panel sets the serving size at 1 veg capsule, that is 30 servings, or a one-month supply at the labeled serving. The panel itself does not print a servings row, so that figure comes from dividing the capsule count by the serving size.

When should I take NOW Foods 5-HTP 50 mg?

The label's Suggested Usage is one capsule daily, preferably on an empty stomach at bedtime. The Caution panel notes the capsule may cause drowsiness, which is consistent with the bedtime timing, and it permits taking the capsule with food instead if an empty stomach causes mild stomach upset.

Is this suitable for vegetarians and vegans?

Yes — the front of the bottle is marked Vegetarian/Vegan, and the capsule shell is hypromellose, a plant cellulose material rather than gelatin. The only other ingredient is rice flour. The label also states the product is not manufactured with wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish or tree nut ingredients, though it is produced in a facility that handles those allergens.

Where does the 5-HTP come from?

It is extracted from the seed of Griffonia simplicifolia, a plant native to West and Central Africa, as stated on the bottle's own panel. The Supplement Facts line reads "(from Griffonia simplicifolia Extract) (Seed)", so this is a plant-derived rather than synthetic 5-HTP.

How is this order packaged for delivery?

Your order ships in a plain outer carton with no product imagery or description on the outside. 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.