5-HTP vs St John's wort
On Reddit, owners rate 5-HTP higher overall (3.5 vs 2.8). Scores summarize self-reported experiences and are not evidence that either will work for you.
| 5-HTP | St John's wort | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | capsules | capsules |
| CalmVerdict score | 3.5 | 2.8 |
| Owner sentiment | 3.7 | 2.5 |
| Recommendations | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| Tolerability | 4.5 | 4.3 |
| Owner comments | 21 | 13 |
| Rated comments | 9 | 9 |
| Unwanted effects reported | 11% | 22% |
| Top praise | Dose & timing, Feeling flat or numb | Calming effect |
| Top complaints | Side effects | Dose & timing, Side effects |
By concern
| Context | 5-HTP | St John's wort |
|---|---|---|
| Anxiety & worry | 3 of 4 positive | 0 of 5 positive |
| Low mood | 4 of 10 positive | 0 of 6 positive |
Read our calming amino acid guide. Still comparing? Browse every calm supplement we track, sorted by Reddit owner score. Our stress supplement shortlists group top-rated options by what people report.
What owners say about 5-HTP
4/5“I took about that, 900 mg 5-HTP per day, for a while.”
4/5“I dislike 5 htp, it will likely just stay in the gut.”
4/5“I've been thinking of trying 5htp...for anxiety and help with binge eating tendencies, but I see so much conflicting information.”
What owners say about St John's wort
2/5 Calming effect“I'm recovering from Serotonin Syndrome caused by 1000mg St John's Wort tablets and cough medicine.”
1/5 Side effects“St Johns Wort 1000mg made it worse for me, gave me Serotonin Syndrome.”
1/5“Out of the blue I got Serotonin Syndrome from taking cough medicine on top of St Johns Wort tablets.”
Talk to a doctor or pharmacist before switching or combining supplements, particularly if you take other medicines.