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Head-to-head evidence comparison — which supplement is right for you?
5-HTP vs Skullcap: they're closely matched on evidence (5.5 vs 4/10); they're alternatives for reduce anxiety & stress — the best pick depends on your goals. Take the 60-second quiz for a pick tailored to your goals.
5-HTP and Skullcap are closely matched across evidence, studies, and safety.
Verdict
Too few graded studies
0 of 1 studies with measurable effects showed benefit.
Top outcomes
Verdict
Mostly mechanism / observational
Top outcomes
Shared outcomes (1)
Outcomes where both 5-HTP and Skullcap have evidence — compare verdict strength side-by-side.
50-100mg for sleep; 150-300mg for mood (a typical label dose. The cited 100-300 mg study tested tolerability in 15 healthy men also given carbidopa, not mood)
For sleep: 30-45 minutes before bed, For mood: 2-3 divided doses with meals
Capsules
350-450mg dried herb OR 1-2ml tincture (1:5), up to 3x daily
Before bed for sleep, During day for anxiety as needed
Fresh plant tincture (most traditional)
and 6 more not shown
2-4 weeks
1-2 weeks
2-4 weeks
First 1-2 weeks
30-60 minutes
30-60 minutes before bed
Early pharmacological interventions for universal prevention of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2022) · Systematic review · n=2023
Cochrane review of 13 randomised trials in 2,023 adults exposed to a traumatic event, testing eight drug or nutritional interventions for universal PTSD prevention, 5-hydroxytryptophan among them.
Combination pharmacotherapy for the treatment of fibromyalgia in adults
The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2018) · Systematic review · n=1474
Cochrane review of 16 trials in 1,474 adults with fibromyalgia testing combinations of drugs, one of which combined a monoamine oxidase inhibitor with 5-hydroxytryptophan in 200 participants.
The Impact of 5-Hydroxytryptophan Supplementation on Cognitive Function and Mood in Singapore Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Nutrients (2025) · Rct · n=30
Results: A significant time effect was observed in the MoCA score, which was mainly explained by a significant increase in the 5-HTP group (week 0 vs. week 12: 26.6 ± 1.4 a.u. vs. 27.6 ± 1.4 a.u., p < 0.05).
Baicalin and baicalein against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury: A review of the current documents
Tissue & cell (2025) · Review
Research in both animal and cell models suggests that these flavonoids, especially baicalin, can restore cardiac health following MIRI, improving cardiac performance, and reducing cardiac damage.
Promising Role of the Scutellaria baicalensis Root Hydroxyflavone-Baicalein in the Prevention and Treatment of Human Diseases
International journal of molecular sciences (2023) · Review
It has been documented that the extract of Baikal skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis) has hepatoprotective, calming, antiallergic, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Wogonin and its analogs for the prevention and treatment of cancer: A systematic review
Phytotherapy research : PTR (2022) · Systematic review
WOG, in combination with established chemotherapeutic drugs, improves the efficacy of treatment and lowers toxicity.
Both 5-HTP and Skullcap are closely matched — the best choice depends on your specific health goals.
For reduce anxiety & stress, Skullcap has a higher relevance score (75 vs 60).
No documented interaction was found in the data searched. This does not establish that this exact combination is safe.
The right pick depends on your goals. Answer a few quick questions for a personalised recommendation — or dig into the full evidence on each.