We spend one-third of our time on this earth sleeping. The quality of sleep will directly affect the mental state for the next day. Apart from resorting to sleeping pills to help with sleeping, some herbal extracts will do the same good. One such is L-Tetrahydropalmatine, generally abbreviated as L-THP.
What is L-Tetrahydropalmatine
L-Tetrahydropalmatine, briefly known as L-THP, is an alkaloid compound. It is mainly extracted from a variety of traditional Chinese medicinal herbs including Corydalis yanhusuo and Stephania rotunda. In traditional Chinese medicine, it has typically been used because of its sedative and analgesic action.
Fig 1. L-Tetrahydropalmatine Plant source
Sleep-Promoting Actions of L-THP
In fact, it has been proved that L-THP has a positive effect on sleep, especially insomnia. Normally, its efficacy in sleep promotion is normally attributed to its action on the dopamine system of the brain. L-THP blocks dopamine receptors in the brain, ultimately contributing to sedation effects and helping people fall asleep more easily and improve their sleep quality.
Comparison with Other Herbal Extracts
–L-Tetrahydropalmatine vs. Valerian Root Extract
Valerian root is also known for its sedative and hypnotic action, but it works by different mechanisms: generally by increasing the concentration of gamma-aminobutyric acid – neurotransmitter involved in the nervous system’s sleep function. It shows a lighter sedation profile as compared with L-THP and typically doesn’t result in addiction.
–L-Tetrahydropalmatine vs. Melatonin
Melatonin, as a natural hormone, is responsible for the sleep-wake cycle regulation in individuals. It is used, mainly, as a remedy for jet lag and disturbances in the sleep cycle. Opposite to L-THP, melatonin cannot have any direct sedative action but it helps in sleeping by changing the biological clock.
–L-Tetrahydropalmatine vs. L-Theanine
L-Theanine is an amino acid found in green tea, which helps in relaxation and causes a reduction in levels of stress. It promotes sleep and relaxation by increasing the levels in the brain of neurotransmitters GABA, serotonin, and dopamine. It is mild compared with L-THP and has its main uses in the relief of stress and anxiety rather than inducing sleep directly.
–Differences in Effects
- Sedation Effect: L-THP is more effective than most herbal extracts in terms of causing sedation and hence, more suitable for those who have to fall asleep as soon as possible.
- Dependency: L-THP can be more addictive than most herbal extracts such as valerian root and L-Theanine; hence should be taken with care.
- Its mechanism of action is through the dopaminergic system, apart from other herbal extracts like valerian root and L-Theanine, which are derived to induce sleep mainly via the GABA system or other neurotransmitter systems.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is L-THP a Sleeping Pill?
L-Tetrahydropalmatine, or L-THP, is an unusual sleeping medicine. Its primary method of action is to block dopamine receptors inside the brain, thereby promoting sleep and making one drowsy. This is not the usual way a sleep aid works, and most of them are designed to increase GABA’s efficiency.
What effects of L-THP other than sleep induction?
In traditional Chinese medicine, L-THP was used not only for sleep induction but also for pain reduction and as an anxiolytic compound.
For 25 years, Stanford Chemical Company (SCC) has been providing high-quality L-Tetrahydropalmatine and many other natural herbal extracts. Contact us for more information or Get An Quote.