Why Pregame doesn't include 5-HTP (and what we chose instead)
August 30, 2026
The Pregame formula has nine ingredients. Each one is on the label with a plain-English explanation of why it's there. We hear the question sometimes: why no 5-HTP? It shows up in a number of recovery supplements. It's a fair question and it has a specific answer.
What 5-HTP is and why some supplements include it
5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) is a naturally occurring compound your body produces on the way to making serotonin. It's derived from griffonia simplicifolia, an African plant, and it has documented effects on mood and sleep quality.
The theory behind including it in a recovery supplement: alcohol disrupts serotonin signaling, so replenishing the precursor might help restore balance after a night out. The mechanism has logic to it. The problem is what comes with it.
The serotonin syndrome concern
Alcohol affects serotonin pathways. So does 5-HTP. So do SSRIs, certain anti-anxiety medications, migraine treatments (triptans specifically), and a number of other commonly prescribed and over-the-counter products.
When multiple inputs push serotonin too high, the result is serotonin syndrome. Symptoms range from uncomfortable, agitation, sweating, rapid heart rate, to serious.
The people most likely to reach for a pre-drink supplement are also the people most likely to be on a medication that interacts with serotonin pathways.
SSRIs are among the most commonly prescribed medications in the US. Pregame is a mass-market supplement designed to be taken before going out. That overlap is not a fringe scenario. We are not building something with that interaction profile.
The drowsiness problem
Even without the interaction concern, 5-HTP has a sedating effect. People use it at night to improve sleep. That is a legitimate use for a sleep supplement. It is the wrong profile for something you take before a night out.
Pregame is designed for the person who wants to feel good the next morning, not for checking out early. A sedating compound works against the core use case.
What we put in its place: L-theanine
L-theanine is an amino acid found in green tea. It supports calm, clear-headed focus without sedation. It doesn't carry a drowsiness profile, and it doesn't interact problematically with serotonergic medications.
The use case we built toward: take Pregame before you go out, wake up feeling like yourself the next morning. L-theanine fits that. 5-HTP doesn't.
The full formula
The rest of the formula follows the same reasoning. DHM (Dihydromyricetin) leads because it supports the liver enzymes, specifically ADH and ALDH, that your body uses to metabolize alcohol and acetaldehyde, its byproduct. NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine) follows as a precursor to glutathione, your body's primary antioxidant, which alcohol depletes heavily. Taurine supports fluid balance. Milk thistle adds liver support with a long history of use for that purpose. A full B-vitamin complex (B1, B2, B3, B6, B12) replaces what alcohol strips. Electrolytes for hydration. Vitamin C. Ginger for digestive comfort.
Nine ingredients. All of them listed, all of them there for a reason.
The dosing rationale for each one is on the formula page. If you want to try the formula, the shop has six-packs.
Keep reading
- How to actually prevent a hangover: what the science says (and what doesn't work)
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- Everything in the bottle: Pregame's full ingredient guide
Nine ingredients, each chosen for a specific reason. Here's what every one of them does and why it's in the formula.
- What is DHM? The ingredient doing the heavy lifting in Pregame
Dihydromyricetin has been used in traditional East Asian wellness practices for centuries. Here's what it actually does, and why it's the reason Pregame exists.