Posted by PaulB on May 25, 2001, at 12:57:53
In reply to Re: Has anyone tried natural antidepressants? » PaulB, posted by sl on May 25, 2001, at 7:48:03
> >much quicker results than with the St Johns Wort. They include serotonin precursors-L-Tryptophan and 5-HTP and dopamine/noradrenaline precursors L-Phenylalanine and L-Tyrosine.
>
> Um. Do you know what the L- means?
> I know phenylalanine is in a lot of foods and I'm curious if that has any effect or if the L really means something important.
>
> > There is also SAM-E which may work syngernistically with these amino acids to enahance the synthesis of neurotransmitters.
>
> I'm taking that currently and it seems to keep me fairly level. It's very weird to BE fairly level. :P And I guess I just need something to back it up and keep my thought-patterns from degenerating.
> And you seem to know your stuff so I thought I'd ask.
>
> > suffer from severe depression I would recommend an SSRI over SJW although 5-HTP has shown effaciousness comparable to the SSRIS and L-Tyrosine has shown effaciousness comparable to some TCA's.
>
> Well, SSRIs don't work for me anyway. So I could try L-Tyrosine then?
>
>
> slPaulB:
I should know what the difference between the D and L forms of Phenylalanine/Tyrosine/Tryptophan and 5-HTP are because I have read about it. What I do know is that it can make a difference which one you take.
Phenylalanine is the precursor to Tyrosine. They both in their D+L forms increase levels of dopamine and noradrenaline in the brain. Phenylalanine both in its D+L form increases the level of phenylethylamine(PEA) while Tyrosine will will increase levels of two other neurotransmitters, Octamine and Tyramine. This is why a doctor will warn you about what not food to eat when taking MAO's because some foods contain Phenylalanine which which raise, Tyrosine and hence Tyramine levels. Generally speaking its the L-form of amino acids thats used as antidepressants.
SAM-E, for me really enhances the effect of the L-Tyrosine, in that I dont need to take so much and so often. You need to be careful because amino acids work like antidepressants and not recreational mood elevators. If you take too much you may not see an effect immediately. Like antidepressants, they correct the chemical imbalance. When you first take an antidepressant the common time-lag for response is 2-3 weeks because your brain needs to adjust to the increase in the level of neurotranmsitter via down-regulation-a decrease in the number of receptors. Occassionally if I take too much L-Tyrosine my mood wont improve for a day.
You mentioned that because SSRI's didnt work for you you could try L-Tyrosine. You certainly could but you may be better trying 5-HTP first or even L-Tryptophan(Still available at two places if you want to know?).
You need to know what neurotransmitter lies at the root of your depression. I didnt come to amino acid therapy straight away. I have been on Paxil, Effexor and Reboxetine. I learnt that it was serotonin that seemed to lie at the root of my problems with anxiety and noradrenaline at the root of my problems with depression. I was an idela candidate for Effexor unfortunately it stopped working.Hope some of this information helps
poster:PaulB
thread:64029
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010522/msgs/64221.html