Posted by BrainSurge on August 18, 2001, at 9:09:21
In acordance with a suggestion in "The Vitamin Bible" I started taking L-phenylalanine for depression. It worked great... until I ran out and didn't get out to buy more. As a result, I had the deepest, blackest depression I've ever had (or could ever have and still stay alive). It was as if my brain was completely depleted of any pleasure inducing chemical.
I now take l-tyrosine, which is nearly as effective, and does not have any down side when I stop taking it (I just become as depreesed as I normally am).
Perhaps the above scenerio is the result of my particular brain chemistry... but I would still be cautious with L-phenylalanine, just the same. My horrible experience could also have been brought about because because I took it alone, without any balancing nutrients, like a B-Complex, etc. The book did not suggest I do this, however, so I didn't know any better at the time.
Ron
poster:BrainSurge
thread:75486
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010814/msgs/75486.html