Today we address a very common question I get: “What is the difference between DPA and DLPA?” The follow-up question is this: “And what symptoms do they help with?” These are both amino acids that help to boost certain feel-good neurotransmitters. DPA (d-phenylalanine) supports endorphins, whereas DLPA (dl-phenylalanine) supports both endorphins (to a lesser extent than DPA) and catecholamines (to a lesser extent than tyrosine).
Depending on your imbalances and symptoms, they could help with weepiness, heart-ache, comfort eating, emotional support, pain relief, better focus and energy, and even improved motivation.
I mostly recommend DPA (which I call a-hug-in-a-bottle) and share the reasons why below, but some people do really well with DLPA. It’s a matter of figuring out the best one and dose for your unique needs.
DPA for low endorphin symptoms
DPA (d-phenylalanine) is an amino acid that destroys the enzyme that breaks down endorphins. Endorphins are feel-good chemicals that you experience with an endorphin rush when you go for a run or when someone gives you a big hug, when you show kindness to someone or an individual does something nice for you.
Taking the amino acid, DPA, as a supplement helps to raise your endorphins and helps when you feel weepy and overly emotional and reduces the need to self-medicate with treats as a reward or for comfort.
This amino acid is a favorite with so many of my clients and community because it makes them feel so lovely … a warm and fuzzy feeling. I often call it a-hug-in-a-bottle!
Here are the low endorphin symptoms I have my clients rate if they are considering a trial of DPA:
- Heightened sensitivity to emotional pain
- Heightened sensitivity to physical pain
- Crying or tearing up easily
- Eating to soothe your mood, or comfort eating
- Really, really loving certain foods, behaviors, drugs, or alcohol
- Craving a reward or numbing treat
Tyrosine for low catecholamine symptoms
Tyrosine is the amino acid that boosts catecholamines and helps with focus, motivation, energy (especially when you crave carbs for energy) and the blah kind of depression. It’s wonderful for helping you easily quit coffee/caffeine (when you are using it to “self-medicate” due to low catecholamines). It also provides support for the thyroid.
Here are the low catecholamine symptoms I have my clients rate if they are considering a trial of the amino acid tyrosine:
- Depression and apathy
- Easily bored
- Lack of energy
- Lack of focus
- Lack of drive and low motivation
- Attention deficit disorder
- Procrastination and indecisiveness
- Craving carbs, alcohol, caffeine, or drugs for energy
DLPA for both low endorphin and low catecholamine symptoms
If someone has both low endorphin and low catecholamine symptoms, a trial of DLPA could be considered. DLPA supports both endorphins (to a lesser extent than DPA alone) and also catecholamines (to a lesser extent than tyrosine used alone). You could think of it as doing half and half of each.
Low endorphin symptoms:
- Heightened sensitivity to emotional pain
- Heightened sensitivity to physical pain
- Crying or tearing up easily
- Eating to soothe your mood, or comfort eating
- Really, really loving certain foods, behaviors, drugs, or alcohol
- Craving a reward or numbing treat
And low catecholamine symptoms:
- Depression and apathy
- Easily bored
- Lack of energy
- Lack of focus
- Lack of drive and low motivation
- Attention deficit disorder
- Procrastination and indecisiveness
- Craving carbs, alcohol, caffeine, or drugs for energy
Why I prefer my clients use DPA and tyrosine, rather than DLPA
Many people do well with DLPA (you can read one example below) but over the years I have streamlined my amino acid recommendations and seldom suggest DLPA. Here are the reasons why I prefer DPA:
- DPA is not stimulating and doesn’t affect sleep. However, DLPA can be stimulating for anxious folks (and the majority of my clients have anxiety). For this reason, DLPA can not be used later than 3pm as it can affect sleep and for some folks with really bad sleep issues it can’t be tolerated later than mid-morning (in a similar way to tyrosine).
- I like to have clients use DPA alone so we can clearly identify the benefits they are experiencing for their low endorphin symptoms and then use tyrosine alone so we can clearly identify their low catecholamine benefits.
- There are no precautions or contraindications with DPA. However, DLPA has the same precautions as tyrosine. This limits using it for endorphin support. These are the precautions:
- Overactive thyroid/Grave’s disease: tyrosine, DLPA (avoid)
- Phenylketonuria (PKU): tyrosine, DLPA (avoid)
- Melanoma: tyrosine, DLPA (avoid)
- High Blood pressure: tyrosine, DLPA (watch)
- Migraine headaches: tyrosine, DLPA (watch)
- Bipolar disorder: tyrosine, DLPA, glutamine (watch)
- The women I work with who do have low endorphin symptoms have reported superior benefits from DPA compared to DLPA, especially for emotional pain and emotional eating.
- Some folks can’t tolerate tyrosine and these same folks have a hard time with DLPA.
The one disadvantage with DPA is that it’s not as widely and readily available as DLPA. It often needs to be purchased online (I list some brands below).
Here is some feedback from folks to give you an idea how these amino acids have helped them.
As you’ll see, there are some individuals who do well with DLPA so it’s really a matter of looking at the symptoms and doing a trial.
DPA helps Missy with weepiness and a deep heart-ache (and tastes like dark chocolate)
Missy shares how DPA helped her deep heart-ache sort of feeling:
I have found I was using this product incorrectly. If you are feeling fine, you do not feel much of anything from it. But today I was weepy and felt that deep, heart-ache sort of feeling. I chewed 1000 mgs (2 capsules) and it DID help lift that awful feeling within 15 minutes.
Notice that she said if you’re feeling fine you don’t feel much at all. This is true of all the amino acids – they only make a difference when you need them.
Missy said that she chewed the capsule, however around 2019, the gelatin capsule was replaced with a cellulose capsule. It’s much more palatable when it’s opened up into the mouth. I blog more about opening the capsule here.
She also reported what about half my clients say:
Tastes like slightly bitter dark chocolate 🙂
The remainder of my clients don’t like the taste at all, although many say the taste grows on them. I’ve always been in the dark chocolate camp and find it quite pleasant tasting.
DLPA helps Toby with energy and pain relief (he has CFS and fibromyalgia)
Toby has a diagnosis of CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome) and fibromyalgia and shared how DLPA helps him:
I’ve played around with (I think) all variations of these aminos and have found unequivocally (in the sense of definite and fast observable changes as opposed to none) that DLPA is the one that works for me. I have wondered what that means. I am male, 45, diagnosed with CFS and fibromyalgia and have speculated that in lay terms the DLPA gives me a bit of energy and pain relief (endorphins). Is that a logical conclusion?
He posted an image of the DLPA product he used and said this:
After putting it on my tongue, very quickly I get an agreeable boost in energy and pain relief. I have not experienced this with DPA or tyrosine.
Based on what I’ve covered above with the symptoms you can see that Toby has made a very logical conclusion. He is getting both endorphin support (the pain relief) and catecholamine support (the energy).
Resources if you are new to using DPA or DLPA as supplements
If you are new to using the amino acids DPA or DLPA as supplements, here is the Amino Acids Mood Questionnaire from The Antianxiety Food Solution (you can see the low endorphin and low catecholamine symptoms.)
If you suspect low levels of endorphins and/or low levels of catecholamine and do not yet have my book, The Antianxiety Food Solution – How the Foods You Eat Can Help You Calm Your Anxious Mind, Improve Your Mood, and End Cravings, I highly recommend getting it and reading it before jumping in and using amino acids on your own so you are knowledgeable. And be sure to share it with the team you or your loved one is working with. Blog posts like this are intended to add value to the chapter on amino acids, which contains detailed information on doses and time of the day for dosing.
The book doesn’t include product names (per the publisher’s request) so this blog, The Antianxiety Food Solution Amino Acid and Pyroluria Supplements, lists the DPA and DLPA products that I use with my individual clients and those in my group programs.
For DPA I have used the Lidtke Endorphigen product for years and it’s a firm favorite with my clients (and I’ve used it myself).
I recently purchased a bottle of Doctor’s Best D-Phenylalanine to test and it works just as well as the Lidtke product.
If you are a practitioner, join us in The Balancing Neurotransmitters: the Fundamentals program. It’s an opportunity to interact with me and other practitioners who are also using the amino acids.
Do you have any of the low endorphin and/or low catecholamine symptoms and have you seen benefit with DPA, DLPA and/or tyrosine? If yes, please share what benefits.
Has this blog provided clarification on DPA vs DLPA, and will you be changing how you use these amino acids going forward?
If you’re a practitioner please share what you use with clients/patients.
Feel free to ask your questions here too.
Thank you for your work –
Your book is fabulous for my education.
A question if you have time –
Can I use Gaba 25mg and also take DPA ? Would either/or offset the other ?
Thank You,
Ray
Ray
Thanks for the kind words!
If someone has low GABA symptoms and GABA helps and they also have low endorphin symptoms and DPA helps then they are absolutely fine to use together and even at the same time. However, I have clients trial one at a time in order to find the ideal dose and so you know how each one is working
Please do share how GABA helps you and how you arrived at the 25mg dose which, as you know, is considered a low amount.
can you take 500mg dlpa , 125 gaba,200mgs of 5htp and 20mg of lithum oroatate at the same time for mood anger crying depression ptsd panic attacks twiching inface muscles and others foces motivation with no side effects already taking 20gm of lithuim and 12mg of gaba off and on with that. wanting to ad others I would buy your book can’t afford it
Jane
I have many clients using a combination of amino acids and LO for their symptoms. Ideally they trial one at a time to confirm it’s working for their symptoms.
You can find my book in your local library – ask for it if it’s not there. And be sure to read my blogs and listen to my interviews until you do get to read it.
And don’t forget all the dietary aspects too (all covered in my book).
can you tell me the aminoacds and dosage thank you
Jane
You can find dosing and timing of each amino acid in the amino acid chapter (and blood sugar chapter) of my book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/
Hi Trudy,
I certainly found out the difference the hard way. I had used Lidtke Endorphigen for a few years and I think it helped a bit with food cravings. As I am in Australia, I depend on my sister’s visits from US for my supply. When I ran out last year, I bought DLPA by mistake. After 1 week I was unable to cope with life, totally stressed out about everything, wanting to cry or scream or run away. Zero tolerance towards anyone. After 10 days I realised my mistake and I went back to normal in 24 hrs. I believe DLPA resulted in very high dopamine as I already have a very slow COMT gene activity for breaking down dopamine. I now take Endorphigen again but not seeing much effect on sugar cravings this time.
Rhonda
Rhonda
Thanks for sharing – that is quite the reaction but glad you figured it out so quickly. And yes the high dopamine (and norepinephrine and epinephrine – so huge adrenalin rush) related to slow COMT activity could well be the cause.
When Endorphigen (or any of the amino acids) work well initially we continue with trials of higher doses to find the ideal dose. With unresolved cravings we also look at other neurotransmitter imbalances as they can all cause cravings for slightly different reasons: GABA/stress, serotonin/worry or low mood, glutamine/low blood sugar (more here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-individual-amino-acids-glutamine-gaba-tryptophan-or-5-htp-dpa-and-tyrosine-are-powerful-for-eliminating-sugar-cravings-often-within-5-minutes/
We also look into eating for blood sugar control and candida too.
All this is covered extensively in my book – “The Antianxiety Food Solution” https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/
My experience with DLPA is as part of a supplement called Curamin for pain relief from arthritis that also has curcumin and Botswellia. It works quite well in the AM but I can’t tolerate it past noon or it negatively affects my sleep. Interesting to learn it is similar to tyrosine which I have had sleep problems with in the past. Does DPA work as well for pain? Is it best to take amino acids on an empty stomach for best absorption? Does that mean an hour before a meal or two hours after of something different? Thank you for your blogs and book!
Gloria
Thanks for sharing and glad it helps. And good that you have now made the connection to poor sleep when used after noon. This is a popular product that should include this caution and the other precautions for DLPA (as listed in the blog) or best would be to replace DPLA with DPA. One other concern they don’t mention is that curcumin is high oxalate and for some this can make pain worse. Otherwise curcumin and boswellia are excellent.
DPA vs curamin? they work on very different mechanisms so it depends on each person’s needs
Yes amino acids on an empty stomach
Hello Trudy,
Thank you for all the wonderful information you share, I love receiving your emails as I always learn so much.
I am just wondering with Tyrosine for low catecholamine, where do you normally start your patients with dosage?
Laura
You’re welcome. I typically have my adult clients start with 500mg tyrosine 1-3 x day and we go up from there. For very sensitive folks we would use much less and for folks with sleep issues we stick to before noon only. And always between meals.
As I mention in the blog, timing, dosing and other nuances are explained in detail in my book – “The Antianxiety Food Solution” – so be sure to check out the amino acids chapter https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/
Are you already using tyrosine and how is it helping you? What dose is ideal for you and when do you use it?
Thank you so much Trudy .. I learnt so much from your talks and blogs .. you have been a God send and helped me and my family so much. I have been giving my husband DLPA and though he felt amazing .. we didn’t realise it affects sleep.. since reading this email, we realised he needs DPA.. no wonder he hasn’t sleep well for ages.. thank you so much .. understanding now that it was giving him too much energy at night .. wow .. it makes sense. You are truly so caring in your way you teach on this subject .. thank you, God bless you
Jutta
Good to hear he’s been feeling amazing on DLPA – has he had mood, energy and pain benefits? Glad to hear you made the sleep connection. Keep in mind, for some folks keeping DLPA to morning use only is just fine when it comes to sleep disturbance, or DLPA in the monrning and DPA later in the day for the endorphin benefits.
You are very welcome!
Hi Trudy, I have had insomnia for nearly 2.5 years since weaning off of three depression medications. I have tried everything – seven sleep medications, saw four sleep MDs, sleep restriction, gaba, 5-htp, l-trytophan plus every supplement that should help and many that aren’t so known for insomnia.
My best guess is it is caused generalized anxiety disorder. Any chance DPA could help? Any thoughts?
Gary
I always start with addressing low serotonin with tryptophan (or 5-HTP) and low GABA with GABA as this can help with insomnia and anxiety. I always want to make sure these have been used properly i.e. quality products, used sublingually, increased to find the ideal dose. We may also add melatonin – sublingual and/or time-released based on type of insomnia.
I have yet to see an application for DPA for insomnia and anxiety.
We also look at high cortisol, SIBO, parasites, blood sugar balance, gluten/sugar/caffeine consumption (and other dietary factors like histamine/glutamates/oxalates and collagen consumption etc), meds side-effects (3 prior depression medications can have residual ongoing effects), sex hormone imbalances, sleep apnea, and EMFs when someone has insomnia.
My book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” is a great place to start on the foundations. More here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/
Thanks! I bought a bottle of l-phenylalanine from NOW. I started with 500 mg in the am to see if I notice anything. I want to start slowly.
I did not do well with l-tryptophan nor 5-htp. Didn’t help with sleep or depression. I felt like both made the depression worse.
Same with GABA. I did try opening a Thorne Pharma Gaba the past couple of nights. It may have helped the first night, not at all last night. They are 100 mg.
Gary
Do keep us posted how you do. Keep in mind. L-phenylalanine supports the catecholamines in a similar way that tyrosine does.
When someone has low serotonin symptoms and tryptophan or 5-HTP don’t help with sleep or depression, and made it worse, I’d wonder if too much was used. And explore other causes of insomnia like high cortisol etc
Hello Trudy, I’ve already asked question about the DPA making me a bit sad, I’ve tried to lower the dose, but now when I even take 1/3 of 1 capsule, I feel the brain/body reacts similarly with the endorphins, but very soon I start to feel agitated and snappy/even like aggresivnes. Is there some way how to reduce the side effects and still enjoy the effect of slowing down the breaking down enzyme of endorphins?
I was thinking if it is not because of the high phenylalaline – found in one article that it can have these side effects. So maybe is there a way how to lower the phenylalaline in plasma/brain but use the slowing down the breaking enzymes? I dont know what to do…I felt really great with DPA, my life improved drastically to the better and now I cant take it :/
I’ve purchased your book but I think I need some more information how to balance the neutrotransmitters as a whole system, as probably it is not only about only endorphins or clearly I am missing something. But I don’t get it what happened, that it went from feeling great and optimistic to snappiness and short temper. I had to discontinue using it :/ Can you please help or advice what could I try?
Thank you very much
Hi Frankisek.. maybe you need tryptophan, I use 5HTP and it lifts my mood – I take one in the morning with Tyrosine and one 5HTP at night – it calms my busy mind and helps me sleep. My night routine I use GABA , 5 HTP , sleep ease, melatonin- this helps my insomnia yet my husband doesn’t take 5HTP as it makes him irritated yet for me I feel amazing on it. My husband is better on DPA and GABA and sleep ease and melatonin – he has family history of Parkinson’s so it seems like he needs the dopamine the DPA gives .. I have learnt these things from Trudy but best hear her response to your Enquiry. Kind Regards Jutta
Jutta
Thanks for sharing and good to hear what works for you and your husband. I wonder if you mean DLPA for the dopamine support (DPA only offers endorphin support)?
Thank you for the answer Jutta. I have tried it along with the 5HTP, but then I feel no effect from DPA, very strange. Kind regards, Frantisek
Trudy please do you have any ideas how to decrease the side effects of DPA please? I think some part of the DPA incease also phenylalaline? Thank you
Frantisek
Please share link to the article you referred to in your other comment
Frantisek
This is not something I’ve heard of with DPA even at high doses: “”agitated and snappy/even like aggressiveness”
Please share the link to the article and the brand of DPA being used, and dosing
I am using DPA from Doctor’s Best.
I have also EMF sensitivity :/ I guess it is all somehow connected. I feel relief and better with DPA, I tried even L-Tryptophan, Gaba, Tyrosine, DLPA…and I felt some effect almost from every amino acid, but only for a while and then it felt worse or no effect at all. But with the DPA I felt really awesome and in positive outlooking mood. So that is why I would like to find the solution for that. I recently ordered balanced amino acid complex that Julia recommends in her book, so we will see, but don’t know what else to try. I can’t find the link, it was probably on Reddit.com so it can be true, but also a misinformation…but i’ve read there that people who are snappy/aggresive should avoid phenylalaline…But the thing is I am not snappy/aggresive at all usually, I am more fighting with sad moods and DPA resolved that pretty quickly, until the point where I felt the body had too much and it made me snappy…but these side effects endure even after I took a break and try really small mini doses…
Thank you
Regards
Frantisek
also the dosing was 3x 500mg daily…morning, afternoon and evening
Thank you so much for this info!!
I am curious: are there any reasons why I shouldn’t take DPA and tyrosine at the same time together? You indicate in this article that DPA is more effective at raising endorphins than DLPA, and that tyrosine is more effective at raising catecholamines than DLPA. So I’m wondering if I’ll get more benefit from taking DPA and tyrosine than if I take DLPA. But is there any reason they don’t work well if I take them at the same time? Something I read made me think that might be the case ..
I have very severe symptoms of the low catecholamine type of depression and I need all the help I can get. I have taken tyrosine in the past and didn’t really feel any benefit from it, tbh. But I’m trying again and I’m trying DLPA / DPA also. I have both of those supplements; I’ve tried DLPA in the morning and DPA in the afternoon so it don’t risk impacting my sleep.
Thank you!!!
Ava
Different combinations work well for different people. It’s a matter of unique needs of the individual and I have had many clients use DPA and tyrosine. DLPA and tyrosine are best used before 3pm or noon if sleep issues are present.
Does the tyrosine effect the brain in the way of producing oxytocin? I need something to get through my grief depression. Completely flat, no joy. I always had a calm flat disposition, but now its a complete zero. I need my brain to produce some oxytocin so I can like myself, my family and remember all I should be grateful for. I sleep good. I don’t take any meds, and I don’t abuse alcohol.
Vee
I use DPA/Lidtke Endorphigen for this very purpose. It’s wonderful for grief, depression and lack of joy. When the depression also includes being flat, blah and curl-up in bed we use DLPA instead of DPA, or a combination of tyrosine and DPA.
There is a link between dopamine and oxytocin https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6493805/
Also for oxytocin support – hugs, massage, touch, laughter, making love, yoga, pet a dog
Hi Trudy,
I’m eager to try this. What dosage of DPA would you recommend, and how often?
Elisa
Typical starting dose I have clients use is 500mg twice a day and increased from there. My book is an excellent resource for learning about all the amino acids, and dosing and timing options – The Antianxiety Food Solution https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/
Do keep us posted please
Wow, you never cease to amaze me! I’ve been following you for years regarding amino acid therapy and mood/mood disorders. Thanks for all of your research and for sharing your recommendations. This is the first time I learned the real difference between DPA and DLPA (and how Tyrosine plays into the mix). 🙂
Kara
So glad to hear and would love to hear back on how you go if you decide to use DPA or DLPA
Hi Trudy.
Thank you so much for everything!
I would like to test phenylalanine for my weepiness etc.
As i still have higher blood pressure, but getting better, since changing lifestyle an diet, i just want to ask which form i should take.
Last time i have read, that DPA should not effect blood pressure. Can you confirm this from your experience? Would you also choose the DPA over LPA or DLPA?
BR
Mike
Mike
Per the blog post DPA is best for weepiness. It doesn’t affect blood pressure whereas DLPA, LPA and tyrosine may do so.
Thank you so much for your info.
So i will try it.
God bless you.
BR
Mike
Is this safe to take with an Ssri and antidepressant? I take lexapro and Wellbutrin.
Regina
I only have clients use amino acids when they are on one psychiatric medication. And always have them first discuss with the prescribing doctor.
I was just trying to understand the phrasing in a certain section of the article.
For example, “Bipolar disorder: tyrosine, DLPA, glutamine (watch).”
This means try tyrosine and DLPA but be cautious with glutamine intake?
Thank you.
Stephen
It means we use caution and watch for any adverse symptoms when using tyrosine, DLPA or glutamine when someone has a bipolar diagnosis.
Hi Trudy,
Thank you for all of your incredibly helpful info. I suffer from mild depression and have found DLPA to be a miracle drug. I also take meds for Hypertension and think the DLPA might be increasing my pulse and BP. Is this common and would DPA work as well without the BP side effects? Any other recommendations?
Thank you!
Trey W.
Trey
In situations like this I have had clients switch to DPA which does not affect blood pressure. They use a home BP device to monitor.
When you are new to using amino acids my book The Antianxiety Food Solution is a good resource for the amino acids, other nutrients, pyroluria, gut health and all the dietary factors too – https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/ With depression I have clients cut all gluten and sugar too.
Thank you Trudy! So I did switch to DPA and indeed my BP dropped. It feels pretty similar to DLPA but not quite the energy boost. Soreness from working out though is drastically improved, and my mood. Can’t wait to read your book!
Trey
This is great! Can you please share how much it dropped and how much DLPA you were taking and how much DPA you switched to?
Hi Trudy,
So I was taking about 1500 to 2000 mg of DLPA and switched to the same amount of DPA. It made a huge difference for me as I have treated hypertension and anxiety. DPA alleviates pain/soreness from my frequent and hard workouts and gives me an overall better mood. DLPA was similar to taking Adderall for me whereas DPA seemed to work just as well however no excess energy boost. I saw my BP come down probably 8 points on both systolic and systolic. Also, I could see/and feel my pulse was elevated by about 8 or 10. I seem to be very sensitive to whatever the L does. Thank you for your advice! While Im here I’d like to say that Macunna has also helped a lot in boosting Dopamine. It provides energy during the day and helps with sleep at night.
Trey
Thanks for sharing – this is what I’d expect with DLPA and DPA. I am surprised macuna doesn’t affect you in the same way DLPA does.
I suffered extreme anxiety at the start of the pandemic and it led to weight loss, insomnia and DPDR. The GP prescribed Mirtazapine – which, apart from severe weight gain, made me much worse mentally! I have been tapering this drug for two years now and I am on a tiny dose, hoping to be off by summer. Someone recommended DLPA to aid withdrawal symptoms – which have been nasty even dropping small amounts. I have just found your site and I’m a bit scared now to take the DLPA. Could it make my anxiety worse? Should I investigate DPA instead?
Sue
I use the amino acids based on the symptoms questionnaire (and amino acid precautions) so it’s hard to know if DPA or DLPA would be best. I can share DLPA can make anxiety worse in some folks.
I also favor DPA for the freeze/numbing effect seen with depersonalization/derealization disorder (DPDR)
I’d be curious to hear who recommended DLPA to help with Mirtazapine taper?
I do also have clients who taper get nutritionally stable – ideally before tapering but it’s never too late to address everything else such as gluten, sugar, caffeine, alcohol, SIBO, Candida … all addressed in my book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/
Thank you. I’m ordering the book now. I have done lots of internet research and DLPA was recommended on a ‘withdrawing antidepressants’ page. I am in the UK and GPs know very little about mental health here. I cant afford private health care. I actually think my original issue was nutritional as I mentally reacted badly to the pandemic and stopped eating altogether. I had lost 2st, had chronic insomnia and horrific migraines when I gave in to an antidepressant. Wish I’d found your page then . I’d love it if you could do an article on all that would help in withdrawal. Thing is I have been scared of using anything that would interact with the Mirtazapine and this has limited me. I am vegan and researching all the nutrition that may help. Thanks for your input.
Sue
I do hope my book is helpful for you – be sure to read about my concerns with a vegan diet when it comes to mood. I am an advocate for quality animal protein.
I do have this blog on SSRI withdrawal https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/taper-from-antidepressant-tryptophan-amino-acids/
Thank you so much for taking time to answer. I am halfway through the book and am also reading The Mood Cure and a few others similar. I’m afraid my vegan diet is non negotiable. I have underlying eating issues. In short I was anorexic at 14. I really struggled until I went vegetarian in my 20s. I’ve been vegan about 10yrs. I was mistakenly given meat in a hotpot some years ago and was vomitting all night and had stomach pain for a week. It was only a few weeks later I found it was meat so not psychosomatic. It could have been a bug or something but…. I am fiercely against eating flesh so it would be impossible for me. It’s not really a choice.
I have struggled really hard to replace everything. I presently take omega3, vitd3 & k2, the b vits, magnesium glycinate. I cut out caffeine and alcohol and regularly have high protein drinks alongside vegan protein meals. Loads of fresh fruit and vegetables.
I’m concerned about my thyroid but here in the UK its so hard to get GPs to listen. Blood tests for nutrition are expensive and hard to come by.
Anyway, thanks for replying and thanks for the link. I’ll be sure to look that up later
Sue
You’re welcome. Gosh with a reaction like that to meat I’d consider alpha-gal. With someone with a history of anorexia on a vegan diet I always use a free form amino acid that does contain tryptophan. And ask them to consider eggs and dairy (cows milk would be an issue with alpha-gal). I also have all my vegan/vegetarian clients learn about oxalates.
You are likely going to have to be your own health advocate and learn as much as you can by reading and listening to summits. And finding a nutritionist/functional medicine doctor to work with.
Hello,
Is D-Phenylalanine the same as L-Phenylalanine?
Many thanks
Endorphins (you have been busy posting questions :))
No – L-Phenylalanine is closer to DL-Phenylalanine
I see you are recommending taking the supplements on an empty stomach. Can you elaborate? Why and how important is it? I’ve been taking L-tyrosine, DLPA, gaba, and a few others for months and have been taking them with food. We simply cannot remember to take supplements if not tied to a mealtime so I’m wondering how necessary the empty stomach is.
Heather
The amino acids are more effective when taken on an empty stomach
I’d be curious to hear how you’ve benefited from tyrosine, DLPA and GABA – and if you’ve compared these with food vs on an empty stomach.
I have clients set an alarm on their phones to remember
Hi Trudy
I was on the Lidtke website looking at Endorphigen and noticed they now sell CBD, do you recommend CBD for minor pain, sleep etc? I realise you specialise in amino acids, but you be interested to know your views on CBD?
Jane
Yes CBD can be very helpful for some folks
I am about to loose my mum to the stars in the sky. It’s such a sad time. I have Pyrroles and have just started treatment. Because I have EDS, POT and other issues I’ve been told it will get worse before it gets better. It’s such a sad time can I had this in? And will it help?
Thank you
Linda
I am so sorry to hear this and yes I do find clients need additional nutritional support during times of grieving and this means extra B6 and zinc too.
What a fantastic article Trudy! Makes crystal clear the differences in benefits and risks between these 3 very helpful supplements. Which are all very commonly recommended online for the same things. Wonderful read, and invaluable info for me. THANK YOU !!!!!
J
Glad to hear this has been helpful. Have you used any of these and if yes how have they helped?
I have suffered with depression and anxiety my entire life. So I’ve sought different vitamins and herbs to help alleviate the sadness and unpleasantness effects such as feeling tired and sad all the time. Most recently, I tried kratom which turned into an addiction nightmare (something I’ve never fallen trap to before). So now I m dealing with very bad withdrawals from it that are much longer and more severe than the “just like coffee” claims all over the internet.
I’ve used DLPA for a little while, and it helps but does sometimes make me a little manic, nervous. L-Tyrosine gives me a bump of happy energy but then often times gives me rebound anxiety. I have never tried DPA before but I think I can see where it can fit like a puzzle-piece where the other 2 falter in some situations. I have a bottle being shipped to me.
J
Sorry to hear about kratom – it’s always been a big no-no from me because of the addiction issues.
May I ask how much kratom you used and what withdrawal symptoms you have? This paper, “A Case of Severe Kratom Addiction Contributing to a Suicide Attempt” states: “While it lacks the severe opioid toxicity of respiratory depression, it retains classic opioid withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, muscle spasms, and insomnia.” (https://www.cureus.com/articles/115992-a-case-of-severe-kratom-addiction-contributing-to-a-suicide-attempt#!/)
I have seen DPA to be helpful due to the fact that withdrawal symptoms of kratom can be similar to opioid withdrawal.
Please do keep us posted as to how DPA helps and how quickly.
And I encourage you to check out my book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/ to explore all the possible root causes that may be contributing to your lifelong anxiety and depression.
thank you so much for posting the differences between dpa and dlpa. I was using dlpa with good success and my brother was also using it and felt really good taking it, however he is suspected to have bipolar disorder and was getting more manic like symptoms when taking it but then quickly depressed when he stopped taking it. from what I read is the dpa a better solution? he is completely against any pharmaceutical drugs and I know this is a tricky subject as bipolar is so difficult to treat. he is find the lithium orotate helpful as well as the gaba as he has a lot of anxiety, tryptophan helps him sleep better as well. he used to smoke cannabis every day and tends to get very attached to any girl he starts seeing even though the relationships generally end quickly. he also has obsessive tendencies. not so much doing things repeatedly but things need to be exactly how he wants them or he gets very agitated or enraged. I have purchased some good quality b6 and zinc based on your recommendations as he checks off pretty much every box for pyrole disorder as well. he’ll never go get a blood test to find out for sure but It’s likely my whole family has pyrole disorder
Amy
Good to hear your brother finds lithium orotate helpful as well as the gaba for anxiety, and tryptophan for sleeping better.
I would not use DLPA with someone with bipolar. It is one of the documented amino acid precautions – Bipolar disorder: tyrosine, DLPA, glutamine https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/amino-acid-precautions/
When tryptophan is helping but there are still obsessive tendencies and agitation/rage we consider an increase in tryptophan.
A review of the symptoms helps us figure out if there are low endorphins and if DPA is worth considering https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/amino-acids-mood-questionnaire-from-the-antianxiety-food-solution/
When you are new to the amino acids my book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” is a great resource for learning more and understanding why all the other changes are key too – diet, gut health, other nutritional deficiencies, blood sugar, pyroluria (it’s more than only zinc and B6) and more. More on the book here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/
I am a chronic anxiety sufferer, since age 6. I was on Prozac for 30 year, was off it for about 3 months when I found your book & started DLPA. Day one was great. Day 2 I plunged into a ravenous panic attack. It’s been nearly a week and the panic is not reducing. Have not slept or eaten. Lost 10 pounds. Is there a way to flush out the DLPA or reset what I did to give me some relief?
Jeanne
DLPA is stimulating in a similar way to tyrosine and many folks don’t do well with either (anxiety, agitation, irritable etc) and vitamin C antidote flushes the adverse effects. Even without vitamin C the effects wear off in a few hours. I have not heard of a reaction like this from DLPA and my advice for someone in this situation is to seek medical attention especially with not sleeping and not eating and weight loss like this. I would also contact the company and report it in case there is something very wrong with this batch.
May I ask which DLPA product you used and how much? and why DLPA?
Thank you for your response. Life extension brand DLPA 500mg – 1 dose on day 1, then 2 doses (12 hours apart ) on day 2.
I have Dr appointments this week.
I appreciate your help.
Dear Trudy.
Thank you for all you are doing.
Great resource of knowledge!
One short question:
I want to try the DPA directly on the tongue.
Since I also have gastritis in addition to my mood problems, the best option for me would of course be to let it act on the tongue and then spit it out instead of swallowing. Does it do any good at all then?
What do you generally recommend for all the amino acids on the tongue…swallow or spit out?
Thank you
BR
Daniel
Daniel
You are very welcome!
I’ve never heard of this approach – on the tongue and spitting it out – but it’s something to consider if it works this way and on the tongue + swallowing it causes gut pain. Is that why you are asking – because swallowing it causes pain?
Hi Trudy.
Thank you for ypur answer.
Yes because of stomach issues.
So I ask myself whether I can still achieve enough effectiveness by trying to let GABA melt on the tongue or under the tongue and then not swallow it, and at the same time protect my stomach a little more.
BR
Daniel
Daniel
Doing a trial both ways will provide answers. Please keep us posted