Endorphins

When using the amino acid DPA (d-phenylalanine) I have more resilience and more buffer in the caregiving work I do, and just the oops’s of life

July 29, 2022 By Trudy Scott 10 Comments

I had not investigated DPA as I am a joyful, happy person. But recently I have been so depleted that I benefitted much from taking licorice to boost cortisol (who knew cortisol isn’t always to be lowered?)

Your presentation convinced me to try DPA as when I get depleted enough I get weepy (not sadness, just from being physically drained). Wow. I used a 500 mg dose of Lidke Endorphigen in the afternoon, and that has made a startling difference. I have more resilience now, more buffer, in the caregiving work I do, and just the oops’s of life.

I have been an avid note-taker of your summits and the interviews you give on the summits of others, and have recommended your book and blog to precious ones looking for answers to their health challenges.

Because of your diligence, I have been greatly helped by using GABA, 5-HTP (seems to work better for me than tryptophan), and tyrosine (so my thyroid glandular works more effectively).

Thank you ever so much for presenting information with evidence backing in a way that truly meets my curious, investigative, analytical mind. I love to know the whys and hows of things.

Ellen shared this feedback on one of the blogs after she heard me talk about DPA and low endorphins on The Anxiety Summit 5: Gut-Brain Axis. I’m sharing her wonderful results to give you a practical resource if you find yourself depleted and needing resilience as a caregiver. I’m also sharing this in order to illustrate that it’s not always easy to know when to trial a certain amino acid.

Ellen commented that she appreciated understanding the whys and hows of things. She is referring to my explanation of how DPA (d-phenylalanine) works. It’s an amino acid that destroys the enzyme that breaks down endorphins and thereby helps to raise your endorphins. With low endorphins you can feel very weepy, overly emotional, be extra sensitive to emotional pain, be sensitive to physical pain, and indulge in comfort/reward eating. You also often don’t feel joy.

Even though she was well versed in the use of GABA, 5-HTP and tyrosine (and seeing results), she had not investigated DPA. She described herself as a joyful and happy person so she didn’t think she needed DPA.

But her caregiving work (and other health and life challenges) had left her depleted and she started to feel weepy. And she is happy to share that DPA reversed that feeling. I’m thrilled for her and appreciate her for sharing.

The DPA product, how best to use it and how it differs from DLPA

Ellen mentions Lidtke Endorphigen which contains 500 mg of DPA. This product has been a long-time firm favorite with my clients and those in my community.

I used to recommend simply chewing the capsule to get the quickest and best effects and this worked well when it was produced in a gelatin capsule. Now it’s made with a cellulose capsule and chewing doesn’t work at all well, so opening the capsule (or just biting off the top) and tipping the powder into your mouth works best.

I’m often asked about the difference between DPA and DLPA (dl-phenylalanine) so if you have this question you can read more about that here.

Some of the supporting research

Research supports the use of DPA for helping to ease depression and the fact that caregivers are prone to an emotional burden.

D-phenylalanine and other enkephalinase inhibitors as pharmacological agents: implications for some important therapeutic application

It is proposed that the enkephalinase [a subgroup of endorphins] inhibitors may be effective in a number of human “endorphin deficiency diseases” such as depression…

Burden and quality of life of caregivers for hemodialysis patients

Caregivers of hemodialysis patients may experience a significant burden and an adverse effect on their quality of life. Emotional aspects of caregivers (particularly female spouses) and patients are important predictors of burden.

The study mentions that “Social support and psychological interventions should be considered to improve caregiver life and patient outcomes.”

There is no research that I am aware of that has found DPA to be beneficial for caregivers but until we have that research, let’s include nutritional support based on clinical results we see.

This case, Caregiving Burden, Stress, and Health Effects Among Family Caregivers of Adult Cancer Patients, illustrates what many caregivers experience: “extremely high levels of psychological distress, including anxiety, depression, worry and extreme loneliness.”

Ellen was already using GABA, 5-HTP and tyrosine when she added DPA, so as a caregiver she was already addressing her low GABA physical-type anxiety (with GABA), low serotonin worry-type anxiety (with 5-HTP) and low dopamine low-energy/low mood (with tyrosine). Adding DPA was the cherry-on-the-top for her weepiness and low resilience, and gave her more of a buffer.

Resources if you are new to using the amino acids as supplements

If you are new to using any of the amino acids as supplements, here is the Amino Acids Mood Questionnaire from The Antianxiety Food Solution (you can see all the symptoms of neurotransmitter imbalances, including low endorphins).

If you suspect low levels of any of the neurotransmitters 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 practitioner/health team you or your loved one is working with.

There is an entire chapter on the amino acids and they are discussed throughout the book in the sections on gut health, gluten, blood sugar control, sugar cravings, self-medicating with alcohol and more.

The book doesn’t include product names (per the publisher’s request) so as mentioned above, this blog, The Antianxiety Food Solution Amino Acid and Pyroluria Supplements, lists the amino acids that I use with my individual clients and those in my group programs.

As mentioned above, Lidtke Endorphigen is the DPA product I’ve had the most success with (and it can be found in my online store). Doctor’s Best D-phenylalanine is also a good product.

If, after reading this blog and my book, you don’t feel comfortable figuring things out on your own (i.e. doing the symptoms questionnaire and respective amino acids trials), a good place to get help is the GABA Quickstart Program (if you have low GABA symptoms). This is a paid online/virtual group program where you get my guidance and community support. There are many moms in the program who are having much success with their kids.

You can then use this knowledge to then trial DPA and other amino acids or move on to the Amazing Aminos for Anxiety Program and get help there.

If you are a practitioner, join us in The Balancing Neurotransmitters: the Fundamentals program. This is also a paid online/virtual program with an opportunity to interact with me and other practitioners who are also using the amino acids with success with their clients/patients.

If you’re a caregiver have you used DPA with success and if yes how has it helped? And do you feel more resilient?

Has GABA, 5-HTP (or tryptophan) and tyrosine also helped you?

What else helps you as a caregiver and what advice would you share with others taking care of a loved one?

If you’re a practitioner, do you use DPA with your clients/patients?

If you have questions please share them here too.

Is DPA stimulating; can it be used with kids and someone with bipolar disorder; can it be used with a benzo/SSRI? (and other questions)

July 22, 2022 By Trudy Scott 12 Comments

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 someone does something nice for you. The amino acid DPA helps to raise your endorphins. With low endorphins you can feel very weepy, overly emotional, be extra sensitive to emotional pain, be sensitive to physical pain, and indulge in comfort/reward eating. Today I’m sharing some questions (and my feedback) as to whether it’s stimulating, can it be used with kids and someone with bipolar disorder, can it be used with a benzo/SSRI and more.

Misha has had success with DPA and wants to know if it is considered too stimulating. Here is her feedback and question:

I first tried DPA after reading about it on your blog and found it helpful for raising my mood. The DPA definitely helped curb my weepiness. I used Lidtke Endorphigen 1 cap/day. I have chronic Lyme which creates severe difficulty with sleep, anxiety and depression. Six months ago my neurologist took me off DPA saying it would be too stimulating to my nervous system.

I have since begun using DPA again; I really need the endorphin boost. Do you have any insights on whether DPA is considered stimulating? Whether it interferes with sleep (unfortunately my sleep is bad whether I take DPA or not)? Or suggestions for time of day to take it?

Here is my feedback for Misha: There is no evidence that DPA is too stimulating whereas DLPA (dl-phenylalanine) is known to be stimulating (it works like a combination of DPA and tyrosine).

And when I hear all this it tells me the person needs endorphin support:

“found it helpful for raising my mood”
“The DPA definitely helped curb my weepiness”
“I have since begun using DPA again; I really need the endorphin boost”

That said anything is possible which is why using the amino acids is based on the questionnaire and trials to see how a person responds. The best way to know if sleep is affected is to monitor sleep when using it and when not using it. She says her sleep is bad whether she takes DPA or not so I would recommend going back to her neurologist, sharing this information and the fact that it’s helping her so much. And look for other causes of her sleep issues.

Anna asks if DPA and other amino acids are safe for kids and how high doses? This is her question:

My 10 yr old has been diagnosed with social anxiety and she ticks off most of the boxes for low endorphins, low GABA, low serotonin. She’s very sensitive and very very emotional. We tried, but can’t seem to find a naturopath that can help her much. I feel after a while they all reach a dead end. I have been following you for a year and recently got your book. It looks relatively easy to follow, however I’m a bit reluctant, as she’s a kid.

My feedback: I work with women and once they have figured out the amino acids and neurotransmitter imbalances themselves they find it much easier to help their children who often have similar issues. When that is not the case working with a practitioner is ideal. That being said many moms become informed and educated enough to trial the amino acids on their own (like this mom who had her daughter use GABA with much success).

Anna says her daughter is very sensitive and very very emotional so I’d consider using 125 mg DPA to start (500 mg is an adult starting dose).With kids we also always start with dietary changes as laid out in my book. A good place to start is with a gluten-free and sugar-free diet and DPA (and the other amino acids) can help curb the cravings and feelings of deprivation.

Anon has bipolar disorder and likes comfort foods. This is her question:

I have bipolar disorder and wonder if the DPA will send me into a manic state. It’s one of the reasons I can’t take anti-depressants or stimulants otherwise I go manic. But I can eat for comfort so I only have food in the house I’m going to eat according to meal schedules. So I want to try the DPA.

Here is my feedback: I have not seen DPA to be an issue with bipolar disorder and it’s fabulous when you are a comfort-eater. If you have bipolar disorder and are on medications, it’s always advised to discuss new supplements with your prescribing doctor. You can share that DPA is not on the list of amino acids that have precautions with bipolar disorder.

I would not recommend the use of DLPA (dl-phenylalanine) with bipolar disorder because some of this increases dopamine (which can trigger a manic state).

Kristie is doing a benzodiazepine taper and would like to use DPA:

I am currently going through a benzo taper & there are numerous wonderful products that I am unable to mix with benzos. Would this be safe for me?

This is my feedback: I have not had issues with DPA with clients who are doing a benzo taper and there are no documented contraindications. DPA can help with some of the emotional blunting caused by benzos and the emotional fragility we often see during a benzo taper. I know some of the great benzo support groups say not to use GABA but I find it very helpful when tapering too.

The medication question is a common one. Someone else described her depression as weepy and is using the SSRI. There are also no documented contraindications when using DPA with a SSRI. But again, best to discuss with the prescribing doctor.

Arleen has a question about blood pressure and the DPA product I recommend (Lidtke Endorphigen):

1) Is this product gluten free and 2) What effect if any would it have on blood pressure (mine is naturally low)

Here is my feedback: Lidtke Endorphigen is gluten-free and I have not seen it or other DPA products to be an issue with low blood pressure.

Jan wants to use GABA and DPA. She asks:

Can I use Gaba 125mg and also take DPA? Would either offset the other?

If someone has low GABA symptoms and GABA helps with the physcal anxiety 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.

Resources if you are new to using the amino acids as supplements

As mentioned above, Lidtke Endorphigen is the DPA product I’ve had the most success with (and it can be found in my online store). Doctor’s Best D-phenylalanine is also a good product.

You can then use this knowledge to then trial DPA and other amino acids or move on to the Amazing Aminos for Anxiety Program and get help there.

Have you used DPA with success and if yes how has it helped?

If you’re a practitioner, do you use DPA with your clients/patients?

If you have questions please share them here too.

Non-celiac gluten sensitivity manifestations outside the gut: foggy mind, depression, anxiety, neuropathy, joint pain, headache, fatigue and IBS

July 1, 2022 By Trudy Scott 2 Comments

Celiac disease is “a digestive and autoimmune disorder that can damage your small intestine. People with celiac disease might experience symptoms like diarrhea, bloating, gas, anemia and growth issues. Celiac disease can be triggered by a protein called gluten. Gluten is found in grains, like wheat, barley and rye” (and oats that are contaminated with gluten). This description by the Cleveland Clinic is well-understood and recognized.

However, what is less recognized and understood, is extra-intestinal (or outside the gut) manifestations of non-celiac gluten sensitivity. A paper published in 2018, Extra-intestinal manifestations of non-celiac gluten sensitivity: An expanding paradigm lists a number of symptoms and conditions that gluten consumption may cause and/or contribute to, even when you do not have celiac disease.

These can include: ‘foggy mind’; psychiatric diseases such as depression, anxiety and even psychosis; gluten ataxia, gluten neuropathy and gluten encephalopathy (causing memory and cognitive problems); joint and muscle pain, and leg or arm numbness; headache and fatigue; irritable bowel syndrome (IBS); autoimmune disorders; and and fibromyalgia.

This blog post highlights excerpts from the 2018 non-celiac gluten sensitivity paper and stories from real people who have experienced relief when removing gluten from their diets. And resources if you find you need neurotransmitter support to help break the addiction and not feel deprived.

This is from the abstract of the above paper:

Non celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) is a syndrome characterized by a cohort of symptoms related to the ingestion of gluten-containing food in subjects who are not affected by celiac disease (CD) or wheat allergy. The possibility of systemic manifestations in this condition has been suggested by some reports.

In most cases they are characterized by vague symptoms such as ‘foggy mind’, headache, fatigue, joint and muscle pain, leg or arm numbness even if more specific complaints have been described.

NCGS has an immune-related background. Indeed there is strong evidence that a selective activation of innate immunity may be the trigger for NCGS inflammatory response. The most common autoimmune disorders associated with NCGS are Hashimoto thyroiditis, dermatitis herpetiformis, psoriasis and rheumatologic diseases.

A possible neurological involvement has been underlined by NCGS association with gluten ataxia, gluten neuropathy and gluten encephalopathy.

NCGS patients may show even psychiatric diseases such as depression, anxiety and psychosis.

Finally, a link with functional disorders (irritable bowel syndrome and fibromyalgia) is a topic under discussion.

We see all this clinically so it’s wonderful to see this being addressed in the research. However, the authors are saying we need more research and better studies:

the novelty of this matter has generated an expansion of literature data with the unavoidable consequence that some reports are often based on low levels of evidence. Therefore, only studies performed on large samples with the inclusion of control groups will be able to clearly establish whether the large information from the literature regarding extra-intestinal NCGS manifestations could be supported by evidence-based agreements.

Until then we use what we know works clinically: a gluten-free diet and observation of symptom resolution. We also use amino acids to balance brain chemicals so we break the addiction and don’t feel deprived (more on that below). Nutritional deficiencies caused by damage to the gut/leaky gut also need to be addressed, as well as healing the leaky gut and dysbiosis.

I shared the study abstract on Facebook asking for feedback and the response was so overwhelming that I can only share some of the feedback. I will do follow-up posts sharing more detailed information from their healing journeys.

Caroline had bloating, pain and chronic sadness, and discovered “joie de vivre”

Caroline confirmed that she has gluten sensitivity saying she stopped eating wheat in 2011:

Within a few months, my chronic sadness disappeared and I discovered the “joie de vivre”. It also allowed me to get rid of my swelling belly (bloating). Every evening I looked like a woman 2-3 months pregnant. [this likely falls into the irritable bowel syndrome category mentioned in the paper]
The pain in my joints also ended up disappearing.

I read so much about gluten once I started to realize it had changed my life to quit eating that stuff that now I’m convinced grains shouldn’t be part of human food, and I mean all grains (botanically speaking).

I think grains should at least be taken off all the menus in all hospitals, especially the psychiatric ones.

I adore her “joie de vivre” feedback and am so happy for her! I had this same feeling of pure joy when I went gluten-free. And I get so much feedback like this from clients who had no idea life could be so much better.

I also agree with her sentiment about gluten and grains being an issue too, especially in psychiatric settings.

Daphne was emotionally dysregulated with negative feelings and a pressure headache

Daphne shared what she calls an odd effect that she gets soon after eating bread: roiling emotions:

I get emotionally dysregulated. Negative feelings surface in various degrees, for me primarily anger and the reviewing of the incidents that caused it (aka ruminating thoughts?); less often sadness, disappointment, and overwhelm (that usually surfaces on its own anyway).

I also get what I call ‘bread head.’ I get a pressure headache from between my eyebrows, up the center of my head to my crown.

An additional effect: ‘the hangover’. Overnight the pressure headache subsides and the next day my whole head feels heavy and I am slower physically and mentally, and my hands in particular are achy

Also, I have had chicken bumps on my skin my whole life, until I stopped eating bread. I still have some, maybe from rice, potato and corn reactions. Starch is not my friend.

As I mentioned above, many folks are surprised at the emotional changes they see when eating gluten. Daphne called it an odd effect but her response is a very typical extra-intestinal (outside the gut) psychiatric response. And yes starches and grains are an issue for many folks.

Other feedback: fibromyalgia pain, brain fog, depression, cystic acne, anxiety, body aches, fatigue, PCOS and hypothyroidism

Here is some feedback from a few other women. As you can see the symptoms can vary per person:

“Removal of gluten and all grains has improved my fibromyalgia pain symptoms … The difference in pain was so dramatic that it was worth it.”
“It makes such a difference with my brain fog and depression! And cystic acne. If I have gluten, I have cystic acne for about 2 weeks.”
“My joint pain, anxiety, and depression are much improved when I avoid gluten (and corn.)”
“Yes! Within 15 min of ingesting gluten containing food I get all over body aches, fatigue and brain fog. It’s very unpleasant. I cut gluten out of my diet simply because I can’t function properly while eating it. I also have had episodes of reactive hypoglycemia from it too.”
“Removing gluten has cured my hypothyroidism. Also has improved my PCOS, anxiety and depression.”

Stay tuned for a follow-up blog with more from their healing journeys and additional insights from me.

Using the amino acids to help break the gluten addiction and feel less deprived

Sometimes it’s difficult to figure out why you crave or are addicted to gluten. It can be challenging to determine which part of your brain chemistry it’s affecting, and you may not associate cravings with mood issues.

Your drug-of-choice is something you self-medicate with and it is something that makes you feel good or “normal.” It could be starchy gluten-containing foods like bread or pasta or cookies. It could also be candy, chocolate, ice-cream, coffee, sodas, wine/beer, cigarettes, marijuana, a prescription medication like Prozac, street drugs, or even shopping or exercise.

Cravings for these substances (or behaviors) typically indicate a brain chemistry imbalance, so it’s very helpful to identify how the substances you crave affect you. This will help you determine which amino acids you might supplement to address the imbalance.

Use your “drug-of-choice” from your gluten or grain list (perhaps you love bread or chocolate chip muffins) and the chart below to help you determine what brain chemistry imbalance may be affecting you and which amino acid you may benefit from.

How you feel before	How you feel after	Brain chemistry imbalance	Amino acid to supplement
Anxious or stressed	Calm or relaxed	Low GABA	GABA
Depressed or anxious	Happy or content	Low serotonin	Tryptophan or 5-HTP
Tired or unfocused	Energetic, alert, or focused	Low catecholamines	Tyrosine
Wanting a reward or sad	Rewarded or comforted	Low endorphins	DPA (d-phenylalanine)
Irritable and shaky	Grounded or stable	Low blood sugar	Glutamine

Once you address that brain chemical imbalance, it’s easy to quit and you won’t feel deprived.

You can read more about why you crave on this blog post

Resources if you are new to using the amino acids as supplements

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 amino acids that I use with my individual clients and those in my group programs.

With much appreciation for these women for sharing their stories. I’d love to get some of these published as case studies to further add to the evidence.

Do you have (or suspect you may have) non celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS)?

And has gluten removal resolved any of the above issues? And have you seen an improvement in gut issues too?

Have you observed other improvements since eating gluten and/or grain-free?

Did you find the amino acids helped you break your addiction and feel less deprived?

Or are you stuck and still eating gluten and have no idea where to start on quitting? If this is you, would a webinar series help?

If you have questions please share them here too.

What if rewarding, comforting, numbing or distracting behaviors (caused by low endorphins) are causing low motivation, instead of low dopamine?

June 17, 2022 By Trudy Scott 21 Comments

One of the first things that comes to mind when someone is stuck and not able to get things done is low motivation caused by low catecholamines/low dopamine. But what if numbing, rewarding, comforting and/or distracting behaviors (caused by low endorphins) are holding you back and preventing you from getting things done instead? It may be low endorphins only or may be in conjunction with other neurotransmitter imbalances. The following question and stories from women in the community (and my insights and some of the research) may help you figure it out if any of this applies to you.

I posted a question to this effect on Facebook and there was a great deal of interest. Many folks shared examples of what their distractions are and how they fit into being rewarding and comforting for them. Here is what I posted:

I’m digging into the research connecting low endorphins and low motivation i.e. not being able to get stuff done! We associate low endorphins with physical pain, emotional pain and comfort/reward eating. But in a similar way that emotional eating /comfort food is used to numb us out and reward and comfort us, certain behaviors can do this too. Here are some examples you may relate to:

mindless scrolling through Facebook or other social media platforms instead of working on your new project

binge watching hours of Netflix shows instead of getting to bed early so you’re productive and motivated (and not distracted)

playing video games for days (and not going outdoors, eating proper meals and even bathing)

All of these are also an addiction and we know low endorphins are a factor when it comes to addictions too. There is also an endorphin/dopamine connection hence the motivation aspect I’m looking into.

Can you relate to any of this and has endorphin support (with the amino acid DPA/d-phenylalanine as a supplement) or exercise or LDN (low dose naltrexone) helped with your low endorphin symptoms, your lack of motivation and the distractions you almost create for yourself?

I’d expect the amino acid DLPA (dl-phenylalanine) to help since it works on boosting both low endorphins and low dopamine. I am really curious about DPA because some folks can’t tolerate DLPA or it’s contraindicated.

What are some examples of your distractions and what has helped you?

Sarah: finds looking for split ends and cutting them off very rewarding. Is this a low endorphin behavior?

Omgosh this is so me. I often wonder what the heck is wrong with me. I look around at everything that needs to be done but just get overwhelmed and have no motivation to get it done. I don’t know where to start and then get anxious about it. I will immerse myself looking for split ends in my hair instead, I can spend easily over an hour at a time just sitting there looking for split ends and cutting them off. I find it very rewarding and it’s become such a habit now that if I’m out publicly and see a pesky split end l can’t ignore it and as Í don’t typically carry scissors with me (because that would be weird right?!) so I bite them off. I often think I must look like a nutter! I am always thinking what is wrong with me???!!

Sarah describes a rewarding activity perfectly and I’d suspect endorphin support – using the amino acid DPA (d-phenylalanine) – will likely help her. This behavior is her distraction from getting things done. It’s such a distraction that she cannot ignore it even when in public.

Since she also mentions overwhelm and anxiety I’d also want to explore low GABA physical-type anxiety and low serotonin worry-type anxiety and consider trials of both GABA and tryptophan (or 5-HTP).

There may also be an obsessive element to her distracting behavior and serotonin support (with the above, inositol and possibly NAC) has been shown to help with trichotillomania (recurring habit of pulling one’s hair).

Bonnie: low motivation almost feels physical or like something is missing in my brain. Low endorphins and low dopamine?

I relate to this very much – low motivation almost feels physical or like something is missing in my brain, also an almost inability to focus or organize how to do something or get through the day. I have low motivation with poor focus … but I am also constantly craving reward, comfort, or some kind of boost in energy or pleasure to motivate or energize me – this used to be things like sweets or chocolate but I have been lowering sugar/attempting to quit.

I haven’t tried any supplements mentioned but I’m very interested to learn more as this significantly affects my life.

She says her low motivation feels physical or like something is missing. It’s great she has that awareness and she is spot on – she is missing the specific action of certain neurotransmitters (which can be resolved with amino acid supplementation).

We address neurotransmitter imbalances, one at a time:

DPA for low endorphin support to help with the comfort/distraction/reward
And tyrosine for dopamine support to help with the inability to focus and needing something to energize her
Her inability to focus or organize could be due to the spinning we see with the low GABA type of physical anxiety too

She also shares that she has “feelings of anxiety, hopelessness and self judgment” so low serotonin worry-type anxiety is also likely in the mix.

As always it’s best to trial one at a time and find the ideal dose before trialing the next one. I recommend trialing in the area that causes the most distress. What is great is that addressing all this will make quitting sweets and chocolate easy and with no feelings of deprivation.

Jennifer: video games are hard to break free of / switches to learning languages. Could it be low GABA and an inability to prioritize?

All of the above but video games are especially hard to break free from. Luckily I decided to use those dopamine hits to my advantage and am closing in on a 1000 day Duolingo streak, having made it to the end of the French, Norwegian, and Japanese courses. Yes I neglect other things, but it’s better than wasting time on video games. I do worry a bit that I would lose interest if my chemistry was fully balanced, but then again there are more important things that I could be doing.

I congratulated her on her language learning and shared that it’s common to switch one addiction for another. For example alcoholics quit drinking and then get addicted to sugar or caffeine unless they address their neurotransmitter imbalances.

Jennifer has been using GABA without much success yet and once she finds the ideal dose it may be the solution or part of the solution for her spinning and inability to prioritize (which she “chalked up to ADHD, but also only became a problem when I got sick.”

Initially I would focus on GABA support (for physical anxiety) more than endorphin support, because she shares she also has all these other low GABA symptoms:

acrophobia (which started when she got sick)
proctalgia fugax/rectal spasms (recently developed
and burning mouth (which was a big part of her mold symptoms)

Keep in mind mold can deplete GABA and other brain chemicals so this does need to be addressed (home/office remediation and healing from the mycotoxin effects), in addition to using amino acid support.

She does check all the boxes on the symptoms questionnaire and it’ll be interesting to see which other amino acids help her with this gaming/language learning challenge. There may well be a low endorphin distraction and reward aspect too.

As always it’s best to trial one amino acid at a time and find the ideal dose before moving on to the next one.

Some of the research

I actually went looking for the research to support what I was seeing in terms of these struggles folks are experiencing i.e. another type of low motivation that is driven by low endorphins and has a numbing, rewarding and addiction aspect.

As mentioned above there is an endorphin/dopamine connection. This paper, Opioids for hedonic experience and dopamine to get ready for it, summarizes it well:

Brain dopamine has been suggested to rather code for the preparatory aspects of behavior, while brain opioids [endorphins] seem to mediate the perception of the hedonic [or pleasant] properties of rewards.

There is an addiction/cravings aspect with each of the neurotransmitter imbalances, including low endorphins. As mentioned above, these distracting behaviors can also be addicting. And we know low endorphins are a factor when it comes to addictions to drugs, carbs/sweets and behaviors.

DPA destroys the enzyme that breaks down/inhibits endorphins and in essence raises endorphin levels, This paper discusses beta-endorphins and the reward mechanism and how they can induce euphoria, reduce pain and ease addictions and distress: “Long known for its analgesic effect, the opioid beta-endorphin is now shown to induce euphoria, and to have rewarding and reinforcing properties.” You can read more about DPA here.

With regards to DLPA (which supports low endorphins and low dopamine), a really interesting study identified low endorphins and low catecholamines as a probable cause of PMS (premenstrual syndrome) or PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder) in some women. I blogged about this study and the use of DLPA here.

When it comes to exercise, this study, Opioid Release after High-Intensity Interval Training in Healthy Human Subjects, highlights the effects of different exercise intensities on opioid release, with moderate-intensity exercise being more beneficial for endorphin support. You can read about the impacts of exercise on pain, reward, and emotional processing and “the most commonly adopted theory on physical exercise induced euphoria …the ‘endorphin hypothesis’.”

LDN (low dose naltrexone) is often used in autoimmune conditions and to help with inflammation. This article, The Uses of Low-Dose Naltrexone in Clinical Practice, provides a good overview, and states that “unlike higher doses of naltrexone, LDN acts on β-endorphin receptors to stimulate the release of endorphins in the body.” I’m not advocating the use of LDN instead of DPA or DLPA, but if you’ve been prescribed LDN you may have observed the endorphin boosting effects.

Brain chemical imbalances to consider when you experience low motivation and can’t get things done

Here is a short summary of brain chemical/neurotransmitter imbalances to consider when you have low motivation and can’t get things done:

Low endorphins – the less recognized low endorphin/comfort/distraction type as discussed in this blog
Low dopamine/low catecholamines – this is what we think of as the classic low motivation trigger where there is also poor focus, low energy and sometimes curl-up-in bed kind of depression
Low serotonin is another less recognized kind of low motivation I’ve blogged about: What if overthinking, fear, anxiety and worry (caused by low serotonin) is holding you back instead of low motivation/low dopamine?
Low GABA is also not recognized as a trigger of low motivation but since anxiety can cause inability to prioritize and spinning, this could be a factor too
Low blood sugar could also be a factor since it affects focus and energy

Resources if you are new to using the amino acids as supplements

There is an entire chapter on the amino acids and they are discussed throughout the book in the sections on gut health, blood sugar control, sugar cravings, self-medicating with alcohol and more.

With much appreciation for these women for sharing their stories and allowing me to provide my insights for them and you. We all have much to learn from each other.

Can you relate to any of this and has endorphin support with the amino acid DPA (d-phenylalanine) used as a supplement) helped?

What about exercise or LDN (low dose naltrexone) or DLPA (dl-phenylalanine)?

What are some examples of your distractions or rewarding/comforting/numbing behaviors?

And do you have a mix of neurotransmitter imbalances to address? Which is the most troubling area for you?

If you have questions please share them here too.