D-Phenylalanine (DPA) 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. Taking the amino acid DPA, as a supplement helps to boost your endorphins in order to improve mood, reduce pain and cravings or comfort-eating.
I’ve recommended the Lidtke Endorphigen product (500mg DPA) to my clients and community for many years, and wrote about it in my book and on various blog posts. Because product formulations have shifted and capsules changed, I’ve revised my recommendations over the years. I’ve suggested swallowing a capsule, then suggested chewing the capsule (when the company used gelatin capsules and clients saw quicker results than swallowing the capsule) and then suggested opening the capsule and tipping the contents on to the tongue (when the company switched to vegan capsules).
I then also started recommending Doctor’s Best D-Phenylalanine 500mg as another option and because many in the community didn’t like the taste and texture of the Lidtke product (more on that below). This product has now been discontinued.
The purpose of this blog post is to announce a new product: D-Phenylalanine (DPA) powder and share my current recommendations on the use of DPA for endorphin support. And some examples and feedback (from clients and my personal experiences too) in case you’re new to this amino acid and low endorphins.
Lidtke Endorphigen with 500mg D-phenylalanine (capsules)
Here is the new label for the Lidtke Endorphigen with 500mg D-phenylalanine. As you can see it also contains vitamin B2 and vitamin B6. The latest version now contains arrowroot flour as a filler.
This product has been a firm favorite of mine for many years and the formulation has shifted over the years.
Last year I did a taste difference blog on Lidtke Endorphigen and Doctor’s Best D-phenylalanine – Lidtke Endorphigen vs Doctor’s Best D-phenylalanine: the taste difference and endorphin boosting benefits for mood and cravings
Many of my clients (and myself included) describe the opened DPA (from capsules) as a dark-chocolate bitter like taste that is not unpleasant. However, about half my clients don’t particularly like the taste of DPA and one woman in my community, Ali, was ready to give up on the Lidtke Endorphigen product because of the taste. I suspect it was the B vitamins that she didn’t like.
Oh goodness. If I open the Endorphigen on my tongue, it’s just awful. I might be able to get 1/4 of it but that’s it. And the taste stays there for at least an hour. No sense of chocolate in there for me. Isn’t that interesting that you and others like the taste. I consider myself pretty open to whatever needs to be done but wow, this is almost no way.
I reached out to Lidtke sharing the taste issue and the above blog post, and asked if they would be willing to offer a DPA only product and suggested a powder.
Lidtke appreciated the fact that I shared your taste issues and feedback, and my request for a powder-only product of d-phenyalanine/DPA has come to fruition.
Doctor’s Best D-phenylalanine has been discontinued, so this is great news taste-wise and for a number of other reasons (listed below)!
The brand new Lidtke D-Phenylalanine (DPA) powder
Here is the label for the brand new Lidtke D-Phenylalanine (DPA) powder. As you can see it’s only DPA – no added B vitamins or fillers.
Here are the advantages of DPA in powder form:
- A capsule opened on to the tongue offers mood and pain benefits so why not simply use the powder instead
- Fewer capsules to swallow
- Fewer digestive issues the cellulose of vegan capsules are not tolerated (I’m hearing more and more feedback about this)
- Convenient for kids and older adults who may have problems swallowing capsules
- A pleasant dark-chocolate like taste with none of bitterness of B vitamins
- Hopefully, more affordable than the capsules
My personal experience with DPA
Personally I have used DPA over the years with much success. It’s my go-to amino acid for all kinds of pain – a sprained ankle, a pulled back muscle, a tension headache (and even a headache caused by chocolate) and belly pain during an IBS flare.
I’ve also used it for endorphin support when I have not been able to exercise due to an injury. I immediately notice a subtle mood boost and a reduction in comfort-eating and carb-cravings.
I have the new Endorphigen 500mg DPA product (i.e. the capsules) and it’s helping in the same way as the previous version.
I have yet to try the new DPA (d-phenylalanine) powder myself but will report back as soon as I have had a chance to do so – on the taste, the texture and the effectiveness.
Other DPA feedback from the community
I suspect many folks who already like the Lidtke 500mg Endorphigen and find opening the capsules to be more effective, are going to like the new powder:
- “I love using the DPA! I use the Lidke brand. Very helpful in improving mood and anxiety. Open on my tongue. I like the taste!” ~ Lynn
- “It’s interesting to read your recommendation to open the capsule … I had just started doing that! (Already using powdered forms of other aminos) Anyone looking thru my trash might wonder what I’m up to. This method really works for me.” ~ Joan
Here are a few blog posts illustrating the use of DPA in multiple sclerosis, weepiness, physical pain, emotional pain and resilience, cravings/emotional eating and even helping to wean off prescription pain medication:
- Multiple sclerosis: low endorphin research and the amino acid DPA (d-phenylalanine) for pain, depression, comfort and trauma support “The endogenous opioid system is …well known to play a role in the development of chronic pain and negative affect [i.e. depression], both of which are common comorbidities in MS.”
- DPA for weepiness, pain and comfort and reward eating
- The individual amino acids glutamine, GABA, tryptophan (or 5-HTP), DPA and tyrosine are powerful for eliminating sugar cravings, often within 5 minutes
- 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 As I mentioned above, using DPA over these holidays also gave me more resilience and the endorphin boost I needed help with the emotional pain of losing my mom.
- Wean off prescription pain medication, improve sleep and reduce emotional eating with DPA (an endorphin-boosting amino acid)
Be sure to use the search feature on the blog to find additional applications of DPA.
Additional resources when you are new to using DPA, tryptophan, GABA, and other amino acids as supplements
As always, I use the symptoms questionnaire to figure out if low endorphins or low serotonin or low GABA or other neurotransmitter imbalances may be an issue.
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 (this is covered in an entire chapter too), sugar cravings, anxiety and mood issues.
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.
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.
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.
Wrapping up and your feedback
My current recommendations for endorphin support are as follows:
- Lidtke Endorphigen with 500mg D-phenylalanine – capsules swallowed
- Lidtke Endorphigen with 500mg D-phenylalanine – capsules opened on to the tongue and held in the mouth 1-2 minutes
- Lidtke D-phenylalanine powder – on to the tongue and held in the mouth 1-2 minutes (assuming it works as well as Endorphigen)
Now I’d love to hear from you – how has DPA helped your mood, cravings and pain?
Have you used Lidtke Endorpigen 500mg or Doctor’s Best D-Phenylalanine in the past – capsules swallowed or opened on the tongue? Have you had any issues with the taste or texture?
Are you interested in trying the new Lidtke D-Phenylalanine powder?
If you’re a practitioner do you use DPA with your clients/patients?
Feel free to share and ask your questions below.
Hi Trudy,
Would love to try the Lidtke pure powder. I can no longer take Endorphigen, for some reason it is now causing me serious nausea, whether I have it in or out of the capsule. Not sure if I’m sensitive to the b-vits, or the arrowroot.
Where is the new powder available? I checked Amazon with no success.
Thanks.
I would like to know where to buy it too. I checked the Lidtke website. It’s not even there!
Gary
My apologies, I was under the impression it was already available via Lidtke (they sent me the new labels) but don’t see it on their site yet. I’ll report back once I hear from them. It should be made available on Fullscript too.
I’d love to hear if you’ve used either Lidtke Endorpigen or Doctor’s Best DPA with success and how DPA has helped?
Lora
Sorry to hear about the nausea. Curious to hear how it’s helped before this issue and which low endorphin symptoms you have/had?
My apologies, I was under the impression it was already available via Lidtke (they sent me the new labels) but don’t see it on their site yet. I’ll report back once I hear from them. It should be available on Fullscript too. I don’t recommend purchasing supplements from Amazon and would only purchase from Lidtke directly and Fullscript.
Hi Judy – thanks for this update about DPA. I was very disappointed when the Doctor’s Best product was discontinued as it was much more affordable for my clients. Re the new product from Lidtke, I am not seeing it in the catalogue on fullscript, nor on the manufacturer’s website. Do you have any further info on its availability? Thanks, Jacalyn
Jacalyn
I hear you about the Doctor’s Best product. I’d love to hear how DPA helps your clients and how long you’ve been recommending it? And you have clients swallow or open the capsule? Any complaints about the taste/texture of Lidtke Endorphigen?
My apologies, I was under the impression it was already available via Lidtke (they sent me the new labels) but don’t see it on their site yet. I’ll report back once I hear from them. It should be made available on Fullscript too. I’m hoping it will be a more affordable option than capsules.
Hi Trudy , thanks for all the information you share . I’m confused about the difference between DLPA and DPA . I tried DPA ( don’t remember the brand ) in the past and felt ‘off’ and now use DLPA if starting to feel ‘down’ and it does seem to help .
Lyn
Great to gear DLPA does seem to help – can you share how it helps? Curious how you felt “off” with DPA – what symptoms?
Here is my blog on DPA vs DLPA https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/what-is-the-difference-between-dpa-and-dlpa-amino-acids-and-which-one-do-i-use-for-weepiness-heart-ache-pain-and-energy/ – I’d love to hear if this makes sense given your symptoms and how DLPA helps?
Thanks Trudy for your reply . The blog explains the difference very well . I haven’t tried DPA for some time but melatonin does not agree with me and I think it was similar a ‘ fuzzy ‘ head and just not feeling right . Maybe I should try with the brand you recommend .
I ve taken LDN for various autoimmune including Graves (in remission ) and see maybe should reconsider DLPA because of the tyrosine . But I don’t take it all the time ! Just find I sometimes feel myself heading down the depression ‘ rabbit hole ‘ as I call it and find if I skip the LDN for a few days and take the DLPA I’m back on track .
Appreciate all your info Lyn
I don’t see that Lidtke has D-Phenylalanine (DPA) – powder available on their site yet.
Any ETA?
Korrine
My apologies, I was under the impression it was already available via Lidtke (they sent me the new labels) but don’t see it on their site yet. I’ll report back once I hear from them. It should be made available on Fullscript too.
I’d love to hear if you’ve used either Lidtke Endorpigen or Doctor’s Best DPA with success and how DPA has helped?
Hi Trudy, my daughter tried it as suggested by you – (chewed the capsule) as she was feeling so flat and down and nothing else had made much difference . She tried it for 10 days and said that it made her feel very anxious and didn’t improve her mood at all and made her feel wound up. I would be most interested to hear why you think this caused these symptoms. Many thanks
Julie
DPA will only work if endorphins are low but I’ve not had feedback that it increases anxiety and feelings of being wound up. That said, I never say never. I’m curious which product she tried? and would always check nothing else changed at the same time.
Keep in mind that low serotonin and/or low dopamine can cause one to feel flat and down too.
Hi Trudy, I gave her the LIDKE, EndorphiGen ( it has the B2 and B6). We have tried a few things to support her serotonin and dopamine with limited success, hence trying the LIDKE. My daughter’s OATS test showed low catecholamins with her 5HIAAi (serotonin) in range which was surprising. I couldn’t make sense of her reaction, hence my query as you are so knowledgeable. Many thanks Julie
Julie
Too high a dose can cause issues sometimes and so can other ingredients or fillers or even the capsule. A DPA only product like the new powder may be the answer.
Don’t forget all the other foundational work from my book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” – real food, qualiy animal protein eating for blood sugar control, no caffeine/gluten/sugar etc
Please let me know where to get the new Lidtke powder. I cannot find it anywhere.
Thanks!
Susan
My apologies, I was under the impression it was already available via Lidtke (they sent me the new labels) but don’t see it on their site yet. I’ll report back once I hear from them. It should be made available on Fullscript too.
I’d love to hear if you’ve used either Lidtke Endorpigen or Doctor’s Best DPA with success and how DPA has helped?
Hi Trudy
DPA is not available in South Africa. Do you know where I can get it.
Annie
Such a pity Solgar and the other companies with products in South Africa don’t make DPA. It would need to be ordered from Lidtke in the US (assuming they ship there).
Or making an informed decision about possibly considering DLPA instead if dopamine support is also needed. More on the differences here on my blog – DPA vs DLPA https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/what-is-the-difference-between-dpa-and-dlpa-amino-acids-and-which-one-do-i-use-for-weepiness-heart-ache-pain-and-energy/
For what purposes/symptoms are you considering the use of DPA?
DPA – success story – I bought a bottle of capsules years ago, tried it for pain and some emotional upset but didn’t find it did much so into the “supplement first aid” drawer it went.
Fast forward years (yes it’s out of date by now), husband has cardiac arrest storm and I fear I might loose him.
At one stop over at home to grab more clothes I rummage and grab a few bottles (thyroid, adrenal, and the DPA) to bring to the hospital for me.
After continuously crying I open a DPA under the tongue – immediate (seconds) change in me. I’m still scared and upset but not out of control weepy.
For the next two weeks in hospital I maybe use 5 capsules, incredible help. Meant I could care for my husband better and also communicate clearer with the medical staff.
I will for sure update my supply with the new pure powder, thank you for letting us know and with my gratitude for all you so kindly do and freely share with us, Eva
Eva
What a wonderful DPA success story – I’m so happy it helped you not be out of control weepy and able to care for your husband and communicate with the medical team. Thank you for sharing. I do hope your husband is doing well now
I’d love your feedback when the DPA powder is available and you get to try it.
And you are most welcome
I notice when I take the Lidtke EndorphiGen, my mood is lighter and I cry less in my deep grief.
I try my best to take it at least twice daily. I do intend to try the new powder.
Phyllis
I am sorry for your loss but very happy to hear that when you take the Lidtke EndorphiGen “my mood is lighter and I cry less in my deep grief.” DPA was one of the amino acids that also helped me after I lost my mom.
I’d love your feedback when the powder is available and you get to try it
would definitely try this, will have to see if available in Canada. could, would, you still gaba while taking this?
Lica
Lidtke does ship to Canada. DPA supports low endorphin symptoms and can be used with GABA which support low GABA symptoms. All the symptoms here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/amino-acids-mood-questionnaire-from-the-antianxiety-food-solution/
Hi Trudy. Any updates on when Fullscript will carry powder? For some reason, the Lidtke website won’t work for me anymore. It basically says the scripts are suspects and may not be the legitimate website. When I went anyway, it stated there was no such website. Strange….so Fullscript it is. I’d like to try it.
O
No update as yet on the DPA powder on Fullscript. The Lidtke site is working for me – may have been a glitch.
Hi Trudy,
I just checked the Lidtke website for the D-Phenylalanine powder and it is still not on their website. Curious if you have any updates as to when they will offer it. Thanks so much
Stephanie
I was in touch with them a few weeks ago and they don’t have a launch date as yet
Just waiting patiently…