Amy shares how much her particular “potion” or combination of amino acids has helped her depression and anxiety and wants to know how long she can remain on them:
I currently take 500 mg of l-tyrosine in the morning, 1 Endorphigen 2xday, 1 GABA calm 2x day and 1000 mg of tryptophan before bed with some natural calm & true calm. This “potion” has been nothing less than a miracle. I feel pretty good.
The past few years have been rough, managing depression and anxiety with frequent relapse, and I finally feel ok.
I don’t want to wean off yet and am curious as to how long I can remain on these. Is it dangerous to keep on it too long? Is there a maximum time? I follow your blog and reached out to you last year. Your information has been extremely helpful. Thank you.
I’m glad to hear Amy is doing so well on this miracle combination and finally feels ok. Before stopping the amino acids, the goal is to address diet, gut health, nutritional imbalances, toxins and all the underlying factors that lead to low catecholamines, low endorphins, low GABA and low serotonin.
It’s fine to stop taking them and see how you do and add some or all of them back if you find you still need that neurotransmitter support. This is one of a few approaches I use with clients. But here are times when it’s best to wait and continue using them (like when on the pill and when affected by seasonal depression). I share my insights on this and other ways to cut back below.
How long can you remain on amino acids and when do you consider stopping them?
There is no set time frame for staying on the amino acids. As I mentioned above you can stop taking the individual amino acids and see how you do and then add some or all of them back if you find you still need that neurotransmitter support. This is one of a few approaches I use with clients.
Other approaches include: completely stopping one amino acid at a time and monitoring symptoms or reducing the amount one amino acid at a time, also monitoring symptoms. I prefer the latter especially with someone like Amy who has been “managing depression and anxiety with frequent relapse.”
I can also hear that she has some hesitation about stopping her “potion” and going with your gut is a good thing too. She also has a few confounding factors that make me feel staying on them longer may be in her best interest. One factor is her long-term use of birth control pills.
Long term use of birth control pills and the impact on mood and nutritional status
Amy also shares about her use of the birth control pill and how she suspects it’s a factor in her depression and anxiety:
I should also mention I just went off birth control pills. I have taken them since age 16 only stopping for 3 pregnancies and breastfeeding. I am 46. I’ve been on for painful periods. I made the decision to stop for fear of clots, cardiac issues and most importantly my mental well being. I truly believe they contributed to my depression. I believe I’m in perimenopause and have higher than normal anxiety. I’m extremely worried about my periods if I stop the pill and think my amino acid supplements help these worries and I cope better. That’s why I’m reluctant to stop the supplements but still worried about long term use.
Because Amy has been using the birth control pill for around 25 years I’d have her continue with the amino acids for now and address the effects on her gut health and nutritional status first.
Women taking the pill and other hormonal contraception are more likely to be depressed. A Danish study published in JAMA Psychiatry of more than 1 million women aged 15 to 34, with no prior history of depression, were included in the study and followed for 13 years. The researchers found that those women who used the pill were 23% more likely to be depressed and use antidepressants.
You can read more about the effects of the birth control pill on this blog and my book review of “Beyond the Pill” by Dr. Jolene Brighten. As you’ll read it causes vitamin, mineral, and antioxidant depletion (such as folate, B12, vitamin B6 and zinc).
She did actually come back and share that she tried and it didn’t work out going off the birth control pill. She was unable to manage the pain. She needs to address all these root causes first.
There is also no reason for her to be worried about long term use of the amino acids when they are clearly addressing her neurotransmitter imbalances.
The seasonal impact on mood and anxiety
I don’t have clients make changes to their amino acids in the Fall or Winter when there can be seasonal impacts on mood and anxiety. She had shared this too:
I’m more prone to depression this time of year. I think with these 2 factors [seasonal mood changes and the pill] I’ll stay on the regime until the spring.
This is a wise decision for Amy.
I would also hold off on making changes if someone is prone to airborne allergies. This is because there can be a higher need for neurotransmitter support when there are allergies.
Amy has already made many diet and lifestyle changes so she is heading in the right direction:
I have given my diet an overhaul. Not perfect but significantly less refined carbs and sugar. Plenty of fresh produce, healthy fats and protein ( especially animal). I also have committed to daily “body movement”: yoga, Pilates, max trainer, light weights or bike.
All of these changes are starting to support her overall nutritional status and resilience.
A recap of the amino acids Amy is using and the rationale for each one
If you’re new to using individual amino acids, here is a quick recap of the amino acids Amy is using and the rationale for each one.
She is using 500 mg of l-tyrosine in the morning. This supports low levels of dopamine/catchecolamines and improves the curl-up-in-bed kind of depression. You can read more about tyrosine here.
She is also using Endorphigen twice a day. This is a Lidtke product called Endorphigen and provides 500 mg DPA/d-phenylalanine per capsule. It raises endorphin levels, offering a mood boost, typically helping with weepiness and also emotional eating. You can read more about DPA here.
Amy is also using GABA Calm 2x day. This is a sublingual/chewable product made by Source Naturals and is a nice low dose of 125mg per chewable. You can read more about GABA here.
And finally, she is using 1000 mg of tryptophan before bed. This supports low serotonin and improves worry-kind of anxiety and depression, ruminating, obsessive tendencies and also sleep issues. You can read more about tryptophan here.
Keep in mind this is what Amy found works for her unique needs and would have done trials of the amino acids one by one to figure out which ones to use and how much of each to use. There is no one size fits all.
It’s not unusual for folks using the amino acids to describe their results as miraculous!
Resources if you are new to using amino acids as supplements
If you are new to using 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 GABA, low serotonin, low dopamine, low blood sugar and 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, 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. You can find them all in my online store.
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 too). 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.
Thanks to Amy for sharing her results and asking this question.
Have you seen similar benefits when using individual amino acids? If yes, which ones have helped you?
What approach have you used to stop or reduce your doses?
And have you continued using the amino acids because of the effects of the pill, seasonal mood shifts or seasonal allergies (or some other reason)?
If you have questions and feedback please share them here too.
I have been diagnosed with New “ Persistent Daily Headache “
and given a script of
Amitriptyline Hcl
10mg tablet, 30 count
Can you give me an alternative product I should take. I am new to this blog. Please advise and thank you in advance.
Brigitte
There are many possible root causes of headaches/migraines and I start by looking at food sensitivities – gluten is a common one. More about this here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/migraines-anxiety-depression-gluten-chronic-headache-migraine-summit/
For any kind of pain I also consider GABA, tryptophan and/or DPA – based on the symptoms questionnaire https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/amino-acids-mood-questionnaire-from-the-antianxiety-food-solution/
Is anxiety a factor too? Low GABA or low serotonin or low blood sugar?
If yes we also look into all dietary and other nutrition factors that can cause anxiety and depression – and headaches/pain. My book is a great resource for this https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/
Brigitte, just thought I’d pop in to let you know that a meal high in salicylates (think spices plus *lots* of other things) will reliably give me a headache arising during the night and into the next day. It may be different for you, but food sensitivities are common as we age and a good thing to explore.
fyi gluten doesn’t give me a headache – just shows how different we can all be:)
Helen
I have tried to order GABA and TRYPTOPHAN from my Fullscript account . I am in Canada
And cannot get the order to get past the postal code and province.
Can you please help me.
Jackie Marshall
Jackie
I’m afraid Fullscript USA doesn’t ship to Canada. You could use a service like shipitto
Or my US Address. https://myusaddress.ca/
Thanks for mentioning the risks and side effects of hormonal birth control. I often wonder about Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) for menopausal and post-menopausal women . . . It is being encouraged heavily even by those in the holistic and functional medicine space. I wonder how safe it really is, and if it’s even wise to fight nature with a pharmaceutical product.
Carol
I’d be as concerned about HRT. However HRT is very different from BHRT and there are many benefits of the latter.
I will give you my story on her.
I will keep it asap.I had full hysterectomy at 40 put on bioidentical compounded troche by the most reputable chemist in Sydney Australia StenlakesmDue to severe endometriosis I was told by professor that apart from estrogen would need progesterone for life because unopposed estrogen grows endo back as spreads like a seed.
I now 65 my calcium score is ZERO and my bone density is that of a 30 year old
I didn’t take this for the bone or cardiovascular benefits but I am.proof that it works.
My two sisters that did not take HRT have osteoperosis and osteopenia and eat same diet as me and same body shapes lifestyle and excersise regimes
So not sure if the pill.is the same but I am living proof that her does not hurt,has not caused breast cancer,(women’s initiative from 2001 ) was hammered full.of mistakes with old women that already would have cardiovascular problems and the only thing oestrogen does is make the cancer if you get it grow a little quicker,making it visible quicker on yearly mammogram and sonograph so it’s actually advantageous it you are unlucky to get it.
I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety 7 years BEFORE I WENT ON HRT and once my hormones were sorted and balanced,I was never better.
PS still on antidepressants and apart from GABA can’t take any other aminos as they interact with my tricyclics.My functional GP tried and stopped.
can’t come off them as doing so has lead to ECT treatments 23 and recently 30;TMS treatments.
My story my opinion,DONT BE SCARED OF HRT.
Sami
Thanks for sharing your success with bioidentical HRT – so great for mood, bones, heart and even kidney health!
Glad to hear GABA helps you too. Once you taper from the antidepressant (if you decide to) then tryptophan or 5-HTP are an option to consider for low serotonin symptoms.
Hi! Do you have suggestions for supplements for flight anxiety, something to make flying bearable without heightened breath, etc, or is that out of the supplement realm?
Keturah
Totally in the supplement realm! I would consider both GABA and serotonin support before and during flying- GABA for the more physical symptoms of heightened breath, heart racing, physical tension, sweating etc and tryptophan or 5-HTP if there is also worry, fear and imagining the worst. Which symptoms do you experience?
I also consider overall low GABA and low serotonin and we work on raising levels with more consistent daily use initially.
And of course everything else I talk about in terms of diet, lifestyle etc as covered in my book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” – more here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/
I have heightened breath and physical tension and also fearing the worst. Any kind of turbulence or warnings of turbulence makes me extremely nervous. Which brand of supplements do you recommend and also the dosage? And would it be better to do Tryptophan or 5-HTP?
Keturah
Heightened breath and physical tension typically falls under low GABA and fearing the worst falls under low serotonin. You can find the supplements I recommend on the supps blog here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/amino-acids-pyroluria-supplements/ and learn how to use them in my book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” – more here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/
If you find you need guidance and the ability to ask questions my GABA Quickstart and Serotonin Quickstart programs are great.
Hi Trudy! Thank you for reposting this. It is the confirmation I needed to stay the course. I am now 52 & on similar supplement regimen with the addition of creatine 4-5gr. I’ve adjusted up & down over the years as needed. This year has been exceptionally challenging as I was laid off my job of 16 yrs & my middle daughter had a health crisis with 3 hospitalizations. I thought my grief & deep sadness and elevated anxiety was a sign of the supplements no longer working when it was in fact a normal human response to these high levels of stress I’continue to work out, practice yoga & meet regularly with a mental health therapist. I contemplated trying an antidepressant despite failed attempts in the last decade. The supplements are VERY helpful & I feel blessed to have figured that out. We also need to allow for universal difficult emotions triggered by life & work through them.
Ty for all you do!
Amy
I’m so pleased this was good confirmation for you. Sorry to hear about being laid off (been there and it’s very stressful) and your daughter’s health crisis (I do hope she’s doing better now) but you are spot on – life happens and there are times when we do need extra nutritional support over and above what was working well in the past. Personally I’m constantly recalibrating and adjusting my amino acid use and teach it to my clients.
I’d love to hear which amino acids are working for you and how they help? and how you adjusted them during this added time of stress?
One other thing to consider is adrenal stress and high cortisol too – I love rhodiola, a good B complex and Seriphos if it is high.
Thank you, Trudy! I appreciate the validation & suggestions. 2025 has been the most challenging year to date. Will definitely add Rhodiola back. The following list is my current regimen:
SAM-e 200mg 1x (mood & joint/back pain )
L-tyrosine 500 mg 1x (energy & motivation)
Endorphigen 2 x day sometimes 3 (mood & pain)
Saffron 2x day
EFA
Ashwagandha
B complex
GABA Calm 2x daily
Bedtime L-tryptophan 1500mg, 1 NOW true calm & natural calm magnesium.
Just added another true calm mid-morning
Creatine
Probiotic
Unfortunately still on BCP & do my best to mitigate negative effects. Body movement & daily yoga are nonnegotiable. Along with a good therapist I’ve been focusing on gratitude, look for glimmers, awareness of self-talk & self-compassion, connectivity with others (pets included), and spirituality. Wellness is a daily fluid practice.
Amy
Your protocol looks comprehensive. Don’t forget BCP impacts zinc and vitamin B6.
I plan to share your feedback in a new blog because I know it will helps others. I’d Love to hear which supplements you adjusted up during this time of added stress and by how much?
Hi Trudy, I’m happy to share the tweaks that helped during elevated stress:
SAM-e 200mg & L-tyrosine 500 was taking these every other day now every morning.
Endorphigen was swallowing 1 capsule morning, now take morning, mid morning and possibly 3.rd time open capsule on tongue.
GABA Calm was 1 x day. Now I take one or two more during day as needed.
L- Tryptophan before bed bumped up to 1500 mg from 1000 mg
Occasional melatonin 1.5 mg
Now True Calm 1 early morning, added another late morning
Saffron started about a yr ago 2x daily 85 mg
A few other supplements were made at the same.
Hope that helps & love to learn from you & other’s experiences 🙂
Amy
Thanks for sharing all this and again it’s super you have all this dialed in! And I appreciate your willing to want to help others too 🙂
Thanks so much for your help and recommendations!