DLPA

DLPA vs DPA for pain, food cravings, depression, grief, lack of joy; and impacts of DLPA on sleep, and feeling more stressed/anxious

April 5, 2024 By Trudy Scott Leave a Comment

A very common question I get is from folks asking about the difference between the amino acids DPA (d-phenylalanine) and DLPA (dl-phenylalanine) for endorphin support and endorphin/dopamine support. I dedicate an entire blog to this question explaining the differences and which one I use for weepiness, heart-ache, pain and energy. I also discuss where tyrosine (for dopamine support) fits in. If you missed that or need a recap you can read about this on the blog.

The blog post generated some great questions that I’m sharing today, with my feedback, in case you have similar questions. I discuss a question about DLPA vs DPA for pain and impacts on sleep; a question about DLPA (used by mistake) raising already high dopamine levels and why DPA isn’t working any more for food cravings; a question about using DPA with GABA; and a question about DPA for depression and lack of joy caused by grief.

Here is the question from Gloria who shared this feedback about her use of DLPA (as part of a pain relief product) but says she can’t use it past noon. She also wants to know more about DPA for pain relief:

My experience with DLPA is as part of a supplement called Curamin for pain relief from arthritis that also has curcumin and boswellia. 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? Thank you for your blogs and book!

It’s great that this combination product offers pain relief and it’s good that she has made the connection to poor sleep when it’s used after noon. This is a popular product that I would like to see include the possible impacts on sleep and the other precautions for DLPA . It is a proprietary formulation so you don’t actually know how much DLPA you’re getting. I really don’t like not knowing.

One other concern is that curcumin is high-oxalate and for some this can make pain worse. Otherwise, curcumin and boswellia are excellent for pain relief and reducing inflammation.

DPA is more effective for pain than DLPA because it offers a bigger endorphin boost. If oxalates are not an issue, one option could be to continue with the Curamin before noon and if needed, add standalone DPA in the afternoon and evening, for added pain relief.

Amino acids are more effective on an empty stomach and even more effective when opened on to the tongue. I share more about opening DPA onto the tongue in this blog.

DLPA (used by mistake) raised already high dopamine levels and why isn’t DPA working any more for food cravings?

Rhonda shared how she found out the difference between DPA and DLPA the hard way and wants to go back to DPA:

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 realized 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.

That is quite the reaction she experienced but I’m glad she figured it out so quickly. It’s not uncommon for some folks to react to DLPA like this, feeling more stressed and even anxious. High dopamine, and norepinephrine and epinephrine (so a 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. It may also be that a reset is needed after the shift in dopamine.

Rhonda did say she thinks Endorphigen “helped a bit with food cravings.” When it only helps a bit it may be that the dose isn’t high enough or we may need to consider other neurotransmitter imbalances. They can all cause cravings for slightly different reasons: GABA/stress, serotonin/worry or low mood, glutamine/low blood sugar. More on that and the respective amino acids here.

Can GABA be used with DPA?

Ray asks: “Can I use GABA 25mg and also take DPA? Would either/or offset the other?”

My feedback: 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 my clients trial one at a time in order to find the ideal dose and so you know how each one is working

What can I use for my depression and lack of joy, caused by grief?

Vee says she needs something “to get through my grief depression”:

Completely flat, no joy. I always had a calm flat disposition, but now it’s 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. Does tyrosine affect the brain in the way of producing oxytocin?

My feedback: I use DPA/Lidtke Endorphigen for this very purpose. It’s wonderful for grief, depression, lack of joy and the weepiness we see with low endorphins. It also helps with emotional eating that can show up as we try to self-medicate with treats in order to try and feel better.

When the depression also includes being flat, blah and curl-up in bed we use DLPA instead of DPA, or a combination of DPLA/DPA or tyrosine/DPA. Trials of each, one by one, helps you figure out what works best for your unique needs.

And for some folks GABA is helpful as shared by this woman who found GABA allowed her to sit with a feeling of peace and calm most of the time after her mum passed away.

Research does shows a link between dopamine and oxytocin, with oxytocin “emerging as one particular neural substrate that may be influenced by the altered dopamine levels.” Also, for oxytocin support I’d focus on hugs, massage, touch, laughter, making love, yoga, and petting a dog or cat.

DPA and DLPA product options

Products I recommend include Lidtke EndorphiGen (which is DPA) and Pure Encapsulations DL-Phenylalanine (DLPA). You can purchase these from my online store (Fullscript – only available to US customers – use this link to set up an account).

If you’re not in the US, these products are available via iherb: Doctor’s Best D-Phenylalanine (or DPA) and Life Extension D, L-Phenylalanine (or DLPA) (use this link to save 5%).

Additional resources when you are new to using DPA and DLPA, and other amino acids as supplements

As always, I use the symptoms questionnaire to figure out if low endorphins or low dopamine or other neurotransmitter imbalances may be an issue for you.

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 (over and above the few I mentioned above).

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.

Wrapping up and your feedback

I do always appreciate questions and feedback like this so keep your questions coming. I do hope my sharing these ones have been helpful to you.

How has DPA or DLPA helped your pain, depression, lack of joy, weepiness, and grief? And has DLPA affected your sleep or made you feel more anxious or stressed?

If yes, which products have helped and do you find swallowed or capsule opened is more effective?

If you’re a practitioner do you use DPA and/or DLPA with clients/patients?

And please let me know if it’s helpful that I’m now including product recommendations and where to get them?

Feel free to share and ask your questions below.

D-phenylalanine (DPA) for easing both physical pain (tooth pain) and emotional pain over the holidays

January 5, 2024 By Trudy Scott 33 Comments

Today I share how the amino acid D-phenylalanine (DPA), used as a supplement multiple times a day, and opened on to my tongue, eased both the physical tooth pain I experienced for 14 days and the emotional pain I was feeling over the holidays.

In this blog I share more about DPA and endorphins when it comes to pain – both physical and emotional. I also share two DPA products I recommend, product label confusion and more about how DPA differs from DLPA (DL-phenylalanine). I am often asked this question and even long time users of DLPA are sometimes surprised to learn how different DPA is. As always, I like to share some research and other related blogs on the topic. Here is my recent and very positive personal experience with DPA, a firm favorite of mine:

I’m just back from the dentist – my crown was re-cemented and I’m a happy camper now. It popped off just before Christmas and I had to wait until now! There was a tiny cavity beneath the crown which is why I was having daily pain.

Thank goodness I always have DPA (the amino acid d-phenylananine) on hand. I gravitate to it for pain relief – sports injuries like muscle sprains, the rare headache and this time for tooth/jaw pain.

I opened a DPA onto my tongue as soon as I could feel the dull ache start and the pain relief lasted a few hours. It works by boosting endorphins to provide pain relief – kind of like acupuncture. I call it “powdered acupuncture”.

Some days I used 3-4 and one day I needed 6. Taking one before bed was wonderful.

I also got bonus benefits for emotional well-being over the holidays. It’s the first Christmas without my darling mom and I really needed the endorphin boost to help with the emotional pain.

The DPA product I used was Doctor’s best (details below) and I opened up the 500 mg capsule onto my tongue each time I needed pain relief.

The number of capsules I needed seemed to vary by how much chewing I was doing (for example, I had more pain after a steak meal vs smoked salmon) and what I was eating or drinking (for example, I had more pain after drinking something cold). I simply used a DPA capsule when the dull pain started, making sure it was away from protein (not always but most of the time).

UPDATE: Sept 13, 2024
DPA has come to my rescue yet again and this time the tooth pain has been very severe. I initially suspected it was the crown again but when I got into the dentist an xray confirmed an abscess at the tip of one of the roots.

It’s a first for me and I’ve never experienced a toothache like this. The pain ramps up from zero to 10 (with 10 being most severe) in a matter of seconds. The only thing that helps right now is DPA. I’m opening a capsule every few hours and have even had to use it every 30 mins when it’s really severe like after drinking or eating something. It brings to pain down to a 3 in a matter of minutes.

I’ve figured out that using a straw to drink liquids helps a ton. I’m also using a soft ice-pack a few times a day too. Strangely it’s worse just before bed, after I take my bedtime supplements. I need the DPA and ice-pack but fortunately I have no pain through the night. Thank goodness for that!

I’m also using a herbal antibiotic and herbal mouth swish from my naturopath while I get a second opinion, learn about my options, and decide next steps.

All this has solidified DPA as my go-to supplement for pain relief.

One of the DPA products I recommend: Doctor’s Best D-Phenylalanine

There are not many d-phenylalanine/DPA products available but of those I have two that I recommend: Doctor’s Best D-Phenylalanine and Lidtke Endorphigen. Both contain 500 mg DPA but the labels can be confusing at first – at least until you’re familiar with them.

Also, this amino acid, DPA, is not to be confused with docosapentaenoic acid (also abbreviated as DPA), an omega-3 fatty acid similar to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).

Here is the Doctor’s Best D-Phenylalanine description:

Doctor’s Best D-phenylalanine is a non-protein amino acid that acts as an inhibiting agent to enzymes that degrade enkephalins, naturally occurring peptides in the body that metabolize endorphins. Endorphins are neurotransmitters that play a key role in the function of the nervous system and are associated with feelings of pleasure. By limiting production of enzymes that break down endorphins, the supplement can help support a healthy mood and normal functioning of the nervous system.

Helps support healthy mood
Helps support endorphin metabolism
Help support neurotransmitter function

This is the actual product that I used over the past 2 weeks and have used it on and off as needed for a few years. It was one of the nutrients that helped when I sprained my ankle when visiting my brother in Las Vegas. More here

As you can see there is no mention of pain on the label or product description. I share more on the pain/endorphin connection below.

You can purchase this online from their website or from iherb. If you use my iherb link you’ll save 5%. This is a good option if you’re not in the USA and already use iherb for one-stop shopping of quality products.

The other DPA product I recommend: Lidtke Endorphigen

The other product I recommend is Lidtke Endorphigen which also contains 500 mg DPA and a small amount of vitamin B6 and riboflavin (vitamin B2). As you can see, this product does mention pain but not the emotional support/mood benefits on the front label.

Here is the Lidtke Endorphigen description

Ease Minor Pain & Feel Good with Healthy Endorphin Level Maintenance

Endorphins are nature’s way to relieve common minor pain and promote a cheerful mood. Research shows that endorphins are released in response to pain and stress, bringing relief. The second wind and runner’s high during and after a vigorous run are results of endorphins. Acting as an analgesic and sedative, endorphins diminish our perception of pain…. But there is more.

Recovery centers report that endorphins promote recovery from a wide variety of unhealthy cravings.

Low endorphin symptoms and typical dosing of DPA

I use the symptoms questionnaire to help clients identify if they have low endorphin symptoms (you can see that here).

Typical dosing is 500 mg to 1000 mg DPA 3-4 x day between meals/away from protein. I do find having clients open the capsule onto their tongue to be more effective for quick pain relief – with results as quickly as 5-10 minutes.

DPA vs DLPA: they are quite different but have some overlaps

I am often asked if DPA and DLPA are the same – they are quite different but have some overlaps as outlined in this blog post on the topic: What is the difference between DPA and DLPA (amino acids) and which one do I use for weepiness, heart-ache, pain and energy?

The precautions are also not the same so I always review contraindications with all my clients and encourage you to do the same.

DPA for MS pain, weepiness, emotional pain and more

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.

DPA research on pain and depression

The use of DPA is not new as you can read in this paper from 1982 – D-phenylalanine and other enkephalinase inhibitors as pharmacological agents: implications for some important therapeutic application

A number of compounds have been shown to inhibit the degradation of enkephalins. As expected, these compounds produce naloxone reversible analgesia and potentiate the analgesia produced by enkephalins and by acupuncture.

One of these, D-phenylalanine, is also anti-inflammatory.

D-phenylalanine has proven to be beneficial in many human patients with chronic, intractable pain. It is proposed the enkephalinase inhibitors may be effective in a number of human “endorphin deficiency diseases” such as depression, schizophrenia, convulsive disorders and arthritis.

Additional resources when you are new to using DPA and the other amino acids as supplements

We use the symptoms questionnaire to figure out if low endorphins or other neurotransmitter imbalances may be an issue for you.

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.

Also mentioned above is Doctor’s Best D-Phenylalanine which can be purchased on iherb.

Have you had success using DPA for toothache, dental abscess or your other pain issues – what kind of pain has it helped and how much has helped you?

Has DPA also helped with emotional pain and weepiness? And cravings/emotional eating?

If you’re a practitioner do you have success using DPA with your clients/patients?

Feel free to share and ask your questions below.

Tryptophan had the added benefit of turning me completely off alcohol when I took it to improve mood and sleep during perimenopause

May 12, 2023 By Trudy Scott 33 Comments

I started taking tryptophan 3 years ago to improve mood and sleep (not recognizing I was in perimenopause which it helped), but had the added benefit of turning me completely off alcohol! Lol. What serendipitous timing! I use amino therapy with pretty much all my perimenopause patients now. Thanks to you and Julia Ross’s work. Forever grateful.

Victoria shared this wonderful feedback about the benefits she experienced with tryptophan on a recent Facebook thread and kindly gave me permission to share.

Self-medicating with wine (and other alcoholic beverages) is common when we are anxious or stressed and typically we use it to wind down at the end of the day and to fit in socially. This is common when GABA levels are low and also happens due to low serotonin which declines from mid-afternoon into the evening.

I asked what she had been drinking and how often? And if it was calming for her? This was her response:

Red wine the minute I walked in the door in the evening. I guess it was calming… maybe more reward driven? It would be my reward for getting home from work via picking kids up from sport and doing a grocery shop and … (fill in the blank) that we working mums do and then having to walk straight into the kitchen to start on dinner.

The wine was like my little treat or reward to motivate me to just keep moving with my chores. No time to sit and unwind, just pour the wine and start chopping! Lol… I had tried to stop before but just couldn’t pick up a knife without the wine glass!

Within days, the tryptophan made the wine taste like cat’s pee! Haven’t touched it since. No desire at all. Almost hypnosis like?

How much tryptophan Victoria used and how did it help her quit?

Victoria used the Now Tryptophan 1000 mg at 3pm and 9pm for about a year, eventually stopping it and saying: “Alcohol still does not interest me at all.”

What wonderful results! A typical starting dose for tryptophan is 500 mg midafternoon and evening and she increased this to find her ideal dose of 1000 mg twice a day. She did report that 5-HTP didn’t work for her the way tryptophan did. This is not unusual as some folks do better with one versus the other.

She has a great explanation regarding how tryptophan helped her quit without having to use willpower. She had no time to sit and unwind ….. so she was experiencing some of the calming aspects of getting serotonin support with the amino acid tryptophan. This is a very common benefit.

Serotonin appears to regulate the secretion of beta-endorphins

It is interesting that Victoria mentions a reward/treat benefit which is often due to low endorphins rather than low serotonin. This paper, Roles of β-Endorphin in Stress, Behavior, Neuroinflammation, and Brain Energy Metabolism, states that β-endorphins, in addition to their “potent analgesic effects” i.e. pain relief (both physical and emotional pain), are also involved in “reward-centric and homeostasis-restoring behaviors.”

However, as stated in this same paper, beta-endorphins play a role in stress-relief (common with working moms like Victoria) and are closely connected with serotonin. In fact “serotonin appears to regulate the secretion of β-endorphins” and vice versa. The body is fascinating and so smart.

Amino acids for alcohol addiction: 5-HTP, DLPA and glutamine

We know that amino acids help with alcohol cravings and addiction and have even been used in inpatient settings. This blog illustrates this well – An amino acid supplement with DLPA, glutamine and 5-HTP (and a few other nutrients) eases alcohol withdrawal symptoms at an inpatient detoxification program.

The study authors state that: “the physiological craving for alcohol may be the result of a deficiency of the naturally occurring opiate like substances as well as other neurochemical deficits (i.e., dopaminergic, GABAergic, and serotonergic).

Both tryptophan and 5-HTP support low serotonin worry-type anxiety, low mood and insomnia. Victoria happened to benefit from tryptophan. Someone else may benefit more from 5-HTP or DLPA or glutamine or a combination as illustrated in the above study. And even GABA, which can help with stress-drinking or stress-eating, as well as physical anxiety.

DPA and DLPA support endorphins and provide the reward/treat benefits from red wine that Victoria mentions. You can read about the difference between DPA and DLPA here.

What if you have afternoon and evening sugar cravings instead of wine?

You may self-medicate with sugar, carbs, gluten, dairy instead of wine. Late afternoon/evening cravings are typically related to low serotonin when there are other low serotonin symptoms like low mood, anxiety, ruminations, worry, insomnia, PMS etc. You can see all the low serotonin symptoms here.

In this case, tryptophan or 5-HTP can be used in a similar way to stop the cravings with no willpower required and no feelings of being deprived. You’ll also experience reduced anxiety, improved mood and better sleep. Read more about this on this blog: Would using 5-HTP or tryptophan help when you crave sugar (as a sort of antidepressant) late afternoon/evening?

Other changes Victoria made and how is she doing now?

Victoria did also share that hot flushes “got me in the end though and I gave in to body identical progesterone for the final year of peri” and takes estradiol transdermally now that she is in menopause. Based on seeing these benefits while in perimenopause, she is now trialing tryptophan again for increased irritability. That is a huge plus with amino acids: once we’ve experienced the benefits, you have them at our disposal again and again in the future as your hormones or situation starts to change.

I love that she now uses tryptophan with her patients. She is a physio/physical therapist and exercise scientist turned Functional Health Practitioner having studied with IFM during the pandemic.

Of course, I thanked her for the kind words and shared how fortunate I was to work in Julia Ross’ clinic for 2 years. I also appreciate her for sharing this feedback and allowing me to share it here as a blog post so you get to learn, be inspired and have hope.

And finally, all this illustrates that there is no one-size-fits-all and we often get unexpected side-benefits when using amino acids.

Tryptophan and 5-HTP product options

Victoria happens to respond well to tryptophan and yet some folks do better with 5-HTP so it’s a matter of doing a trial of each.

Products I recommend include Lidtke 500 mg Tryptophan, and Pure Encapsulations 50 mg 5-HTP. You can purchase these from my online store (Fullscript – only available to US customers – use this link to set up an account).

If you’re not in the US, Doctor’s Best L-Tryptophan 500mg and Source Naturals 50 mg 5-HTP are products I recommend on iherb (use this link to save 5%).

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 and low endorphins).

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.

Has tryptophan helped you quit alcohol easily when you could not do so with willpower alone?

Does tryptophan also help with your low mood, anxiety and sleep issues?

What about 5-HTP (some folks do better on one versus the other)?

And has either tryptophan or 5-HTP helped with other afternoon/evening cravings like sugar and other carbs?

If you have questions and other feedback please share it here too.

Multiple sclerosis: low endorphin research and the amino acid DPA (d-phenylalanine) for pain, depression, comfort and trauma support

April 28, 2023 By Trudy Scott 8 Comments

The research on the role of low endorphins in multiple sclerosis (MS) is exciting because it creates more awareness about a powerful way to offer pain and mood support if you have been diagnosed with this condition. Typically, I ignore the diagnosis when assessing for low levels of neurotransmitters (via a symptoms questionnaire) and have clients do a trial of the amino acid DPA (d-phenylalanine) if they have physical pain symptoms, experience emotional pain symptoms with excessive weepiness/crying and seek comfort via treats/rewarding foods or the numbing effects of alcohol. However, we now know low endorphins play a role in MS (via the endogenous opioid system). By addressing low levels with DPA, you can find some relief of the above pain/depression symptoms and a need for comfort and numbing. DPA may also offer some trauma support if past trauma is a contributing factor (more on all of this below).

Low endorphins play a role in multiple sclerosis: the research

This 2021 paper, Multiple Sclerosis and the Endogenous Opioid System describes MS and the fact that current therapies have limited efficacy: “Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation, neuronal degeneration and demyelinating lesions within the central nervous system. The mechanisms that underlie the pathogenesis and progression of MS are not fully known and current therapies have limited efficacy.”

What is exciting is the identification of the role of the endogenous opioid system and specific opioid peptides in MS:

Preclinical investigations using the murine experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model of MS, as well as clinical observations in patients with MS, provide converging lines of evidence implicating the endogenous opioid system in the pathogenesis of this disease.

In recent years, it has become increasingly clear that endogenous opioid peptides, binding μ- (MOR), κ- (KOR) and δ-opioid receptors (DOR), function as immunomodulatory molecules within both the immune and nervous systems.

The endogenous opioid system is also 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. As such, dysregulation of the opioid system may be a mechanism that contributes to the pathogenesis of MS and associated symptoms.

Endogenous means internal i.e natural compounds produced by the body and involved in pain relief and mood improvement. This article, Opioid Peptides, describes peptides as compounds that “produce the same effects as the chemicals known as classic alkaloid opiates, which include morphine and heroin.”

It also mentions three major categories of opioid receptors – mu, delta, and kappa – referred to as MOR, DOR and KOR above.

D-phenylalanine for human “endorphin deficiency diseases”

Unfortunately neither of these papers mentions the amino acid DPA (d-phenylalanine) and the fact that it supports endorphin production (by inhibiting the breakdown of endorphins), reducing pain and improving mood – quickly (as in 5-10 minutes).

The use of DPA is not new information as you can read in this paper from 1982 – D-phenylalanine and other enkephalinase inhibitors as pharmacological agents: implications for some important therapeutic application

A number of compounds have been shown to inhibit the degradation of enkephalins. As expected, these compounds produce naloxone reversible analgesia and potentiate the analgesia produced by enkephalins and by acupuncture.

One of these, D-phenylalanine, is also anti-inflammatory.

D-phenylalanine has proven to be beneficial in many human patients with chronic, intractable pain. It is proposed the enkephalinase inhibitors may be effective in a number of human “endorphin deficiency diseases” such as depression, schizophrenia, convulsive disorders and arthritis.

Such compounds may alleviate other conditions associated with decreased endorphin levels such as opiate withdrawal symptoms.

Prevalence of anxiety/depression and alcohol abuse in MS

As I shared in the recent post addressing low GABA symptoms (anxiety, muscle stiffness, swallowing/voice issues and pain) in multiple sclerosis, anxiety and depression is common in this condition. Alcohol abuse is also high. I shared this paper, The incidence and prevalence of psychiatric disorders in multiple sclerosis: A systematic Review, with the following results:

Among population-based studies, the prevalence of anxiety was 21.9% (and up to 35.0% in some papers), 23.7% for depression …and 14.8% for alcohol abuse.

The above Opioid Peptides paper highlights that the endogenous opioid system may be related to excessive alcohol-drinking behavior. In the work I do with amino acids, I see alcohol used as a way to numb out.

All this supports the fact that the amino acid DPA may help ease symptoms of depression and weepiness seen in MS, and self-medicating with alcohol.

The goal is to use these amino acids instead of needing to use benzodiazepines (covered in the above GABA blog), antidepressants and pain medications.

DPA may help trauma in MS, and the freeze response

This paper, Childhood Trauma in Multiple Sclerosis: A Case-Control Study, suggests an association between childhood trauma and early-life stress and MS:

Although childhood trauma was not associated with the degree of current MS-related disability, patients with MS with histories of physical and/or sexual abuse had significantly higher relapse rates than patients without early-life stress.

DPA may also offer some trauma support if past trauma is a contributing factor. I learned about trauma and the low energy freeze state (a survival mechanism) from Dr. Aimie Apigian, MD, MS, MPH. There is the feeling of numbness and being disconnected when in the freeze state and this eventually becomes the default pattern that the nervous system has been wired into.

Individuals with low endorphins are often in the freeze state and are more emotionally sensitive to everything and because of this they experience much more stress. They also experience a feeling of numbness and feel disconnected. The encouraging news is that the amino acid DPA helps ease the low endorphin symptoms while they are addressing their trauma in other ways, like with somatic work and addressing other biological underpinnings of trauma.

DPA is comforting, helps you feel safe and is often described as feeling like someone just hugged you.

Endorphins and the amino acid DPA (d-phenylalanine) and DLPA (dl-phenylalanine)

If you’re new to endorphins and the amino acid DPA and DLPA here are some blog posts:

Low GABA and low serotonin are common in multiple sclerosis too

Low endorphins are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the underlying neurotransmitter imbalances in MS. Low GABA and low serotonin are common too.

As mentioned, I recently blogged about the GABA research and applications of GABA when it comes to multiple sclerosis. Here is that link.

When that blog was published I had a number of questions (see the comments in the above link) from folks asking if GABA could help with similar symptoms in Parkinson’s: swallowing and voice problems, pain and hand spasms. I said yes – if GABA is low, the amino acid GABA will help. As important as your diagnosis is, it’s always the questionnaire/symptoms that help you figure out if it’s worth trialing GABA, DPA or one of the other amino acids.

Both GABA and DPA can help pain symptoms via different mechanisms, so it’s a matter of doing a trial of each amino acid, one at a time and monitoring your response.

Tryptophan and/or 5-HTP may help ease some of the low serotonin worry-type of anxiety, fear, panic attacks, obsessing, low mood and MS-specific pain issues and insomnia.

If you do have more than one imbalance (which is not unusual), you need to figure out which imbalance you have and address that with the relevant amino acids, one at a time. I have clients pick the area that is more problematic for them and start there.

I gathered some of this research while preparing for an interview with the wonderful Dr. Terry Wahls, MD and author of “The Wahls Protocol.” We were both pleasantly surprised to see these endorphin/MS and other neurotransmitter connections.

I really look forward to seeing future research on the use of the amino acids DPA, GABA and tryptophan in MS. And I’d love to be involved in some studies if you are associated with a research facility or do research.

Resources if you are new to using 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, gluten, blood sugar control, sugar cravings, anxiety and mood issues.

Do you have multiple sclerosis and has the amino acid DPA helped with your low endorphin symptoms: pain, depression, alcohol addiction, comfort and trauma support?

How much has helped and which product do you use?

Do you find opening a capsule of DPA helps more than swallowing the DPA capsule?

Were you surprised that DPA would help so much?

What else has helped your multiple sclerosis symptoms? And have you also addressed low GABA and serotonin with amino acids GABA and tryptophan?

If you have questions and other feedback please share it here too.

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).

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’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.

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.

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.

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.