A question about using the amino acid DPA (d-phenylalanine) to help wean off prescription pain medication was posted on the blog. She was also hoping it would help ease her pain while she was weaning and improve her poor sleep too. I share my feedback on DPA for weaning, timing of vitamin C, additional information for sleep support and using DPA for emotional eating too. Concerns about oxalates and pain are mentioned and the importance of a comprehensive approach.
Here is the question that was posted:
Hi Trudy, I am trying to get off prescription pain medication and have read that DPA really helps – do you have any knowledge and/or experience with this?
There is a very popular opiate withdrawal support website that recommends DPA 500mg 3x/daily. Since amino acids need to be taken away from food and other amino acids, I feel like it could be very easy to make the DPA go to waste if not taken at exactly the right time every day.
The insomnia is the worst part of opiate withdrawal for me – days can go by with only 20-45 minutes of sleep. I have a little one to care for and the stress of no sleep just makes me want to give up.
No sleep worsens my physical pain as I toss and turn for hours on end. It isn’t a surprise that then causes terrible emotional distress.
One more question…since Vitamin C does help withdrawal does it affect/break down DPA? I take a liposomal version multiple times a day.
Here is my response: Yes, DPA (d-phenylalanine) does help with withdrawal from prescription pain medication and I’ve used it for this purpose with great success with many clients. It does need to be used away from protein and the dosing can vary for each person.
A starting dose of DPA is 500mg and it can be used 3- 4 x day to start, and we increase from there based on the unique need of each person. We typically adjust the DPA up as the prescription medication is tapered very slowly, and under the guidance of the prescribing physician.
I share more about her vitamin C and insomnia questions below.
If you are new to DPA and endorphin support
DPA/d-phenylalanine is an amino acid used as a supplement.
DPA destroys the enzyme that breaks down/inhibits endorphins and in essence raises endorphin levels. Endorphins are feel-good chemicals that you experience with an endorphin rush when you go for a run or when someone gives you a big hug, when you show kindness to someone or an individual does something nice for you.
Taking the amino acid, DPA, as a supplement helps to raise your endorphins and helps when you feel weepy and overly emotional and reduces the need to self-medicate with treats as a reward or for comfort (more on that below). This amino acid is a favorite with so many of my clients and community because it makes them feel so lovely.
In addition to helping with emotional pain, DPA also helps with easing physical pain. And for this reason it can be used to help get off prescription pain medications.
In summary, these are the signs of low endorphins:
- Heightened sensitivity to emotional pain
- Heightened sensitivity to physical pain
- Crying or tearing up easily
- Eating to soothe your mood, or comfort eating
- Really, really loving certain foods, behaviors, drugs, or alcohol
- Craving a reward or numbing treat
DPA and endorphin support for pain: the research
Here is one paper, which discusses how DPA inhibits or breaks down enkephalins (endorphins are closely related compounds) and as a result helps with depression and pain, and acts as an anti-inflammatory: “proven to be beneficial in many human patients with chronic, intractable pain.” The authors also state that a compound such as DPA “may alleviate other conditions associated with decreased endorphin levels such as opiate withdrawal symptoms.”
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.”
I would love to see DPA used instead of pain meds when possible or used in conjunction with prescription pain medications when they are needed.
I am also very curious to know which opiate withdrawal support website is recommending DPA. I’m so pleased to hear this because it helps so much – for physical pain relief and for weaning off pain medications.
Is DPA the same as DLPA?
DLPA (dl-phenylalanine), although similar sounding, is not the same as DPA and only offers about half as much endorphin support. It also provides dopamine/catecholamine support (i.e. focus, motivation, mood, energy) and this aspect means DLPA has the same precautions as tyrosine. It also means DLPA can affect sleep if used from midafternoon onwards.
I seldom have clients use DLPA and prefer DPA for endorphin support and tyrosine for dopamine/catecholamine support if needed.
Keep in mind, the amino acid DPA, is not the same as the omega-3 fatty acid called docosapentaenoic acid and also abbreviated as DPA.
The brand of DPA that I recommend for my clients
The brand I recommend for my clients is Lidtke Endorphigen. You can read about it and the other supplements I recommend on the supplements blog here.
My recommendation has always been to chew the DPA capsule for the best effects and to get results quickly (in 2-5 minutes). Instead of chewing the whole capsule I now recommend opening the capsule into your mouth. You can read more about using DPA and some client feedback here.
I’ve used Endorphigen personally too and it’s always with me as part of my travel first-aid kit. I write about using DPA, GABA and acupuncture for pain relief after my back injury and I had DPA, GABA and arnica on hand when I sprained my ankle while hiking in Red Rocks.
Benefits include reduction of emotional/comfort eating too
As I mentioned above, with DPA there is the bonus benefit of endorphin support to help end emotional/comfort eating where you are seeking treats as a reward i.e it helps with physical pain and emotional pain.
You may relate to this if you are someone who would say or think “I just LOVE chocolate-chip cookies!” or “PLEEEEASE don’t make me give up my treats, it’s all I have left after I gave up my coffee and wine! I deserve something nice!”
This emotional attachment to sweet treats and reward-eating is very common with low endorphins.
Using vitamin C with the amino acids and watching for oxalate pain adverse effects
She is correct, vitamin C is best used away from the amino acids so as not to reduce the beneficial effects.
I do caution clients to find the right amount of vitamin C as too much can increase pain in individuals with dietary oxalate issues. I write about oxalate crystal disease here and vitamin C and oxalates here. Both can aggravate insomnia too and increase anxiety.
Address low serotonin, low GABA and/or high cortisol for sleep too
With sleep issues we may also look into supporting low serotonin with tryptophan or 5-HTP, and/or low GABA levels with GABA and/or theanine. These amino acids can also help with reducing pain in some instances.
Opioids have an endocrine effect via impacts on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, affecting sex hormones levels and cortisol levels. Endocrine dysfunction can adversely impact sleep and make anxiety worse, and needs to be addressed. GABA and serotonin support can help with some of the sex hormone imbalances and Seriphos helps when cortisol is too high.
A comprehensive approach is key
Of course, a comprehensive approach is key, so it’s important to remove inflammatory foods (gluten, maybe all grains, sugar, caffeine, unhealthy fats etc), add fish oil if omega-3s are low and include anti-inflammatory nutrients such as turmeric.
And we always want to figure out the root cause of the pain and address it. Also, ruling out if dietary oxalates (and vitamin C) are an issue is important and often overlooked.
I’m a big fan of working with a physical therapist and acupuncturist too.
Resources if you are new to using the amino acids as supplements
If you are new to using the amino acids, DPA, tryptophan or GABA, as supplements and want to know more, here is the Amino Acids Mood Questionnaire from The Antianxiety Food Solution and a brief overview here, Anxiety and targeted individual amino acid supplements: a summary.
If you suspect low endorphins, low serotonin or low GABA levels 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 so you are knowledgeable.
Can you relate to any of this? Has DPA helped your pain and/or helped you withdraw from prescription pain meds? And did you even know this was an option?
Did it also help you sleep and make you less anxious/worried because of the reduction in pain?
What about less emotional eating when using DPA/Endorphigen?
Feel free to post your questions too.
Hi Trudy
I have had asthma/allergies/ eczema and many itis’s ! and recently ordered your book and I look forward to reading it .
I have spent most of my live searching for relief and now in my mid seventies and still manage to function pretty well.
I will admit that I also have a strong will to live and love of life.
I have consulted many practitioners and received much information. Watch many documentaries and webinars. All of which I deeply appreciate.
So now I am very interested in your posts and sense your great knowledge of your way of approach and very interested in learning how you treat the issues that I have experienced over time.
Thank you so much for all that you do. I eagerly await the delivery of your book( through Fishpond) and to read your blogs. I live in Australia and so do try to think globally and act locally especially in these times of great physical restrictions. Although nothing can restrict that pure spirit that lives in all of us . Kind Regards
Doreen May
Doreen
Thanks for the lovely message. I do hope my book and blogs post help you even more on your healing journey.
I agree “nothing can restrict that pure spirit that lives in all of us”
Can you comment on the differences between L-Phenylalanine and DPA? I have a condition called narrow angle and read somewhere that taking tyrosine could be problematic. I was going to use it for mood balance. Have you come across anything about this? Thanks, Trudy.
Kathleen
I’ve updated the blog with the differences and precautions. DLPA has the same precautions as tyrosine. I would like to know where you read about tyrosine being an issue for narrow angle glaucoma so I can look into this as an additional possible precaution
Keep in mind, low mood may be due to low endorphins (weepy low mood) or low catecholamines (curl-up-in-bed depression) or low serotonin (worry-sad mood) and there is a different amino acid for each one.
Hello Trudy,
Would this help with tapering of of a benzo Klonopin or antidepressant Cymbalta? I really need help in getting off of both. Klonopin is now making me depressed.
Laurie
DPA will only help with weaning meds if there are low endorphin symptoms (I added these to the blog).
Best is to read this blog and work with and discuss with your prescribing doctor as there is the risk of serotonin syndrome with cymbalta https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/taper-from-antidepressant-tryptophan-amino-acids/
Klonopin taper can be challenging and it’s best to taper one at a time. However there are a subset of individuals (about 30%) who do have a much more difficult time tapering benzos than others, even with nutritional support. More on this here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/world-benzodiazepine-awareness-day-say-no-benzodiazepines-anxiety/
I have my clients get nutritionally stable BEFORE starting any medication taper (with their doctor’s approval of course) and this prevents many of the adverse effects. This means eating real food, no gluten, no caffeine, no sugar, quality animal protein, eating for blood sugar control and addressing gut health, the adrenals etc (everything I cover in my book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” – more here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/).
Dear Trudy, 1) You mention having to take aminos away from protein foods. How many hours apart, and before or after? I take NAC for depression.
2) This post is about opiate withdrawal. I have been prescribed two antidepressants for sleep, mirtazapine & trazodone. I also take 1 mg alprazolam. It may be these are interefering with my HPA issues, Hashimoto’s & cortisol disruption. In a leap into the unknown, I have been weaning the mirtazapine using compounded doses for five months. No symptoms so far, seven months to go.
Q: Might DPA help with weaning? Insomnia (frequent waking) is a major issue.
3) Can aminos be taken together, e.g., DPA with NAC, that convenient hour before breakfast.
4) And I’m looking forward to hearing the differences between l-PA & d-PA, too.
Thanks so much.
CJ
1)About 30 mins away from protein
2) DPA will only help with weaning meds if there are low endorphin symptoms (I added these to the blog). Best is to read this blog and work with and discuss with your prescribing doctor as there is the risk of serotonin syndrome with mirtazapine/trazodone https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/taper-from-antidepressant-tryptophan-amino-acids/
3) I use DPA, DLPA, GABA, theanine, tryptophan, 5-HTP, glutamine and tyrosine away from all other supps
4) Blog has been updated with this and the precautions with DLPA. Have you used either DPA or DLPA?
Thanks, Trudy. Have not used either but have ordered some. I hope to take it with my NAC an hour before protein.
I think the 2400mg daily dose of NAC has relieved my depression. I’d like it if DPA could weaken anxiety, too.
Terrible sleeps for 3½ years so…just maybe!
You’re a great help!
Thanks for this great article! What is your opinion on DLPA? Do you ever recommend it? Also, I went to order the Lidtke Endorphigen and also found Endorphigen MD , which has 2 mg of B6 as appose to 3.5 mg in the Endorphigen. Is either OK or do you have a preference for mood elevation.
Thanks 🙂
Lisa
You’re welcome! I updated the blog with additional information about DLPA and the precautions. I seldom have clients use DLPA and prefer DPA for endorphin support and tyrosine for dopamine/catecholamine support if needed.
Keep in mind, low mood may be due to low endorphins (weepy low mood) or low catecholamines (curl-up-in-bed depression) or low serotonin (worry-sad mood).
These products are comparable and both work equally well for endorphin support.
Have you used either DPA or DLPA?
Hi Trudy.
Absolutely love and so appreciate your wisdom and sharing with us all.
Quick question – are you aware of the DPA or the SeroPhos also interfering with an oxalate issue?
Maika
Thanks for the kind words. I am not aware of either DPA or Seriphos (I think that is what you’re asking about https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/seriphos-original-formula-anxiety-insomnia-cortisol/) being an issue when someone has dietary oxalate issues. But I have not looked into either. Have you seen either to be an issue?
Hi Trudy, i hav com off my anti-depressants with the help of my essential oils – already 6 months – however, i have had blood tests, & found that i hav a slight problem with my thyroid (normal .3 & i am .6), i really don’t want 2 take main stream meds, i will hav another test in 2 months time, so 2 begin, i hav taken soya/sea vegs/molassas out of my diet – i am thin, so i think i hav hyperthyroidism – any help pls from yr side!
Joy
If someone does have hyperthyroidism, an excellent resource is Dr. Eric Osansky. He also has a book: Natural Treatment Solutions for Hyperthyroidism and Graves’ Disease (my Amazon link https://amzn.to/3hLGhTv)
I would love to hear how you are doing after having come off your antidepressant, which one, how you used essential oils and which ones?
I read some scary stuff about how phenylalanine is the same as aspartame and it is my understanding that tests on rats showed that aspartame cause lesions on their brains. There seems to be a lot of indication that aspartame can cause brain tumors so is this a risk with d phenylalanine or is one other small reference that I found to d phenylalanine causing flakes instead of plaque and that the flakes seem to get rid of the plaque which is apparently an amyloid type of plaque associated with Alzheimer’s. A lot of scary stuff about potential to cause dementia with phenylalanine but it didn’t State specifically whether it was d or l form. I’d love to achieve the relief that I’ve heard about with DPA, but I’m having trouble wrapping my head around the conflicting information that I’m seeing and the fact that there is a difference apparently between the d and the L to the point where perhaps the d is the good guy?
Shalom
Feel free to share the links where you read all this and I’d be more than happy to comment
Hi Trudy,
Words cannot express my gratitude for your blog and the ways it has helped me. And thank you for all who share their experiences because you help me too.
I will write and update more later, in particular about my successful experience weaning off Celexa using Amino Acids. For now, I feel ready to add the Endophigen because of the above symptoms you mention. I’m already taking Gaba 60 mg am and afternoon (I’m a pixie dust kind of person) and 100 tryptophan before bed.
You say:
3) I use DPA, DLPA, GABA, theanine, tryptophan, 5-HTP, glutamine and tyrosine away from all other supps
and proteins,
and I wonder can I take Endorphigen with gaba in the morning or afternoon? IOW, is it ok to combine amino acids as long as they are away from other supps and proteins?
Thank you and blessing, Tina
Tina
It’s ok to combine the amino acids as long as they are away from protein.
I look forward to hearing about your successful experience weaning off Celexa using amino acids.