{"id":7870,"date":"2018-10-19T14:00:38","date_gmt":"2018-10-19T21:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.everywomanover29.com\/blog\/?p=7870"},"modified":"2018-10-20T01:17:16","modified_gmt":"2018-10-20T08:17:16","slug":"using-amino-acids-for-anxiety-and-depression-does-the-right-dose-ever-change-or-need-a-tweak","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.everywomanover29.com\/blog\/using-amino-acids-for-anxiety-and-depression-does-the-right-dose-ever-change-or-need-a-tweak\/","title":{"rendered":"Using amino acids for anxiety and depression: does the right dose ever change or need a tweak?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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If you are using targeted individual amino acids for anxiety and\/or depression and doing well on them, you\u2019ll likely get to the point when you\u2019re asking questions like how to discontinue them and does the right dose ever change or need a tweak, especially after some stressful life events. Amy posted this question in the comments section of the blog on using tyrosine to create a sense of calm energy<\/a>\u00a0(paraphrased and formatting for ease of reading)<\/p>\n

Trudy you are a God send! I stumbled upon your work after following Julia Ross. I have depression and anxiety. I\u2019m currently taking:<\/p>\n

1000 mg tyrosine 2x daily<\/p>\n

500 mg glutamine morning, 1000mg mid-morning and afternoon<\/p>\n

500mg DPA (Endorphigen) 3 x daily (previously I was using DLPA but your recommended DPA was so much better and less stimulating)<\/p>\n

50 mg 5-HTP afternoon and<\/p>\n

1500mg tryptophan at night<\/p>\n

I used the amino acids to treat what used to be referred to as \u201catypical\u201d depression: loss of motivation, tiredness, lethargic, intense carb craving, feelings of guilt and hopelessness. I would become paralyzed with depression, barely able to get through the days. When I was younger I treated these episodes with antidepressants but as I got older could no longer tolerate the side effects. I\u2019m also still on birth control pills at the age of 46 and believe I may be in perimenopause but can\u2019t stop the pills for medical reasons.<\/p>\n

Tyrosine gave me my energy back, glutamine cut the carb cravings. DPA and True Calm work wonders for my anxiety.<\/p>\n

I watch my sugar intake and always consume lots of animal protein. I\u2019m so grateful for this solution.<\/p>\n

After trialing this seems to be the right combo. I always get confused when is it time to discontinue supplements? Do you stop or slowly reduce or taper?<\/p>\n

Does the \u201cright\u201d dose ever change? I\u2019ve been on this combo about 2 months. I\u2019ve felt great but some anxiety\/panic creeping back up \u2026. wondering if supplements need a tweak or is this just the result of some stressful life events. Advice appreciated!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I was really pleased to hear the wonderful results she was having and glad that she had trialed the amino acids<\/a> to find the correct amount for her unique needs and situation. I don\u2019t see this happening often enough and it really is the most effective way to get results. It\u2019s what I do with all my clients \u2013 methodical, step-by-step trialing of each amino acid, one at a time and carefully documenting results (both good and bad) in order to find the optimal dose of each one.<\/p>\n

When and how to discontinue the amino acids?<\/h2>\n

To answer her question about when and how to discontinue this is my feedback:<\/p>\n

Once you are feeling back to your old self with no more anxiety, panic attacks or depression, you may choose to stop everything at once, but I prefer to slowly lower the amount of one amino acid at a time and add back if your symptoms come back. They don\u2019t need to be \u201ctapered\u201d but doing it this way it helps with preventing your original anxiety and depression symptoms going back to really bad in one big swoop and having to start all over again.<\/p>\n

I will add that I have had feedback from someone saying when she stopped tryptophan abruptly she felt the same withdrawal effects as when she weaned off meds<\/a> but based on my experience this is very rare.<\/p>\n

After posting her question Amy made some adjustments \u2013 taking less of all of them. As I mentioned above I find it better to lower the amount of one amino acid at a time \u2013 kind of reverse of the trialing method you use when starting the amino acids. Also, since she mentioned she felt anxiety\/panic creeping back up, I would have expected her to increase some of the calming amino acids.<\/p>\n

Does the right dose ever change or need a tweak?<\/h2>\n

And to answer Amy\u2019s other question: does the right dose ever change or need a tweak?<\/p>\n

Yes, the \u201cright dose\u201d can change based on stressful life events especially if you have pyroluria – stressful life events can cause you to dump more zinc and vitamin B6 affecting serotonin and GABA production and increasing the social anxiety.<\/p>\n

Amy does mention that she\u2019s on the birth control pill and this depletes zinc and vitamin B6 and hence serotonin<\/a>) and has an impact on the microbiome – so this may well be playing a role in the need to tweak doses.<\/p>\n

There are many other factors that could lead to the need to adjust the amino acids (or other supplement protocols):<\/p>\n