DPA (d-phenylalanine) is an amino acid that destroys the enzyme that breaks down endorphins. Endorphins are feel-good chemicals that you experience with an endorphin rush when you go for a run or when someone gives you a big hug, when you show kindness to someone or someone does something nice for you. The amino acid DPA 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. Today I’m sharing some questions (and my feedback) as to whether it’s stimulating, can it be used with kids and someone with bipolar disorder, can it be used with a benzo/SSRI and more.
Misha has had success with DPA and wants to know if it is considered too stimulating. Here is her feedback and question:
I first tried DPA after reading about it on your blog and found it helpful for raising my mood. The DPA definitely helped curb my weepiness. I used Lidtke Endorphigen 1 cap/day. I have chronic Lyme which creates severe difficulty with sleep, anxiety and depression. Six months ago my neurologist took me off DPA saying it would be too stimulating to my nervous system.
I have since begun using DPA again; I really need the endorphin boost. Do you have any insights on whether DPA is considered stimulating? Whether it interferes with sleep (unfortunately my sleep is bad whether I take DPA or not)? Or suggestions for time of day to take it?
Here is my feedback for Misha: There is no evidence that DPA is too stimulating whereas DLPA (dl-phenylalanine) is known to be stimulating (it works like a combination of DPA and tyrosine).
And when I hear all this it tells me the person needs endorphin support:
- “found it helpful for raising my mood”
- “The DPA definitely helped curb my weepiness”
- “I have since begun using DPA again; I really need the endorphin boost”
That said anything is possible which is why using the amino acids is based on the questionnaire and trials to see how a person responds. The best way to know if sleep is affected is to monitor sleep when using it and when not using it. She says her sleep is bad whether she takes DPA or not so I would recommend going back to her neurologist, sharing this information and the fact that it’s helping her so much. And look for other causes of her sleep issues.
Anna asks if DPA and other amino acids are safe for kids and how high doses? This is her question:
My 10 yr old has been diagnosed with social anxiety and she ticks off most of the boxes for low endorphins, low GABA, low serotonin. She’s very sensitive and very very emotional. We tried, but can’t seem to find a naturopath that can help her much. I feel after a while they all reach a dead end. I have been following you for a year and recently got your book. It looks relatively easy to follow, however I’m a bit reluctant, as she’s a kid.
My feedback: I work with women and once they have figured out the amino acids and neurotransmitter imbalances themselves they find it much easier to help their children who often have similar issues. When that is not the case working with a practitioner is ideal. That being said many moms become informed and educated enough to trial the amino acids on their own (like this mom who had her daughter use GABA with much success).
Anna says her daughter is very sensitive and very very emotional so I’d consider using 125 mg DPA to start (500 mg is an adult starting dose).With kids we also always start with dietary changes as laid out in my book. A good place to start is with a gluten-free and sugar-free diet and DPA (and the other amino acids) can help curb the cravings and feelings of deprivation.
Anon has bipolar disorder and likes comfort foods. This is her question:
I have bipolar disorder and wonder if the DPA will send me into a manic state. It’s one of the reasons I can’t take anti-depressants or stimulants otherwise I go manic. But I can eat for comfort so I only have food in the house I’m going to eat according to meal schedules. So I want to try the DPA.
Here is my feedback: I have not seen DPA to be an issue with bipolar disorder and it’s fabulous when you are a comfort-eater. If you have bipolar disorder and are on medications, it’s always advised to discuss new supplements with your prescribing doctor. You can share that DPA is not on the list of amino acids that have precautions with bipolar disorder.
I would not recommend the use of DLPA (dl-phenylalanine) with bipolar disorder because some of this increases dopamine (which can trigger a manic state).
Kristie is doing a benzodiazepine taper and would like to use DPA:
I am currently going through a benzo taper & there are numerous wonderful products that I am unable to mix with benzos. Would this be safe for me?
This is my feedback: I have not had issues with DPA with clients who are doing a benzo taper and there are no documented contraindications. DPA can help with some of the emotional blunting caused by benzos and the emotional fragility we often see during a benzo taper. I know some of the great benzo support groups say not to use GABA but I find it very helpful when tapering too.
The medication question is a common one. Someone else described her depression as weepy and is using the SSRI. There are also no documented contraindications when using DPA with a SSRI. But again, best to discuss with the prescribing doctor.
Arleen has a question about blood pressure and the DPA product I recommend (Lidtke Endorphigen):
1) Is this product gluten free and 2) What effect if any would it have on blood pressure (mine is naturally low)
Here is my feedback: Lidtke Endorphigen is gluten-free and I have not seen it or other DPA products to be an issue with low blood pressure.
Jan wants to use GABA and DPA. She asks:
Can I use Gaba 125mg and also take DPA? Would either offset the other?
If someone has low GABA symptoms and GABA helps with the physcal anxiety 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 clients trial one at a time in order to find the ideal dose and so you know how each one is working.
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).
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, 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 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 with success with their clients/patients.
Have you used DPA with success and if yes how has it helped?
If you’re a practitioner, do you use DPA with your clients/patients?
If you have questions please share them here too.
Flo says
Can I use St. John’s Wart with this DPA?
Trudy Scott says
Flo
There are no documented contraindications when using DPA with St. John’s Wort. I don’t use this herb very much so can’t offer anything from my clinical experience.
The main thing in deciding to use DPA is to look at the low endorphin symptoms. Presumably the St. John’s Wort has resolved the low serotonin symptoms. If not I’d consider tryptophan or 5-HTP.
When you are new to the amino acids I really do recommend my book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” so you understand exactly how to use them. There is an entire chapter on the amino acids and how to use them. It also covers other anxiety nutrition solutions like gluten/sugar/caffeine removal, blood sugar control, gut health, pyroluria etc and is a great foundation. Remember, it’s the amino acids and diet. More here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/
hassan dawjee says
Is L-Phenylalanine stimulating or calming?
Trudy Scott says
Hassan
LPA is similar to DLPA and both are stimulating and best used before 3pm and earlier in some folks. I address the differences between DPA and DLPA here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/what-is-the-difference-between-dpa-and-dlpa-amino-acids-and-which-one-do-i-use-for-weepiness-heart-ache-pain-and-energy/
Have you used any of these amino acids with success and if yes how have they helped?
hassan dawjee says
Dear Trudy,
i have not used the LPA since i was unsure about it’s ‘çalming’ effect. The DPA is not available in SA and is also difficult to obtain via the net. I have also been unable to obtain the Lidtke GABA and the other GABA suppliers (Solgar, NOW Food, GNC) do not work at all for me (125mg under the tongue).
Trudy Scott says
Hassan
Per the blog I shared above, a trial of DLPA may be the best option when DPA is not available.
Keep in mind 125mg of GABA is the minimal starting dose and we increase in order to get desired results. I have had many clients do very well with Solgar and Now GABA when they have low GABA symptoms i.e. tension type anxiety.
Beth says
Dear Trudy,
Amino acids can be so helpful. I am glad Misha was able to learn about DPA thru your blog. I take note that Misha writes that she has « chronic Lyme which creates severe difficulty with sleep, anxiety and depression. ». I have never needed or used DPA but have used 5HTP and GABA very successfully to improve sleep and relieve anxiety (I use all the wonderful information on your blog and in your book).
A thought to share about Chronic Lyme Disease: more and more is being written and reported about viruses particularly Epstein Barr Virus (EBV). In addition to having been identified as a risk factor for Long Covid, I have read that EBV may be a key factor behind difficult or persistent cases of Lyme Disease. Specifically, chronic active or reactivated EBV may be limiting the body’s ability to overcome Lyme.
Trudy Scott says
Beth
Thanks for sharing and so pleased to hear 5-HTP and GABA have helped you with sleep and anxiety. They can also help when someone has low GABA and low serotonin as a result of chronic Lyme.
Thanks for sharing the insights on EBV and Lyme and long COVID too. This paper presents 2 cases studies on Lyme/EBV https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30166498/ Also, “serological tests used in the diagnosis of Lyme disease have a high potential to generate false positive results in patients with active viral infections, which may be related to cross-reacting antibodies” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35215146/
Peggy says
Hi Trudy,
Thanks so much for all your work.
I was taking Lyrica to manage my anxiety for 1.5 years. During this time I found that the amino acids I had used for migrating stopped working for pain. Lyrica badly effected my gut and increased fibromyalgia like pain. I have since stopped this drug and have upped my b6, b vitamins, digestive enzymes low ox diet ect, but the amino acids are still not working for pain. I have tried DPA, tryptophan and an amino acid mix. Could you recommend any other vitamin cofactors that could help with amino acid absorption? Thanks so much!
Trudy Scott says
Peggy
In a situation like this I have had my client increase the DPA and tryptophan dosing over a period of a few weeks and also make sure to use them sublingually/opened and held on the tongue instead of swallowed. Of course, we also make sure they still have low endorphin and low serotonin symptoms. We also address nutrient depletion that may be a result of a medication like Lyrica (like biotin, folic acid, vitamin D, or vitamin K) and gut health. And all the rest – as outlined in my book.
Lidtke Tryptophan Complete is often a better option that the Lidtke 500mg Tryptophan. More here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/tryptophan-500mg-or-tryptophan-complete-lidtke/
Robert Snelgrove says
Is DPA typically stimulating or sedative in adults?
Trudy Scott says
Bob
I answered your question here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/dpa-weepiness-pain-comfort-reward-eating/