Balancing Neurotransmitters: the Fundamentals

Is DPA stimulating; can it be used with kids and someone with bipolar disorder; can it be used with a benzo/SSRI? (and other questions)

July 22, 2022 By Trudy Scott 12 Comments

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.

Using 750 mg GABA in a hard tablet form for anxiety: I do not experience the flush but I am also not sure it is doing much of anything for me

July 15, 2022 By Trudy Scott 21 Comments

Today I’m addressing a question from someone in this community about a particular GABA product and her confusion about dosing with 750mg and using a hard tablet (she calls it a pill). When she uses it she doesn’t notice any effect i.e. no calming benefits and no adverse niacin-type tingly flush either. This is what she asked:

Not sure if “Source Naturals GABA Calm Mind” is on your list, but I thought it was one you had recommended at one time? Anyway, these are pills that cannot be opened like a capsule and 1 pill = 750 mg.

Personally, I had the tingly flush when I used a different product that WAS a capsule and opened it on my tongue…unfortunately I do not recall dosage or product name but I purchased at Whole Foods.

With this particular product (Source Naturals GABA Calm Mind) in pill form, although the dosage could be higher, I do not experience the flush…(however, I also am not sure it is doing much of anything for me).

This is my feedback for her: I have never recommended the Source Naturals GABA Calm Mind 750 mg tablet ever (she calls it a pill but I know she is referring to the hard tablets).

These are not a very effective way to use GABA. As you can see, she doesn’t feel it’s doing anything for her in terms of easing her anxiety and being calming. With a high dose of GABA we also often see a niacin-like flush or tingling and yet with this pill/tablet form she didn’t experience this either. GABA is much more effective when used sublingually or opening a capsule (and starting low at 125mg). More on this below.

But I’m not surprised she is confused and asking this question. The Source Naturals GABA Calm Mind has a very similar bottle/name/label to Source Naturals GABA Calm (the sublingual with 125mg GABA) and there is also a Source Naturals GABA Calm Mind 750 mg capsules (which can be opened).

She mentions the tingly flush when using a different product that was a capsule and opened on to her tongue. I’d suspect the tingling happened with a 500 mg GABA or 750 mg GABA product as this is a common dosage found in health stores. Opening the capsule and using less is best when starting out.

If you have to break it it’s a tablet and much less effective

All this logic applies to any brand of hard GABA tablet. Someone just shared on Facebook that she had purchased a GABA product in the Netherlands and broke it in half in order to use a lower dose. If you have to break it it’s a tablet and much less effective and possibly not at all effective. Be sure to read the front and back of the bottle and avoid hard tablets.

From time to time someone will see some benefit with a GABA tablet that is swallowed but it’s usually minimal.

The most effective forms of GABA to use

Here is a quick recap if you’re new to GABA. It’s an amino acid that is used as a supplement to boost GABA levels (a calming neurotransmitter) and ease physical tension type anxiety symptoms. It’s most effective when used sublingually, or as a powder or by using a GABA capsule opened on to the tongue or as a liposomal product.

When using GABA it must ideally be in one of these forms for the best effects:

Capsule form so the gelatin or cellulose capsule can be opened and the contents sprinkled onto the tongue, or some of it depending on dosing (NFH GABA-T SAP is a good example of this one – it contains GABA and theanine)
Sublingual form which is sucked/held in the mouth (Source Naturals GABA Calm 125mg is a good example of this – this is the GABA product that I have the most success with and it’s easy to use when out and about; PharmaGABA chewables are another option)
Powder form which is measured out using special tiny measuring spoon and sprinkled on to the tongue (Healthwise and Bulk Nutrients are good examples of this one)
Liposomal form which is sprayed into the mouth and held for a few minutes (Designs for Health Liposomal Neurocalm and Quicksilver Scientific Liposomal GABA with L-Theanine are good examples of this form)

This blog, Antianxiety Food Solution Amino Acid and Pyroluria Supplements, lists the amino acids that I use with my individual clients and those in my group programs. You can find a list of selected GABA products.

Here are a few success stories where the above different forms have been used:

Resources if you are new to using the amino acids as supplements

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.

Did you use a GABA product that didn’t work for you before finding the ideal product and dose?

Please share which product didn’t work (was it a hard tablet?) and what did work for you. And be sure to share how it helps to ease your physical anxiety, insomnia, pain, intrusive thoughts and cravings (for sugar or alcohol).

Have you experienced the niacin-like flush or tingle from using too high a dose of GABA? How much did that and which product?

If you’re a practitioner, which forms of GABA do you find the most success with?

If you have questions please share them here too.