I recently received this wonderful feedback from a grandmother who is so happy about tryptophan helping her 17-year old grandson. He had been struggling with OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) and ruminating thoughts for years:
We started with Lidtke L-Tryptophan Chewables. I was thrilled beyond my greatest hopes to see that it helped immediately! So, we went forward with having him chew a tryptophan when the thoughts started taking hold. This helped for a while, but the thoughts would return.
Finally I read one mother on your blog who gave her son tryptophan 3x/day. So we tried this. That was the magic bullet for my grandson. Getting the tryptophan in before the thoughts could take hold made the difference. And so we have stuck with this plan and have been so happy to see that OCD is no longer ruling my grandson’s life.
Last week I heard the most beautiful words I could imagine. “Hey grandma! The OCD is permanently gone!” Truly a miracle! That’s how it feels to him. As long as we continue to take the tryptophan 3x/day, there is no sign of OCD or ruminating thoughts!
We keep GABA Calm on hand as well and if a bothersome thought enters his mind, he chews a GABA and we don’t hear any more about it.
I honestly don’t even know how to tell you what a blessing your information has been to my grandson. He has the most beautiful, serene smile almost all the time now.
In all my reading and searching for all these years, you’re the only one I saw talking about this. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for guiding us to giving this kid his life back. I pray that all the good things you have done to help people come back to you tenfold, Trudy. You are a Godsend.
How much tryptophan helped him and why using it 3 x a day was key
The amino acid tryptophan, used as a supplement, supports low serotonin levels which can cause the worry type of anxiety, ruminating thoughts and OCD (behaviors and thoughts). You can see all the low serotonin symptoms here.
Each of the Lidtke L-Tryptophan Chewables provides 100 mg tryptophan which is often a great starting dose for children and teens. Because it’s chewable and tastes sweet it’s also a great format for children and teens (and “pixie dust” adults who need a very small amount). The bad aspect is that it does contain sugar and is quite sweet. Because you are continually consuming something sweet you may end up over-consuming them if sugar addiction is your issue.
As you can see 100 mg tryptophan did provide some relief in the moment but using the amino acids consistently throughout the day is what I always recommend for best results. In this instance 100 mg tryptophan 3x day worked perfectly for this young man.
Keep in mind there is no one-size fits all for dosing and 100 mg tryptophan x3 per day is considered quite low with many individuals needing 500-1000 mg tryptophan two or three times a day. Also some individuals do better on 5-HTP so this should always be considered too (10 mg 5-HTP is equivalent to 100 mg tryptophan).
Precaution about serotonin syndrome with tryptophan/5-HTP
There are precautions when using certain amino acids and I always review them with all my clients. If they have been prescribed an SSRI, I have them discuss the use of tryptophan/5-HTP with their prescribing doctor so they can be monitored for serotonin syndrome. With careful monitoring and doctor approval I feel comfortable having my clients use tryptophan/5-HTP 6 hours away from their one and only SSRI.
If they are using more than one SSRI and/or a combination of psychiatric medications, the use of tryptophan/5-HTP is not advised.
None of the above applied in this situation but it’s important to be aware of.
How GABA also helps and my recommendation about consistent use too
The amino acid GABA, used as a supplement, supports low GABA levels which can cause physical anxiety and tension, and also an inability to stop intrusive thoughts. You can see all the low GABA symptoms here.
Each GABA Calm provides 125 mg GABA and he uses it as needed: “We keep GABA Calm on hand as well and if a bothersome thought enters his mind, he chews a GABA.”
My recommendation is to assess for low GABA symptoms and consider using GABA consistently throughout the day, typically 2-4 x day.
OCD research: glutamatergic and serotonergic pathway dysregulation
This 2011 paper, Nutraceuticals in the treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD): a review of mechanistic and clinical evidence, states the following:
Current preclinical research investigating nutraceuticals (natural products) for OCD, reveals encouraging novel activity in modulating key pathways suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of OCD (glutamatergic and serotonergic pathway dysregulation).
With glutamatergic pathway dysregulation, we would expect GABA to help; and with serotonergic pathway dysregulation, we would expect tryptophan (or 5-HTP to help), as this young man found.
However there are no studies that have used tryptophan for OCD and the above paper concludes that “the serotonin precursor tryptophan is unlikely to be of use in treating OCD while 5-HTP may possibly be a more effective precursor strategy.” The authors state this about 5-HTP because it has been used with success for OCD in conjunction with medication (read the study here).
This lack of research on tryptophan for OCD is one of the reasons I feel compelled to share wonderful success stories like this. And until we have tryptophan research, we must use what we see works clinically and recognize that tryptophan and 5-HTP work in very similar ways.
Other nutrients when tryptophan or 5-HTP or GABA doesn’t help
The above paper does mention other nutrients that are tentatively supported by research and which modulate these pathways: N-acetylcysteine (NAC), myo-inositol, glycine, and milk thistle.
These nutrients could be considered when tryptophan or 5-HTP or GABA doesn’t help or doesn’t help enough. I’ve had much success with myo-inositol for OCD and have always used it in conjunction with tryptophan or 5-HTP. We start with tryptophan or 5-HTP and find a good base line and then add inositol, starting with 500 mg and working up to 18 g/day (as reported in the research).
As you can see, in one study, NAC was shown to be helpful for trichotillomania, a behavioral disorder characterized by the recurring or obsessive habit of pulling one’s hair, resulting in secondary alopecia. I blogged about this here.
They tried many approaches and it took 3 years before they used the amino acids
Patricia, the grandmother, also shared what other approaches they had tried from the age of 14-17 years before seeing success with tryptophan and GABA: therapy, tapping, breathing techniques, acupuncture, yoga and tai chi. None of this helped enough and they rejected pharmaceutical approaches.
It breaks my heart that it took 3 years for her grandson to find relief:
I have been reading your information on OCD for several years (in all my reading and searching for all these years, you’re the only one I saw talking about this) and though I thought it was the best hope I’d heard of for stopping OCD and ruminating thoughts, I was afraid to try the amino acids because I knew so little about them.
So I studied and studied and gained confidence by reading the published reports that seemed to back up what you said about amino acids.
Still, since I was hoping to help my grandson, who was 14 at the time, I was overly cautious. I’m not a medical professional and I’m aware that even really safe and effective treatments can change more than just the issue I was hoping to address.
So, more reading and searching ensued. Meanwhile my grandson’s life was deteriorating. He couldn’t function in many ways because he had no peace. Even sleep was difficult because the thoughts wouldn’t rest – the poor kid had no time at all when his mind wasn’t racing. It broke my heart to see him suffer so much.
Finally, I got the strength to trust my gut and try the amino acids.
I admire Patricia for reading, searching and studying and finally being well-informed enough to help her grandson. And then sharing his story with me so I can share it here with you. She was inspired by one of my other blogs and hopefully you will be inspired and motivated by this wonderful success story.
My hope, with stories like this, is that the amino acids and nutritional approaches are considered first and not after all else has failed.
Additional resources when you are new to using tryptophan, 5-HTP, GABA and the other amino acids as supplements
We use the symptoms questionnaire to figure out if low serotonin or low GABA 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, 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. You can find them all – including the Lidtke Tryptophan Chewable product – in my online store.
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.
Have you had success using tryptophan (or 5-HTP) and GABA this way for your OCD and ruminating thoughts or for a loved one? If yes, how much helps?
If you’re a practitioner do you have success using tryptophan (or 5-HTP) and GABA this way with your clients/patients who have OCD and ruminating thoughts?
Feel free to share and ask your questions below.
My daughter scored excessively high in gaba and while NAC seemed to have stopped OCD, it came back after a rain. Stress also seems to bring it back. I was told that due to her genetics she should not take tryptophan. Her norepinephrine score was very low. What can we do for OCD for her? I would love to have a consult with Trudy.
Marsha
If you’re referring to urinary neurotransmitter testing (GABA high and norepinephrine low) keep in mind I don’t place value in this testing. More here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/urinary-neurotransmitter-testing-reports-elevated-gaba-when-its-really-low-using-the-low-gaba-symptoms-and-a-trial-of-gaba-is-best/
I can’t comment about the genetics without knowing what SNPs were tested/found. Which company did the testing, what panel and which SNPs?
Is this a typo or did her OCD come back after it rained?
I have a long waiting list and you can sign up here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/services/
Hi Trudy
I live in Sydney and wanted to try the chewable L-Trytophan 100mg
I cannot access these on Amazon.com lowest dose is 500mg
Your online store appears to only ship within the USA
Can you advise how to get this product in Australia ?
Jacqueline
You could purchase via my online store and use a company like shipitto to deliver to a US address and then ship it to Australia. Or order directly from Lidtke.
May I ask what symptoms you are hoping to address?
When I too took tyotophan it turned to quinolinic acid, what should I do for anxieties,inability to relax, ruminating thoughts. I do take ldn and that helps
Diane
I find having enough vitamin B6 helps prevent the conversion to quinolinic acid
When tryptophan can’t be used we consider 5-HTP and precursors like B6, zinc, magnesium and all the dietary changes to support serotonin. Possibly GABA support too if there is low GABA physical anxiety. You can read more about all this in my book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/
Hi Trudy,
I have been suffering from severe anxiety, depression – nervous breakdown and now severe insomnia for over a year. I began using tryptophan last year and found it didn’t help. About a month ago I tried it again and now it is helping with the anxiety depression. I’m taking approximately 500mg before bed. I did try to take it at dusk and again at bed but felt a little ‘off’ so I moved to take it just at bed. I was taking the NOW brand but was able to get some Lidtke. Since taking the Lidtke I feel quite strange, as in I took the first dose 500 mg then went out for the evening and nearly fainted, I became very hot and sweaty and the room started to warp. I laid down but did not faint. I’m not a fainter and it was a very anxiety producing experience. Firstly is it possible that the ‘purer’ brand might take some getting used to? Secondly I noticed that you say in this blog post that taking aminos consistently is the key. I thought I read only take tryptophan beginning at dusk and at bed. Is that sufficient? I also have Gaba Calm which I take 2 x 125mg when I am feeling physical anxiety. It sounds like I should take that everyday. Is there a ‘best time’ to take that? Upon waking maybe?
For the past few months I’ve been dealing mostly with the anxiety brought on by the severe insomnia and the tryptophan has been helping. Now though some of the old worries and anxiety that caused the nervous breakdown in the first place are resurfacing again with a vengeance. The tryptophan doesn’t seem to be keeping up with that. I’d like to increase but as I say taking 500 x 2 makes me feel odd. I started to get an inside tremor. You can’t tell I’m trembling by looking at me, but I feel it inside. This might be an odd thought but if I’m not feeling the anxiety because of the tryptophan could my brain cause a tremor to get the message of danger to me? Does that make sense? I’ll stop my rambling. Thank you for all you do Trudy. God bless you and Merry Christmas
Pat
I can’t answer specific health questions on the blog and feel you would be best served working one-on-one with your practitioner re the effects of tryptophan and the possibility of serotonin syndrome as these are very unusual and potentially serious adverse effects.
The timing of tryptophan/-5HTP and GABA are covered in detail in the amino acid chapter in my book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/ – typically afternoon/evening for tryptophan and GABA through the day.
Be sure to get medically checked out for the tremor. You may find this helpful https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/essential-tremor-dystonia-anxiety-and-cravings-diet-gaba-tryptophan-zinc-and-vitamin-b6/
What about saffron – can that replace tryptofan and increase serotonin levels.
Lotta
I have not used saffron with clients and have not seen research comparing it to tryptophan or 5-HTP but it’s worth considering. Saffron’s antidepressant effects potentially are due to its “serotonergic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuro-endocrine and neuroprotective effects” More on this here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/saffron-antidepressant-antianxiety/
I’m curious to hear if you are using saffron with success and if yes how much and how is it helping? have you compared it to tryptophan?
I live in Sweden but bought Saffron Extract 88,5 mg Capsule Brand Double Wind. I think it helps me with sugar cravings but I prefer Tryptofan for depression. It is more expensive so I will try this one but am not sure about the side effects. Tryptofan feels more kind and soft and I do not believe that 5HTP is my favorite – that is just the way I AM. Pumpkin kernel protein is also ok to include in the diet? GABA does not help me with depression but feels stabilizing in general to include now and then.
Lotta
Thanks for the feedback on saffron and tryptophan. May I ask which brands of each you use and how much?
And yes some folks do better on tryptophan than 5-HTP.
Pumpkin seed kernel is great to include
Glad to hear GABA is stabilizing. Which GABA do you use and how much?
Hi Trudy,
Thanks for your valuable information! I started using an SSRI during the pandemic for anxiety and depression and been tapering with the support of my health provider. I have done written evaluations and saw I was low in serotonin and gaba. While I was tapering my doctor first prescribed me with 100mgs 5htp but the stomach cramps from it where too strong. We then tried with 500mgs of powdered tryptophan under the tongue at night. I felt good results in mood but again the stomach pain has been a problem. Is there a way to take tryptophan to avoid stomach pain? I would really love to take tryptophan without the discomfort… Any tips are very much welcomed! Thanks
Andres
5-HTP is known to cause dugestive issues in some individuals but typically only for a week or so. I have not seen similar issues with tryptophan and would suspect a filler or subpar product or too high a dose or an interaction with the SSRI (and too much serotonin).
Lotta
I wonder if this is why when I have a migraine, immitrex also puts me in a more relaxed state and better mood. I have chronic anxiety and some panic. Especially healthy anxiety and specifics phobias.
I quit Effexor 11 years ago and nothing has helped since. I took 5htp for a while, tried gaba but it made me feel weird. I’d like to try tryptophan. I have almost zero physical anxiety when I take immitrex and way less ocd.
Teresa
Immitrex does affect serotonin levels and can improve mood/OCD and reduce anxiety but there is a potential for serotonin syndrome with 5-HTP or tryptophan – so I have clients discuss with the prescribing doctor.
Hi Trudy,
My son has autism and ocd. I took him off fluvoxamine in May and used cbd and some other things and he was doing fine up until this past winter. He began having irrational fears and ruminating thoughts/fears that would not stop! I started 5htp theanine, b12, probiotics with him for the last month and did not see any improvement. I was ready to go back to the medication when I came across your blog and information.
I had tryptophan at home already (serotonin brain food 500mg from nature stacks) I assumed 5htp would be better for ocd, but after reading your comments you mentioned that you just switch to tryptophan if the 5htp is not working. That night I emptied half a capsule into a little stevia flavored water and had him hold it in his mouth for a minute. He was a different kid after that!!!! I am so thankful! I am giving him now 500mg morn and early evening.
This is just the 3rd day but even his teachers are telling me he is doing really well and is less anxious at school. I bought some inositol and plan to try adding that in the afternoons to see if that will help as well. I believe that he has Pandas. He is a hand washer, and spits a lot, and has lots of other quirks that I would love to see decrease.
I have hope again! I am buying your book so that I can get a good plan going for him. If you have any other suggestions for him please let me know!!
Laura
Thanks for coming here and sharing how much better your son is doing – I’m thrilled for you both and I hope he continues to see these benefits. Seeing such amazing results in 3 days is always what we’re looking for! Well done for figuring out the switch from 5-HTP to tryptophan. Some folks just do better on one vs the other and for some 5-HTP is not tolerated with high cortisol.
I’m happy to provide some general feedback (I can’t provide specific feedback on the blog) and I’d love to share this as a new blog to inspire other moms. I can also share more than what I can do in comments.
May I ask his age and if the switch to tryptophan has helped any of his OCD symptoms and if yes how many notches improvement? And which of the low serotonin symptoms the tryptophan has helped and by how much: anxiety? irrational fears? and ruminating thoughts/fears? Anything else? (symptoms here: https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/amino-acids-mood-questionnaire-from-the-antianxiety-food-solution/)
May I ask what dietary changes you have already made? Glad you’re getting my book – it has all the foundational dietary information and chapters on amino acids and pyroluria (common in autism).
Hi Trudy,
My son is turning 20 this month. The tryptophan has helped the ruminating most of all I would say. He would often call me or text me through the day with questions about his health, and he would come to me 10-15 times in the afternoons-evenings, for about 3 weeks or so, and ask me the same questions about a rare disease that he believed he had. He would cry and shake with fear and anxiety at some point and I would need to reassure him over and over again that he did not have this disease, and that it was literally impossible for him to have it. After starting the tryptophan supplements 2x400mg morn/early eve he did not come to me at all and seemed content the 1st day. Yesterday, he didnt get the 2nd tryptophan until 5pm so he did come to me with 1 question/concern-I reassured him and he seemed fine especially after his supplement. Then 1 more question later that night but he accepted my reassurance both times and let it go. So that was a big difference compared to the last 4 weeks. He was also laughing at some cartoon he was watching which I had not seen him do for a month either. So far he still seems to believe the irrational things. Anxiety is less. He is sleeping better too. Diet: We are in process reducing sugar and going back to gf as much as possible but this will be hardest to stick to. Have done keto-like and gfcf diet on and off since he was 4. He seems to be low seratonin, gaba
( 1st 1/2 of the list), endorphins and Catecholamines!
Laura
Thanks for the additional info on his great results – this is wonderful. I’ll do a new blog post on Friday and share my insights and will share a link here.
Laura
Here is the new blog post with some insights from me https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/mom-switches-her-teen-son-from-5-htp-to-tryptophan-in-3-days-he-has-less-anxiety-fears-and-ruminating-thoughts-laughs-more-and-sleeps-better/
Thanks again for sharing his success and helping to inspire other families
Please keep us posted on his continued progress
I believe my wife has OCPD but does not admit it. Recently I got her to take tryptophan only because she has trouble sleeping. Is it normal for people to deny they have OCD/OCPD?
Does tryptophan or 5htp also work for people who have OCPD?
Cormac
It’s more common for people with OCD/OCPD to be aware they have it either because of a diagnosis or because they feel shame about their behaviors which they have no control over. Tryptophan or 5-HTP (some do better on one vs the other) does help with both sleep issues and obsessive thoughts/behaviors.
Can you share why you believe you wife has OCD/OCPD?
Hello Trudy,
I cannot find chewable Lidtke tryptophan nowhere. Is it discontinued?
Thanks,
Nadya
My daughter is 21, is 5’0″ and weighs 90lbs (usually 100-105lbs). Should she take Lidtke 500mg or 220mg?