Tryptophan is an amino acid I use with clients all the time. If you have the low serotonin symptoms of anxiety, worry, depression, insomnia, PMS, TMJ, anger issues, winter blues and afternoon/evening cravings, tryptophan can provide relief very quickly, provided you use a quality tryptophan product and find the right amount for your unique needs. I do a trial of each amino acid with my clients.
Dr. Peter Bongiorno, ND, a doctor of naturopathic medicine, also uses tryptophan with his patients. Here is an excerpt on tryptophan from his newest book Put Anxiety Behind You: The Complete Drug-Free Program:
Tryptophan (sometimes referred to as L-tryptophan) is a naturally derived amino acid that serves as a precursor to the neurotransmitter serotonin, which is needed to help you stay asleep. Low levels of tryptophan contribute to generalized anxiety and panic attacks. Back in the early 1990s, a laboratory I was associated with at Yale University performed “tryptophan depletion studies” and which volunteers who were already prone to anxiety were put on a tryptophan-free diet. Within days, these people were extremely anxious, panicky and unstable – and they had lots of trouble staying asleep.
I usually give people 500 – 1,000 mg of tryptophan at bedtime, but I may dose up to 2,500 mg. Take tryptophan at bedtime with a slice of simple carbohydrate (like an apple slice) – the carbohydrate will increase insulin levels and insulin will promote tryptophan absorption in the brain. In my clinic I use a supplement called Tryptophan Calmplete, which includes B vitamins.
Although most conventional psychiatrists are afraid to mix natural medicines like tryptophan with conventional medications studies suggest that they can be safely combined. One eight-week randomized controlled trial of thirty patients with major depression combined 20 mg of Prozac (an SSRI medication) with 2,000 mg of tryptophan as daily treatment for major depressive disorder. This study demonstrated that combining tryptophan and an SSRI improved mood and helped patients stay asleep.
If you look up tryptophan on websites like WebMD, they are going to tell you that tryptophan is unsafe. The reason for this is because in the early 1990s there was an incident of Eosinophilia Myalgia Syndrome, a condition contracted by thirty people who most unfortunately got sick (and some died) after ingesting tryptophan supplements. This tragic event occurred because the company making the supplement had no quality controls, and allowed the introduction of bacteria. These deaths had nothing to do with tryptophan itself. My sense is that the folks behind conventional websites WebMD, who should be doing their homework, let these ideas persist on purpose. The drug companies who advertise with these websites then benefit from continuing the misinformation. I have taken tryptophan myself, have used it with family members and countless patients with absolutely no problem save for the side benefit of better sleep and mood.
This book is an excellent resource for anxiety, where addressing nutritional imbalances with a supplement such as tryptophan is part of the bigger picture of addressing sleep, doing thought work and mind-body work, balancing hormones and blood sugar, exercising, adopting a healthy real foods diet, and making sure you have a healthy digestive system.
He uses the analogy of a stool – when one of the legs or supports is weak, your health suffers.
I’m a research-geek and love to be able to look at the studies so my only negative comment about the book is that all the studies mentioned in the text are not listed in the references and studies that are listed in the references are not numbered so they can be easily found in the text.
His other book Holistic Solutions for Anxiety and Depression: Combining Natural Remedies with Conventional Care is also excellent and is geared to therapists and other practitioners. You can read my review of that book here.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Bongiorno on The Anxiety Summit (season 3) – our topic: Serotonin and Anxiety, Happiness, Digestion and our Hormones. And I’m excited to share that he’ll be speaking on Season 4 of the Anxiety Summit. We’ll be taking a deeper dive into serotonin and tryptophan.
I also had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Bongiorno in person and hearing him present at the New York City Integrative Healthcare Symposium earlier this year.
Dr. Bongiorno is co-director of Inner Source Natural Health and Acupuncture in New York City. President of the New York Association of Naturopathic Physicians, he is a contributor to numerous blogs and online magazines, including DrOz.com and Sharecare.com, and is regularly interviewed as a natural medicine expert on national television and radio.
Dr. Bongiorno has been kind enough to offer a copy of Put Anxiety Behind You: The Complete Drug-Free Program as a giveaway. We’ll do a drawing and select one lucky reader and announce the winner next Friday. If you’d like to be entered in to the drawing simply comment below and share:
why you’d like to win the bookif you’ve used tryptophan and what results you saw/seewhich section you’re most excited about reading and why (just go to the Amazon preview via this link and check out the table of contents and sections of the book)which holistic approaches you already use personally or if you’re a practitioner, what you have used with your anxious patients/clients
5/12/16 UPDATE: Thanks for participating and commenting – the winner is Liz. We’ll contact you to get a mailing address and get a copy of the book to you! Enjoy it!
If you missed out I encourage you to still check out the table of contents (with the look inside Amazon feature) and get the book if it feels like a fit for you. Check out the comments below to be inspired further.
Please share your feedback (and questions you may have) in the comments section below.
This is the book I’ve been looking for! My 14 year old son has anxiety, and is unable to attend school. Medications have not helped, and he now refuses to try anymore. He feels like a guinea pig. He hopes one day to join his friends in school, just like all of the other students. I’ve been eating naturally for years, but struggle during stressful times, and I try to prod him to do the same. We also use acupuncture, chiropractics, and Reiki. I’d really like to introduce my son to some amino acids, as he is low on all Trudy’s tests. He also has Mitochondrial disease and the MTHF mutation. I desperately want to help him learn to help himself with some easy, at-home, yoga and help him begin to own his body and emotions.
Sarah
I’m sorry to hear this. If your son scores high on the low serotonin questionnaire then a trial of tryptophan is worthwhile. I’ve seen great results with tryptophan in a number of young boys.
I know Dr Bongiorno uses acupuncture in his practice and finds it very beneficial.
We’ll do the drawing for the book next Friday
I’m so sorry Sarah your story caught my attention I as well have my son with the same symptoms as yours and he as well can’t attend school with his friends its very sad he just turned 16 and medications don’t seem to work neither!
Raquel
Sorry to hear this – have you looked into nutritional approaches for your son?
Hi Raquel,
I have been on a wild goose chase to help my son deal with school avoidance. I will look to add tryptophan. For now, I used a genetic test to find out that he is homozygotic for MTHFR C677T gene as well as having other genetic polymorphisms. As per online resources, I have been attempting to help his methylation cycle by introducing methylfolate supplements. (Also adding different forms of B12, as his genetic profile suggests the common form will not work for him.) We are looking at doing away with as much additional folic acid as I can find.
Because our family has been in a desperate state for more than a year now dealing with this, I am sharing this with the hope it will provide with over avenues to pursue.
Best,
LuAnn
I would love to have this book because my daughter and I have both done the big pharm way and I would rather do supplements to get my body working properly. I suffer from sleep issues.
I believe that eating the right foods can heal our bodies. I have never heard of this supplement and would love to hear or read Dr. Peter Bongiomo’s testimony.
Cathy
Wonderful – making food changes and adding in specific supplements like tryptophan allow many people to quit their meds. Of course making it part of a complete approach is key – gut health, stress, blood sugar etc
We’ll do the drawing for the book next Friday
I’d like to win this book because there are times when I really need this advice, plus right now I know several people that I could immediately help. I’ve not taken tryptophan but have taken 5-HTP for a short time to help with sleep, which it didn’t. I may not have taken the right amounts and believe reading the book would help with that.
I enjoyed reading about supplementation for particular issues, some I had never considered before and would like to also read more in depth about which blood tests to have done for diagnosis and treatment.
Sue
Some people do better on tryptophan and some do better on 5-HTP – it’s a matter of trialing each one. The amount of 5-HTP can also be a factor.
We’ll do the drawing for the book next Friday
I have been using tryptophan for about a year. I have anxiety, insomnia and depression. The tryptophan helped me get off of long term use of SSRI’s last summer and I still use it for anxiety and insomnia. Also, I definitely notice an increase in both if I forget to take it. I would love to read that book.
Thanks for sharing Lois – this is great to hear! I’m really happy for you! Would you mind sharing how much you use? and what brand?
We’ll do the drawing for the book next Friday
Excited to try tryptophan !! Thx
Hi Trudy!
I am currently thinking of trying amino acids but I am a major worrier at times and have health anxiety. I read that if you have bipolar disorder that you should not take amino acid supplements. Now my anxious mind is worried….So basically how do you know if you have bipolar? I don’t think I have that. I would say I have GAD… OCD and mild health anxiety. However I have never been officially diagnosed for what type of anxiety I have… me and my doctor just know that I have anxiety and that’s that. it’s not something that controls my life to the point I would need mediation so we never investigated it further.
I look forward to hearing your answers.
Amanda
Amanda
The only amino acids that should be avoided with bipolar are glutamine, tyrosine and DLPA (https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/amino-acid-precautions/)
It’s not uncommon for worriers and anxious people to worry about taking the amino acids. Starting with tryptophan (assuming low serotonin is the issue) often helps.
I would suggest doing the questionnaire, reviewing the precautions and educating yourself so you can make smart choices. My book The Antianxiety Food Solution has a whole chapter on amino acids and this site has much additional information.
Alternatively find a practitioner to work with.
Thanks Trudy for your response! It is greatly appreciated. Thank you for being there for us anxious people.
I am a low serotonin person according to a platelet caetocholamines measure as well as symptoms. However, when I used tryptophan, and 5 HTP and they both created difficult burning skin sensations for me. I experienced the same allodynia after 2 days on lexapro. I assume I have some kind of conversion problem with tryptophan enzymes, or CYP2 pathways, but I’d love to know your thoughts about this difficulty. I also cope with Ehlers Danlos, type 1, hashimotos and systemic mast cell disease. Luckily, I seem to benefit from light therapy and exercise.
Robin
Glad you benefit from light therapy and exercise. My first question is what brand of tryptophan and 5-HTP and how much? and swallowed or sublingual? Too much of the amino acids can cause issues and sometime very small amounts (like opening a capsule and using 1 dab) are tolerated better. With EDS, digestive issues can make sublingual a better option.
You may do better with the raw materials used to make serotonin – like zinc, vitamin B6 and magnesium. There appears to be a connection between EDS and pyroluria (https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/joint-hypermobility-ehlers-danlos-syndrome-pyroluria/) and these nutrients may help overall.
I do like platelet testing for neurotransmitters but maybe you mean platelet serotonin rather than catecholamine?
Trudy—
Thank you for your informative and caring reply. The test was “catecholamines in platelets” by Health Diagnostics…I measured 49.3 ng/10 with a range of 65-550. That day, last December, I was also low in norepinephrine and epinephrine and high in tyramine (can you tell I’m compound hetero for MTHFR). I’ve used NOW 5- Htp 50 mg and 500 mg of l-tryptophan by source naturals. I can use them one night without symptoms but I seem unable to use them a second night. I’ve never used sublingual aminos. Currently, I am taking 15 mg of zinc and 50 mg of P-5-P B6 ( 20 during the day and 30 at night) and 500 mg magnesium glycinate…all by seeking health. It’s cool to read that I’m taking the building blocks of serotonin. I’ve always done well with magnesium and added the zinc and B6 last summer after reading your books, and this blog. I’ve wondered if I have pyroluria but I have not pursued that diagnosis yet…
(After 6 long years of symptoms, I was just diagnosed with the mast cell disease in Sept and EDS in March, so I’m integrating new knowledge and working out my triggers/limits. Many mast cell patients are low serotonin but seem to have difficulty with serotonin related products).
Your readers are so fortunate to receive your steady, wise guidance. My deepest gratitude for your generosities.
Ruth
This test means low catecholamines and not low serotonin but it’s not unusual to have both.
I find Lidtke tryptophan (https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/amino-acids-pyroluria-supplements/) to be superior to other brands and as I said a very small amount is tolerated better in some cases
My doctor says that I’m over methylated and have high copper levels, can I still take tryptophan?
Michele
I use the amino acid questionnaire and if a client has low serotonin symptoms we have them do an tryptophan trial. Many people who are overmethylated ie low histamine do well with tryptophan. With high copper, zinc is low and zinc is needed to make serotonin so tryptophan often helps.
Trudy – I know it’s a very old comment, however, I would be most appreciative if you could explain in layman’s terms how an overmethylated individual (histapenia) might benefit from Tryptophan.
I have histapenia (this was diagnosed years ago by an excellent functional medicine MD via testing) – and according to my research this is supposed to mean an overproduction of serotonin in the brain, NOT a deficiency.
According to your questionnaire I am showing symptoms of low serotonin, however. I would really like to try Tryptophan, which seems to be a game-changer for many.
The above information seems contradictory. I don’t have a science background, however. What am I missing from this picture? I would be so grateful for any guidance here.
Loring
I am aware there are practitioners who state those with histapenia have high serotonin levels but I have found that using the symptoms questionnaire and a trial of tryptophan or 5-HTP is the best clue to knowing if someone has low serotonin and would benefit from it.
Hi, Trudy,
I’m finding this information so helpful for the clients of my mental health practice, and also for myself, as I’ve been using 5-HTP + GABA to address some insomnia related to menopausal night sweats and neurological/nervy foot and leg symptoms. Really, the use of these two amino acids has been a game-changer, so I thank you.
I wanted to comment about your opinion expressed regarding information about using amino acids, as available on the WebMD website. I have recently learned that WebMD is highly subsidized by the Monsanto corporation. I almost feel that in simply writing that, I may have “said” enough. Of course, Monsanto will disparage any (alternative) treatments they cannot profit from, and this attitude has very strongly influenced (biased) the information one will read and derive from the WebMD web site. I will no use the web site now that I am aware of this bias and limitation, and I strongly discourage my clients, family and friends from using it, too, because the information cannot be fully trusted.
Thank you for your good work, Trudy, and your very generous spirit.
Adele
I love to hear that GABA and 5-HTP are game-changers! And how wonderful for the clinets in your mental health practice that they get your expertise too!
Just to be clear this WebMD comment (and everything in italics) is from Dr. Bongirono’s wonderful book, but I’m with him and you completely. I too had heard of the Monsanto/big Pharma involvement in this (http://www.organiclifestylemagazine.com/web-mds-ties-with-monsanto-and-big-pharma) and their subsidiary sites Medscape, rxList, Drugs (Dr. Mercola blogged about this in 2010 http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/12/14/webmd-not-the-independent-health-source-you-expected.aspx) and even wikipedia. The way I use these sites is to stay up to date with what they are saying and take a lot of it with a pinch of salt.
TEDx has also been compromised and is blocking topics on GMOs and autism which is so unfortunate.
Pardon me, Trudy, and thanks for clarifying that the reference was actually made by Dr. Bongirono in his book, and not, as I had misattributed, by you. With so many of these symptom-searchable, medical information web sites compromised or answering to big Pharma/horror-show-chemical, do you happen to know of a trustworthy and fair one?
Adele
No problem! Pubmed – but even with studies we have to ask who is funding them. And good blogs like greenmedinfo and Mercola (I was following him before his site became so big) and practitioner blogs like those of Dr Kelly Brogan, Dr David Perlmutter, Dr Mark Hyman, Dr Josh Axe etc
Dear Trudy,
I have just finished reading your book and have begun using the amino acids advised per your questionnaires and guidelines. I took tryptophan for the first time last night before going to bed and am happily amazed to find I slept soundly AND woke up feeling my body and mind were balanced!!
I would welcome a copy of Dr. B’s book as it seems to be a good complement to your excellent book. I am very interested in all sections but especially those on the topic of sleep and thoughts. I have been struggling for years trying to regain my health. I have tried various vitamin and mineral regimens based on nutritional assessments, hair analysis, salivary hormone test and most recently nutrition response testing. While I made some gains, I never fully turned the corner. I have always been searching for the missing link. It was my anxiety component which led me to your book and to the strategy of balancing neurotransmitters with amino acids. I believe I am finally on the path to finding the true root causes and thus the true remedies. I am so grateful to you for writing your book which I now consider my health handbook. And I now follow your wisdom and updates thru your website, blogs, etc. Thank you!!
Liz
Thanks for sharing your great results with tryptophan! May I ask how much and what brand you are using?
I also like to have many books as resources! We’ll do the drawing for the book next Friday
Dear Trudy,
The brand I take is NOW L-tryptophan 500mg: I can report the experience of taking it two nights now. Both nights I took just one 500mg capsule and I slept thru until the am — something I was not able to do with magnesium 250 mg and GABA 750mg at bedtime.
I can also report I stopped taking 5HTP 50 mg (Nature’s Way brand) during breakfast/lunch/dinner the two days I took the L-tryptophan 500mg at bedtime. I developed a headache at 8pm last night which thou I slept the night was present as soon as I woke up. I took one 5HTP 50 mg at breakfast and my headache was gone within minutes. So I appear to be one of those folks that are a good match for your regimen option of 5HTP during the daytime and tryptophan at bedtime. Your book is very very helpful as it offers a choice of regimens which allows us to try and tweak to find what works for our individual needs. Another very helpful guideline in your book is the fact that with amino acids we usually know very quickly what is working or not working. Thank you very much!
( I have lots to work on as per your questionnaires, I am low GABA, low serotonin, low catecholamines and have pyroluria or at least a need for more zinc and B6. I will be following your blogs and sharing my experiences as I add in other amino acids, zinc, B6).
Liz
Thanks for sharing and for your kind words! I’d watch the headache (it’s a message it may be too much) and consider a trial with Lidtke tryptophan which you may like even more (and may not give you a headache).
Dear Trudy,
Thanks so much for your response and guidance. I am glad to learn of Lidtke Tryptophan and will give it a try. I am learning lots from you and am feeling hopeful and optimistic about getting my body and mind healthy again!
Thank you for the information. Can you tell me what makes a quality Tryptophan product? I started Nutrabio and about to reorder but would like to know what you need to look for. thank you 🙂
I should note that the first time I took it – it helped me sleep but after a week is stopped working…terrible insomnia etc.
It may be related to the brand/quality or too much of any amino acid can cause opposite affects.
Nicole
I only recommend the Lidtke tryptophan as I’ve seen it to be more superior than others. I’m not familiar with Nutrabio tryptophan.
Thanks for the reply!
I try that brand next time around if I have some extra funds and see if there is a difference. Maybe they have samples…
I did an OAT test years ago and my quinolone wasn’t high but as a ratio to serotonin, it was high at 4.9. So maybe I just need more serotonin or cofactors… I’ll see. Hopefully I can learn more…
Thanks again 😉
Hello. I am currently reading Kelly Brogan’s book,”A Mind of Your Own”. She quotes that “There has never been a human study that successfully links low serotonin levels and depression”. You suggest taking tryptophan for anxiety (OCD). Can you suggest papers or studies that prove that serotonin is low in people with anxiety? I just want to make sure I am understanding the link between OCD and low serotonin. Thank you for your time. I enjoy your blog!
Shana
I’ve long been surprised/confused by this statement/approach “There has never been a human study that successfully links low serotonin levels and depression” since Kelly uses tryptophan to help boost serotonin when helping her patients with SSRI tapers.
Here is a blog post with a number of studies linking low serotonin with stress, anxiety and depression https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/low-serotonin-anxiety-and-depression/
Here is a study looking at polymorphisms and states the “the presence of a biological interaction between the serotonin and the glutamate pathways that could be involved in the pathophysiology of OCD” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26505676
Whatever your thinking or approach and whatever you feel works or doesn’t, the best way to know is to do the amino acid questionnaire (and review the precautions) and if you have low serotonin symptoms and do a trial of tryptophan and you get symptom resolution then that’s all we want!
Thank you!
I would definitely love to win this book, as I’m currently in the process of doing a very long term weaning off of my Cymbalta that I’ve been on for over 20 years. I know I’m going to need all the help I can get, holistically, and naturally.
I’m most excited about the Supplement section, to see what exactly I need to be supplementing with. I’ve never tried tryptophan or 5-HTP, as I was worried they would interfere with my Cymbalta.
I have been working on mindfulness, and some meditation practices, but definitely need to work on integrating them more often.
Deanna
Good for you for working on mindfulness and meditation. The drawing will be Friday.
Agree. I am trying to narrow down the possible imbalances that might be causing my OCD and anxiety. Thyroid, blood sugar, serotonin, etc. I will do the amino acid questionnaire that you recommend. Thank you very much for the information.
Hello, Trudy.
I was happy to see anger issues mentioned in this post along with anxiety, depression, mood disorders, etc. I’ve seemed to have had trouble with anger issues most of my life and handled them in therapy for years without much success. I’ve tried all types of therapy too. I had never thought that perhaps dietary and supplemental assistance could be part of the puzzle.
It’s certainly embarassing having a angry moment or period of time and not always knowing why. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes I absolutely know why. However, a great deal of the time when it would happen, I’d wonder what the heck had just happened. I was beginning to think I was truly, deeply crazy and thinking of committing myself.
I’m slowly starting to change my diet ever since viewing Bridgit Danner’s Hormones: A Women’s Wellness Summit, which you were fabulous on, by the way. And I’m soooo looking forward to your Anxiety Summit this coming June. I do hope that besides anxiety and depression, that anger will be mentioned too because I’m seeing more and more of it as I go about my daily life. I know a lot of it has to do with stress, but I can’t help but wonder now if our diet is a big part of it.
Bless you!
DME
Glad you enjoyed this and the Hormones: A Women’s Wellness Summit. With anger, as well as low serotonin, I always also consider low blood sugar and gluten issues – so do look into those too. Diet plays a huge role as it provides the raw materials to make serotonin and if we eat to control blood sugar we don’t get blood sugar swings that can look like anger, irritability and focus issues (often with sugar cravings too).
Trudy,
Thank you so much for your reply.
I was diagnosed in 1991 with hypoglycemia and followed the diet for a while but, ah, life happens. Not a good excuse but it’s true. I actually forgot about it over the years, especially after getting married, LOL. Thank you for the reminder about low blood sugar.
I do think I may have gluten issues (along with dairy) because yesterday I had a slice of pizza, which I hadn’t had in a long time, and my middle section (above my belly button, swelled up enormously. It scared me a bit. My husband couldn’t even believe it. I actually had to take today off as my whole body seemed to pay for that slice. Won’t be doing that again.
I also have the irritablity and focus issues, so I’m going to continue to overhaul my whole diet. I am doing it in stages because I don’t want to overwhelm myself, but also too in order to see how I am getting better eliminating certain foods and beverages. I was drinking organic Swiss Press coffee for the past couple of years and now I’m using Teechino to help me get off of even that. I’m seeing results and I’m very excited.
Thank you, once again, for all that you do.
All the best!!!
This book will be very valuable in my practice because I believe with every cell in my body that all health complaints can be managed with natural protocols and my mission is to help people avoid prescription drugs. Trudy I love your blog and thanks for all you do.
I also work part time for vitamin shoppe (I call it my supplement university lol) anyway because of your blog and the comments from one parent about her son’s anxiety and how they used inositol powder I was able to share that testimony to a mother who came in the store and seeking help for the same problem.
Elsa
Thanks for the inositol feedback! I love it! and glad you enjoy the blog
We’ll do the drawing for the book tomorrow
Hi Trudy, I would be very happy to win a copy of this book as I have had anxiety that has interfered with my ability to work for over 15 years after a very traumatic experience. I have weaned off Ativan but still have anxiety, even panic at times. It would be wonderful to say as the author says he is free from anxiety. I think Chapter 7 would be my first read. I have taken 5-HTP and am not really sure it did anything. I can hardly ever leave my house because of anxiety and am praying for a miracle. Thanks so much, Fay Perry
Fay
I’m sorry to hear this. Unfortunately benzodiazepines can have longer term consequences too but don’t give up hope – there is a solution and this book would be a great resource for you.
I am down from 10 mg Valium to 7 mg and have the worst anxiety when I first awake after a deep sleep. If I wake up at 4 am I wont have anxiety but those last 2 hours of sleep and I am flooded writh it. I tried propranolol and the anxiety went a way but it made me very sick. I have also tried fast walking and that doesn’t help at all. If I take Valium as soon as I awake it goes away and I don’t have it for the rest of the day even when I need Valium because I have withdrawal symptoms but I have to take most of my quota for the day then I feel tired and not great. Is there something else I can try? Is there something in your book ( I have it) that can help? I didn’t notice that there was.
Kathy
I’m afraid benzodiazepine tapers can cause all sorts of symptoms https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/no-to-benzodiazepines-for-anxiety/
Everything in my book will provide support for the body in preparation of a taper and during a taper. Once you have the food changes in place I’d look into GABA and tryptophan support.
Do you ever recommend melatonin for sleep issues or is it better to use tryptophan or 5htp?
Sharon
If tryptophan/5-HTP isn’t enough I’ll often add melatonin
Hello Trudy,
I have a 24 year old son with Autism, anxiety, OCD, MTHFR C677T & A1298. Our situation is complicated, so I wont go into detail, we just started our 2nd night of L-tryptophan from Lindtke, I gave him 1(500mg) capsule last night before bed, within 15 minutes, I could see him calming down, and slept well. Tonight I gave him 1 capsule and within 15 minutes he was asleep. My question is, my son is Non-verbal he cannot give me any feedback, but today he looked much calmer than he has in a long time. Do yo think this dose is too high for him? should I give every other night? I know you cannot give medical advise, it is just amazing how fast it worked! so, I am just a little nervous. Thank you in advance for any help.
Vicki
I’ve had a number of moms with non-verbal children use the amino acids and monitor their response like you have done. These sound like very promising results! You could also observe his OCD and any other low serotonin symptoms (like irritability, carb cravings etc)
I do a trial with my clients to figure out the ideal amount as it’s different for each person https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/how-to-do-an-amino-acid-trial-for-anxiety/ Just so you know 500mg is a typical starting dose and I often have clients use 2-3 x 500mg twice a day. An adverse response could be too sleepy the next day or opposite effects (too much tryptophan could cause more anxiety, sadness etc).
Trudy, we have been using the Lintke Ltryptophan for 6 weeks, (1)500mg. This has really helped my sons sleep. Over the years my son has had panic attacks, recently. During transportation to/ from Adult day program. I addressed all the obvious stuff, like seating arrangement, etc. I thought I would try the L-tryptophan complete about 1 hour prior to transport, thingshave gotten much worse in 4 days. I am wondering if I should try the plain l-tryptophan 500mg we use at night or try GABA. It is difficult to do the amino acid questionnaire, he is 24 completely non-verbal, and low functioning. We desperately need to bring his anxiety down, especially the panic attack in vehicles. He also takes Keppra for seizure disorder, which is not good for the mood, MD wants to switch to Lamictal. Last question, if we try GABA, I would need a capsule form, for the day program, they won’t open capsules, or do sublingual. Thank you for any input, Vicki
Vicki
I’m so pleased to hear the 500mg Lidtke tryptophan is helping your son’s sleep. It is challenging to figure this out with someone who is non-verbal.
I can’t consult via the blog but if I was working with you and your son, as with all the amino acids, doing a trial is going to be the best approach. I’d use the good results with the 500mg tryptophan as a starting point/clue and trial that in the day as low serotonin can be a factor with panic attacks.
Low GABA can also be a factor so I’d do a trial of GABA after the tryptophan trial. GABA can be swallowed and some people see benefits when using it this way (although opened/sublingual is often better). There is a spray form of GABA if the day program is open to that.
If the GABA helps the anxiety and panic attacks he may need less Keppra so I’d get the doctor’s approval. I’m sure you’re aware that Keppra can also increase anxiety, agitation and irritability.
I would assume the basics are all taken care of – real foods diet, gluten-free (and possibly dairy-free), no caffeine, no sugar, good gut health etc. Taking things one step further a ketogenic diet has been shown to be very effective for seizures.
I have down from 10 mg Valium to 7. My primary problem is anxiety when I wake up in the morning. Would tryptophan help with that. My doc just prescribed propanolol 20 mg. I am very drug sensitive. Have chronic pain and hashimotos.
Kathy
Tryptophan or GABA may help. I suggest doing the questionnaire (https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/amino-acids-mood-questionnaire-from-the-antianxiety-food-solution/) to see if the anxiety is more physical (low GABA) or mental (low serotonin). It may be worth doing a trial of each, one at a time. It could also be due to the benzodiazepine taper or even high cortisol.
Do you recommend melatonin for frequent waking in the night
Sharon
I timed release melatonin may help. I’d also look at low serotonin, low blood sugar, high cortisol, gluten, hormone imbalances and night sweats, SIBO and parasites
Love getting your blogs, and pray for the day when I will be able to have a visit with you, as I am trying to be my own md. 73 years old, and have always been in good shape, however insomnia has been my long time issue. In trying to get off the 1 mg., at night, I am really struggling. I have tried any natural sleep remedy, many amigos, like GABA, trytrophan, 5htp, with no result, as far as sleep goes. Took 1 trytrophan, last night, and half a Clonozopam. Woke up at 1pm. feeling totally worked up. Very uncomfortable. I need help. How can I find the questionnaire, where I might be able to realize what is going on for me? So appreciate your work.
Sleepless in Napa.
Else
I am sorry to hear this! Here is the amino acid questionnaire https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/amino-acids-mood-questionnaire-from-the-antianxiety-food-solution/ if you would like to look further
Unfortunately benzodiazepines can cause these types of problems and even the amino acids may not help. I would encourage you to join an online support group like http://www.benzobuddies.org
Is this article (linked below)a valid source? My daughter started taking tryptophan and GABA after listening to your talks in a recent summit and is feeling so much better. She sleeps better and says she feels less agitated and anxious. She also takes Celexa generic. Then I find this article!
http://www.supplements-and-health.com/tryptophan-side-effects.html
Thank you.
Hi AG
I’m so pleased to hear your daughter is doing so much better now that she’s taking tryptophan and GABA. That’s the goal…to address low serotonin levels and help with sleep, anxiety and agitation.
Wow, that’s quite the negative article on tryptophan and one that I have not come across before. I’m also not familiar with the work of the writer and plan to reach out to him.
I’ve skimmed it and the acute side-effects are due to very high doses. I am familiar with the EMS concerns which is why I only ever recommend Lidtke brand because of it’s superior quality.
Re the liver concerns it is a precaution to not use any of the aminos if you have liver issues but I’ll have to look at each paper he refers to be able to offer further commentary. It seems high doses are a factor here too. I wonder if quality is a factor too?
Re the kynurenine pathway issues, having sufficient B3 and B6 and curcumin helps with this, hence Lidtke’s Tryptophan Complete product https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/tryptophan-500mg-or-tryptophan-complete-lidtke/. I actually interviewed Dr Bongiorno for this June Anxiety Summit (www.theanxietysummit.com) on serotonin/tryptophan. He uses it all the time with patients and has no concerns with this point or serotonin syndrome.
When someone is taking a SSRI I do have them first check with their doctor before starting tryptophan and working with their doctor to monitor for the possibility of serotonin syndrome (which has never actually been documented in the research literature i.e. tryptophan use with an SSRI) and take the SSRI 6 hours away from tryptophan to be safe.
It’s a lot to digest but I’ve added it to my project list to dissect and report back since I like to be cautious. I’m going to share with Ron Sturtz (also speaking on the Anxiety Summit – on tryptophan itself) and Dr Peter Bongiorno.
In the meantime I’d say I’m more curious than concerned.
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much for you reply! My daughter does take the Lidtke brand and takes it 6 hours away from her SSRI.
Thank you for taking time to review all that information!
We are just SO grateful that she has improved so much. We’re looking forward to the up-coming Anxiety Summit.
Hi Trudy! I look forward to listening to the summit today. I wanted to drop a line to further support the Lidtke brand. I was not aware of it before ordering from this brand once again. I used tryptophan for 4-5 months and today I found out they put the incorrect size scoop (I have trouble with capsules) in the container. So while we thought I wasn’t responding to treatment I was in fact only getting about half the dose written on the bottle. They pretty much said it’s not their problem because they don’t make the scoops. I am very upset to have wasted so much time in this treatment (one of many). I will definitely be ordering from Lidtke going forward and spreading the word about the poor customer service I received as well. I wont post the brand here as that may be inappropriate but I put the warning out there!
Niki
Glad you’re listening in to the summit.
Are you saying the tryptophan you were using was another brand – and not Lidtke brand?
And you’ll be using Lidtke brand going forward?
Just making sure – at first read I was a bit confused
My apologies, it wasn’t Lidtke brand that put in the wrong size scoop in the container (I prefer loose product over capsule) it was another brand non-gmo, no filler brand. This led to me taking the wrong dose for 5 months and my MD not sure why it wasn’t as effective. So going forward, I will give Lidtke a try. I’m losing trust in supplement companies as time goes on and I’ve alway splurged for “quality”. The sad thing is, they didn’t really seem to care about this error, they expressed that it wasn’t their fault because they don’t make the scoops themselves. Anyway, now I know where to shop next!
Niki
Thanks for clarification. It could also have been the quality of the product. I find Lidtke to be more superior to other brands. Please let us know how it goes
Hello,
I was the lucky winner of a copy of PUT ANXIETY BEHIND YOU which I wholeheartedly recommend to all those struggling with anxiety and health issues.
The book is an excellent presentation of the 9 key factors Peter Bongiorno, ND, LAc, deems critical to good health and mood. It includes a wonderful chapter and chart on supplements as well as a list of recommended tests.
Dr. Bongiorno offers so much helpful information in an easy to follow style.
We learn from his own personal experiences along with case studies. Through the the book, he is encouraging and uplifting — so you will come away enlightened and energized to take the necessary steps toward better health. This book is a fine accompaniment to Trudy’s excellent book.
(My thanks to Trudy and Dr. Bongiorno for the gift of this book. It is a keeper!)
Liz
Thanks so much for coming back and sharing here! So pleased you found it to be an excellent resource! I’ll be sure to share with Dr. Bongiorno
Liz – thank you for reading and I am so glad it is useful. great health, dr. peter
What is the combination of the two sleep aide
You suggest. Do you order them?
Pam
I find GABA and tryptophan to be very helpful for many of my clients with sleep issues
Hi Trudy,
Despite switching to Lidtke brand of tryptophan I still have nightly heart pounding and worse insomnia since introducing. I take breaks and see that I can sleep better when I am off it but all signs point towards very low serotonin balance with Quinolinic Acid (I believe). Do you or any resources you know why these heart pounding and sensation of racing is so incredibly strong and causing a worsening affect of my adrenal exhaustion situation? Any help appreciated.
Dear Trudy,
i hope your move to Australia is going well. You mentioned you give some patients upto 2500mg at bed time. Does this need to be taken on an empty stomach? thank you.
Hi I have bad anxiety hoping to start on tryptophan but was wandering at what dosage can it be taken long term
Chantelle
I do a trial to find out the ideal starting dose of the amino acid https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/how-to-do-an-amino-acid-trial-for-anxiety/ The starting dose for tryptophan is typically 500mg but some people need much less. Once we address underlying causes of low serotonin we shouldn’t need it long term however genetic defects and deep rooted biochemical imbalances often lead to longer use – however there is no research on long-term use.
Hi im under no meds yet they gave me zoloft but hav not draanked it
Im trying natraul routes im on week one of 5 htp woundering if i can drink inositol at the same time together?
I have postpartum depresstion and anxiety as weellll im not getting a good night sleep
Priscilla
I’m sorry to hear. Neither of these nutrients have been tested in breast-feeding so cannot be recommended. If someone isn’t breastfeeding then I will often use inositol with tryptophan (my first choice) or 5-HTP.
Trudy,
I tried the supplements you recommend like Gaba Calm from Source Naturals and Tryptophan Chewables from LIDTKE, first at the begin Gaba Calm did help with my sleep but after long use 2-3 weeks it began with some panic attack (or very sad with very cold feets and hands) and start to begin with the tryptophan and after few days (tried to 200mg chewable) it makes me live with cold body (and sleep problems/concentration). Anyway i tried both! I dont have vitamin deficiency. Like now, feeling cold at my hands/feets and nose that makes me uncomfortable. What can you advice if its not serotonin or gaba because i score some high at the serotonin and gaba, it’s very confusing this.
And another question, there is a lab here in the netherlands they test on gaba, serotonin, dopamin etc. expensive but after (almost) everything tried i start to give up slowly to give hope at this test. Well, i want to ask you ; are these trustable? Here is the link in english : https://www.prohealth.nl/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/nsp-patientenbroschre-a5-e-72-1.pdf , i would be happy to hear from you Trudy, and still reading your book but still have some issues. My anxiety, unrest and the feel with cold is started at year 2014.
Thank You!
Can you use CBD OIL and L-Tryptophan be used at the same time?
Gail
I am not aware of any reason why not but don’t have much experience with CBD oil with clients
Dr Trudy.
I have been taking 2 grams of source naturals tryptophan at night. Then take p5p in morning and at lunch. I’m not getting enough serotonin throughout the day and if I take the tryptophan during the day it makes me feel too out of it. Should I consider taking p5p with tryptophan it at night to create the conversion to serotonin? Thanks.
Hi Trudy, I started the l-tryptophan after learning from you and leaving a minimal dose of remeron. I was given remeron after 1 plus year of no sleep after the 2am mark and all of the negative consequences this was having in my life and that of my kids as I was not functioning. This started with the birth of my 2 kids. They both went into sleeping full nights after 4 months of life but I never got back to sleep normal. I left remeron because I was waking up again at 2am and had to use lorazepan for more than 3 days in a row so I decided it was time to try again more natural supplements.
I’ve taken L-tryptophan since a week of starting reading your book, blog and comments. I can’t find lidtke in canada so I bought a canadian brand Life Choices as the best one there was on our health store. I am taking 500 at bedtime, with 1/3 of a 500 gaba capsule, plus I added the Relora since I couldn’t find seriphos anywhere in Canada. (haven’t done the saliva test but I imagined I was producing cortisol at 2am since often, I am sometime forced to tend to the kids at that time and that was a breastfeeding moment in the past). Anyways, after leaving the remeron I was getting 2 hours of sleep only. Now, after adding the l-tryptophan and the relora I am up to 5 hours of sleep. Go to bed at 9pm or 10 and wake up at 2 or 3am. Better, but no fun as I still have to tend to two little kids during the day. The relora was very hypnotic for a couple of days. Really nice and even if the kids would wake up sick, I could tend to them and fall asleep. But that effect only lasted 5 days (I take two). The last night I woke up at 2am and I tried adding dose of 250 l- tryptophan plus 1/3 gaba capsule. Instead of falling asleep, I felt light headedness and by 5am I was feeling anxiety raising more and more so I did a lorazepam by 5am and fell asleep by 7am.
I am also doing a Rhodiola at 2pm because I thought Rhodiola really helped me but I still can’t pass 5 hours of sleep. At least the l-trypthophan and 50mg of 5htp during the day have helped my mood so much that I am no longer as irritable and angry as I used to. But I do have moments because I am so tired from not sleeping. 5 hours of sleep is scary for me because it meant for me having to go to antidepressants in the past so I get scared, and tired and I can’t cope during the day. I am not one of those people that can say that they function amazing after 5 hours of sleep. For me, it has impacted negatively my marriage, my way of being able to be present for my little ones and inability to even work for a couple of hours. What would you have me do differently. Thank you so much for your amazing work and for being hope for us.
Oh, I forgot to mention that I also took the melatonin 3 mg PR Douglas plus the Calm magnesium at sleep time with he above mentioned. Plus regarding the good effects of 5htp and l tryptophan in my mood, my husband approached me and said: “whatever you are taking, please continue it. It makes a huge difference”.
Mary
Glad to hear the tryptophan and GABA has improved sleep so much. We always build on what is working and add more until we find the right balance with no bad effects. Also the ideal tryptophan timing is midafternoon and evening in order to build serotonin levels as they dip later in the day. We also always consider adding melatonin once we’re reached the max tryptophan.
And keep in mind there is more to all this than tryptophan, GABA and adrenal supplements. My book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” (on Amazon here http://amzn.to/2kptFWm) covers diet, going gluten-free, no caffeine, quality animal protein, the gut, other nutrients like zinc and vitamin B6 and much more. It’s really important to have a good nutritional foundation.
Whenever someone is using a benzo such as lorazepam I always suspect that this could be a contributing factor when the amino acids aren’t working as expected – even a small amount and even used occassionally.
Dear Trudy,
Thank you so much for your kind answer and thank you for everything you do for our health. Yes, I have been very diligently reading your book and following every principle as much as I can remember, specifically being very conscious about my early in the morning and throughout the day protein intake. I recommend the book to every person I can. I finally have the cortisol test results and I have Adrenal Fatigue stage 3. I also have lower than range Testosterone and DHEA. Haven’t tested zinc. In the last few weeks, I have been getting injections of B-complex and adrenal support weekly, alternatively, to help with that. I added a very good vitamin and mineral supplement. I think my next step will be to test for all digestive disorder possibilities (following your guidance in the book to find out how this happened). I know I have very high levels of stress with the kids and after learning so much from you, I have no doubt about a lot of nutritional deficiencies that arose after being pregnant and breastfeeding (and even before that). However, I did have to do 1.5 year antibiotic treatment 10 years ago so even if I have taken probiotics for a long time, I could be needing a very specific one to heal the gut. I also finally got the seriphos in the mail and I started it 2 days ago. Here is one of the things that is troubling me though. I was doing fine with l-tryptophan from Life Choices and from New Roots. When I finally got my Litdke tryptophan (regular) on the mail I tried it for 2 days but I got adverse results (shakiness, mood disorders, irritable, etc). I was sick with the cold so I gave it two weeks break and tried it again. It gave me really bad nausea and light headedness and I couldn’t fall asleep without the aid of melatonin plus I had to use a bit of vitamin C to reduce the negative effects. I thought, maybe it is too much in this version so I tried half the dose and I felt accelerated instead of sleepy. I gave it a break again and I tried it last night, and here I am awake since 2am. I took 1 capsule at that time to try to fall asleep (since I hadn’t got any nausea or headache this time), but instead of falling asleep, I am awake and very alert and it is 6:16am. I really want it to work since you’ve had so much success with it. Did you ever see that happening before and if so, what seemed to be the problem? If it is just me not doing well, then I can just return it. Thank you.
I wake up in the morning after taking 1 capsule of gaba 500mg, when going to bed, with the driest mouth. Very uncomfortable. Have gotten soars in my mouth, could the dry mouth and soars be do to gaba?
Else
This is not something I’ve seen but anything is possible. When this happens I have clients check for other ingredients/fillers, switch products, take less or stop to see if issues go away
I purchased Lidtke Tryptophan and have been taking 1 500 mg capsule in the late afternoon and then another one before bed. So far, no help with sleep or headaches (part of reason I have trouble sleeping is all the pain). I only weigh 85 lbs. so wasn’t sure I could take more. Does it take several weeks to feel a difference since I’ve only been doing this for less than a week. Also, can I take CBD and Gaba/l-theanine with this supplement?
Thanks so much
Becky
With the right dose tryptophan benefits are felt right away and ee increase until we see benefits.
If you are new to the amino acids (and other anxiety nutrition solutions like gluten/sugar/caffeine removal, blood sugar control, gut health, pyroluria etc) my book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” is a great place to start. More here https://www.everywomanover29.com/store/aafsbook.html
Hello Trudy.My daughter is on 500 mg l tryptophan in mid afternoon and 1500 at bed time.We see some results but is this Max dose we can go? She also takes 10 mg lithium orotate (Kal) a day.Itt made a difference in her mood but now not working well.She is on sugar dairy gluten free diet( test showed intolerance to these).She has Perrone takes 50 mg zinc 1300 mg evening primrose oil 100 mg b6(Now)but no dream recall.Should l try another form of B6 or increase dose?Her doctor put her on l phenylalanine but made her very grouchy.She still has no motivation to things refuses to g school or exercise just lays down all day.Any recommendation?
Sibel
I can’t offer specific advice via the blog but can share I do go up on tryptophan when we get initial good results but are looking for more. The same applies to vitamin B6 or switching to P5P or using a combination. I explain the various combinations of vitamin B6/P5P as doing in the pyroluria chapter in my book + more on the amino acids in that chapter too. “The Antianxiety Food Solution” https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/
Low motivation can be related to low dopamine and low serotonin
What do you recommend between the lidtke Ltyptophan 500 mg. And the lidtke complete 1500 mg .along with other things?
Michell
I blog about this here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/tryptophan-500mg-or-tryptophan-complete-lidtke/