One of the first things that comes to mind when someone is stuck and not able to get things done is low motivation caused by low catecholamines/low dopamine. But what if numbing, rewarding, comforting and/or distracting behaviors (caused by low endorphins) are holding you back and preventing you from getting things done instead? It may be low endorphins only or may be in conjunction with other neurotransmitter imbalances. The following question and stories from women in the community (and my insights and some of the research) may help you figure it out if any of this applies to you.
I posted a question to this effect on Facebook and there was a great deal of interest. Many folks shared examples of what their distractions are and how they fit into being rewarding and comforting for them. Here is what I posted:
I’m digging into the research connecting low endorphins and low motivation i.e. not being able to get stuff done! We associate low endorphins with physical pain, emotional pain and comfort/reward eating. But in a similar way that emotional eating /comfort food is used to numb us out and reward and comfort us, certain behaviors can do this too. Here are some examples you may relate to:
- mindless scrolling through Facebook or other social media platforms instead of working on your new project
- binge watching hours of Netflix shows instead of getting to bed early so you’re productive and motivated (and not distracted)
- playing video games for days (and not going outdoors, eating proper meals and even bathing)
All of these are also an addiction and we know low endorphins are a factor when it comes to addictions too. There is also an endorphin/dopamine connection hence the motivation aspect I’m looking into.
Can you relate to any of this and has endorphin support (with the amino acid DPA/d-phenylalanine as a supplement) or exercise or LDN (low dose naltrexone) helped with your low endorphin symptoms, your lack of motivation and the distractions you almost create for yourself?
I’d expect the amino acid DLPA (dl-phenylalanine) to help since it works on boosting both low endorphins and low dopamine. I am really curious about DPA because some folks can’t tolerate DLPA or it’s contraindicated.
What are some examples of your distractions and what has helped you?
Sarah: finds looking for split ends and cutting them off very rewarding. Is this a low endorphin behavior?
Omgosh this is so me. I often wonder what the heck is wrong with me. I look around at everything that needs to be done but just get overwhelmed and have no motivation to get it done. I don’t know where to start and then get anxious about it. I will immerse myself looking for split ends in my hair instead, I can spend easily over an hour at a time just sitting there looking for split ends and cutting them off. I find it very rewarding and it’s become such a habit now that if I’m out publicly and see a pesky split end l can’t ignore it and as Í don’t typically carry scissors with me (because that would be weird right?!) so I bite them off. I often think I must look like a nutter! I am always thinking what is wrong with me???!!
Sarah describes a rewarding activity perfectly and I’d suspect endorphin support – using the amino acid DPA (d-phenylalanine) – will likely help her. This behavior is her distraction from getting things done. It’s such a distraction that she cannot ignore it even when in public.
Since she also mentions overwhelm and anxiety I’d also want to explore low GABA physical-type anxiety and low serotonin worry-type anxiety and consider trials of both GABA and tryptophan (or 5-HTP).
There may also be an obsessive element to her distracting behavior and serotonin support (with the above, inositol and possibly NAC) has been shown to help with trichotillomania (recurring habit of pulling one’s hair).
Bonnie: low motivation almost feels physical or like something is missing in my brain. Low endorphins and low dopamine?
I relate to this very much – low motivation almost feels physical or like something is missing in my brain, also an almost inability to focus or organize how to do something or get through the day. I have low motivation with poor focus … but I am also constantly craving reward, comfort, or some kind of boost in energy or pleasure to motivate or energize me – this used to be things like sweets or chocolate but I have been lowering sugar/attempting to quit.
I haven’t tried any supplements mentioned but I’m very interested to learn more as this significantly affects my life.
She says her low motivation feels physical or like something is missing. It’s great she has that awareness and she is spot on – she is missing the specific action of certain neurotransmitters (which can be resolved with amino acid supplementation).
We address neurotransmitter imbalances, one at a time:
- DPA for low endorphin support to help with the comfort/distraction/reward
- And tyrosine for dopamine support to help with the inability to focus and needing something to energize her
- Her inability to focus or organize could be due to the spinning we see with the low GABA type of physical anxiety too
She also shares that she has “feelings of anxiety, hopelessness and self judgment” so low serotonin worry-type anxiety is also likely in the mix.
As always it’s best to trial one at a time and find the ideal dose before trialing the next one. I recommend trialing in the area that causes the most distress. What is great is that addressing all this will make quitting sweets and chocolate easy and with no feelings of deprivation.
Jennifer: video games are hard to break free of / switches to learning languages. Could it be low GABA and an inability to prioritize?
All of the above but video games are especially hard to break free from. Luckily I decided to use those dopamine hits to my advantage and am closing in on a 1000 day Duolingo streak, having made it to the end of the French, Norwegian, and Japanese courses. Yes I neglect other things, but it’s better than wasting time on video games. I do worry a bit that I would lose interest if my chemistry was fully balanced, but then again there are more important things that I could be doing.
I congratulated her on her language learning and shared that it’s common to switch one addiction for another. For example alcoholics quit drinking and then get addicted to sugar or caffeine unless they address their neurotransmitter imbalances.
Jennifer has been using GABA without much success yet and once she finds the ideal dose it may be the solution or part of the solution for her spinning and inability to prioritize (which she “chalked up to ADHD, but also only became a problem when I got sick.”
Initially I would focus on GABA support (for physical anxiety) more than endorphin support, because she shares she also has all these other low GABA symptoms:
- acrophobia (which started when she got sick)
- proctalgia fugax/rectal spasms (recently developed
- and burning mouth (which was a big part of her mold symptoms)
Keep in mind mold can deplete GABA and other brain chemicals so this does need to be addressed (home/office remediation and healing from the mycotoxin effects), in addition to using amino acid support.
She does check all the boxes on the symptoms questionnaire and it’ll be interesting to see which other amino acids help her with this gaming/language learning challenge. There may well be a low endorphin distraction and reward aspect too.
As always it’s best to trial one amino acid at a time and find the ideal dose before moving on to the next one.
Some of the research
I actually went looking for the research to support what I was seeing in terms of these struggles folks are experiencing i.e. another type of low motivation that is driven by low endorphins and has a numbing, rewarding and addiction aspect.
As mentioned above there is an endorphin/dopamine connection. This paper, Opioids for hedonic experience and dopamine to get ready for it, summarizes it well:
Brain dopamine has been suggested to rather code for the preparatory aspects of behavior, while brain opioids [endorphins] seem to mediate the perception of the hedonic [or pleasant] properties of rewards.
There is an addiction/cravings aspect with each of the neurotransmitter imbalances, including low endorphins. As mentioned above, these distracting behaviors can also be addicting. And we know low endorphins are a factor when it comes to addictions to drugs, carbs/sweets and behaviors.
DPA destroys the enzyme that breaks down/inhibits endorphins and in essence raises endorphin levels, This paper discusses beta-endorphins and the reward mechanism and how they can induce euphoria, reduce pain and ease addictions and distress: “Long known for its analgesic effect, the opioid beta-endorphin is now shown to induce euphoria, and to have rewarding and reinforcing properties.” You can read more about DPA here.
With regards to DLPA (which supports low endorphins and low dopamine), a really interesting study identified low endorphins and low catecholamines as a probable cause of PMS (premenstrual syndrome) or PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder) in some women. I blogged about this study and the use of DLPA here.
When it comes to exercise, this study, Opioid Release after High-Intensity Interval Training in Healthy Human Subjects, highlights the effects of different exercise intensities on opioid release, with moderate-intensity exercise being more beneficial for endorphin support. You can read about the impacts of exercise on pain, reward, and emotional processing and “the most commonly adopted theory on physical exercise induced euphoria …the ‘endorphin hypothesis’.”
LDN (low dose naltrexone) is often used in autoimmune conditions and to help with inflammation. This article, The Uses of Low-Dose Naltrexone in Clinical Practice, provides a good overview, and states that “unlike higher doses of naltrexone, LDN acts on β-endorphin receptors to stimulate the release of endorphins in the body.” I’m not advocating the use of LDN instead of DPA or DLPA, but if you’ve been prescribed LDN you may have observed the endorphin boosting effects.
Brain chemical imbalances to consider when you experience low motivation and can’t get things done
Here is a short summary of brain chemical/neurotransmitter imbalances to consider when you have low motivation and can’t get things done:
- Low endorphins – the less recognized low endorphin/comfort/distraction type as discussed in this blog
- Low dopamine/low catecholamines – this is what we think of as the classic low motivation trigger where there is also poor focus, low energy and sometimes curl-up-in bed kind of depression
- Low serotonin is another less recognized kind of low motivation I’ve blogged about: What if overthinking, fear, anxiety and worry (caused by low serotonin) is holding you back instead of low motivation/low dopamine?
- Low GABA is also not recognized as a trigger of low motivation but since anxiety can cause inability to prioritize and spinning, this could be a factor too
- Low blood sugar could also be a factor since it affects focus and energy
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).
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, blood sugar control, sugar cravings, self-medicating with alcohol and more.
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.
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.
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 much appreciation for these women for sharing their stories and allowing me to provide my insights for them and you. We all have much to learn from each other.
Can you relate to any of this and has endorphin support with the amino acid DPA (d-phenylalanine) used as a supplement) helped?
What about exercise or LDN (low dose naltrexone) or DLPA (dl-phenylalanine)?
What are some examples of your distractions or rewarding/comforting/numbing behaviors?
And do you have a mix of neurotransmitter imbalances to address? Which is the most troubling area for you?
If you have questions please share them here too.
Thanks for wonderful information, as always!!! I knew, intuitively, this was happening for me, and it’s really great to see you address this and learn from you about how this works! I can certainly testify to the importance of exercise and endorphins for motivation!!!
One question: I recently saw someone post that just taking GABA on its own isn’t very effective because it doesn’t cross the BBB very well. I’d be interested in your thoughts on this, since obviously you use GABA a lot. It certainly seems to help me when I use it.
My personal experience with endorphins: I have been injured for over 4 years now; 12 surgeries, tons of PT, and all of the injuries in between. Up until May 6, 2018, my entire life was activity. I was extremely fit. All of those endorphins I got from being active, and the physical strength that went along with it, gave me the ability to handle some pretty painful and exhausting symptoms of 30 years of chronic illness, and to have a lot of fun in my life through all of it.
Once that activity was gone … so was I. At first, I still had a great attitude and was resilient, but after a couple of years I went way downhill. Now all I do is scroll instagram. I can’t believe I haven’t been fired from my job, because I cannot make myself do my work. I used to read tons of books, attend loads of online summits – now I can’t even make myself listen to the educational podcasts I used to love and get all excited about. I used to have a very rich social life, and tons of friends, and at this point, I’ve just cut everyone out because I don’t want to talk to anyone.
I intuitively knew that just losing the dopamine from trail running, or dancing for 8 hours straight, for example, was a big part of it.
I think all of my neurotransmitters are low! I have the medical history and symptoms to corroborate that. I have been more focused on amino acid therapies in the past but I have let them slip off my radar. I just had my (hopefully) last foot surgery 10 days ago, maybe I’ll have the energy to focus on those therapies again soon. If I can just start exercising again, I know it will change. I lost the will power to keep making myself exercise while sitting down, which just feels like such a dreary chore.
I can testify to how important endorphins and physical activity are!!!!
Thank you!!
Ava
Thanks for sharing your journey and the fact that you can testify to the importance of exercise and endorphins for motivation. I’m sorry to hear about all your surgeries and inability to exercise right now but the good news is that the amino acid DPA is almost like exercise-in-a-bottle in terms of endorphin support. And it will also help with reinvigorating the lost love and excitement of listening to educational podcasts.
It may well help with lack of motivation for you too or DLPA may be a better choice (we use the symptoms questionnaire and list of contraindications to figure out which trials to do). Just do you know, injuries and inability to exercise is very common when it comes to low endorphins – you’re not alone!
It sounds like you have my book, “The Antianxiety Food Solution” (https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/). Brushing up on the amino acids chapter will be helpful.
If you feel like you need guidance and support using DPA and the other amino acids (via Facebook and monthly live Q&A calls) we will be offering the Amazing Aminos for Anxiety online program available with this level of support. Right now it’s homestudy only with no support from me.
Glad to hear GABA helps you when you use it. You may find these blog posts helpful
– GABA: Blood brain barrier controversy, concerns, best forms and how to do a trial for eliminating anxiety https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/gaba-blood-brain-barrier-trial-anxiety/
– Dr. Datis Kharrazian’s GABA Challenge for a leaky blood brain barrier is a theory and we still have much to learn https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/dr-datis-kharrazians-gaba-challenge-for-a-leaky-blood-brain-barrier-is-a-theory-and-we-still-have-much-to-learn/
Thank you!!
First, I love the information you give out. It’s helped me tons! I used to be overly motivated and something happened a few years ago and I could barely get myself to leave my house.
Here’s something interesting. I went out with my neighbor a few times and fell hard for him. He’s not anything great and all the other neighbors ask me why I’d ever want to date him. I couldn’t figure it out either….until I just read your blog! When I’m with him, I’m not attracted to him at all. When he’s not here, I miss him. Super cute and successful guys are asking me out but they don’t live near me and I have no interest in them. We’ve never slept together, so there’s not that bond. I think my brain’s maybe, unconsciously, using him for motivation? I get out and walk around the neighborhood all the time now and feel motivation to look good again. Before, I’d rarely walk and lived in sweats and t shirt.
The human brain acts in ways many don’t even realize. Like blocking out scary memories. I think my brain is trying to pull me out of the dark hole by becoming addicted to him because there’s no other reason why I can understand why I like this guy.
Jennifer
Thanks for the kind words. I am glad to hear being with your neighbor has helped pull you out of your dark hole and given you the ability to leave your house and feel motivated to look good again. Based on your comments about liking this guy, falling hard for him and missing him when he’s not there, I don’t honestly know if this falls into the category of being addicted to him. I can’t help but wonder if he is the real deal and it’s more of a low serotonin second-guessing yourself, lack of confidence, negative self-talk situation, and if serotonin support with tryptophan or 5-HTP may help?
The best way to know is to do the symptom questionnaire and trial/s of the respective amino acids.
If you are new to the amino acids (and other anxiety nutrition solutions like real whole food, quality animal protein, fermented foods, organic produce, health fats, 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/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/
If you feel like you need guidance and support using DPA and the other amino acids (via Facebook and monthly live Q&A calls) we will be offering the Amazing Aminos for Anxiety online program available with this level of support. Right now it’s homestudy only with no support from me.
Thank you for your thoughtful articles above and all the possibilities that could assist numbing / rewarding behaviour patterns.
In response to heart break years ago I played a mindless addictive high end mobile car racing game for several years that tempted you to spend and burn up money for prizes. Cringe at the wasted time and cost now.
Bizarrely, when a close friend dropped dead from a sudden heart attack, I numbed out and became hyper-vigilant creating film work after film work until two years later, I finally accepted I had been in denial. Post acceptance, I slowed down as all of this was exhausting and expensive.
Then surprisingly another very close friend got a life threatening cancer requiring severe surgeries. Again I went nuts, this time on Amazon creating a huge collection of semi precious beads over a six months period as I just wanted to numb out and make beautiful bracelets. Now I look at the beads and say, how on earth did I collect all of this.
Accepting all of the issues I lived through I’m less hyper-vigilant now and cope with stress taking mild medications that maybe bad for my health long term.
Your article helps me see clearly how addictive behaviours mask the problems and though it’s human to over react, it’s foolish to ignore time wasting ruts that splurge resources.
So appreciate the great advise in your blog.
Instead of quick costly fixes, you can address the need for natural products you describe from your long experience and accept a gradual improvement in your emotional and physical responses.
Jet
I’m sorry to hear about the losses you have experienced and appreciate you sharing these numbing and rewarding behavior patterns you created. It’s wonderful that this blog has helped you “see clearly how addictive behaviors mask the problems.” And yes it’s human to over-react but also important to recognize all this.
The good news is that the amino acid DPA is wonderful for powerful endorphin support and getting out of the rut (we use the symptoms questionnaire and list of contraindications to figure out which trials to do). As I mentioned, it’s common to switch one addictive behavior for another – you’re not alone – and the DPA helps in this regard too.
If you are new to the amino acids (and other anxiety nutrition solutions like real whole food, quality animal protein, fermented foods, organic produce, health fats, 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/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/
If you feel like you need guidance and support using DPA and the other amino acids (via Facebook and monthly live Q&A calls) we will be offering the Amazing Aminos for Anxiety online program available with this level of support. Right now it’s homestudy only with no support from me.
Thank you for your help and reply Love and respect your work … have attended and own some of your courses. Will look into Gaba !
Not sure where to ask Trudy this question…but…I have trouble sleeping and waking early am–when would be the best time to take tryptophan? Thanks
Nadler
If someone has anxiety and sleep issues I always start with trials of tryptophan and GABA, one at a time.
For future reference, feel free to use the blog search feature to find a related blog to read and comment on. On the top right of any blog is box saying “Search this website”
I typed in ‘tryptophan sleep” and you can see a number of blogs listed here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/?s=tryptophan+sleep
When you are new to the amino acids (and other anxiety nutrition solutions like real whole food, quality animal protein, fermented foods, organic produce, health fats, 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/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/
Much of this impacts sleep too.
Thank you for this valuable information! Spot on…… ❤️
I’m intrigued to read this and can relate to a lot of what people are saying. I’ve felt similar to other experiences described here — that something always feels off and missing in me. I feel like I’m missing out on something. I don’t have a passion or a hobby — nothing captivates me. I overanalyze things, procrastinate, and get in my own way all the time. I start projects around the house and don’t finish them. I get overwhelmed and don’t finish because I don’t know how to continue and I fear that I won’t do it perfectly. My brain says “you can’t do it perfectly so you may as well live in a mess.” I distract myself with games on my phone, internet browsing, instagram, etc. I totally recognize that I am just numbing out. There’s part of me that is always waiting for things to get better so I can feel engaged and involved instead of distracted and irritated. I identify with a ton of ADHD symptoms and have been learning that a lot of women don’t get diagnosed until later in life (I’m in my early 40s).
In terms of exercise, I take walks (while listening to great podcasts) and go the the gym. Pre-2020 I went to the gym every weekday. I liked the structure of having it as part of my routine, but I don’t think I was any better (mentally) then. I’m trying to increase my time there and hope to get back to a more frequent practice. Lack of motivation means I often have to drag myself out to do it. I am never sorry that I went to the gym or took a walk, but I don’t notice much in the way of a mood boost. I’ve been going for 10 minute walks in the morning to get some sunlight and movement. It’s nice to do it but it hasn’t changed anything for me.
What would be the best way to determine if I am dealing with ADHD or low endorphins? My therapist has been gently suggesting medication (antidepressants and/or ADHD meds) but I’m so reluctant due to previous issues about 15 years ago — bad side effects and literally zero results. Trying to address issues with supplementation would be my preference but now I’m even more confused about what I actually have and where to start.
Lastly, I see your suggestion regarding trying one amino acid at a time. How long does it usually take to see results? It makes sense to do one at a time and monitor results to determine what works, but I’m wondering how long to do each trial.
Thanks! Appreciate your insights and wisdom.
Mellen
At a quick glance ….
These are typically low serotonin: overanalyze things, get in my own way all the time, I get overwhelmed and don’t finish because I don’t know how to continue and I fear that I won’t do it perfectly, My brain says “you can’t do it perfectly so you may as well live in a mess”, irritated.
These are typically low dopamine: procrastinate, and get in my own way all the time, I start projects around the house and don’t finish them, ADHD, I distract myself with games on my phone, internet browsing, instagram, etc, lack motivation
These are typically low GABA: overwhelmed, I start projects around the house and don’t finish them, ADHD
These may be low endorphins (per this blog): I start projects around the house and don’t finish them, I distract myself with games on my phone, internet browsing, instagram, etc., lack motivation
These are typically low endorphins: I totally recognize that I am just numbing out. There’s part of me that is always waiting for things to get better so I can feel engaged and involved instead of distracted.
The best way to determine if someone may have brain chemicals is to look at the symptoms, rate them on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being worst, do a trial of the respective amino acid and rate the symptoms again right afterwards (in the next 2 to 30 minutes). Here are the symptoms https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/amino-acids-mood-questionnaire-from-the-antianxiety-food-solution/
Results are seen right away when it’s the right dose/product/timing and there is a need. Trial of each one can vary by person from a week to 3-6 weeks. The amino acids can be taken for a few months but ideally we work on underlying reasons why neurotransmitters are low.
If you are new to the amino acids (and other anxiety nutrition solutions like real whole food, quality animal protein, fermented foods, organic produce, health fats, 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/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/ It’s a comprehensive approach – amino acids AND diet
Re exercise, it’s possible it’s not the correct intensity for an endorphin boost.
Trudy, you do dial in well. It’s nice to look back and see how well you can dial in to past experiences. Low dopamine was such a hit that it became over-hyped to the exclusion of so much. But society always wants that quick 1-stop-shop fix. Well, don’t we all though? lol
Time inevitably will force us to slow down, observe and remain curious. I do appreciate your work to help everyone sauce out their own details. 🙂
Krista
Thanks for the kind words
1. Maybe this will be somehow useful, coming from the world of strange things human bodies do. I’ve never seen anyone describe one of my symptoms and it feels weird to talk about it. But I will tell you, for the sake of science. Because it’s mentioned above: rectal spasms. As ALL of my symptoms have gotten lower (better) in the past 2 years, I’m not having much any more. But i used to have rectal spasms, and it was since childhood. But, mine is even weirder–when i would get a rectal spasm, it would be at the exact same time as an itchy spasm in my inner ear, accompanied by a squeezing/pulsing sensation (a physical sensation like a tiny spasm) in my inner ear. I have thought that I resemble low GABA due to physical tension, PMDD, improvement when stop taking collagen??, and rectal spasms LOL.
I am hoping that your symptoms questionnaire will keep evolving with even the tiniest symptoms like this, because sometimes we don’t even know that something is a relevant symptom, until it is pointed out.
“Results are seen right away when it’s the right dose/product/timing and there is a need. Trial of each one can vary by person from a week to 3-6 weeks. The amino acids can be taken for a few months but ideally we work on underlying reasons why neurotransmitters are low.”
Ok, I’ve been working on underlying health for a long time. Mostly via micronutrients. I’ve made progress. All symptoms are lessened, but not completely gone. What i wonder is, how do i get all the way to zero symptoms (or closer)… and can i get there eventually even if i do not take any amino acids (i can’t figure out which neurotransmitters I’m actually low in; it could be several; or I could even be high in the wrong ones because I have COMT++ gene. If I keep trying to supply micronutrients, will i get there eventually, even without amino acids?
Third question, how do we know that low serotonin is actually a bad thing? Ann Blake-Tracy has me worried, in comparison to the Serotonin Hypothesis https://youtu.be/qsTKRCLgGZQ She is saying serotonin is a stress hormone and we should (never?) be increasing it. I would like to dive in to how we can prove that serotonin has any positive effects, or all negative effects, or maybe protective like cortisol is, but negative after effects, etc.
Hi
Thanks for your feedback on rectal spasms and itchy spasm in the inner ear. The latter is new to me but not unexpected since any spasm could be related to low GABA. I’m sharing this blog for other readers – GABA lozenge relieves excruciating pelvic floor/rectal pain and spasms within 30 seconds: a solution for proctalgia fugax https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/gaba-lozenge-relieves-excruciating-pelvic-floor-rectal-pain-and-spasms-within-30-seconds-a-solution-for-proctalgia-fugax/
Dietary changes as outlined in my book is all that some folks need and yet many do also need amino acids due to ongoing stress, digestive issues, enviornmental toxins, infections etc.
In my book, “The Antianxiety Food Solution”, I cover the amino acids and other anxiety nutrition solutions like real whole food, quality animal protein, fermented foods, organic produce, health fats, gluten/sugar/caffeine removal, blood sugar control, gut health, pyroluria etc. More here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/
The best way to determine if someone may have low GABA/serotonin is to look at the low GABA/serotonin symptoms, rate them on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being worst, do a trial of the respective amino acid and rate the symptoms again right afterwards (in the next 2 to 30 minutes). Here are the symptoms https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/amino-acids-mood-questionnaire-from-the-antianxiety-food-solution/
Ann Blake-Tracy’s work is with regards to medications that work on serotonin and not nutritional solutions for addressing low serotonin. She founded the International Coalition for Drug Awareness. She also wrote the book Prozac: Panacea or Pandora?
Hi Trudy,
Do you think a GABA /5-HTP combination might help with the “Sundowning” phenomenon in my husbands 88 y/old uncle Gil? He has some dementia [ he has a very friendly disposition and likes to walk a lot] and lives with a caretaker, but the restlessness that starts in the afternoon and keeps him and his caretaker up at night is difficult to manage. We have found that there is not much helpful literature out there about how to manage that restlessness in elderly dementia, we have been trying benzodiazepines, and that works reasonably, but also gives him some extra confusion and occasionally hallucinations. So I have been wondering if you have any experience with GABA regarding that. And I was also wondering if adding 5-HTP during the day or early afternoon might be helpful. I am thinking that because Gil has been known to binge on high sugary foods and sweets, often eating nothing else, when he was still living by himself. Regardless he is very slender and lived for 20 y with a well-controlled HIV infection. If you agree, what would your recommended starting dose or timing be?
Christina
I have seen a GABA/-5-HTP or GABA/tryptophan combo help with the “Sundowning” phenomenon in those with dementia. If benzos work reasonably that’s a clue too that GABA will likely work and with none of the side-effects.
GABA is dosed through the day as needed and more at night if sleep and agitation is an issue. I always start with tryptophan but both this and 5-HTP are dosed midafternoon and evening and help with restlessness, agitation, anger, anxiety, confusion, wandering and insomnia with sundowning. And any residual cravings too.
I’d start extra low with both because of age and him possibly not being able to articulate how he’s feeling.
Please do share how it goes and which symptoms have been resolved or reduced.
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/
If you feel like you need guidance and support, consider joining the online GABA Quickstart program so you can get help figuring it out. More here about the program and purchase info https://www.anxietynutritioninstitute.com/gabaquickstart/
I can relate to the losing oneself in social media!
At 39 i went through a very painful relationship break up which flowed into a very challenging and distressing work situation. I really fell into a really deep dark hole. Couple years later i was diagnosed with hashimotos ( I was having trouble with PMT for years prior)and I really struggled with low mood/motivation/fatigue/brain fog / weight gain and so on. Numerous integrated GPs/ and naturopaths later and 10 years on I am still banging on doors looking for help with my varying levels of fatigue,( low mood, poor focus, brain fog, overwhelm, anxiety/depression, low motivation, scrambled thought processes, living day to day, inability to plan, lost track of hobbies, my fitness has gone down drain as I cant get myself thinking clearly enough to get organised to get to a group ( or any events), my ability to get up and moving in the morning is really poor, ( yet I often wake early with anxious thoughts), i can get stuck in rumination, when i dont have plans for the weekend I go into a spiral of anxiety which often ends up in a mental paralysis thinking i should be doing this …or that…no that other thing and then i dont end up going anywhere! I’m also usually social but insecurities have been in overdrive and I tend to think people dont like me so I dont initiate contact, talk myself out of it. Ive had an issue adrenals for quite some time and usually crave salty foods but lately this has switched to chocolate which i give in to 🙁 ) and getting told that my thyroid tests are mostly all fine now, that my symptoms are from chronic stress. Im like yes, but something is triggering this its not just stress! I have had a lot of stress the last couple of years due to moving around the country and another recent distressing work incident but I can feel or ‘see’ the sluggish way my brain is or isnt working, isnt normal for me ! I feel like one of those wind up vintage cars from the 1900s, I always feel like one of my tyres is flat, almost out of petrol.
Social media has become a disaster for me. When I am feeling particularly scrambled mentally ( overwhelmed from high stress levels/ struggling with fatigue/its been a crappy day and I just want some relief/ and not knowing what to do to address the things Im stressed about) thats when i fall into the trap of instagram/facebook – videos in particular. I will easily lose 1-2 hours just flipping between those 2 platforms, then news apps, my emails and then back to them again. Like this compulsive addiction searching for THAT elusive post that is either really funny and eases my discomfort/reveals something that will finally be the key to whatever Im looking for to change my life in some way /makes me feel really good . I can feel it, when I am watching the classic cat/dog videos I can feel the ‘feel good’ chemicals flowing. My body relaxes, i laugh, i feel calmer. But equally so when i do become conscious that Ive just spent 1-2 hours on social media i feel anxious/disappointed in myself because I know its acheived virtually nothing for me, Ive done none of the things i wanted to do on my list ( there is always a list!) for the day, I feel a hopelessness but i also feel more scrambled in my thoughts. I suppose all those short snippets of information i have just consumed are all spinning around in my brain. What is concerning is that I have noticed that sometimes snatches of these images/or the music from what Ive consumed on social media will pop up in my thoughts a day or so later. Which just goes to show the brain is taking it all in afterall. Which makes me more anxious as I realise that the mindless ‘trash’ that i have been feeding my brain on social media is not how i would like to be spending my precious time on! Its taking up valuable time that I could be pursuing my hobbies in. But then by staying off it I worry that Im missing out on hearing about something happening nearby that I could go to and finally start to meet people/find what Im looking for/ to make me feel settled here.
I have got your book Trudy and Ive read it, I also follow you on Facebook. Im keen to hear more about when the Amazing Aminos for Anxiety online program is running.
The current nutritionist Im seeing for my health he knows of your work but for some reason wont go the amino acid route (he is the one putting my symptoms down to a stress response). He has just started me on 5mg lithium and 400mg of SAMe, in addition to selenium, mag-duo, N-acetylcysteine and Im on 110mg natural dessicated thyroid. Im on the verge of going doctor shopping to try yet another new professional its been 6 months seeing him Im not feeling much better. Im so over going round in circles and still complaining about the same symptoms 10 years later!
Julie
Thanks for sharing. Many folks feel empowered by the information in my book and make changes on their own.
If you feel like you need guidance and support now, consider joining the online GABA Quickstart program so you can get help figuring it out (and then move into the Amazing Aminos Program next). More here about the GABA program and purchase info https://www.anxietynutritioninstitute.com/gabaquickstart/