• H&R Moderators: VerbalTruist

Amino Acids Cure my Depression/Anxiety

GordanMilky

Bluelighter
Joined
Sep 2, 2010
Messages
77
Location
Western Canada
Researches believe eight amino acids (Tryptophan, L-Glycine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Cysteine, Methionine, L-Glutamic Acid and GABA.) also serve as neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine/epinephrine, serotonin. Two amino acids of particular importance: Glutamic acid and GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric acid). Anyways, there is a high quality protein drink that I have been taking every once and awhile that have all eight of these and i noticed that when i would take it for a couple days, i would feel perfect. Happy, able to concentrate,make quick decisions and also be more social. My mood is always full of highs and lows, and im happy i made this connection between this drink with amino acids and my mood. Anyone else experience something like this? Definitely a good alternative to medications.
 
Totally, wholeheartedly approve of amino acid therapy. I have received some anxiolytic properties from l-theanine (as green tea) myself. If you're looking for good sources of those particular amino acids, it might be worth investigating some non-processed options. That way you get all the benefits without running the risks associated with taking too much of certain amino acids (it's been proposed - not sure about the investigation - that high concentrations of l-glutamine may produce too much ammonia in the body and seizures may occur).

I don't think too much GABA is allowed through the BBB - maybe at doses from 1-3g, you might get sleepy. Germinated japonica rice may allow higher concentrations to be transported. Also, there's a Russian drug out there that combines GABA with niacin at a molecular level, which is supposed to get the GABA past the BBB. I only recently read about it, though. If it's anything like Phenibut, though, argh. :(

Good natural sources of these amino acids are generally high-protein foods all over the board - quinoa, non-GMO soybeans, pumpkin seeds, unprocessed whey, etc. - and can be a lot more enjoyable/inexpensive than supplements. But, as usual, YMMV, and I'm glad you found something that works for you!
 
My experience has been the same. It seems that nutrition is the bedrock of mental health. Resolving vitamin and mineral deficiencies as well as getting regular exercise is equally important.
 
^^oh yeah, thanks!

i take like 175-250 mgs of Ashwaghandha at night to help me sleep often, and royal jelly daily.

i am under extreme stress, and my wbc's are usually around 25-30 + the stuff works.

Ashwagandha, has remarkable stress-relieving properties comparable to those of powerful drugs used to treat depression and anxiety. In addition to its excellent protective effects on the nervous system, ashwagandha may be a promising alternative treatment for a variety of degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Ashwagandha has powerful antioxidant properties that seek and destroy the free radicals that have been implicated in aging and numerous disease states. Even more remarkable, emerging evidence suggests that ashwagandha has anti-cancer benefits as well.
source
 
Last edited:
Yes, eating essential amino acids will make you feel better if you are low on them. A well balanced, nutritional diet would normally cover these, but such a diet can be hard to come by.

Also, FYI GABA is an amino acid, but not one of those which you would think of in a traditional sense (alpha amino acids), and is not proteinogenic. It is the most important inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS. I don't think it would be a good thing if GABA were able to cross the BBB in an active concentration..I think in some animal studies it was directly injected into the brain with varying stimulating and inhibiting effects (I'd imagine the stimulating effects came from inhibiting other inhibitory processes).

Benzos are a good example for understanding on a very basic level what GABA does. Benzos enhance the effects of GABA.

You all eat some weird shit lol.

Edit: Oh yea researchers don't just believe what the precursors for those neurotransmitters are, they know.

Tryptophan -> Serotonin

Tyrosine -> Dopamin -> Noradrenaline -> Adrenalin

Glutamate (itself the most important stimulating neurotransmitter) -> GABA
 
Last edited:
Top