Misc Does l-dopa increase both your dopamine AND norepinephrine levels?

[the_integerian]

I take mucuna pruriens which contains a small amount of l-dopa. I have noted a beneficial effect on my depression but little on my ADD. I have SEVERE ADD. I also have asthma (which norepinephrine helps with). I know that l-dopa is a precursor to dopamine which is a precursor to norepinephrine. Does that mean l-dopa also indirectly boosts your norepinephrine levels? If it does, why does it not help with my ADD and asthma to a noticeable extent??

 

[sekio]

L-dopa is not centrally active on its own.

 

[pacmanchomps]

L-Tyrosine boosts dopamine and norepinephrine levels if I am not mistaken.

 

[sekio]

But it normally doesn't cross the BBB because it is broken down entirely in the body by DOPA decarboxylase. So it has no, or very little central effect.

It is used in combination with carbidopa (which blocks the enzyme that breaks it down) which makes it centrally active. The treatment is used for parkinson's and is not neccesarily a good idea to do if you are otherwise healthy.

 

[primo567]

Protein => Amino Acid Chain => L-Phenylalanine => L-Tyrosine => L-Dopa => Dopamine

L-Dopa and Dopamine both act within the CNS and peripherally. If you are looking for psychotropic effects it would require a dopa decarboxylase inhibitor such as carbidopa or one found in food such as EGCG (Green Tea).

Our bodies make dopamine from protein so it isn't going to affect ADD any more than eating chicken would.

 

[sekio]

On the topic of the title question - as dopamine is metabolized to norepinephrine I suppose NE levels would elevate to some extent with L-dopa administration. Don't quote me on that though.

 

[the_integerian]

Since using the l-dopa I have noted a DEFINITE change in my mood and I'm 100% sure it is not placebo. Therefore I know that orally ingested l-dopa is indeed active without carpidopa, at least to an extent. My question is why the l-dopa has helped with my mood but not so much with my ADD or asthma.

 

[sekio]

I have noted a DEFINITE change in my mood and I'm 100% sure it is not placebo.

How can you say it's not placebo? Have you had your friends conduct a double blind test on you?

ADD and asthma are complex condtions. Simply "increasing dopamine" or what have you guarantees nothing about the treatment of the actual condition. Besides, excessive dopamine can cause bad things like mania and movement disorders if you're not careful.

 

[Opanaking]

I've taken L tyosine and definently saw slight uplift in my mood that wasn't placebo. If i'm not mistaken it increases dopamine, although I know it doesn't cross the bbb. When your feeling happy your going to feel even happier if you have extra dopamine to pump out.

 

[the_integerian]

How can you say it's not placebo? Have you had your friends conduct a double blind test on you?

ADD and asthma are complex condtions. Simply "increasing dopamine" or what have you guarantees nothing about the treatment of the actual condition. Besides, excessive dopamine can cause bad things like mania and movement disorders if you're not careful.

Because I noticed a positive change in my mood. I'm sure I'm not imagining it. Also, for the first few months or so of taking it I noted an increased libido. I doubt highly that l-dopa doesn't cross the BBB. At least some of it must. On to asthma and ADD. I noticed a beneficial effect on my asthma when taking ritalin and adderal. That is because norepinephrine is a vasocontrictor. So if l-dopa boosts your body's levels of dopamine (and norepinephrine) why wouldn't it help with asthma? Or ADD for that matter?

From Wiki: "L-DOPA crosses the protective blood-brain barrier, whereas dopamine itself cannot..." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L-DOPA#Therapeutic_use