Unhappy? Are You Ready to Feel Great?!! The Mood Cure: Amino Acids and Their Incredible Impact on Moods

A few things to note about taking amino acid supplements is:

a) They're inexpensive compared with medications
b) They're safer than medications (our body makes them)
c) They are more effective than medications
d) They can compliment medications and make medications more effective
e) They work faster than medications (often in 10 minutes to 1 hour)
f) Once your levels are topped off, you can stop taking them

There are potential contraindications when taking them with antidepressants, MAO inhibitors and other cautions (mentioned in the book), but overall they are very safe. You can even take them sublingually (under the tongue) to get them into your bloodstream faster.

Anyway, they are nothing short of AMAZING and I can't recommend this book highly enough. It's really well-written, thorough, and confirmed a lot of my suspicions over the years regard diet and its impact on the neurotransmitter levels.

The reason I'm recommending the book instead of just outright recommending the aminos themselves is because there are many things the book covers that someone should know if taking them, such as how much, when to take them, which aminos should not be taken at the same time as others, potential interactions, etc... and because I'm not a licensed medical practitioner who can diagnose, treat or prescribe.

Very useful amino acid chart (in doc format):

It won't let me post the doc directly for some reason, so just Google "mood cure chart 5-htp" and click the 2nd link for "AMINO ACID THERAPY CHART - Sellwood Natural Medicine"

Important amino acid guidelines:

[link to www.soselist.org]

Disclaimer: I'm not a licensed medical practitioner. None of what I'm posting in this thread should be taken as my diagnosing, treating, preventing, curing or giving any sort of medical advice. See a certified health professional if you have specific medical questions and before taking specific supplements.

This thread should probably be pinned for the amount of help it could provide to half the people on GLP, if not more.

Kindly click the "pin request" button on this thread if you feel this thread has potential value in helping others break free from anxiety, depression, irritability, paranoia, etc. Do it for your fellow GLPers, not for me. I could care less. I'm already on my "happy pills."

Here's part of the chart. Looks better in the Word doc. You can just put a number from 1 to 10 next to your symptoms and see what it suggests.

AMINO ACID THERAPY CHART

(1) In Column A, put a number from 1-10 by each symptom you feel, with 1 being slightly felt or hardly ever felt and 10 being strongly felt or felt all the time. Put P for past regular experience/use.

(2) Check off the column B substances that you use to reduce the symptoms in the same section of A.

Column A Column B Column C Column D

Column A: Neurotransmitter Deficiency Symptoms
Column B: Substances Used to Reduce Symptoms
Column C: Amino Acid Solutions
Column D: Neurotransmitters Provide

Type 1 Low Serotonin
___ afternoon or evening cravings for specific food/substances
___ negativity, depression
___ worry, anxiety
___ low self-esteem
___ obsessive thought or behaviors
___ controlling
___ perfectionism
___ winter blues
___ irritability, rage (PMS)
___ dislike hot weather
___ panic attacks or phobias
___ diagnosed with fibromyalgia
___ TMJ (jaw pain)
___ other chronic pain
___ suicidal thoughts
___ night-owl, hard to get to sleep
___ insomnia, disturbed sleep
Typical sleep hours:_____ to _____

__ sweets
__ starch
__ tobacco
__ chocolate
__ Ecstasy
__ marijuana
__ alcohol
__ Prozac
__ Zoloft
__ Paxil
__ Effexor
__ Celexa
Others:
__________
__________
__________
__________
__________

5-HTP
50-150 mg MA, Eve by 10:00 pm
or L-tryptophan
500-1500 mg MA, Eve by 10:00 pm
(Evening doses needed if sleep is a problem or symptoms persist into the evening or are very severe.)

Melatonin for sleep at bedtime; 0.5-5mg, immediately or 2-stage depending on type of insomnia, if 5-HTP or L-tryptophan alone do not work for sleep.
Serotonin
Positive outlook
Emotional stability
Self-confidence
Emotional and mental flexibility
Sense of humor


Type 2 Low Catecholamines
___ Cravings for stimulation from sugar, chocolate, caffeine, cocaine, meth
___ depression, apathy
___ lack of energy
___ lack of drive
___ lack of focus, concentration
___ ADHD, hyperactivity __ sweets
__ starch
__ tobacco
__ chocolate
__ Aspartame
__ marijuana
__ caffeine
__ Cocaine
__ diet pills
__ Wellbutrin
__ Ritalin
__ Adderall
Others:
__________
__________ L-tyrosine
500-2000 mg
AM, MM, MA by 3:00pm
(Add fish oil omega-3, 1-3 gms EPA/DHA emphasis)
Check thyroid and adrenal functions Catecholamines
Alertness
Energy
Mental focus
Drive
Enthusiasm

But if people are really messed up, then taking amino acids won't be enough. For example, you need B6 to convert tyrosine to dopamine, etc. Foods with white sugar and flour (i.e. the entire typical western diet) depletes B vitamins and cheap B-vitamin supplements aren't necessarily bioavailable enough to help.

Once I went through a whole bottle of tyrosine powder in a relatively short period of time and it didn't do anything noticeable at all. So its not a magic fix, although I'm glad it worked for you. I suspect it might work better for me after I've been on things like B vitamins (including active B6, otherwise known as P-5-P), iodine, and bioavailable forms of the macrominerals (calcium, magnesium etc). Although on the other hand, your body should be able to get everything it needs amino-acid-wise from protein-rich foods and protein supplements. I'm on 100+ grams a day of protein, mostly raw, from pastured eggs and milk as well as a bunch of plant protein supplements (mainly hemp and pea protein), and I'm slowly feeling better. It feels more balanced to do that than to cherry-pick specific amino acids which could have unexpected side effects later on. Not that the latter doesn't work...that's part of how bodybuilders and top athletes get their performance. But you have to know what you're doing, and if the anti-depressant effect is your main target, I think it's healthier to just consume lots of whole protein.

For most people amino acids are good and work well but beware that some people cannot take them. I am one.

phenylalanine makes my brain feel scrambled and makes me very nervous. It is just too much of a stimulant.

So......know your own body and how things that you put
in your mouth effects everything.

I can't even take whey because of the phenylalanine.

Oh yeah...it does make me feel good for a while until the scrambled/nervous feeling kicks in and that would be in about 20 minutes.

If a really good all purpose vitamin supplement contains the
"amino acids"...........nope, I can't take it.

5htp increases blood pressure i had to stop using it. i do use most of the otheres but i have had the best results with sam-e, non flushing niacin.

Many good points made here.

And, all of this is why I recommend people get the actual book. She suggests everyone get on basic "core" supplements to get enough vitamins, minerals, etc, and getting enough protein, proper nutrition overall, avoiding "bad mood" foods, eat more "good mood" foods, etc. It's very comprehensive and easy-to-follow.

For a lot of people, just the aminos will help -- within minutes oftentimes. But nothing is a magic bullet for everyone. Everyone's physiology is different.

Still, it's worth a try. It's inexpensive and the side effects compared with drugs are minimal and usually non-existent, and if drugs are required, one may be able to take less because some aminos have a synergistic effect with some antidepressants where the effect is boosted.

I would ask that you be careful not to inadvertently discourage others from trying it. Many people see results within minutes. I'm sorry that this does not include you. I think you're doing good keeping an eye on your diet, B6, etc, but everyone is at a different place.

Up to 11% of the general population (40% of alcoholics) have pyroloria, which will cause the body to flush B6 and Zinc (a big problem), and so they need more of both of those, pretty much forever. That may include you, actually, so it might not be that it's not "bioavailable", only that perhaps you need higher doses due to your body possibly not processing it. I'll post more about pyroluria for you. That's covered in the book some, too, but you can read about it online as well.

Please read "The Mood Cure" book. It covers all of what you've mentioned here and much more.

Have you tried any other aminos besides tyrosine, which is mostly for boosting the catecholamines? How's your serotonin? Check the chart I mentioned and it might give you insight as to other potential amino deficiencies.

Have you tried L-phenylaline versus DL-phenylalanine? DL has a more stimulating effect. Also, have you tried a lower dose? Again, this too is covered in the book, where specifics like these are covered.

Some people have phenylketonuria. Were you checked for that? [link to www.cnn.com]

Yes, some have better results with SAM-E or tryptophan. But, not so sure 5-htp increases blood pressure or not. Perhaps it was something else, or perhaps it has an unusual effect on you:

"...there are reports that indicate 50 mg of 5-HTP taken for six weeks has the ability to lower blood pressure especially when on a high carbohydrate . In fact in the study done by Schwarcz, Young, and Brown the average amount by which blood pressure was lowered was 6%. 5-HTP when combined with a healthy diet and an exercise program can have dramatic effects on blood pressure. This may ultimately lead to lowering the risk of heart disease however, there is no known study which proves consumption of 5-HTP lowers the cases of heart disease."

[link to www.vanderbilt.edu]

What is pyroluria?

Pyroluria is a genetic metabolic condition long recognized by the field of orthomolecular medicine and orthomolecular psychiatry. As many as 50% of those with autism, 40% of alcoholics, 70% of schizophrenics, 70% of persons with depression and 30% of persons struggling with ADD may have pyroluria underlying these conditions and make them very difficult to reach with traditional and even holistic therapies. –But pyroluria isn’t limited to these populations. As much as 10% of the population may have this metabolic condition and not know it…but may have lifelong symptoms associated with it that tend to worsen with age…and stress.

What are the symptoms?

In general, the symptoms of pyroluria have a mysteriously intractable quality to them and may lead to lifelong issues with severe inner tension, ongoing anxiety, poor stress tolerance (with added stress of any kind making the symptoms worse), digestive issues and difficulty digesting protein, frequent colds and infections, joint pain or stiffness, acne, eczema or psoriasis, mood swings and reactivity, poor short term memory, and a tendency in many to lean towards being a loner…among many other potential symptoms.


More at: [link to www.primalbody-primalmind.com]

I have about 25 of these, so I should be getting tested for this.

"The following includes the most common symptoms associated with the condition Pyroluria. If you answer “yes” to 15 or more of these then further testing may be worthwhile:

PYROLURIA QUESTIONNAIRE

1. Little or no dream recall

2. White spots on finger nails

3. Poor morning appetite +/- tendency to skip breakfast

4. Morning nausea

5. Pale skin +/- poor tanning +/- burn easy in sun

6. Sensitivity to bright light

7. Hypersensitive to loud noises

8. Reading difficulties (e.g. dyslexia)

9. Poor ability to cope with stress

10.Mood swings or temper outbursts

11.Histrionic (dramatic) tendency

12.Argumentative/enjoy argument

13.New situations or changes in routine (i.e., traveling) particularly stressful

14.Much higher capability and alertness in the evening, compared to mornings

15.Poor short term memory

16.Abnormal body fat distribution

17.Belong to an all-girl family with look-alike sisters

18.Dry skin

19.Anxiousness

20.Reaching puberty later than normal

21.Difficulty digesting, a dislike of protein or a history of vegetarianism

22.Tendency toward being a loner and/or avoiding larger groups of people

23.Stretch marks on skin

24.Poor sense of smell or taste

25.Feel very uncomfortable with strangers

26.Frequently experience fatigue

27.A tendency to overreact to tranquilizers, barbiturates, alcohol or other drugs (in other words, a little produces a powerful response)

28.A tendency toward anemia

29.History of mental illness or alcoholism in family

30.Easily upset by criticism

31.Sweet smell (fruity odor) to breath or sweat when ill or stressed

32.Prone to acne, eczema or psoriasis

33.A tendency toward feeling anxious, fearful and carrying lifelong inner tension

34.Difficulty recalling past events or people

35.Bouts of depression or nervous exhaustion

36.Prone to frequent colds or infections

Again, if you have answered yes to 15 or more of these then consider testing further using a urinary screening test for the presence of elevated kryptopyrroles via Bio Center Lab in Wichita, Kansas (Phone: 316-684-7784 or 1-800-494-7785). Here is their website for more information."

More at: [link to www.primalbody-primalmind.com]

Be careful when you self-treat.

I cannot take high dose Niacin....does the same thing to be as the phenylalanine.

My body just doesn't need this stuff.

I just had complete blood work done and that was the prettiest most perfect report someone could have. Nothing was out of kilter.

Know what you need not what you think you need.

Re-evaluate what you are already putting in your mouth like food colors and additives, aspartame, GMO and MSG.

Fully understand your allergies and sensitivites and how
things you put in your mouth can cause the symptoms of almost every known disease.

Fully understand any current medical condition you have, for example: thyroid malfunction and how tinkering around with "stuff" can complicate, irritate or worsen what you already have going on.

Fully understand the interactions of all this "stuff" with
any current medications you are now "putting in your mouth" and how all of this "stuff" interacts.

If you eliminate the "bad stuff and fake stuff and genetically altered frankenfoods" in your food and drinks
you could in effect eliminate the problems you think you have.

You are what you put in your mouth.

It is silly to try to fix a symptom with more "stuff" when you don't know how all of this is going to "mix".

You have to be your own detective and investigator.
Keep journals and notes on the things you put in your mouth.

Don't just jump up and run down to the store and buy up "stuff" cause you may be getting in over your head before you have fully checked everything out FIRST.

Oh Lord, I'm ready to close this thread. The comments are almost all negative and whining about "be careful"... "it doesn't work for me"... "it has this negative effect." Well, blah, blah, blah. Don't ANY of you READ???? My post said READ THE BOOK! It covers all of this already!

The book TOTALLY goes into FOOD and what to eat and what not to.

I'm done talking to a wall of people that can't even read and just want to spew what they think they "know" without looking at what's already been stated. I don't have time to rebut everything posted here when I've already said... READ THE BOOK. That's all. Read it. Covers EVERYTHING everyone here has brought up. ALL very good and valid points, but if you would just READ my post, you'll see that I'm not saying it's a "magic bullet" or that one should just go and "self-medicate" themselves without first educating themselves further. All I'm doing here is pointing people in the direction of a possible "cure" for what, for many, is completely debilitating.

You know what? If I had read this thread prior to getting the book, I NEVER would have gotten the book, much less tried taking aminos and would still be suffering. That's how NOT HELPFUL most of these comments here are, because they are mostly on the negative side, instead of looking at the many, many people helped by taking a simple amino acid. You could be depriving someone of the help they need because of some irrational fear over amino acids. To me, that's insane. Drugs are far, far worse, and over 40% of America is on some form of phychotropic drug at this point. Do you think that's better than taking aminos?

Yes, of course you should educate yourself first on potential side effects and contraindications. You should do that with any supplement. But, the book goes into that, and I stated all that in my OP.

See ya later. You geniuses can figure this out on your own I suppose. Done trying to help unless someone starts posting something positive here that is encouraging versus discouraging.

Not ONE positive comment. All complaints and warnings. I have to ask...



-----

edited a typo - P&A

If you are eating trans fat and sugar not much can get into the cells.

amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, minerals are the basic building blocks

Thanks for taking the time to put this together in a thread. I think this is so very important for people to understand. I suffer from seasonal affective disorder pretty severely and the last few years I've tried to find ways to fight it besides taking anti-depressants. I am a fan of the GABA supplements, I actually need to get back on them again as I've felt my mood shift some recently as its getting colder and I can't spend as much time outside in the Sun (I have to also take massive amounts of vitamin D for health issues). I also like to take Kava Kava if I feel my anxiety getting up too high!

Again, thanks for the info!

That's very true. Not just trans fats. Other "bad oils" as well. And definitely sugar.

Here's the top four "bad mood foods" she lists in her book:

1. Sugar
2. White-flour starches (Sugar and white-flour tied for first place)
3. Wheat (and its cousins Rye, Oats and Barley)
4. Bad-mood Fat (most vegetable oil and the margarine and shortening made from it)
5. Soy

Bad mood food honorable mentions:

1. Caffeine
2. Allergy foods (wheat, etc, cow's milk products, soy and nightshade family, chocolate, corn, peanuts, eggs, oranges and foods high in salicylates like apples)

Top "good mood foods"

1. Protein
2. Fats (Omega-3 fats)
3. Vegetables (if you hate veggies, try a 50mg capsule of zinc daily for a month -- often zinc-deficiency can make people only enjoy foods with a strong sweet or spicy flavor)

Thanks for sharing your positive experience with GABA! GABA's amazing stuff. Really works to relax me fast, but makes me feel almost intoxicated so I have to be careful not to overdo it.

GABA also does wonders if I'm in the middle of a neurotransmitter meltdown where I feel really irritable and am hell on wheels (usually after eating badly the day before). I take one of those GABAs and I'm totally chilled.

Here's a GREAT interview/article that Dr. Mercola just put out today on Vitamin D and sun exposure:

[link to articles.mercola.com]

Thanks again for posting the first positive comment! :-D

5 and P


Might help some people and seems very worthwhile to investigate.

Well OP I was enjoying learning something new here, I did not take the warning comments in a negative way, but you sure did!

Yes, I can see why you might need this stuff.

OP...don't close the thread. Your information IS valuable.

As in any good debate both sides of any topic needs to come out for people to be fully able to make an informed decision for themselves.

My posting is not critisim and I didn't mean it that way although it may sound that way to you. It is simply the opposite side of a coin.

There are many people out there that your information will help.....however, there are some that read stuff and then think they have it.

So.......please continue. The book sounds interesting....and I am reminded of the benefits of some of the items you mentioned.....like L-tryotophane

Come on now honey....don't be so sensitive. ((((((patting you on the back and a hug)))))))))

Glad you were learning something new. And, I was waiting for someone to post something ignorant like this. You see, aminos help balance you out from "false moods" created by neurotransmitter imbalances. They don't take away all your normal, natural feelings such as feeling annoyed when you realize you may be wasting your precious time trying to help those who just want to bitch and moan instead of actually reading what's been written and perhaps getting the book, contemplating it, and maybe even trying it out. I just don't like wasting my time. I have too much to do.

My posting this was a courtesy that I figured may help a few people. It wasn't to win a popularity contest or avoid disagreements. But when every post is negative and complaining then, damn straight, I'm going to point it out so the thread either gets back on a more positive track or I just let it be and move on to more important things.

Thanks for your comment. I was expecting it.

Thanks. I appreciate your post.

And I don't mind criticism or disagreement... just not a thread that has ONLY criticism or disagreement in it and that seemed to ignore much of what I stated in my OP.

That said, you're absolutely RIGHT. There are some that read stuff and think "I got it" and then skip all the cautions I included (i.e. ask a health professional, read the book, read the guidelines, etc).

So, I very much appreciate your pointing that out. It's important that people realize they need to educate themselves and not just pop a pill without knowing what it is or does or it's potential side-effects or contraindications.

Much appreciated.

this is what i'm using lately:

it contains:

5-HTP
St. John's Wort
N-Acetyl-Tyrosine,
SAMe
Huperzine A
Folic Acid
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B6
Vitamin D3
Niacin
Selenium
Thiamin
caffeine

[link to www.a1supplements.com]


.

"GABA (gamma-aminobutryric acid) is your brain's natural Valium. Actually, Valium is one of the many tranquilizers designed to mimic or amplify GABA's naturally calming effects."

Sounds like a good formula overall.

Not sure caffeine would be neurotransmitter-friendly, but probably not too bad. I drink caffeine and still get great results from taking my aminos.

Also, I'm wondering how much of the active herbal ingredients such as 5-HTP it has in it:

"Proprietary Blends
Happy Pills Mood Complex
St. John's Wort (leaf and Flower)[std to .3% hypericin], Caffeine (as Anhydrous), 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan from Griffonia Simplicifolia seed extract), N-Acetyl-Tyrosine, SAMe (S-adenosyl-methionine), Huperzine A (whole herb)"

BTW... GREAT NAME for it! I saw a similar product called "Happy Camper" though I don't recall what was in that.

This is good info and I know it to be true.

This is good info and I know it to be true.

Care to elaborate? :)