Posted by andrewb on October 15, 1999, at 17:48:28
I’ve tried supplementing with the amino acid tyrosine. It didn’t make a difference for me. Some people claim that tyrosine, typically taken on an empty stomach in the morning, increases their drive (motivation). This makes some sense. Tyrosine is a precursor for dopamine. Dopamine, I’ve read, goes on to create norepinephrine. Dopamine and norepinephrine play a role in motivation, energy, alertness and vigilance. There is a rate limiting step in the conversion of tyrosine to dopamine however. So while the precursor tryptophan will very much effect seretonin levels (and, yes, I believe you should use caution when combining tryptophan with an SSRI), dopamine levels are harder to influence using precursors. Sometimes dopamine synthesis can be increased by combining the tyrosine with B vitamins and magnesium supplements. Carbidopa can increase the amount of tyrosine delivered to the brain. NADH, a supplement, can at times increase dopamine synthesis.
This raises the question whether it is desirable to raise one’s dopamine levels. Having taken amineptine, a general dopamine reuptake blocker, and amisulpride which is D2-D3 receptor specific, my experience tells me that it is preferable to ‘activate’ only the dopamine pathways involved with mood and motivation, that is, the limbic system D2-D3 structures.
poster:andrewb
thread:13208
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19991016/msgs/13208.html