Posted by Questionmark on May 18, 2011, at 17:38:56
In reply to Which form of phenylalanine best for depression?, posted by nosher1 on May 16, 2011, at 0:54:44
That's interesting you found phenylalanine much more helpful than tyrosine. Tyrosine was much more noticeable for me, taken intermittently. i never took either consistently though.
L-phenylalanine is the naturally occurring form, which is a precursor to the catecholamines dopamine and norepinephrine. D-phenylalanine is not found in nature but is synthesized. It supposedly does not help in catecholamine synthesis, but through some mechanism is supposed to help prevent the breakdown of endorphins. How much this actually may result in noticeable effects for a person, i have no idea. So, as usual unfortunately, to the question which is better -- it probably depends on the person.
(DL-phenylalanine is a 50/50 combination of both forms.)That does seem extremely strange that you developed the sexual dysfunction from that. i don't know what to recommend there, sorry.
Be aware though that phenylalanine and tyrosine and certain other amino acids compete with tryptophan for uptake into the blood-brain barrier. So with continued use you could potentially lower your serotonin production.
Good luck.
> Hello,
>
> I have had treatment resistant depression/anxiety/anhedonia for many years.
>
> I started taking L-Phenylalanine and I am feeling much better at times! I started at 1 gram per day for a few days and I have worked my way up to 4 grams per day (2 grams on an empty stomach, twice per day). I have been taking it for a total of 3 weeks and my mood is not perfect but MUCH improved, and I feel like I am still improving. I am very pleased because I tried L-Tyrosine in the past and that made me feel better for maybe a day or two and then stopped working. The Phenylalanine is working WAY better than Tyrosine, I'm guessing due to the fact that Phenylalanine crosses the blood brain barrier more readily.
>
> I have a couple of questions I was hoping I could get help with:
>
> 1. Is L-Phenylalanine the best form of Phenylalanine for mood? I asked a doctor experienced with supplements and she said that the L form is best for depression/anxiety/anhedonia and she only recommends the DL form if someone has chronic pain. Since I don't have chronic pain, she recommended the L form. Does anyone have experience or advice regarding using the L versus DL form for treating mood problems? Also, what dosages work best?
>
> 2. I am experiencing severe sexual dysfunction on L-Phenylalanine, which was totally unexpected. I am experiencing both impotence and anorgasmia (numbness). I would say the severity is close to what I have experienced on SSRIs such as Prozac, which I think is very strange since Phenylalanine supposedly does not directly act on serotonin. When I search online I am unable to find any discussion whatsoever of Phenylalanine causing sexual dysfunction. Has anyone heard of or experienced this? Am I a freak of nature? I am 100% certain that my sexual problems are being caused by Phenylalanine. It's the only change I have made. I am not going to quit, though, because my mood is better. I am going to wait it out and hope the sexual issues will get better over time.
>
> Thanks!
> Norman
poster:Questionmark
thread:985436
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20110512/msgs/985655.html