Tryptophan

In this video you'll discover the nootropic benefits of Tryptophan. Including why we use Tryptophan as a nootropic, recommended dosage, side effects and clinical research.

Tryptophan is the sole precursor of serotonin. Tryptophan’s role in brain serotonin synthesis is critical for mood, behavior and cognition.

Serotonin is often referred to as the “happiness molecule”. Low serotonin levels can result in pain, insomnia, depression, seasonal affective disorder, chronic fatigue and memory loss.

For your body to manufacture serotonin, it needs an adequate supply of the natural amino acid Tryptophan. Which you get from foods like oats, bananas, dried prunes, milk, tuna, cheese, bread, chicken, turkey, peanuts and chocolate.

But the problem is tryptophan competes with 7 other amino acids for transport to your brain.

Research has also found that serotonin levels are enhanced by carbohydrates in your meals because insulin release accelerates the serum removal of some of the amino acids that Tryptophan is competing with.

As a nootropic supplement, Tryptophan is used for anxiety, ADHD, depression, insomnia, memory loss, pain, and eating disorders.

Many try L-Tryptophan the first time to cure insomnia or as an alternative to prescription sleep meds.

Dosing L-Tryptophan in the evening will typically ensure you’ll feel great the next day. You should have more energy for working out.

Anxiety levels should decrease. Happiness levels should rise. Tryptophan could help with memory. Music will sound better. Feelings of self-esteem will improve.

Some neurohackers report being able to taper off prescription antidepressant meds by supplementing with L-Tryptophan.

Recommended dosage of Tryptophan is 500 – 1,000 mg per day for cognitive benefit.

DO NOT use L-Tryptophan if you are taking antidepressant medications including SSRI’s.

Too much Tryptophan in combination with these drugs can produce Serotonin Syndrome which can lead to delirium, involuntary muscle contractions, high fever, and coma. And worse case and a very real scenario is death.

This indepth Tryptophan review covers:

00:00 Tryptophan intro
00:23 Tryptophan as a nootropic
02:32 How does Tryptophan work in the brain?
04:18 Tryptophan benefits
06:07 How does Tryptophan feel?
06:51 Tryptophan clinical research
10:30 Tryptophan recommended dosage
12:17 Tryptophan side effects
13:31 Type of Tryptophan to buy

The 2nd Edition of my 4-time winning book "Head First - The Complete Guide to Healing & Optimizing Your Brain with Nootropic Supplements" is 962-pages. And the best guide on the planet for fixing and optimizing your brain.

* The statements made in this video have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The products and supplements referred to anywhere on Nootropics Expert channel are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Please check with your doctor before trying any supplement mentioned in this video for your own safety.

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[michaeltravis]

I have been using L-Tryptophan(500mg) along with CDP Choline(600mg) and CoQ10(300mg) for POTS and it has been a real improvement in ability to function.

[checkout]

I've started taking tryptophan at the start of this week. My goal was to try to mellow me out to help me learn things that require a great deal of attention to detail. I started at 1 gram in the morning on Monday and noticed a very groggy feel. Similarly to when I was younger and smoked too much marijuana. Tuesday I cut it down to 500 mg in the morning. I'm not taking this with any food.

I feel a slight sense of tiredness within 10 min. After about 30-40 min the sleepiness lightens but never fully goes away. As I sit in front of my computer I'm noticing that I am absorbing information differently. Things that I normally wouldn't pick up on are much more clear. I have also noticed that I am able to stay longer in front of my computer without becoming restless or bored. With the weekend here, I plan on skipping tomorrow morning to take it at night to see if it's beneficial. In addition, I have noticed my mood is much more levelled. I have found myself making random jokes to strangers at the grocery store.

[Paok]

Just some notes from my personal experience.
Due to a late decision of the doctors to operate my neck i was taking opioid for year such as oxicodin and oxynorm.After the operation (laminectomy)
I stopped taking opioid but as side-effect in about 3 month started feeling the depression coming which they told me it's normal and they prescribed some antidepressants but those made me losing my mind my only wwapon left my chance to return in my old life(since after the surgery had lots of lots of problems like spasticity and numbness)
So i start reading studies about neuroscience i made my self a lab rat. I treated completely my depression by taking for 2 months niacin 500mg everyday in the morning after a stretching workout and 2mg l-tryptophan powder before bed with my yogurt. After three months i was feeling the joy of life again and after 10 months since still feel faraway of depression.
I know its dangerous to be the lab rat but i was desperate.

[TheWoundedWarrior]

I started trialing this in a hospital. By day three at the recommended dose (NOW) I was suffering serotonin syndrome, so much so I walked straight into the nurses office where patients weren't allowed, ignored them then proceeded to give them a rundown on the situation, what was happening and how to treat me if I went downhill. Jaws dropped and I just walked out again.

I ended up having to take about 15%!!! of the 'recommended' dose to get the full benefits and to avoid serotonin syndrome. This is highly powerful stuff if you are serotonin deficient. That being said, I just avoid it all and I take whey protein shakes instead. While the tryptophan does need to compete I find it alot safer than individually dosing. But still, taking this supplement by itself once you know the dose YOU need, it's brilliant! Just be careful not to put your dopamine levels out of whack!

Will your body develop a tolerance? ABSOLUTELY NOT! Tryptophan IS the fuel your body needs to make serotonin and so much more! There is a reason it's an essential amino acid!

[darykinnaman]

I like your video, I am trying Tryptophan for the first time. I have had depression and my Doctor keeps trying to put me on prozac and all other kinds of horrible drugs with terrible side effects. He keeps referring me to a Psychiatrists and I keep telling him I don't need one. I think my serotonin level is just low.

[openyoureyes]

I caught myself taking melatonin every night without doing enough research on it. Now I am considering Tryptophan instead. Thanks for the informative video. 👍

[googlecritic]

I am taking tryptophan supplements for depression and so far no change 😭

Day 1 - - tryptophan on empty stomach

Day 2 - tryptophan paired with whole wheat crackers

Day 3 - tryptophan with papaya

Day 4 - tryptophan with an orange

Can you please help me!

I’m suffering and I just want a natural solution

😭

[cnote]

@NootropicsExpert. Hi there is it safe to mix 500mg of L tryptophan, with 600mg of valerian root, 700mg of passion flower, 475 mg of lemon balm and 2mg of melatonin at night time. I also take 200mg of ltheanine during the day. Also I have been taking these for a couple of months now. What are you thoughts on cycling off these herbs? Are they safe to consume long term? Thanks in advance

[GO.On]

it works for me! it's great actually.

[carolmaplesden]

i cannot thank you enough i have really needed this kind of information Can you tell me what type of magnesium you've taken with this?

[KEEPINGUPWITHTIMMY]

Your videos are really helpful. Thank you!

[Amanda]

Thank you so much. Having so many issues with sleep. I trust your knowledge and ordered the Source Brand you use. I will follow up with you as to how it works when I use it. I understand it needs to be taken on an empty stomach.

[maheshtanay]

I have high level of acetylcholine because of taking bacopa. Always making me awake nd vivid dreams no deep sleep. Feeling anxiety nd some time depressed mood. Can i take tryptophan for serotonin nd sleep, depression?

[akidamin]

Good evening David, thank you for the information you provide. My question is that I take tryptophan, ashwagandha and magnesium glycinate, but their effectiveness appears only when I take depression medication, although I reduced the dose thanks to Ashwagandha, but I find it very difficult to cut it completely. I have serotonin and GABA, but I find it difficult to cut medication

[jhowell]

Huge kudos for the warnings you inserted regarding trying at home. I'd love to hear your thoughts on Tumeric and it's impact on the serotonin complex give MAO-I properties reported elsewhere. Together with an existing genetic factor reducing MAO performance taking Tumeric (for Curcumin) along with Tryptophan and 5HTP resulted in Serotonin Syndrome completely unexpectedly. Luckily this wasn't a major disaster, but it was a wake up call for self-experimentation exactly as you warned. 

I personally find Tryptophan works the wonders you describe here, so I'm leaving this comment and question to hopefully prompt discussion or as a mild note of caution to add to your own strong words.

Your videos are an outstanding contribution to mental health and performance. Please accept my sincere thanks for all your efforts!

[TBGTeam]

Hi I’ve had insomnia a few years ago but it got much better since I started to take L-Tryptophan 1000mg before sleep. My problem is that I’m struggling to find any information on long term usage of this supplement. Are there any side effects and is it ok to use it every day for years? I’m on my year 3 of using it daily but I am worried about negative effects.

[ydali]

Is it okay to take if already taking a GABA supplement? Thank you

[jrman]

So take 500-1000 mg before sleep and the mood could be better the whole next day?

[michaelsilva]

Can i take L-theanine with L-tryptophan, both together before sleep?

[VyalaBloom]

Thank you so much for your videos. I’ve been looking into trying 500mg of tryptophan at night to help me sleep, but I’m wondering if tryptophan can be paired with other racetams. I take piracetam (700-1g) aniracetam (400-750mg), and occasionally oxiracetam (250-750mg) once daily in the morning with a choline source. I’m aware that these also affect serotonin, so should I stay away from l-tryptophan to avoid serotonin syndrome?