Hi guys,
Is there any danger of taking the L-Tryptophan?
I am not talking about the EMS cases.
My concern with taking the L-Tryptophan is what it is said on the Wikipedia.org
"Tryptophan has been implicated as a possible cause of schizophrenia in people who cannot metabolize it properly. When improperly metabolized, it creates a waste product in the brain that is toxic, causing hallucinations and delusions." (L-tryptophan, wikipedia.org)
Is it true that it can cause schizophrenia?
I do not want to take 5-htp.
Is taking the L-Tryptophan safe?
thanks
2006-09-02 00:27:18 · 12 answers · asked by davegesprek 1 in Health ➔ Mental Health
I would think it would be safe for most people. It is naturally occuring in turkey. I have taken it before and it was fine, I didn't have any negative mental problems because of it.
2006-09-02 00:29:56 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
L-tryptophan can only affect you mildly. It cannot cause schizophrenia unless you were predisposed to the disease and recieved impossibly large amounts of the amino acid.
Why don't you want to take 50-HTP? It helped me a little in my depression. Not enough to be a final solution, but I did notice a lift as I used it in conjunction with heliotherapy (light therapy) to treat SAD(seasonal affective disorder)-like symptoms.
Rule of psychology - Correlation does not equal Causation.
If you want tryptophan, eat Thanksgiving dinner. Have you noticed everyone sleeping after dinner, after they start to watch the game? That's tryptophan from the turkey(supposedly). Along with overeating. And vacation. And higher stress levels with extended family around. Okay, so maybe tryptophan has nothing to do with the sleeping. We like to make connections sometimes.
2006-09-08 02:23:00 · answer #2 · answered by mickjam 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Tryptan is quite safe and used in conjunction with an antidepressant has in some cases had good results. It is a naturally occurring enzyme which is the precursor to Serotonin, the neurotransmitter that controls mood and sleep. Obviously we do not get enough in our diet if there is a shortage of serotonin so we have to take it in higher concentrations in tablet form to produce the desired results. It can be taken alone and has mild antidepressant effects but better as an adjunct to another antidepressant (which should be tried alone first)
2006-09-10 00:07:15 · answer #3 · answered by mjdp 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You answer was in your quote!
People who have schizophrenia cannot properly metaboilze the Trptophan instead of the natural processes their brain creates a toxic chemical responsable for the delusions.
If you have a normal brain you should be able to metabolize it without any ill effects.
2006-09-09 02:01:25 · answer #4 · answered by sectorcontrol 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I used to take L-tryptophan to help me relax and get to sleep. A few years back they took it off the counters at health food and herb shops due to new dangers as side effects. I don't think I'd take it again.It could be very dangerous depending on how your body metabolizes it.
2006-09-09 09:06:22 · answer #5 · answered by vanhammer 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Many people seem to be able to take it. I wouldn't though. I do not think it is that beneficial and why take the risks?
2006-09-08 11:26:26 · answer #6 · answered by Patti C 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it can cause symptoms of schizophrenia but the symptoms should clear once it is stopped. personally, i would avoid it.
2006-09-09 22:46:13 · answer #7 · answered by heyrobo 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ask a doctor. Tell him/her your concerns and if you have had any frightening episodes. He/she might ask you for a blood test.
Good luck
2006-09-07 17:53:07 · answer #8 · answered by greylady 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Safe as the milk it's in.
2006-09-08 19:14:18 · answer #9 · answered by forgetmaenot 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
hv a word wid u're doc..............vl help you decide better mate!!!
2006-09-02 07:39:24 · answer #10 · answered by mortal_sinner 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋