I'm interested in sharing info with others who use, or have tried L-Tryptophan. I did a search to see if a thread existed on this topic over the last year, but L-Tryptophan only came up in one thread title - and it was posted in the Medications section - figured it would get more visibility here. (sorry if there is something else I didn't find - I'm not the best at searches and picking the right words and options!)
I think it was in the March time frame that a couple of folks here recommended L-Tryptophan as an alternative to GABA, L-Glut, SAMe, etc. for mood management, anti-craving, sleep assistance etc. It was recommended that I purchase from Source Naturals in 500 mg capsules, which I did. L-tryp is also pitched as a booster to the immune system, which I need as a result of long term drinking. (i.e. I have yeast issues and that leads to immune system compromise, etc.)
I think that different things work a bit differently for all of us based on body chemistry. I have personally tried GABA (which I like, and that's my second choice behind L-tryp for mood management) and SAMe (didn't agree with me).
So far (18 days) L-tryp is FABULOUS in my opinion. I do believe it helps my mood stay at a stable level (I'm battling menopause as well as AL!). I have been pleasantly surprised at the relatively low level of cravings compared to previous attempts, and craving intensity in the first few weeks. While I haven't been sleeping a full 8 hours, on previous quits I had a HORRIBLE time sleeping at all early on for more than an hour or two straight. (although Valerian Root really helped with that!)
The recommended doseage on the bottle is up to 3 caps a day. I've only been taking one per day, with the exception of yesterday where I took a "booster" in the afternoon because Saturday (dog training day) is my most difficult day of the week. Otherwise, I take on in the AM with my other morning supplements. (I was a day drinker - so my witching hour starts in the morning!) I have never felt that L-Tryp made me sleepy during the day. My energy has felt good along with my moods.
I typically fall asleep around 9PM - 10PM and sleep very soundly until about 1AM or 2AM (about 4 hours most of the time). If I feel like I won't be able to fall back asleep, I take 2 Valerian Root caps, which often gives me at least 2 or 3 hours more sleep until 4 or 5AM. This is a VAST improvement over the sleep patterns last summer.
On the immune system front, I'm not sure what role L-Tryp is or isn't playing, as I believe the All One plays a role, my low carb diet is playing a role, and probiotics (really strong ones from the doc) are playing a role. BUT...in the last 18 days, I have had 2 spots of what I think was eczema (sp) totally clear up. I believe that is immune system related. Seeing some healing evidence on the outside makes me optimistic about what might be happening on the inside.
Since being on L-Tryp, I really haven't felt the need for the Kudzu and L-Glut - although I have it on hand just in case.
Here are my questions:
1. For those of you who have tried L-Tryp, what was your experience? Similar? Different? If different, how?
2. What were your longer term experiences? If L-Tryp was effective, did it stay effective or did you have to increase doseage to the max to retain effectiveness, and then potentially build tolerance and lose effectiveness?
3. Are there any risks anyone has heard or read about WRT L-Tryp?
In my body, this supplement has felt almost like a miracle, which makes me think there might be a reason it's not more widely recommended here at MWO by members, or by RJ in particular.
Thanks fo any input you have!
DG
******************
I think it was in the March time frame that a couple of folks here recommended L-Tryptophan as an alternative to GABA, L-Glut, SAMe, etc. for mood management, anti-craving, sleep assistance etc. It was recommended that I purchase from Source Naturals in 500 mg capsules, which I did. L-tryp is also pitched as a booster to the immune system, which I need as a result of long term drinking. (i.e. I have yeast issues and that leads to immune system compromise, etc.)
I think that different things work a bit differently for all of us based on body chemistry. I have personally tried GABA (which I like, and that's my second choice behind L-tryp for mood management) and SAMe (didn't agree with me).
So far (18 days) L-tryp is FABULOUS in my opinion. I do believe it helps my mood stay at a stable level (I'm battling menopause as well as AL!). I have been pleasantly surprised at the relatively low level of cravings compared to previous attempts, and craving intensity in the first few weeks. While I haven't been sleeping a full 8 hours, on previous quits I had a HORRIBLE time sleeping at all early on for more than an hour or two straight. (although Valerian Root really helped with that!)
The recommended doseage on the bottle is up to 3 caps a day. I've only been taking one per day, with the exception of yesterday where I took a "booster" in the afternoon because Saturday (dog training day) is my most difficult day of the week. Otherwise, I take on in the AM with my other morning supplements. (I was a day drinker - so my witching hour starts in the morning!) I have never felt that L-Tryp made me sleepy during the day. My energy has felt good along with my moods.
I typically fall asleep around 9PM - 10PM and sleep very soundly until about 1AM or 2AM (about 4 hours most of the time). If I feel like I won't be able to fall back asleep, I take 2 Valerian Root caps, which often gives me at least 2 or 3 hours more sleep until 4 or 5AM. This is a VAST improvement over the sleep patterns last summer.
On the immune system front, I'm not sure what role L-Tryp is or isn't playing, as I believe the All One plays a role, my low carb diet is playing a role, and probiotics (really strong ones from the doc) are playing a role. BUT...in the last 18 days, I have had 2 spots of what I think was eczema (sp) totally clear up. I believe that is immune system related. Seeing some healing evidence on the outside makes me optimistic about what might be happening on the inside.
Since being on L-Tryp, I really haven't felt the need for the Kudzu and L-Glut - although I have it on hand just in case.
Here are my questions:
1. For those of you who have tried L-Tryp, what was your experience? Similar? Different? If different, how?
2. What were your longer term experiences? If L-Tryp was effective, did it stay effective or did you have to increase doseage to the max to retain effectiveness, and then potentially build tolerance and lose effectiveness?
3. Are there any risks anyone has heard or read about WRT L-Tryp?
In my body, this supplement has felt almost like a miracle, which makes me think there might be a reason it's not more widely recommended here at MWO by members, or by RJ in particular.
Thanks fo any input you have!
DG
******************
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