Is L-Tryptophan Better Than Antidepressants?
Tryptophan has been shown to be helpful for sleep, calming frayed nerves, weight loss, mood enhancement, pain tolerance, appetite control, chemical addition, jet lag, and more. The question remains, how does this amino acid compare to SSRIs in treating clinical conditions? A study done by a team of Swiss and German psychiatric researchers comparing the L-tryptophan with the SSRI, Fluvoxamine (Luvox), found that depression was alleviated more predictably with tryptophan, and while side effects are commonly reported for Luvox, the Physician’s Desk Reference does not list any for tryptophan. The researchers went on to conclude that it actually treats a broader range of symptoms known as serotonin deficiency syndrome, which may manifest as depression, anxiety, sleeplessness, aggression, nervousness, obsessive-compulsive behavior, and migraines – many of the same symptoms that are being treated today in humans with SSRIs. Tips for making tryptophan work for you: • Take it with a B-Complex v
