The Remarkable Antioxidant That Can Help Treat 6 Mental Illnesses

When I went to the doctor years ago for help with my concussion symptoms and mental health challenges, he offered me two options – addictive sleeping pills or antidepressants.

That was it.

I was left in the dark.

I had no other options and nowhere to turn, so I had to take the medication.

Years later, I now know there are many other options and solutions.

N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), a cheap amino acid and antioxidant, is one of the more effective and safer options to deal with the root cause of mental illness and sub-optimal cognition.

What's N-Acetylcysteine? How Can It Help The Brain?

N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) is a modified form of the amino acid cysteine and helps your body produce glutathione.

Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant that supports liver detoxification and reduces free radicals in the body. 

Over the past 30 years, high doses of NAC have been used in emergency rooms to combat acetaminophen (Tylenol) toxicity (1, 2). 

But there is also an overwhelming amount of evidence showing that NAC can help treat a number of neurological and psychiatric disorders, and it has personally played a huge role in my recovery from mental illness and post-concussion syndrome. 

A systematic review of all of the evidence suggests that NAC is effective at treating the following conditions (4, 6, 18, 19):

•    Major depressive disorder
•    Bipolar disorder
•    Drug addiction
•    Obsessive-compulsive disorder
•    Autism
•    Schizophrenia
•    Alzheimer's disease
•    Certain forms of epilepsy (progressive myoclonic)

NAC also reduces the severity of mild traumatic brain injury in soldiers, and animal studies show that it can improve cognition after moderate traumatic brain injury (5). 

Disorders such as anxiety and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder have preliminary evidence but require larger studies (4, 6). 

Mike Cernovich has even wrote about how severe mental illness runs in his family and how NAC helped him overcome his depression and anxiety. 

Overall, it’s clear to me that NAC should be a first-line treatment for mental illness, along with these three other critical nutrients. The fact that NAC improves so many different mental disorders tells me that it’s much closer to treating the root cause of these brain afflictions than standard psychiatric care. 

My recommendation: I used to take 1200 mg of NAC every day to manage my long-term mental health. It was helpful, but I eventually experienced some side effects at that dosage due to heavy metal redistribution. I don’t need to take nearly as much anymore after doing other treatments. Studies show that people benefit from taking anywhere between 500 mg to 3000 mg daily or every other day. But I find that many of my clients actually do better when they take a lower dose because high doses of NAC can sometimes redistribute heavy metals into the brain. You’ll obviously want to avoid this. I now take and recommend just 250 mg of NAC, which can be found in the Optimal Antiox supplement. Optimal Antiox also contains a number of other antioxidants and nutrients that can support your brain and mental health. Optimal Antiox also includes leucine, which is an amino acid. Taking leucine with NAC prevents mercury from being reabsorbed into the central nervous system.

How Is It So Effective At Treating All These Mental Health Conditions?

First of all, it's important to note that NAC seems to target biological pathways that are common across all mental disorders. And this is something mainstream medicine and the pharmaceutical industry would rather ignore. NAC isn't patentable. They would rather focus on producing, patenting and marketing new drugs for many different disorders. There’s lots more money in that.

Here are some possible explanations for its effectiveness:

• NAC has anti-inflammatory properties, and inflammation has been linked to depression and other mental health disorders (12, 13).

• NAC has also been shown to successfully cross the blood-brain-barrier and raise glutathione levels in the brain. Low levels of glutathione in the brain have been linked to a number of psychiatric disorders (8-11, 17-19, 24).

• High levels of oxidative stress have been identified in the brains of patients with a variety of psychiatric illnesses. Increasing brain glutathione by supplementing with NAC can help reduce this oxidative stress and protect neurons from oxidative damage (20-23, 25).

• Lastly, NAC may be having beneficial effects on patients by reducing glutamate, a major excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain that can lead to overstimulation (14-16, 26).

Therefore, if you take NAC, you're giving your body an efficient way to soak up excess glutamate. You’re also reducing oxidative stress and inflammation by giving it glutathione. As a result, this helps alleviate a number of different mental health problems. 

Below, I’ll lay out some of the research exploring NAC as a possible treatment for five mental health problems. Feel free to skip to your condition to learn about it. 

Depression and Bipolar Disorder

Here is some of the research looking into NAC as a possible treatment for depression and bipolar disorder:

• A randomized controlled trial examined 149 individuals with moderate depression. They received two grams of NAC or placebo. Before treatment, the estimated mean depression score was 19.7. At the end of the 8-week study, the score had decreased to 11.1. Individuals who received NAC witnessed improvements in functioning and quality of life (27).
  

• Another randomized controlled trial looked at 75 patients with bipolar disorder. Two grams of NAC or placebo was given for 6 months. At the end of this period, the group who received NAC saw a reduction in their depression and significant improvements in their global, social and occupational functioning. The improvements were rated as “medium to high” and it was concluded that "NAC is a safe and effective augmentation strategy for depressive symptoms” (28).
  

• Several other studies have examined the effects of NAC on bipolar disorder (including mania) and found that two grams of NAC daily significantly improves and even causes a full remission of both depressive and manic symptoms (29-31).

It’s important to note that some of these studies lasted 6 months, which is a very long time for randomized control trials. And all of the studies had beneficial effects and zero severe side effects. That’s quite impressive, especially considering that pharmaceutical companies have spent billions of dollars trying to find a “cure” for depression and bipolar disorder and don’t have much to show for it. 

All of the above research makes sense in light of a meta-analysis that found that patients with bipolar disorder have significantly higher levels of oxidative stress and glutamate in their brain.

A number of mood-stabilizing medications aim to decrease glutamate, yet they come with numerous side effects (14-16, 26, 27, 32, 33).

And as I've discussed before, certain antidepressants can deplete glutathione, which further increases oxidative stress. 

NAC is definitely a better and healthier long-term option. 

Addiction

Substance abuse and addiction are very costly. Yet there are hardly any efficient treatments that prevent relapse. 

But a lot of research is emerging demonstrating a link between oxidative stress and drug addiction, and how NAC can help manage it (66-68). 

• In a small study, 13 people abstaining from cocaine were given 2,400 mg of NAC or placebo over two days. The participants who received NAC witnessed a significant reduction in their withdrawal symptoms and cravings for cocaine (34). Follow-up studies also showed that NAC reduced desire and interest in cocaine (35, 36).

• Smokers voluntarily reduce their cigarette use by around 25% after two weeks of supplementing with 2,400 mg of NAC (37, 65).

• And it’s not just addiction to drugs. NAC also shows promise for the treatment of gambling addiction. A randomized control trial with 27 pathological gamblers showed that gamblers who supplemented with NAC scored 60% lower on the “Obsessive Compulsive Scale for Pathological Gambling." (38).

Here are 8 other nutrients that can help with addiction.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Not surprisingly, there are brain similarities among people who suffer from addiction and obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD).

Just like addiction, higher levels of oxidative stress and glutamate are found in people with OCD (39-44). 

The standard treatment for OCD is a combination of antidepressants and psychotherapy.

But around 20% of patients don’t get better with this combination, and many suffer from a variety of drug side effects (45). 

Since NAC is inexpensive and widely available, it’s clear that it has significant advantages for patients. Just don’t expect pharmaceutical reps to bring this to the attention of your doctor. You’ll have to take it yourself.

I also encourage you to check out this article for 21 other ways to treat OCD.

Autism

Autism is a touchy subject. So let me start out by saying that NAC will not cure autism. Autism has many different causes and contributing factors.

However, NAC will likely improve some autistic symptoms. 

Multiple studies suggest that NAC is a well-tolerated treatment for autistic individuals and can reduce their irritability (46-48). 

Like the disorders above, research has found that autistic individuals have higher levels of oxidative stress and lower levels of the antioxidant glutathione in their brains, making it likely that NAC will help them (49-55). 

There is also lots of evidence suggesting that too much glutamate in the brain contributes to autistic symptoms. As discussed earlier, glutamate in a major excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. It is also the precursor to GABA, a calming neurotransmitter that reduces anxiety. 

There is an enzyme that converts glutamate to GABA, and researchers have found that this enzyme is lower in individuals on the autism spectrum. This leads to more glutamate and less GABA, and therefore much more excitation. Not surprisingly then, glutamate antagonists (e.g. NAC) have been shown to reduce symptoms of autism, bringing them more into balance (56-60). 

Since oxidation and glutamate are abnormally elevated in persons with autism, NAC can kill two birds with one stone by providing an antioxidant effect and reducing glutamate levels in the brain of autistic individuals. 

Schizophrenia

The last mental disorder I’m going to explore is schizophrenia. There is a good amount of research suggesting that NAC can help with this condition as well.

• Researchers gave 2 grams of NAC to schizophrenic patients during a six-month randomized control trial. The participants who received NAC experienced improvements in their symptoms, and many of them did not experience improvements from other treatments. They demonstrated improvements in insight, self-care, social interaction, motivation, and stabilization of mood. Follow-up studies found similar results (62, 63, 70).
  
  

• I found one study that explored NAC’s ability to change schizophrenic patient’s electroencephalogram (EEG) synchronicity – a measure of electrical activity within the brain that I discussed in my post about neurofeedback (69).
  
  

• I also found a case report of a young woman with treatment-resistant schizophrenia who showed significant improvements in symptoms by taking just 600 mg of NAC every day (64).

This makes sense considering there is an expanding body of evidence suggesting oxidative stress occurs in individuals with schizophrenia. Some research shows that the more oxidative stress a schizophrenic patient experiences, the worse their symptoms get. And several studies indicate that NAC may benefit schizophrenics by increasing glutathione and reducing glutamate (61, 71-74).

Conclusion

Overall, oxidation and glutamate are often abnormally elevated in people with a wide range of neurological and psychiatric disorders. 

NAC may correct these underlying problems by generating the antioxidant glutathione and reducing the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate.

I would definitely advise people suffering from depression, bipolar disorder, OCD, drug addiction or autism to start taking it. See how it affects you. If it helps, keep taking. If not, then try something else. 

Many of the studies also suggest that NAC enhances the effectiveness of psychiatric medications. So if you're already on medication, NAC and your medication will likely work better together. There appears no downside in giving it a try.

My recommendation: I used to take 1200 mg of NAC every day to manage my long-term mental health. It was helpful, but I eventually experienced some side effects at that dosage due to heavy metal redistribution. I don’t need to take nearly as much anymore after doing other treatments. Studies show that people benefit from taking anywhere between 500 mg to 3000 mg daily or every other day. But I find that many of my clients actually do better when they take a lower dose because high doses of NAC can sometimes redistribute heavy metals into the brain. You’ll obviously want to avoid this. I now take and recommend just 250 mg of NAC, which can be found in the Optimal Antiox supplement. Optimal Antiox also contains a number of other antioxidants and nutrients that can support your brain and mental health. Optimal Antiox also includes leucine, which is an amino acid. Taking leucine with NAC prevents mercury from being reabsorbed into the central nervous system.

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Live Optimally,

Jordan Fallis

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References:

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A Powerful Protocol Proven to Help Reverse Brain Damage

I’ve been reading a lot about brain damage and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in retired NFL football players lately.

While doing so, I came across an interesting study by Dr. Daniel Amen, MD, titled “Reversing brain damage in former NFL players: implications for traumatic brain injury and substance abuse rehabilitation.”

In the study, thirty retired NFL players who had brain damage and cognitive dysfunction followed a brain-healthy protocol (which I outline below in this post).

After following the protocol for six months, the former NFL players had increased blood flow to the brain and significant increases in performance. 

Neuropsychological testing showed that they had significant improvements in attention, memory, reasoning, and information processing. 

The NFL players themselves also self-reported subjective increases in memory, attention, mood, motivation, and sleep.

It just so happens that a lot of the supplements and therapies used in this protocol have also improved my mental health and supported my brain after suffering multiple concussions, living in a moldy home, and experiencing neurotoxicity. 

“We demonstrated that even if you have been bad to your brain, on the right program you can often reverse the damage and improve your life. It’s one of the most exciting discoveries in medicine today. I hope this message finds anyone who played contact sports like football, hockey, soccer, boxing so they can find help because their degenerative conditions can be reversed.”

— Dr. Daniel Amen, MD, psychiatrist and author of Change Your Brain, Change Your Life

Why This Research Study Is So Important

It’s well known that brain injuries are common in professional American football players, and they increase the risk of mild cognitive impairment, dementia, depression and CTE (1-2).

A study sponsored by the National Football League (NFL) found that 6.1% of retired NFL players over the age of 50 had been diagnosed with dementia, which is five times the national average of 1.2%.

Even 2% of players aged 30 to 49 have received a dementia-related diagnosis, which is 20 times higher than the rate of the general population within that age group (3). 

And in a study of 100 active and retired NFL players, researchers found reduced brain blood flow and higher rates of depression, memory and attention problems compared to the general population (4). 

Brain injuries also increase the risk of drug abuse (5-6). 

Lastly, another study reported that 96% of all former NFL players autopsied had CTE, and that 79% of males who played football at any level also had CTE (10). 

But brain injuries and neurological damage don’t just affect retired professional football players. 

Millions of people, including soldiers, suffer concussions every year.  

In addition, substance abusers also experience high levels of brain damage from drugs and alcohol, and from the increased likelihood of suffering brain injuries during intoxication (7). 

But based on Dr. Amen’s protocol, there is hope. And it’s possible to reverse brain damage.

Below is the protocol that the NFL players followed to reverse brain damage and cognitive impairment, and it significantly improved their brain, mental health and quality of life.

1. Improve Your Diet and Exercise Regularly

Even after taking into account their large body frames, forty-eight percent of players in the study were overweight or obese.

So they were encouraged to eat healthier and exercise regularly in order to lose weight. 

This is because obesity is associated with dementia and smaller brain size (8). 

For exercise, you should find an aerobic activity that you enjoy so that you’ll stick with it consistently.

This is exercise routine I try to follow consistently:

• Lift heavy weights 1-4 times per week

• High-intensity interval sprinting 1-2 times per week

• Walk as much as I can (ideally 30-60 minutes every day)

• Run for 20-30 minutes before lifting weights

If you’re looking for a bunch of healthy, brain-boosting foods that you can eat on a regular basis, check out my Free Grocery Shopping Guide for Optimal Brain Health and my Fuel Your Brain Cookbook.

2. Eliminate Alcohol

Not too surprisingly, the NFL players in Dr. Amen’s study were encouraged to completely eliminate alcohol.  

Alcohol is a neurotoxin and wreaks havoc on the brain by raising cortisol levels, disrupting the blood-brain barrier, and increasing inflammation and oxidative stress (11). 

There are ways to protect your brain from alcohol, but you’re better off avoiding it completely, or significantly reducing your consumption, if you’re trying to heal from brain damage. I personally don’t drink alcohol at all anymore.

Other than alcohol, the NFL players were also told to eliminate others drugs, including cigarettes.  

3. Get Enough Sleep

Getting enough high-quality sleep was another key aspect of Dr. Amen’s therapeutic protocol for the NFL players because it’s so important for brain health. 

Deep sleep has been shown to slow down cognitive decline, reduce cortisol levels, promote the regeneration of myelin, increase the growth of new brain cells, and support the blood-brain barrier. 

That’s why getting at least 7 hours of high-quality, restorative sleep is so important.

I used to have very poor quality sleep and it was one of main factors that contributed to my poor mental health.  

This sleep supplement contains magnesium and a number of other natural compounds that I’ve used over the years to improve sleep.

But I work with my clients so that they can naturally maximize the quality of their sleep without so many supplements. We have free online workshop that talks about how you can work with us. You can register for the workshop here.

4. Reduce Brain Inflammation with Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Your brain is made up of about 60% fat, so you want to eat high-quality fats so that it can rebuild itself.

Omega-3s fatty acids are the highest quality fats for the brain, and increasing your intake of them is one of the most impactful ways to reverse brain damage. 

Dr. Amen gave the NFL players 5.6 grams of fish oil each day, containing 1720 mg of EPA and 1160 mg of DHA.

EPA and DHA are omega-3 fatty acids that are necessary for the optimal functioning of your brain and nervous system. They have been shown in many studies to significantly reduce inflammation; improve memory, mood and cognition; and protect against mild cognitive impairment, dementia and Alzheimer's disease (9-10). 

They are also the structural components of synapses, and have been shown to support the brains of people with neurodegenerative diseases who have experienced synaptic loss (12). 

It’s important to get enough omega-3s because they are essential fats that your body cannot produce itself.

They are found primarily in cold water fish such as salmon, black cod, sablefish, sardines and herring.

Unfortunately, most people don't consume enough omega-3 fatty acids through their diet.

That’s why I recommend people supplement with krill oil, a special kind of fish oil that contains the essential omega-3 fatty acids.

I previously wrote about the importance of omega-3 fatty acids in-depth here. 

Make sure you also check out this article for 22 other effective ways to reduce inflammation in the brain.

5. Get Enough of These Vitamins and Minerals

Research shows that supplementing with B vitamins, vitamin C and minerals can reduce stress, improve mental health, and increase cognitive performance (13).

So Dr. Amen got the NFL players in the study to take a high-potency multivitamin every day. 

I don’t usually recommend all-in-one multivitamins because they often contain too many synthetic vitamins that we don’t need, and not enough of the minerals that we do need. 

Instead, I regularly take minerals, B vitamins, and this supplement with Vitamin C.

6. Enhance Brain Blood Flow

Dr. Amen also focused on increasing blood flow in the brains of the retired NFL football players. 

The main way he enhanced brain blood flow was by giving them Ginkgo Biloba.

Ginkgo Biloba is a plant used in China for thousands of years to treat a number of health problems. It’s one of the top-selling herbal supplements in the world, and it’s even a prescription herb in Germany. 

It’s most commonly used to improve brain health, as it’s been shown to increase cognitive function, memory and attention in both healthy and unhealthy individuals. It even reduces the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease and can improve mood and mental energy.

It has these effects primarily by increasing blood flow to the brain (27). 

Ginkgo biloba extract is included in the Optimal brain supplement. 

Check out this article for 20 other ways to increase blood flow to the brain. 

7. Increase Acetylcholine

The retired football players also supplemented with Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR) and Huperzine A to increase levels of acetylcholine in their brain. 

Acetylcholine is considered the “learning” neurotransmitter and plays a key role in the brain’s cognitive processes. 

Huperzine-A is a compound extracted from the herbs of the Huperziceae family.

It has neuroprotective effects and cognitive enhancing properties because it increases acetylcholine. It does this by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine. Because of this, it’s a promising treatment for fighting cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease (33). 

Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR) is an acetylated form of the amino acid carnitine. It has neuroprotective and cognitive-enhancing effects and helps reverse neurological decline by increasing levels of acetylcholine in the brain and supporting mitochondria function (32). 

It is often used as a brain booster because it increases alertness and provides support to brain cells. It’s also been shown to be very effective at alleviating chronic fatigue and improving mood.

ALCAR can be found in the Optimal Brain supplement. 

Check out this article for 25 other ways to increase acetylcholine levels in the brain.

And make sure you read this article to learn more about the remarkable benefits of ALCAR.

8. Increase Antioxidants

Another key aspect of reversing brain damage is optimizing your intake of antioxidants, and Dr. Amen doesn’t ignore this.

Dr. Amen had the NFL football players in his study take Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) and N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC) daily. 

NAC is a modified form of the amino acid cysteine, and precursor to glutathione, your body’s master antioxidant. 

Environmental toxins and oxidative stress deplete your body's reserves of cysteine and glutathione, but supplementing with NAC can increase and normalize cysteine and glutathione levels.

This can combat and reduce oxidative stress in the brain, which helps treat several mental illnesses, including cognitive problems and addiction (23). 

Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) is a fatty acid created in the body, playing a role in mitochondrial energy metabolism. In supplement form, it is a potent antioxidant compound that has been shown to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain, which can contribute to neurological decline. It also helps regulate blood sugar levels, which is crucial for healthy brain function (24-25). 

Several other studies have found that a combination of antioxidants – including NAC, ALA, Vitamin C and Vitamin E – can improve cognitive functioning and decrease symptoms of cognitive decline. This is likely because oxidative stress plays a major role in the development of cognitive impairment and dementia, and these antioxidant nutrients and plant compounds can counteract this (14-22). 

NAC, ALA, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and several other antioxidant nutrients are included in the Optimal Antiox supplement.

Antioxidants can also reduce levels of cortisol, your body’s main stress hormone. 

9. Reduce Cortisol with Phosphatidylserine

Participants in Dr. Amen’s study also supplemented with phosphatidylserine.

Phosphatidylserine is a fat-soluble amino acid that supports cognitive function. 

High amounts of phosphatidylserine can be found within the brain, and supplementation has been shown to improve attention, learning and memory.

“…consumption of phosphatidylserine may reduce the risk of dementia and cognitive dysfunction”

— Food and Drug Administration

It’s also been shown to reduce cortisol, which can negatively affect the brain at chronically high levels (26). 

I personally take phosphatidylserine every day. It's included in the Optimal Brain supplement. 

Make sure you read this article to learn more about the remarkable benefits of Phosphatidylserine.

10. Optimize Important Health Markers

Important health markers were also monitored and optimized to ensure that the NFL players were in the best health possible to support their brain.

Here are some of the markers Dr. Amen monitored in the NFL players:

Weight measures, such as body mass index and height-to-weight ratio – research shows that as a person's weight goes up, the size of their brain goes down. To reduce this problem, Dr. Amen ran an weight loss class to help the NFL players lose excess weight. 

Fasting blood glucose levels – Having high fasting blood glucose levels increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, which is associated with depression and dementia. 

C-reactive protein – This is a measure of inflammation, which is associated with many chronic illnesses, including depression, dementia and chronic pain. Dr. Amen aims for a measure of less than 1mg/liter. A healthy diet and nutrients can help get inflammation under control. Make sure you read this article for other ways to reduce inflammation.

Vitamin D – Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that our skin synthesizes when exposed to the sun. Every tissue in your body has vitamin D receptors, including the brain, so a deficiency can lead to costly physiological and psychological consequences, including cognitive impairment. Normal levels are between 30 and 100 ng/mL. Dr. Amen prefers his patients’ levels to be between 50 and 100 because optimal vitamin D levels can reduce inflammation and improve mood. To boost vitamin D levels, he encouraged players to get more sunlight or take a Vitamin D3 supplement. It's important to test and monitor your Vitamin D levels before and after supplementing with it.

Ferritin – Ferritin is a measure of iron stores. Iron deficiency can cause fatigue, but too much iron can cause stress and accelerate aging. If the NFL players’ ferritin levels were too low, Dr. Amen gave them iron. If they were too high, he encouraged them to donate blood. I personally prefer beef liver capsules as good source of iron instead of taking iron supplements. 

In addition to the above strategies, Dr. Amen and his team treated other dementia risk factors, such as hypertension, heart disease, gum disease, alcohol and drug abuse, low thyroid and testosterone levels, sleep apnea, and ideally the cessation of anti-anxiety medications such as benzodiazepines.

Check out this article for several other important blood tests.

11. Reduce Homocysteine

This step – and the next two – are not a part of the original study.

However, Dr. Amen says he uses these treatments with his patients, including retired football players.

Homocysteine is an inflammatory compound at high levels, which can lead to the development of mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease, depression and other mental health disorders. 

However, certain B vitamins have been shown to normalize homocysteine levels and reduce the rate of cognitive decline.

As a result, Dr. Amen says that he recommends his NFL patients supplement with methyl-B12, methyl-folate, and P-5-P (bioactive B6).

Trimethylglycine (TMG) and S-adenosylmethionine (SAM-e) also lower homocysteine.

I personally prefer SAM-e since it is the most powerful and noticeable.

Here is a full article all about how to lower homocysteine levels. 

You can check your homocysteine levels by ordering this blood test. 

“For those players who were depressed or demented, we did more. I acted as the psychiatrist for a number of our players or a consultant to their own physicians. For many, I prescribed natural antidepressants, such as SAMe, because it also helps with pain.”

— Dr. Daniel Amen

12. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)

“A number of our players also opted to do hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), which we have seen improve blood flow to the brain. Over the years I have been impressed with HBOT’s ability to increase blood flow to damaged brains.”

— Dr. Daniel Amen

Again, this wasn’t included in the main protocol of the study, but Dr. Amen often recommends it to NFL players or anyone else with brain damage. 

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a treatment that enhances healing in the brain.

Patients inhale 100% oxygen in a total body chamber. 

Usually, oxygen is transported throughout the body only by red blood cells. But with HBOT, oxygen is dissolved into all body fluids, including the fluids of the central nervous system.

This leads to oxygen being  carried to areas of the body where circulation is diminished or blocked. As a result, extra oxygen can reach all damaged tissues, including areas of the brain that need to heal.

Lots of research shows that HBOT improves blood supply to the brain, reduces inflammation, and enhances neurogenesis, which improves recovery after injury to the central nervous system (34-38). 

You’ll need to find a practitioner or clinic in your area that provides this treatment.

HBOT can be expensive though. That's why I decided to buy my own oxygen concentrator. An oxygen concentrator is much less expensive than HBOT but it still helps.

My doctor uses this one at his clinic and recommended it to me. 

But I did a lot of my own research before buying my own and got this one instead. I use it almost every day. It's the best option on the market. You can also get a refurbished one for cheaper.  

Check out my full article about oxygen therapy for more information. 

13. Neurofeedback

Neurofeedback is a type of biofeedback that shows you your brain activity in real-time and teaches you how to self-regulate it.  

Sensors are placed on your scalp to measure your brain’s activity, and the measurements are displayed using video or sound.

Dr. Amen uses it with his NFL patients.

“In our retired NFL players, we often saw excessively high slow wave activity (excessive delta and theta) and too little fast wave activity (too little beta) in the front part of the brain. Many of our athletes thought of neurofeedback like going to the gym for their minds and found it very helpful.”

— Dr. Daniel Amen

It’s best to work with a qualified practitioner.

But I also like the Muse headband. It’s a good substitute and gives you real-time feedback in your brainwaves while you meditate. I previously wrote about it here, and you can get it through the Muse website. 

Please note: If you’re interested in trying neurofeedback, I recommend becoming a client and working with us to determine the best type of neurofeedback for you and your condition. I have found that some types of neurofeedback are completely ineffective and may even be harmful. So it’s very important to do the right type of neurofeedback that actually works. It’s also critical to work with a qualified neurofeedback practitioner who knows what they are doing. Otherwise, you can get worse. We help our clients find a qualified practitioner in their area.

Conclusion

Researchers used to believe that the brain could not heal, but they now know that’s wrong. 

Brain plasticity is possible, and if you put the brain in a healing environment, it can get better, and brain damage can be reversed. 

But the above protocol isn’t just for retired NFL players. 

It also applies directly to the larger traumatic brain injury and drug abuse communities.

Or simply anyone who is experiencing cognitive decline, depression or other mental health problems. 

The retired NFL players in the study had sustained brain injuries decades previously, but they improved. 

If researchers can improve the brains of retired football players – who have had tens of thousands of hits to their heads – imagine the benefit you can get with a brain healthy program.

You don’t have to be held hostage by your bad brain. 

You can recover from brain damage, brain infection, substance abuse and toxic exposure. 

And Dr. Amen isn’t the only doctor showing the brain’s incredible power to heal.

Dr. Dale Bredesen, MD, is reversing cognitive decline and dementia with his own brain rehabilitation program. 

You can read more about his protocol here.

This work is incredibly important for football players, soldiers, firefighters, police, and anyone who has suffered brain trauma and damage.

Please share this post with anyone that you think would benefit from the information within it.

Enjoy This Article? You Might Also Like My FREE Food Guide for Optimal Brain Health!

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Live Optimally,

Jordan Fallis

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References:

(1) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16239884

(2) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17545878

(3) http://ns.umich.edu/Releases/2009/Sep09/FinalReport.pdf

(4) http://neuro.psychiatryonline.org/doi/abs/10.1176/jnp.23.1.jnp98

(5) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18991956

(6) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20414130

(7) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19345341

(8) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19662657

(9) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17574755

(10) http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/09/researchers-find-evidence-of-cte-in-96-of-deceased-nfl-players-they-tested

(11) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17241155

(12) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2344157/

(13) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20454891

(14) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2984445/

(15) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14500988

(16) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9110909/

(17) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10681271/

(18) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16402761

(19) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18042001

(20) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC161361/

(21) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2675154/

(22) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17510979/

(23) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18990082

(24) https://examine.com/supplements/alpha-lipoic-acid/

(25) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/20622459/

(26) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2170852

(27) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12905098

(28) https://examine.com/supplements/vinpocetine/

(29) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15760651

(30) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12498034

(31) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12460136

(32) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19720082

(33) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17657601

(34) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3231808/

(35) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20715898

(36) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22146131

(37) https://www.hindawi.com/journals/mi/2013/512978/

(38) http://stroke.ahajournals.org/content/45/6/1807

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9 Supplements Proven to Help You Overcome Addiction and Withdrawal

I've been dependent on a lot of substances over the years.

When my brain wasn’t working and I struggled with mental illness, it simply made sense to find immediate relief.

I had to rely on substances outside of myself - even if they weren't good for me - until I found better, long-term, sustainable solutions.

I honestly felt like I had no other choice at the time.

And I know there are a lot of people out there grappling with the same problem.

You may feel like you need something to get through the day.

And then something else to fall asleep at night.

Perhaps that’s alcohol, cigarettes, cannabis or harder substances like cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines.

Or maybe you’re on prescription medication, such as antidepressants or benzodazipenes.

And you just have no idea how you could possibly live without these substances.

I’m here to tell you that you can. And you can thrive.

These 9 nutrients, vitamins and supplements have helped me minimize withdrawal symptoms, overcome my addictions, and get on with my life. 

I personally have experience with tobacco, nicotine, alcohol, stimulant, benzodiazepines and antidepressant dependence, addiction and withdrawal. 

And even if you don’t struggle with addiction, these nutrients are still great for optimal brain function and mental health.  

How Does Nutrition And Supplementation Impact Addiction?

Addiction is not simply a psychological issue.

Historically, most drug treatment programs have included counseling and 12-step approaches like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).

But these traditional approaches are not very effective.

In her book Seven Weeks to Sobriety, Dr. Joan Mathews Larsen points to studies showing that AA has a success rate of about 25 per cent. 

This is because they address the psychological aspects of addiction without considering the physical aspects of the disease.

And Dr. Charles Gant worked as the physician and psychiatric consultant for the New York State prison system, and dealt with hundreds of drug users and traffickers.

He realized that they wouldn’t overcome their addictions without addressing their physical health:

“Unless the biochemical imbalances which are the true causes of substance problems are corrected, the benefits of psychological counseling will be marginal for most people.”

— Dr. Charles Gant

Addiction is a chronic brain disease. Studies show that drugs physically change the structure and functioning of the brain, and these documented brain changes lead to cravings (96). 

And in my experience and research, high-quality bioavailable nutrients are an important aspect of combating and correcting this.

Research shows that vitamin and mineral deficiencies can cause metabolic imbalances that create addictive cravings (97, 98). 

Dr. Roger Williams, an American biochemist who discovered pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), found that rats that were deficient in certain vitamins consumed more alcohol than those that were not vitamin deficient. But once those vitamin deficiencies were fixed, alcohol consumption decreased (99). 

Nutritional deficiencies can also cause withdrawal-like symptoms such as fatigue, depression, irritability, and other mental symptoms that block recovery and lead to a relapse.

So, without further ado, let’s get into nutrients and supplements that helped me the most. with my addiction and withdrawal, and explore the research behind them.

1. Citicoline

Citicoline (also known as CDP-Choline) is the most bioavailable form of choline.

Choline is an essential B vitamin that most people don’t consume enough of, because very few foods in the Western diet contain it. That’s why I recommend supplementing with it.

Citicoline has anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects, and enhances the synthesis of acetylcholine and dopamine, which are two neurotransmitters that are critical for optimal brain function. It also increases the number of acetylcholine and dopamine receptors in your brain (2-7). 

Overall, citicoline is one of my favourite supplements for optimal brain function and mental health. 

And there’s evidence that it helps reduce addiction to drugs (1). 

In one study, people previously addicted to cocaine took 500mg of citicoline twice daily for two weeks and experienced a reduction in cravings for the drug (8).

In another study, people with cocaine dependence and bipolar disorder who supplemented with citicoline reduced their cocaine use. Researchers had directed them to not consume cocaine during the study, and at the end of it, the researchers found less cocaine in the urine of the participants (9). 

Some preliminary research also suggests citicoline could help people with alcohol, cannabis and food addiction (10). 

It’s important to point out that many prescription drugs are anticholinergic, meaning they reduce acetylcholine in the brain.

The commonly-prescribed antidepressant Wellbutrin is anticholinergic, meaning it inhibits the physiological action of acetylcholine. I took it for multiple years, and I experienced gradual cognitive decline during that time. 

Once I got off Wellbutrin, I felt pretty terrible. But once I started supplementing with citicoline, I noticed an improvement in my cognitive function because it increased my levels of acetylcholine and dopamine. I still take it to this day because it helps me focus, improves my mental energy, and clears brain fog. 

You can also find some choline in beef liver and egg yolks. That's why I'm a big fan of eating these foods regularly. They’re included in my Free Grocery Shopping Guide for Optimal Brain and Mental Health.

But supplementing with citicoline has a more immediate, noticeable effect.

Citicoline is included in the Optimal Brain supplement.

Make sure you read this article to learn more about the remarkable benefits of Citicoline.

2. Theanine 

Theanine is a relaxing amino acid found in tea. It has a number of brain and mental health benefits.

It’s known to produce a calming effect on the brain by crossing the blood-brain barrier and increasing the production of both GABA and dopamine in the brain. Unlike prescription anti-anxiety medication, it does not cause sedation and drowsiness (13, 14, 15). 

As I’ve discussed before, theanine can protect your brain from alcohol, increase your brain’s growth hormone, and lower your stress hormones. 

Considering all of this, it’s not too surprising that it has anti-addictive properties and can help reduce withdrawal symptoms.

According to the research, it’s particularly helpful when it comes to withdrawal from nicotine and opioids (16, 17). 

I find that theanine improves my mood, helps me focus and cancels out the jitters of my morning coffee. It’s sort of like meditation in a pill. My mind has a tendency to jump around a lot, and theanine helps me “zero in” on what I’m doing. 

However, too much theanine can also make people anxious. This is because theanine increases alpha brain waves, and I found out that very high alpha brain waves can actually cause anxiety as well. I usually take just 200 mg, but you should experiment and see how much you can tolerate. 

You can also get theanine from black and green tea. But there’s usually not enough theanine in them to have a dramatic effect. That’s why I supplement with pure theanine.

Theanine is available in this anti-anxiety supplement, along with a number of other natural compounds that have helped me manage my anxiety over the years.

3. Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fats that the body cannot produce itself.

They are found primarily in fish and are necessary for the normal functioning of your brain and nervous system (18).

They can support your mitochondria and increase your brain’s growth hormone, and have been shown to improve mood, sleep, learning and memory. They also protect against psychiatric disorders including depression, mild cognitive impairment, dementia and Alzheimer's disease (19-21). 

Considering all this, it’s not too surprising them that omega-3 fatty acids can also help addicts and reduce their withdrawal symptoms.

Research shows that increased anxiety is one of the primary reasons why substance abusers and alcoholics tend to relapse (23, 24). 

And one study found that giving omega-3 fatty acids to substance abusers significantly reduced their anxiety (22). 

Smokers have lower levels of omega-3 fatty acids, and treatment with fish significantly reduces their level of dependence (25, 28). 

Other studies have shown that omega-3 supplements reduce cravings for nicotine and reduce the number of cigarettes people smoke daily (26, 27). 

Researchers have also studied the relapse rates of cocaine addicts discharged after a period of detoxification. And they found that the cocaine addicts who relapsed had significantly lower levels of omega-3 fatty acids in comparison to addicts who didn’t relapse (29). 

Lastly, in abstinent alcoholics, elevated omega-3 intake reduces stress and cortisol, and omega-3 fatty acids significantly lower the desire for alcohol in mice (30, 31). 

“These bipolar mice, like some bipolar patients, love alcohol. The mice on DHA (an omega-3 fatty acid) drank much less; it curtailed their alcohol abusive behavior. There is now substantial evidence at the molecular level that omega-3 fatty acids work on the brain in ways similar to psychiatric drugs.”

— Dr. Alexander B. Niculescu, M.D., Ph.D.

Unfortunately, most people don't consume enough omega-3 fatty acids through their diet. That’s why I recommend people supplement with krill oil, a special kind of fish oil that contains the essential omega-3 fatty acids. I find that I have a brighter outlook on life when I take krill oil consistently. 

4. Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR)

Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR) is an acetylated form of the amino acid carnitine.

It has neuroprotective and cognitive-enhancing effects, and as I’ve discussed before, it can support your mitochondria, protect your brain from alcohol, and help you overcome brain fog. 

It can also reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms. 

In one study, alcoholic patients treated with ALCAR stayed sober for longer because it reduced their cravings (48). 

ALCAR can also help treat opiate addiction and withdrawal.

Thirty subjects with methadone dependence were given 2 grams of ALCAR daily during a 3-week detoxification period, and it reduced their pain and the length of their withdrawal (49). 

And research in rats shows that ALCAR can significantly decrease alcohol consumption and reduce the onset of tremors during alcohol withdrawal. Researchers concluded that it should be considered in the treatment of alcohol dependence (50). 

ALCAR gives me a huge boost in mental energy and resilience. It sort of feels like drinking a cup of coffee, so it’s helpful if you want to stop or reduce your intake of caffeine.

It's included in the Optimal Brain supplement.

Make sure you read this article to learn more about the remarkable benefits of ALCAR.

5. N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC) and/or Glutathione

N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) is a modified form of the amino acid cysteine.

As I’ve discussed before, it can help treat several mental illnesses.

But it can also reduce addiction and cravings during withdrawal (32-34, 41, 42, 45):

• In a small study, 13 people abstaining from cocaine were given NAC or placebo over two days. The participants who received NAC witnessed a significant reduction in their withdrawal symptoms and cravings for cocaine. Follow-up studies also showed that NAC reduced desire and interest in cocaine (35-37).

• Smokers voluntarily reduced their cigarette use by around 25% after two weeks of supplementing with NAC (38, 39).

• Young marijuana users claiming to be addicted to marijuana supplemented with NAC twice daily for four weeks and experienced a significant reduction in their symptoms of addiction (43, 44).

• And it’s not just addiction to drugs. NAC also shows promise for the treatment of gambling addiction. A randomized control trial with 27 pathological gamblers showed that gamblers who supplemented with NAC scored 60% lower on the “Obsessive Compulsive Scale for Pathological Gambling." (40).

NAC is also the precursor to glutathione, your body’s master antioxidant, which can help fight addiction. 

Chronic use of drugs, such as cocaine, methamphetamine and alcohol, can lead to the formation of oxidative stress (47). 

Oxidative stress can change neuronal pathways and cause addictive behaviour. But glutathione can reduce oxidative stress and therefore decrease the development of addiction (46). 

NAC is included in Optimal Antiox, along with a number of other antioxidants and nutients that can help you overcome addiction and manage withdrawal.

6. Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that our skin synthesizes when exposed to the sun.

Every tissue in your body has vitamin D receptors, including the brain, heart, muscles, and immune system.

This means your entire body needs it to function properly and a deficiency can lead to costly physiological and psychological consequences, including addiction.

Researchers have concluded that chronic vitamin D deficiency is an environmental factor contributing to drug use. And supplementation should be considered for the effective treatment of drug abuse and addiction (51-54). 

Other studies have discovered that:

• Vitamin D protects against the dopamine-depleting effects of methamphetamine (52-54);

• There is also a positive association between vitamin D deficiency and severity of alcohol-use disorders (55); and

• Patients prescribed narcotic pain medication – such as morphine, fentanyl or oxycodone – end up having to take higher doses if they are deficient in vitamin D (56).

I take a Vitamin D supplement every day to optimize my levels.

It's important to test and monitor your Vitamin D levels before and after supplementing with it.

7. Magnesium

Magnesium is a vital mineral that participates in more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body. This includes neurotransmitter and hormonal activity, both of which can have a huge effect on your mood and brain function.

Magnesium is one of the three nutrients that I think everyone should be taking for their brain, as most people are deficient.

The mineral has been shown to decrease dependence on opiates, nicotine, cocaine, amphetamine and alcohol, and reduce the intensity of withdrawal symptoms when stopping these drugs (84). 

It can also lower relapse rates, particularly with cocaine and amphetamine addicts (84). 

And researchers have concluded that magnesium supplementation can decrease nicotine addiction in heavy smokers.

It does this by naturally improving the stimulation of the reward system, which reduces the need for stimulation by nicotine or by others addictive substances (85). 

Studies have also found that magnesium deficiency is very common in people dealing with alcohol addiction and withdrawal. And supplementing with magnesium diminishes withdrawal complications, reduces the severity of their withdrawal symptoms, and lowers their need for anti-anxiety medication (86, 87). 

Foods that contain magnesium include spinach, chard, pumpkin seeds, almonds, avocado, dark chocolate and bananas. 

These foods are included in my Free Grocery Shopping Guide for Optimal Brain and Mental Health.

But supplementation or taking Epsom salt baths is still necessary for most people because magnesium is rapidly used up during times of stress and certain psychiatric drugs can deplete magnesium. 

Magnesium is included in this supplement.

8. Zinc

Zinc is an essential mineral for mental health, especially if you struggle with chronic anxiety. 

It can also help treat addiction and withdrawal. 

Excessive urinary excretion of zinc and zinc deficiency have been found in drug addicts. And researchers recommend zinc supplementation to treat addiction and reduce withdrawal symptoms (70, 71). 

Research shows that opioid users have lower levels of zinc (72-75). 

And in the case of alcoholism, alcohol is known to deplete zinc from the body. Over time, chronic alcohol consumption can produce a downward spiral in which zinc deficiency causes chronic stress, driving a person to drink more alcohol, which further depletes zinc and causes more anxiety in the long run.

In animals, zinc reduces the intensity of morphine dependence, and zinc chelators worsen withdrawal symptoms (76, 77, 78). 

Some of the best food sources of zinc include oysters, grass-fed beef, pumpkin seeds, cashews, mushrooms and spinach.

These foods are included in my Free Grocery Shopping Guide for Optimal Brain and Mental Health.  

However, I still recommend at least short-term zinc supplementation to ensure you get enough.

I created and take the Optimal Zinc supplement for that reason.

9. Vitamin C

It might seem unbelievable but there is research demonstrating vitamin C’s usefulness in overcoming addiction and reducing withdrawal symptoms. 

First of all, vitamin C levels are significantly lower in drug addicts (68). 

And high doses of vitamin C have been shown to increase endorphin levels, decrease opioid use, and reduce the withdrawal syndrome of heroin addicts (58). 

The chronic administration of vitamin C can also prevent the development of tolerance and physical dependence on morphine (59, 69). 

When I weened off psychiatric medication, I took large doses of vitamin C every day. By large doses, I mean about 10 grams spread throughout the day. I noticed it reduced stress and helped calm me down. 

Various studies show that vitamin C reduces stress and anxiety and decreases the severity of depression (62-67). 

And other research shows that long-term vitamin C deficiency contributes to nervousness and emotional instability. And there was a 35% reduction in mood disturbance in hospitalized patients after vitamin C treatment (60, 61). 

Foods that contain vitamin C include green peppers, citrus fruits, tomatoes, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and cabbage. These foods are included in my Free Grocery Shopping Guide for Optimal Brain and Mental Health.

But it’s best to supplement with it. That way, you know you’re getting enough.

Vitamin C is included in this supplement.

Others

Here are some other nutritional supplements to consider. Based on my research and experience, these nutrients can help manage addiction and withdrawal, but they aren’t as effective as the other ones above and/or there is less research to support their use:

• Lithium Orotate (79)

• Taurine (80)

• B Vitamins (82)

• Glutamine (83)

• DL-Phenylalanine (DLPA) (81) – I almost included this one in the main list because it has really helped me, but there isn’t too much research on it. I originally wrote about it here.

• D-Serine/Sarcosine (88-95)

Conclusion

Just like mental illness, you can beat addiction. They often go hand in hand.

I’ve learned with time, and with the proper information and resources, people can snap out of their addiction cycle and be happy and calm with themselves without mind-altering drugs and habits. 

You may feel like you have no other choice, but you do. You can get on with your life without addictive substances.

Overall, I really believe in the power of these nutrients for tackling addiction and minimizing withdrawal symptoms:

• Citicoline

• Theanine

• Krill Oil

• ALCAR

• NAC

• Vitamin D

• Magnesium

• Zinc

• Vitamin C

Taking a combination of them can make the transition to sobriety much easier. 

I’ve experienced the benefits of them firsthand, and I hope you do too.

Enjoy This Article? You Might Also Like My FREE Food Guide for Optimal Brain and Mental Health!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FREE GUIDE

Live Optimally,

Jordan Fallis

Connect with me

References:

(1) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23538074

(2) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2695184/

(3) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11796739

(4) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1430829/

(5) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1839138

(6) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1098982

(7) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19351232

(8) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10102764

(9) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17873684

(10) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4139283/

(11) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4011061/

(12) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16055952

(13) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18296328

(14) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21735551

(15) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3560823/

(16) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23233221

(17) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3754842/

(18) http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/71/1/179S.long

(19) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3618203/

(20) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC533861/

(21) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12777162

(22) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18060675

(23) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12414556

(24) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16131851

(25) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26570994

(26) https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/11/141106101903.htm

(27) http://jop.sagepub.com/content/28/8/804

(28) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4804563/

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The Best Amino Acid for Depression, Anxiety and Pain

Today I want to talk to you about one of the best amino acids that has really helped me manage feelings of depression, anxiety and trauma.

I write about many different helpful nutrients and supplements, and I know it can be overwhelming. 

So I want to dedicate this post to one amino acid, because I feel like it’s helped me more than any other.

As soon as I realize I'm running low and have just a few capsules left, I order it immediately because it gives me so many benefits.

Even though I can live without it, I’d rather not.

Taking it every so often helps my mood and significantly improves the quality of my life. 

A subtle sense of “impending doom” starts to creep in when I’ve gone too long without it. 

If you struggle with chronic anxiety and depression, you probably know what I’m talking about.

This feeling used to be a lot worse for me. 

It felt like a dark cloud was following me around all day, and I just couldn’t shake it.

It’s now gone.

And thankfully, I know exactly how to keep it away.

But life can be tough at times, and things happen.

And that’s why I’m glad I have access to DL-Phenylalanine (DLPA) whenever I need it.

It helps me get through stressful times.

It can get me out of a deep hole like nothing else.

And if you struggle with feelings of trauma, anxiety and depression on a regular basis, it may help you too. 

What is DL-Phenylalanine (DLPA) and How Does It Work?

I first learned about phenylalanine in the book The Mood Cure by Julia Ross. 

It’s an essential amino acid that plays a key role in the proper functioning of your nervous system.

If you're deficient in phenylalanine, you can have the following symptoms:

• Fatigue

• Confusion

• Memory problems

• Decreased alertness

• Loss of appetite

DL-Phenylalanine, or DLPA for short, is a combination of two different forms of phenylalanine – D-Phenylalanine and L- Phenylalanine.

The D and L forms of phenylalanine have different beneficial effects on your body and brain. 

L-Phenylalanine is used as a building block by your body to create a number of important proteins, hormones and neurotransmitters. 

This includes dopamine, norepinephrine and thyroid hormone – all of which are necessary for optimal brain and mental function.

Dopamine in particular is very important as it’s the main neurotransmitter that supports your attention and motivation, and plays a key role in the “reward system” of your brain.

D-Phenylalanine, on the other hand, inhibits the breakdown of endorphins.

Endorphins are pain-relieving compounds that originate within your body. 

Your brain produces and releases these natural painkillers during times of strenuous exercise, emotional stress and pain. 

But D-Phenylalanine has been shown to slow the action of enzymes that destroy these morphine-like substances. By doing this, it can prolong the activity of your endorphins within your nervous system, allowing you feel better for longer (1-6). 

How It Can Help You

Together, D and L-Phenylalanine can support your brain and mental health by increasing both dopamine and endorphins levels.

My research and personal experience suggest it can help treat a number of different conditions, including:

• Depression

• Anxiety disorders

• Chronic pain conditions, such as fibromyalgia and arthritis

• Chronic fatigue syndrome

• Bipolar disorder

• Parkinson’s disease

• Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

• Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

• Drug withdrawal, including alcohol, opiates and psychiatric medication (antidepressants, benzodiazepines, antipsychotics).

Personally, it helped me the most with depression and anxiety, and there are several studies that show it can improve your mood.

In one study, 20 depressed patients took 200 mg of DLPA everyday. At the end of the 3-week study, 12 patients no longer had depression, and 4 patients experienced mild to moderate improvements in their mood (8). 

This makes sense considering that researchers have found that people struggling with depression often have low levels of phenylalanine, and supplementation significantly elevates their mood (9). 

In fact, one study found that DLPA is just as effective as standard antidepressants (but without side effects), and another found that people who don’t respond to common antidepressants often get significantly better when they take DLPA (10, 11). 

And even if you take medication, research shows that combining DLPA with antidepressants leads to greater increases in mood than simply taking an antidepressant alone (12).

Yet unlike antidepressants, you can feel the effects of DLPA quickly (within a few hours) and in some cases, it can “terminate depression within 2 to 3 days” (13).

My Experience

By building up your natural endorphin production, DLPA doesn’t just help reduce physical pain – but mental pain as well.

When I first started taking DLPA, it was such a relief. I was so glad I had found it. 

I notice it makes me:

• More comfortable, happy and satisfied with my life;

• More relaxed and calmer every time I take it;

• Less moody and irritable;

• Less likely to take things so seriously; and

• Less reactive to negative events and situations.

Overall, it lifts my mood and reduces emotional sensitivity. Life becomes less intense. I’m not as sensitive to the world around me. I would definitely recommend it to others who also have “sensory processing sensitivity”. 

And eventually, DLPA helped me successfully wean off multiple psychiatric medications. Along with some other supplements, it played a critical role in making the withdrawal process as smooth as possible. 

I used to take 500 mg every day. Currently, I only need 500 mg once or twice each week, mainly because neurofeedback and EMDR have helped me so much.

Other Success Stories

I understand that you might be thinking that perhaps DLPA won’t help you like it helped me.

And I can't guarantee that it will. 

But I did some digging and found a number of other people online who say that DLPA has also helped them manage or overcome their mental health issues. 

I’ve gathered their comments below and bolded anything that I can personally relate to or I have experienced while taking it:

• “Suffering from severe post-traumatic stress, I've tried any number of natural products as the chemical cocktails handed out by conventional medicine are simply not acceptable to me. After my first dose of 1000mg DLPA, my depression lifted and trauma reactions (flashbacks and hyperviligence) significantly reduced. I've been taking this for a couple months now and there is definitely a light at the end of the tunnel. It has almost completely reversed my suicidal tendencies which were increasing regularly; they are now practically nonexistent. This product has truly saved my life.”

• “My brain finally feels at rest and the anxiety has greatly decreased, and I can get on with my life. DLPA is my lifesaver. I will be taking this for as long as I need to.”

• “DLPA has been a huge help to me. I have type 1 bipolar and this has helped me more than anything I have ever tried. I will buy more and I also take more than 1. I take 2 to 3 a day and it calms my mind like nothing else ever has.”

• “My husband is mildly bipolar. We've decided to try to treat him naturally and phenylalanine is one of the treatments. He only takes this on an "as needed" basis, which turns out to be at least two days per week. He has other regular supplements he takes daily. This is only for "extra support" on bad days. And it really works.”

• “DLPA is a key factor in improving my anxiety, depression and ADHD more than any of the several medications I have taken over the last 10 years.”

• “I take DLPA first thing in the morning and it literally helps me get out of bed, get focused and get the day going with a positive attitude.”

• “I honestly felt a difference right away. I was suddenly happy and smiling non-stop. I truly had a sparkle in my eye and I felt talkative and social. After a few hours the feeling wore off but I still felt an inner sense of content. It has helped with feelings of anxiety as well which is a plus.”

• “Wow, what a difference! I have been so relieved from all those false moods that I can honestly say I am happy, alive and free.”

• “I use this daily for the treatment of mild depression. I do notice a difference while on it. I went off of it briefly and felt as if someone had let some air out of my balloon, just kind of deflated.”

• “I have suffered with extreme depression and anxiety since I was 13 (I’m now 42). I have gone through many different prescription/herbal/clinical therapies, and this product has been life-changing in a very short time. This has given me energy and focus I never had, a zest for life, an ability to handle stresses. I tell my husband (who keeps mentioning what a huge difference he has noticed) that this must be how "normal" people live.”

It absolutely blows my mind that more people aren’t aware of DLPA’s incredible and diverse benefits.

Clearly, it should be a first-line treatment for depression and anxiety. 

Yet I was never told about it, and it took me years to finally discover it.

Where to Get It and How to Take It

I currently take this DL-Phenylalanine. 

I've also taken this one at one point.

I've also taken this DLPA and it works. It's currently less expensive than others.

Both work very well in my experience.

There are a number of other brands with good reviews, but I personally can’t vouch for them.

Make sure you get a combination of both D and L-Phenylalanine. I tried L-Phenylalanine alone once and it didn’t help me as much. 

In theory, it’s also a good idea to take it alongside Vitamin B6 and Vitamin C because they help with the conversion of phenylalanine to dopamine.

You should start with 500-750 mg each day and monitor how you feel. You will have to experiment and figure out your ideal DLPA dosage. The DLPA dosage for depression, pain or anxiety can vary. You may even need up to 1,500 mg daily.

But the benefits seem to increase over the time. The more you take it, the more you can feel it’s effects. 

Also, make sure you take it on an empty stomach. Do not take it with high-protein foods. Other amino acids (such as tryptophan) can compete with phenylalanine, and reduce its absorption and transportation across the blood-brain barrier.

Lastly, this anti-anxiety supplement includes several other natural compounds and amino acids that have helped me manage my anxiety over the years. It can also help reduce stress and anxiety, along with DL-Phenylalanine. 

Conclusion

Antidepressants and benzodiazepines are not your only options for depression and anxiety. 

There are many other safe and effective treatment options. 

DL-Phenylalanine is one of these other options.

I can’t promise it will work for everyone, but since it’s easily accessible through iHerb, it’s worth a try if you suffer from depression and anxiety. Experiment with it and listen to how you feel. 

And like I have, I encourage you to use as many tools as you can to help yourself, including nutrition, supplements, exercise, neurofeedback, light therapy, etc. The list goes on and on. 

None of them have to work completely.

But all together, they can make a huge difference and change the course of your life like they have mine.

Enjoy This Article? You Might Also Like My FREE Food Guide for Optimal Brain and Mental Health!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FREE GUIDE

Live Optimally,

Jordan Fallis

Connect with me

References:

(1) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3524509

(2) https://books.google.ca/books?id=D5U3BQAAQBAJ&pg=PA379&lpg=PA379&dq=Further+Studies+on+the+Analgesic+Activity+of+D-Phenylalanine+in+Mice+and+Humans&source=bl&ots=CLYr5ptL0C&sig=E4_EPd2-PIlI8tXA_aOzWpMeW6o&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj4ttuOnt3PAhWCzz4KHQVOAScQ6AEIIzAA#v=onepage&q=Further%20Studies%20on%20the%20Analgesic%20Activity%20of%20D-Phenylalanine%20in%20Mice%20and%20Humans&f=false

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(13) https://www.researchgate.net/publication/21254821_Rapid_treatment_of_depression_with_selegiline-phenylalanine_combination_1

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