L-tryptophan & Panic Attacks

A panic attack is an intense sense of fear or foreboding that occurs suddenly and is accompanied by chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, a racing heart, sweating or some other physical discomfort. Panic disorder is characterized by repeated episodes of panic attacks. People who suffer from frequent panic attacks often change their behavior to avoid situations where panic attacks are more likely to recur.

Cause of Panic Attacks

A 2005 review in "American Family Physician" suggests that genetic, behavioral and chemical factors contribute to panic attacks, but their exact cause is unknown. Panic disorder does appear to run in families, and people who suffer from panic attacks consistently misinterpret their thoughts and emotions as physical symptoms. The neurochemical aspects of panic attacks are somewhat more elusive. As is the case with many psychological disorders, scientists presume that biochemical imbalances are present when patients respond to medications that are designed to correct those imbalances.

Treatment

Traditionally, benzodiazepine medications, such as diazepam or alprazolam, were used to treat panic attacks. Many physicians still prescribe them, because they are effective and they work relatively quickly. However, these drugs have a high potential for habituation and abuse. Antidepressants are also effective for many patients who suffer from panic disorder. Among these, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, or SNRIs, are more commonly used due to their relatively low incidence of side effects. SSRIs and SNRIs increase the brain's levels of an important neurotransmitter called serotonin, which may help to reduce the frequency and severity of panic attacks.

L-Tryptophan and Serotonin

L-tryptophan is one of 20 amino acids used by your cells for protein synthesis and other metabolic functions. It is one of eight essential amino acids, meaning your body cannot manufacture it, so it must be obtained in your diet. Among its other important roles, L-tryptophan serves as a precursor for the synthesis of serotonin. An enzyme called tryptophan hydroxylase initiates the two-step conversion of L-tryptophan to serotonin. Interestingly, a 2009 study in "Behavior Genetics" showed that a defect in tryptophan hydroxylase occurred more frequently in people with panic disorder, reinforcing the notion that panic attacks have a chemical basis, at least in some people.

Considerations

Because serotonin is synthesized from L-tryptophan, taking extra L-tryptophan would theoretically help to increase your levels of serotonin, which is how SSRIs and SNRIs work. However, L-tryptophan has not been scientifically proved to reduce the incidence or severity of panic attacks, nor has it been approved in the United States for treating panic disorder. If you think L-tryptophan would be useful for you, consult your doctor.