Obsessive compulsive disorder is a debilitating mental illness which has a significant impact on quality of life. The disorder is characterized by obsessive, distressing and intrusive thoughts and compulsive behavior. OCD may result from abnormal metabolism of the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain. Tryptophan supplements may increase serotonin levels in the brain and therefore help treat OCD. Always consult your doctor before taking a tryptophan supplement for OCD.
Tryptophan
Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that is a precursor of the neurotransmitter serotonin in your brain. The enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase converts tryptophan to 5-HTP. The enzyme tryptophan decarboxylase then converts it to serotonin. Serotonin levels in the brain have been implicated in the regulation of anxiety, sleep, mood, aggression, appetite and pain sensation, according to a study published in 1998 in "Alternative Medicine Review."
Research
A 1999 study published in "Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology" found that depletion of tryptophan in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder led to more significant sleep disturbances than those experienced by healthy subjects. According to researchers, OCD patients showed a decrease of total sleep time and an increased time awake. The study suggests that tryptophan depletion may exacerbate the symptoms of OCD.
However, another double-blind study published in 1996 in "Biological Psychiatry" found that depletion of tryptophan has no effect on OCD symptoms, according to the methodology used.
Treatment
Tryptophan at a dosage of 2 g twice a day in combination with pindolol at a dose of 2.5 mg three times a day and 500 mg niacinamide once a day is effective in treating symptoms of OCD in patients who have not responded to antiOCD medication, according to the Stanford School of Medicine. This combination may take four to six weeks to produce a substantial effect.
Adverse Effects
Higher than recommended doses of tryptophan may cause side effects that include restlessness, sweating, trembling or shaking, twitching, mental confusion, poor coordination and overactive reflexes. Consult your health care provider before taking a tryptophan supplement.
References
- National Institute of Mental Health: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- "Alternative Medicine Review"; 5-HTTP: A Clinically Effective Serotonin Precursor; T. Birdsall; August 1998
- "Biological Psychiatry"; Tryptophan Depletion in Obsessive-Compulsive Patients; Enrico Smeraldi et al.; September 1996
- "Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology"; The Tryptophan Depletion Test. Impact on Sleep in Healthy Subjects and Patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; C. Huwig-Poppe et al.; March 1999
- Stanford School of Medicine: Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders: Pharmacological Treatments
- Drugs.com: L-Tryptophan
