Addictive disease is facilitated by the brain's physiological and sometimes emotional need for a substance to be able to function. As of 2011, researchers at Harvard University were continuing to tout new studies that the majority of addictive disease revolves around the brain's reward circuitry. One of the most prominent neurochemicals involved in the brain's reward process is dopamine, which is made, in part, from the amino acid L-tyrosine. These studies have not uncovered any "wonder drugs" that can rectify the depressed dopamine situation in people who are addicted to drugs, but many natural and less invasive supplementation methods are on the forefront of research as of 2011.
Dopamine Pathway
L-tyrosine is the catalyst by which the body makes dopamine throughout the body. As an addictive drug like cocaine or alcohol is ingested, dopamine is released exponentially, which can cause depletion and down-regulation of the production of the substance and down regulation of receptor sites to which dopamine can bond. This depleted condition can give rise to a withdrawal syndrome, one of the main reasons addicted individuals may relapse early in sober recovery.
Desensitization
One of the most serious complications of addiction is when the drug user becomes desensitized to dopamine. Desensitization is also known as tolerance. As tolerance increases in a person using an addictive drug, the nervous system has to compensate to attain equilibrium, even if the normal amount of the illicit substance is still being ingested. Supplementing the recovering addicted person's diet with L-tyrosine may help to mitigate this biochemical "miscommunication" in the synapses of the brain, leading to easier withdrawal and a better prognosis of complete recovery.
Stress Reaction
Another area where tyrosine is being researched in connection with addictive disease is in the body's stress reaction. The human body is physiologically under a great deal of stress when you are using and when detoxing from an illicit substance. Tyrosine is involved in the production of stress hormones. When under stress, the body's response is not executed properly if tyrosine has been depleted. This has led some researchers to believe tyrosine supplementation may be advantageous in this type of case.
Safety
Tyrosine supplementation is considered generally safe, but a regimen should not be started without the consent of a medical professional. Certain drugs, like MAOI's, may interact with tyrosine. People who have chronic migraine headaches might want to avoid tyrosine, as well, as it can agitate the condition and cause GI upset.
Member Comments