N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine (NALT or NAT) is a highly bio-available form of the amino acid L-Tyrosine. Your brain uses the enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase to convert L-Tyrosine into L-DOPA. Decarboxylation of L-DOPA results in synthesis of the neurotransmitter dopamine.[i]
Once converted into dopamine, the enzyme dopamine-beta-hydroxylase converts it into the neurotransmitters norepinephrine (noradrenaline) and epinephrine (adrenaline). This triad of neurotransmitters are collectively referred to as “catecholamines”.
N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine can be a highly effective nootropic for boosting cognitive function. And is particularly helpful in maintaining cognitive performance when you’re under practically any kind of stress. Including music played above 90 dB’s.
N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine works in synergy with stimulants like methylphenidate (i.e. Ritalin).[ii] Drugs like Ritalin work by blocking the reuptake of the neurotransmitters dopamine, and norepinephrine. And if there’s not enough dopamine available to do the job, Ritalin doesn’t work very well. NALT potentiates increases in extracellular dopamine.
NALT also stimulates the production of thyroid hormones T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine) which are crucial in maintaining both overall physical and cognitive health.
NALT can boost libido, memory, focus, concentration, mood, offers anti-depressant effects, and improves executive function in those with ADHD.
N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine helps:
- Cognitive Stress. NALT produces the catecholamine-triad of neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine. Sleep deprivation and extreme stressors like heat and cold can deplete catecholamine levels. NALT restores them to preserve optimal cognition.[iii]
- Neurotransmitters. NALT is a necessary precursor for dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine. As your dopamine levels increase, you’re better able to concentrate, organize your thoughts, and stay productive.
- Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD). NALT can be an effective treatment for ADHD symptoms. NALT works in synergy with pharmaceutical drugs like Ritalin and Adderall by boosting extracellular levels of dopamine. Helping these drugs be more effective. And mitigating side effects like crashes when the drug wears off.
Table of Contents
Overview
N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine (NALT) is a form of the amino acid L-Tyrosine. The addition of an acetyl group to L-Tyrosine makes it more bioavailable than supplementing with L-Tyrosine.
Your brain converts L-Tyrosine to L-DOPA which then produces the neurotransmitter dopamine. The unused dopamine is then further converted into the neurotransmitters norepinephrine (noradrenaline) and epinephrine (adrenaline). This triad of neurotransmitters are collectively referred to as “catecholamines”.
“Tyrosine” is derived from the Greek word tyros, meaning cheese. It was first discovered by German chemist Justus von Liebig in 1846 in the protein casein from cheese.
Tyrosine is considered a non-essential amino acid because it can be synthesized in your body from phenylalanine. Which is found in many high-protein foods such as poultry, fish, dairy, nuts, soy products, lima beans, avocados and bananas.
NALT enhances working memory and executive function in the prefrontal cortex. It helps with creative flow states, is fuel for inspiration, cognitive flexibility, and the kind of “convergent thinking” you do in multiple choice exams.
N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine assists in the production of thyroid hormones T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine) which are crucial in maintaining both overall physical and cognitive health.
N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine (NALT) vs. L-Tyrosine: What’s the Difference?
N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine (NALT) is the amino acid L-Tyrosine with an acetyl group added. When you take NALT as a supplement, it breaks down in your kidneys back into L-Tyrosine. So in theory, the two supplements offer the same benefits.
There is some debate in the nootropics community on which is more effective. NALT or plain L-Tyrosine. NALT is a more soluble form of L-Tyrosine so it should be more bioavailable to your body.
However, some studies report that in some cases, a sizeable percentage of supplemental NALT is excreted in urine before it’s converted into L-Tyrosine.[iv]
On a personal note, I haven’t had any issues using NALT as a source of L-Tyrosine. It gives me a dopamine and adrenal boost you’d expect from supplementing with a dopamine precursor.
When dealing with ADHD/ADD it’s particularly effective when stacked with ALCAR (Acetyl-L-Carnitine). ALCAR easily crosses the blood-brain barrier for boosting acetylcholine levels. And seems to positively influence serotonin levels. And NALT provides my brain with the dopamine it needs to mitigate symptoms of ADHD/ADD.
But in the interests of full transparency, this is stacked with 20 mg of Ritalin twice a day. Clearly, this brain doesn’t have the capacity to produce enough dopamine on its own. And needs the boost that comes from supplementing with NALT.
So like all nootropics, YMMV. Always take into account how each nootropic works synergistically with others in your stack. And how they work with any meds you need to take.
This is as much art as it is science. And experimentation is key for optimal cognition, and a ‘Limitless’ mindset.
How does N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine work in the Brain?
N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine boosts brain health and function in several ways. But two in particular stand out.
- N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine improves memory and cognition under acute stress. Acute stress is defined as short-term stressors that can affect cognition. Examples are extreme heat or cold. Things like cold showers, extreme sports, car accidents, relationship problems, intense movies, business deals gone awry, exams and war zones.
In one study done at the University of Bedfordshire in the UK, the effect of L-Tyrosine on cognitive performance was measured before an exercise task.
Researchers recruited 8 soccer players. And had them complete a 90-minute soccer simulation performance test in an environmental chamber set at 77 degrees Fahrenheit.
The soccer players were given either L-Tyrosine before exercise or a placebo. Cognitive performance was measured before the exercise task. Then again at “half-time”, following half time, and following the entire simulation.
The cognitive performance task assessed dual-task and vigilance. The outcome revealed that cognitive vigilance and reaction time among soccer players significantly improved following administration of L-Tyrosine.
Results showed that in warm-weather conditions, L-Tyrosine could enhance cognitive function and prevent cognitive impairment during exposure to exercise-heat stress.[v]
- N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine boosts neurotransmitters. NALT turns into L-Tyrosine once taken as a supplement. It then converts into the neurotransmitter dopamine. Dopamine is used to control movement in your body, is fundamental to memory, attention and problem solving.
The unused dopamine can then convert into the neurotransmitters norepinephrine (noradrenaline) and epinephrine (adrenaline).
Norepinephrine is important for attentiveness, emotions, sleeping, dreaming and learning.
Epinephrine drives your ‘flight-or-flight’ response. It’s what prompts your reaction to dangerous circumstances, emergency situations, or in stressful situations or environments.
In one study done in the Netherlands, researchers determined if L-Tyrosine would boost cognitive resources associated with cognitive control. They performed tests designed to measure “working memory” using the N-Back Test.
Study participants were assigned to engage in a “1-back” condition of easy difficulty and then a 2-back condition of tougher difficulty. Those that used L-Tyrosine demonstrated superior performance in the 2-back test, but not the 1-back test.
The study authors suggested that L-Tyrosine provides greater cognitive enhancement when cognitive demand increases. The bottom-line; supplementation of L-Tyrosine may help you increase your IQ score due to maximizing catecholamine reserves.[vi]
How things go bad:
As we get older, our brain and body chemistry and energy metabolism changes.
↓ Dopaminergic neurons are damaged or die
↓ Neurotransmitter levels decline
↓ Thyroid hormones decline
↑ Stress levels increase
↓ Working memory and mood decline
All of these changes are often attributed to aging. But could be a result of dietary and lifestyle choices. Unchecked, they could lead to neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s, a drop in quality of life and depression.
N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine to the rescue
N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine (NALT) can boost levels of the neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine. And can help a sluggish thyroid produce more T4 and T3.
NALT can help boost cognition especially in stressful situations. It helps improve decision making, ‘flow state’ and creativity, cognitive flexibility, and working memory.
NALT converts into L-Tyrosine which then converts into L-DOPA to produce dopamine. L-DOPA is also used to make melanin in your body. This conversion process helps in the removal of neurotoxic quinones. And chelates heavy metals like mercury and lead which can accumulate in and damage neurons.
The dopamine that is not used by your brain is available to produce norepinephrine (noradrenaline) which is important for attentiveness, emotions, sleeping, dreaming and learning.
NALT can be an effective nootropic when stacked with ADHD/ADD meds like Ritalin or Adderall. It helps supply extracellular dopamine needed to improve the effectiveness of stimulants used to boost the uptake of dopamine in your brain.
How does N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine feel?
Keep in mind that NALT is a precursor to catecholamines. So if you’re not ‘low’ on dopamine, norepinephrine or epinephrine – you may not ‘feel’ anything.
Many neurohackers report a lift in mood, better focus, concentration, increased energy, and an overall sense of well-being. NALT can help readjust your motivation levels. It can help lower anxiety levels, especially social anxiety.
Supplementing with N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine can help bring your blood pressure down if it’s elevated from a stressful situation or environment. Take it before the stressful event if you can.
NALT helps buffer the effects of stimulants like caffeine or amphetamines. It helps potentiate and prolong the effects of Ritalin or Adderall, and reduces the crash.
If you’re into athletics or do manual work, you’ll find that supplementing with NALT before a workout or construction job will leave you feeling great afterwards. It helps mitigate many of the effects of acute stress caused by short-term stressors.
And NALT helps your body to produce melanin, so you may find it easier to get a tan while at the beach.
The Research
N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine to treat ADHD
Several studies have investigated using L-Tyrosine for the treatment of ADHD. One informal study published in the 1980’s determined that L-Tyrosine resulted in short-term relief from ADHD symptoms. But subjects eventually reached tolerance and a diminished effect.
This is important for neurohackers to keep in mind. It seems that NALT on its own can benefit some more than others. Regardless if your treating ADHD, or are perfectly cognitively healthy.
I’ve seen more than one report of nootropic users experiencing tolerance after just a week of supplementing with NALT. But most peer-reviewed, published studies show positive results.
One study published in Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment in 2011 looked at using amino acid precursors for the treatment of ADHD. Including L-Tyrosine for dopamine, and 5-HTP for serotonin.
The study used 85 young people aged 4 – 18 years old, all with a clinical diagnosis of ADHD. They were treated for an initial period of 8 – 10 weeks. Urinary samples to determine serotonin and dopamine levels were collected within the first 4 weeks. If they didn’t reach adequate levels, subjects were moved to higher dosing levels 2 and then 3 until they got relief from symptoms.
Researchers found that the dopamine and serotonin precursors yielded similar results to Strattera and Ritalin. And “the amino acid protocol may be equal in efficacy to potent, pharmaceutical ADHD medications”.[vii]
L-Tyrosine reduces blood pressure under stress
This study is particularly interesting for its nootropic application. It’s commonly understood that blood pressure rises when we’re under stress. The source of stress doesn’t really matter. Stress up = blood pressure up.
A study in Amsterdam showed that L-Tyrosine administration decreased blood pressure about 15 minutes after ingestion. This study involved assessing task performance following acute stress.
Acute stress is usually short-term and can be caused by driving, fighting, athletics, martial arts training, war, combat training, Crossfit, cold showers, loud music, intense movies, loud noises, business deals, relationships, school, exams and more.
The point is, this study is applicable to every one of us. The study found that L-Tyrosine reduced diastolic blood pressure within 15 minutes of taking the supplement. And blood pressure normalized within 1 hour.
This study tells us that L-Tyrosine (and NALT) may promote a decrease in blood pressure caused by stress. And could be used to mitigate the effects of stressful situations if taken prior to the stressful event.[viii]
N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine promotes cognitive flexibility
Cognitive flexibility applies to those who can adjust their thinking quickly to adapt to novel situations and stimuli. A high degree of cognitive flexibility is associated with increased fluid intelligence, superior reading and comprehension, and a healthier brain.
Recent research (2015) supports the idea that L-Tyrosine (and NALT) promotes cognitive flexibility. In this trial, researchers recruited 22 adults. And setup a double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
All subjects were assigned a task switching procedure to measure their flexibility. The results showed that receiving L-Tyrosine supplements increased cognitive flexibility compared to the placebo group. The researchers determined that “L-Tyrosine can facilitate cognitive flexibility by repleting cognitive resources”.[ix]
The team observed that increased cognitive flexibility was likely due to a boost in dopamine concentrations. They noted that L-Tyrosine enhanced usage of various cognitive resources. And one way to increase your cognitive flexibility would be to start supplementing with N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine.
It stands to reason that people who are close-minded, set it their ways, are resistant to change and can’t cope with unexpected stimuli or situations have “cognitive rigidity”. And it’s likely due to suboptimal dopamine levels.
Dosage Notes
N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine (NALT) suggested dosage for cognitive benefit is 350 – 500 mg twice per day.
NALT is water-soluble so you don’t have to take it “with a meal” or healthy fat like some nootropics.
You may find your body responds to smaller doses. Or even more if you are stacking it with stimulants like ADHD meds. Listen to your body and see how you react.
Side Effects
NALT quickly turns into the non-essential amino acid L-Tyrosine once you take it. So is considered non-toxic and very safe. Most neurohackers don’t have any negative side effects.
At higher doses there are reports of stomach issues and migraines. Migraine problems usually happen to those who already suffer from migraines. This may be an indication that your neurotransmitter levels are already optimal and you don’t need to supplement with NALT.
NALT can increase your thyroid hormones. So if you’re hyperthyroid you shouldn’t use NALT.
And if you’re taking MAO inhibitors (MAOI’s) like selegiline, Azilect, Marplan or Nardil you should not use NALT. MAOI’s work in your brain and effect neurotransmitters. So using NALT in combination with MAOI’s could throw off the delicate balance of neurotransmitters needed for optimal brain health and cognition.
Available Forms
N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine is available in powder, capsule and tablet form. Capsules and tablets are usually 300 – 500 mg.
Some pre-made nootropic stacks and workout stacks also include NALT as part of their formula. For example, Mind Lab Pro® contains 11 brain enhancing nootropic compounds including N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine.
I recommend Mind Lab Pro because it addresses all aspects of anxiety resistance, memory and cognitive enhancement, stabilizes mood, brain repair, and maintenance.
This premium nootropic stack is designed to affect neurotransmitters, cognitive energy, brain waves, neuroprotection, and regeneration. See my Mind Lab Pro review for a detailed report.
Ensure you read labels carefully, and stick with manufacturers who follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). And are GMP-Certified.
Nootropics Expert Recommendation
N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine (NALT) 350 – 500 mg twice per day
We recommend using N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine (NALT) as a nootropic supplement.
Your body does synthesize some L-Tyrosine from phenylalanine which comes from high-protein foods like chicken, fish, almonds, avocados and bananas.
But most of us don’t get enough L-Tyrosine from our diet. So supplementation will help. And N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine is a highly bioavailable form of L-Tyrosine. So you should feel its effects faster.
NALT is helpful for most neurohackers to combat stress and sleep deprivation. It’ll boost dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine levels.
It’s particularly helpful if you take NALT prior to a stressful situation, workout or physically demanding job.
NALT is especially helpful to those dealing with ADHD/ADD. It’s a great compliment to stack with stimulant meds like Ritalin or Adderall. NALT will provide the dopamine your brain needs. It will help smooth out and prolong the effects of stimulant meds. And help prevent the associated crash when they wear off.
A good stack for ADHD is using your usual med dose with NALT 500 mg and ALCAR 500 mg.
You can buy individual N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine supplements. Or you could try my favorite pre-formulated nootropic stack Mind Lab Pro® which includes NALT.
Mind Lab Pro contains a synergistic blend of 11 brain enhancing nootropics covering all aspects of cognition and brain health. See my full Mind Lab Pro review for more.
You can safely use up to 1,500 mg per day when stacking with ADHD meds. But dosed throughout your day.
[i] Slominski A., Zmijewski M., Pawelek J. “L-tyrosine and L-DOPA as hormone-like regulators of melanocytes functions” Pigment Cell Melanoma Research. 2012 Jan; 25(1): 14–27. (source)
[ii] Woods S.K., Meyer J.S. “Exogenous tyrosine potentiates the methylphenidate-induced increase in extracellular dopamine in the nucleus accumbens: a microdialysis study.” Brain Research. 1991 Sep 27;560(1-2):97-105. (source)
[iii] Hase A., Jung S.E., aan het Rot M. “Behavioral and cognitive effects of tyrosine intake in healthy human adults.” Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior. 2015 Jun;133:1-6. (source)
[iv] Magnusson I., Ekman L., Wångdahl M., Wahren J. “N-acetyl-L-tyrosine and N-acetyl-L-cysteine as tyrosine and cysteine precursors during intravenous infusion in humans.” Metabolism. 1989 Oct;38(10):957-61. (source)
[v] Coull N.A., Watkins S.L., Aldous J.W., Warren L.K., Chrismas B.C., Dascombe B., Mauger A.R., Abt G., Taylor L. “Effect of tyrosine ingestion on cognitive and physical performance utilising an intermittent soccer performance test (iSPT) in a warm environment.”European Journal of Applied Physiology. 2015 Feb;115(2):373-86. (source)
[vi] Colzato L.S., Jongkees B.J., Sellaro R., Hommel B. “Working memory reloaded: tyrosine repletes updating in the N-back task.”Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience. 2013 Dec 16;7:200. (source)
[vii] Hinz M., Stein A., Neff R., Weinberg R., Uncini T. “Treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder with monoamine amino acid precursors and organic cation transporter assay interpretation”Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment. 2011; 7: 31–38. (source)
[viii] Deijen J.B., Orlebeke J.F. “Effect of tyrosine on cognitive function and blood pressure under stress.” Brain Research Bulletin. 1994;33(3):319-23. (source)
[ix] Steenbergen L., Sellaro R., Hommel B., Colzato L.S. “Tyrosine promotes cognitive flexibility: evidence from proactive vs. reactive control during task switching performance.” Neuropsychologia. 2015 Mar;69:50-5 (source)
Hi David,
I have adrenal fatigue, and am apparently autistic. I tend to need a nap in the afternoon, don’t feel a lot of sexual drive, and am often short on mental energy (although when I do process a subject, I seem to do so at a much higher and more demanding level than most people, this leaves me extremely drained with a feeling akin to a head flu).
When I first tried using Tyrosine it was like a light was switched on. For the first time in as long as I can recall I felt clear and focused. Physically it felt like my body had more in the tank and I even seemed more confident and braver in the face of physical conflict. However, I also started noticing a tremor developing in my hands, and a level of exhaustion seemed to be building at the end of some days (especially when the dosage ran out). If I took it too late in the afternoon I also struggled to sleep (I dosed twice a day).
It’s been almost a year now since I stopped, and I’m keen to try Tyrosine again, but I don’t want to over stimulate and drain my recovering adrenals.
Is it possible the tremor was from excess cortisol in my system as a by product of the excess adrenaline being produced at the end of the dopamine chain? (I had started taking Licorice root at the same time which reduces cortisol breakdown).
Is there anything I can stack it with to help support any additional fuel requirements it places on my body? I want to get the clarity, motivation, energy and focus from before, but without over revving my engine and creating an energy deficit.
I’m thinking perhaps trying acetyl T in a lower dose? (It’s possible the powdered dose was too high.)
I had also considered going one link higher in the chain and using L- Phenylalanine to see if my body is naturally low in Tyrosine and makes use of its precurser.
What are your thoughts?
Jonas, what dose of L-Tyrosine were you using? Because your symptoms sound an awful lot like way too much L-Tyrosine. Both the tremors you mentioned and adrenal fatigue. Because your adrenals contribute to your fight-or-flight mode which involves epinephrine.
A normal L-Tyrosine dose if 500 mg 2 or 3-times per day. And never past 4 pm or it could cause insomnia.
I encourage you to stay away from L- Phenylalanine because it’s half-life is short. And it’s not an efficient way to increase dopamine. And I’d avoid licorice as well because it has too many problems associated with its use.
For pure adrenal support you may want to try something like Solaray Adrenal Caps which I’ve found helpful. And L-Theanine helps suppress excess cortisol as well as boost dopamine.
Thank you. I’ve been taking L-Theanine as a way of self regulating and stopping my mind from stressing and overtaxing my adrenal output (mindfulness plays a part in this too. Is it possible that if I take Tyrosine, or NALT (which would you suggest?), it could actually support and provide fuel for neurotransmitters, as well as boosting Norepinephrine. Do you think it could stimulate adversely, or if I start with a lower dose would it be complimentary. Theanine helps, but I feel I need something more for sustained focus over 8-12hrs.
I’m also thinking of taking it with NAC to improve the uptake and usage of the dopamine by way of the receptors. Theoretically, if the receptors work better, would a side benefit of improved dopamine uptake be a decrease in the unusable excess being turned into adrenaline, and if so less stimulation and strain on the body’s glands?
I’ve been taking an adrenal re-builder which contains Adrenal Cortical extracts, but from looking at Solaray Adrenal Caps, they contain Licorice root.
I have a big project coming up over the next couple of months that will require some long hours, I want to be motivated, focused and have energy, but don’t want to drain myself long term to do it. I’ve recently introduced Alcar, would you have any other suggestions? I feel racetams would probably be too taxing at this point? So if this is the case is the only other option focusing on improving mitochondrial energy? What is a realistic time frame to start feeling improvements if I go down that road? My project starts in early October.
Thank you for your time and this resource.
Jonas, L-Theanine effects Alpha and Theta brain waves which provides a calming but not sedating effect. It suppresses cortisol as well which calms you. But it also boosts the release of all your major neurotransmitters including dopamine. But it’s NOT a dopamine precursor. It uses the existing dopamine that’s lurking around your brain.
L-Tyrosine works well to increase dopamine and works in synergy with L-Theanine. 250 – 500 mg L-Tyrosine should be enough to increase dopamine without doing it excessively.
NAC is a great idea. I’ve never noticed the licorice in Solaray Adrenal Caps so it must be a small amount.
A good stack to start would include L-Theanine, L-Tyrosine, NAC, ALCAR, Alpha GPC, and a high quality B-Complex. If you wanted to reduce the time and effort in building this stack from scratch you could simply combine Mind Lab Pro (https://bit.ly/3lh3w8a) with Performance Lab Energy (https://bit.ly/3ifR1XJ) and I think you’d achieve what you’re looking for.
Do you ever tried vyvanse? Do you think ritalin is better than it? And what about Concerta and Ritalin LA, is ritalin better? Should I take ritalin along with nalt and alcar?
Tiago, I’ve never tried Vyvanse but I did use Adderall for about 6 months. And switched back to Ritalin. Because Adderall didn’t work for me.
There is no “better” stimulant. Only the one that works best for you. Each one has a different mechanism of action. This is how Vyvanse works in your brain: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisdexamfetamine#Pharmacology.
You can use Wikipedia to look up each of the others as well to compare how each works in the human brain. If Vyvanse works for you then I suggest using the supporting nootropics with it as I describe in this post: https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-nootropics-for-adhd-add/. There’s no benefit to switching to Ritalin.
Hi David,
I have been experimenting with Aniracetam and Noopept (not at the same time) in combination with alpha-GPC to increase my attention, however, they both seem to increase my brain fog and substantially lower my motivation. I tried to vary with the amount of both alpha GPC and Aniracetam/Noopept but this didn’t improve the side effects. Could this have happened because of inadequate levels of dopamine? Since both Aniracetam and Noopept affect dopamine.
I’m therefore considering to take NAC to repair dopamine neurons and receptors and NALT to slightly increase dopamine levels to see whether my brain fog improves together with my motivation. My only concern is that I use effexor (low dosage) which is also a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Can I use NALT or would that be too dangerous?
Thanks!
Adrian, sounds like you are experiencing the side effects of Effexor. Just be careful about using NALT or L-Tyrosine with this drug. NAC may help repair dopamine receptors so is a good choice.
Hello David, thank you for your excellent work at the blog. I have a question regarding dosing for L-tyrosine (as I only found dosing recommendations for NALT).
I’m struggling with adult ADD (in my 40s) that affects my ability to initiate action, plan and get a general overview of my life. I tried concerta for a few a years but stopped taking it 5 years ago (along with Sertralin), because it had stopped working, and, unfortunately, left me in a state of anhedonia, with lower levels of enthusiasm, and considerably less spontaneous, innovative and creative — which handicapped my creative writing. I’m trying to break the deadlock by becoming enough motivated (executive functioning) while simultaneously recover my creative elan (from younger years). I suspect my dopamine receptors might have been downregulated, or damaged.
I’m presently (since may) trying ALCAR (1g), L-tyrosine (650mg) , b-complex, c-vitamin, ashwagandha (1g), Bacopa Monnieri (700mg), q10, fish oil 950dha, coconut oil. All of which is working to lift my brain sluggishness, but I haven’t yet reached a state of necessary motivation. I’ve read your post on motivation but I live in a country where racetams are hard to get by. So I’m wondering if I need to raise the dosage of L-tyrosine.
I’ve also a question about your thoughts about Pregnenolone.
Best regards, Val
Val, have you seen my post on motivation here: https://nootropicsexpert.com/hacking-motivation-with-nootropics/. You need to activate AMPA receptors. That’s the missing link. And if you can’t get racetams your only other option is Resveratrol and/or Rhodiola Rosea.
Thanks, I’ll try that.
Hi David! my doctor said i have my norepinephrine very high! which nootropic could i use to help me? I have difficulty slowing down, running mind, irritation, etc …
I would appreciate your help …
thankful,
Sandro
Sandro, norepinephrine is made from dopamine using the enzyme dopamine-beta-hydroxylase. One of the best ways to counter excess dopamine is to raise serotonin using L-Tryptophan.
Hi David,
Is it safe to take a combination of 5-htp (at night 100mg), Rhodiola (500mg) & L-tyrosine (500mg) daily?
I struggle with chronic anxiety, add & sometimes low mood.
I have been taking Rhodiola for a month now & while I do find it is effective, I find my concentration is still poor & need to supplement with caffeine.
Thank you for your great website.
Sunja
Sunja, it’s certainly safe. But you may find that eventually you won’t get the benefit from 5-HTP as much as you once did. If that happens switch to 500 mg L-Tryptophan which is also a direct precursor for the synthesis of serotonin and melatonin.
Also, pay attention to dosage instructions because for nootropics like L-Tyrosine the half-life is only a few hours. You’ll likely have better results dosing it at least twice per day – morning and noon.
And I suggest taking a look at the different mechanisms of action for caffeine. You are already supporting its use with L-Tyrosine. But you also need the B-Vitamins because caffeine depletes them. And it raises cortisol which you can reverse by using L-Theanine.
Does L_TYRROSIN useful in Parkinson’s and depression cases and what product you recommend and thank you very much?
Mohammad, L-Tyrosine may be useful in Parkinson’s. But Mucuna Pruriens extract (L-DOPA) at as high a strength % of L-DOPA you can get will likely be more effective. Because it’s much closer to levadopa which is prescribed to treat this disease but without the side effects.
This is the brand of L-Tyrosine I use: https://amzn.to/3cRhlVw. And I also get some from using Mind Lab Pro daily.
I appreciate your efforts
Hi David,
I want to know the differences between NALT and DLPA which are similar from what I’ve seen as well as interactions. I’ve taken DLPA for the first time today and found it a very positive experience. Now some people say if you take both DLPA and L Tyrosine (which I did today) has an even more long lasting effect. Would the same be true taking NALT and DLPA or all three together, do you have any experience of this?
Steve, this section of my phenylalanine review explains how it works: https://nootropicsexpert.com/phenylalanine/#l-phenylalanine-vs-d-phenylalanine-whats-the-difference. They are both precursors to the synthesis of dopamine. I’ve not tried using both and never found the need to try them together. I use L-Tyrosine or NALT daily.
Does NALT Help Testosterone Production?
Maicon, some marketers are promoting L-Tyrosine and Mucuna Pruriens as a cure for ED and a testosterone booster. But the only evidence I was able to find one study (worldwide) with 75 infertile men in Lucknow, India.
The study concluded that supplementing with Mucuna Pruriens significantly improved Testosterone, Luteinizing Hormone, dopamine, adrenaline, and noradrenaline levels in infertile men and reduced levels of Folicle Stimulating Hormone and Prolactin. Didn’t say why or how much Mucuna: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18973898
I’ve been using NALT and Mucuna for years and if it increased T in my body it wasn’t by a noticeable amount.
Hey David, I was wondering if buying NALT would be worth it if I am already eating plenty of protein in my diet and supplementing with whey protein, which contains 2,6g of L-Tyrosine per 100g of protein
David, if you can get proof that your whey protein provides L-Tyrosine then may not need NALT. Unless of course your brain need more L-Tyrosine than what is provided in your protein supplement.
Thanks for your quick response! But if L-Tyrosine contained in regular protein sources is valid for nootropic purposes and recommended daily intake is around 1000-1500mg:
Given that 100g of regular chicken can contain more than 1000mg of Tyrosine, I feel anyone has the need to supplement with extra NALT. Am I missing something??
PD: I have recently discovered your blog and think that is awesome! It has helped me a lot already and I wanted to thank you
David, the challenge is knowing exactly how much L-Tyrosine is in the food you consume. How do you measure it? Often the only way to find out if you are low in something like dopamine is to take L-Tyrosine or NALT as a supplement. And if it makes you feel better then you know you need it. If nothing happens or you get a negative reaction then you know to avoid that supplement.
For example, I’m Adult ADD and use Ritalin. My brain is desperate for dopamine. If I do not supplement with NALT, my Ritalin does not work, and I continue to have ADD symptoms.
I don’t understand why you recommend Mind Lab Pro when it uses less than half (or even a quarter) of the recommended NALT dosage? Isn’t that contradictory?
Phil, I don’t recommend Mind Lab Pro for NALT. I recommend it for a well-rounded, potent universal nootropic stack for anyone who wants a better working brain.
If your brain needs more dopamine then you use NALT or L-Tyrosine and the supporting B-Vitamins. But you do that in addition to using MLP. One of the things MLP does really well is brain repair. Which is important to me because I’m Adult ADD and use prescription stimulants. Which when used long-term can be hard on neurons. That is’t a problem while using Mind Lab Pro.
I see what you’re saying. Is there any data supporting the claim that MLP repairs the brain?
Looking into it further, it seems the dosages for more than just NALT in MLP fail to meet the dosages used in referenced studies: the citicoline and lion’s mane is a at best half the dose of the studies they reference.
Even the Rhodiola at 50mg is barely 25% of the dose used in the study referenced, which was SHR-5 extract.
Seems like you would have to take 2-4 times the recommended dose, and that makes it a very expensive option.
Phil, check out the clinical studies for Lion’s Mane in this review: https://nootropicsexpert.com/lions-mane/
The formula for Mind Lab Pro was designed to work in synergy with each other. Some brilliant minds are behind the design of this formula and it works. We could debate all day long about dosages, etc.
But the bottom line is always “does it work”? And tens of thousands of customers must think it does because we keep ordering and using it month after month.
Does taking it deplete serotonin?
Rob, L-Tyrosine is the precursor to the production of dopamine in your brain. And L-Tryptophan is the precursor to the synthesis of serotonin. If one if too high it will suppress the other.
You do not mention if you take any prescription medication which is important because many of these nootropics are contraindicated with things like SSRIs, MAOIs, and tricyclic antidepressants.
Please see this post on depression and the many different causes before you try anything else: https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-nootropics-for-depression/
Hi, good information. I suffer from an episode of very bad depression. I have a paradoxical reactions to even 1000mg of Omega, valerian, etc. I have tried antidepressants but between cholinergic side effects and make my very low bP worse, cant tolerate them. Is tyrosine better than tryptophan and will not cause insomnia or anxiety.? What dose?
Thanks
Is it safe to take this with a mood stabilizer?
Adam, please be more specific on the mood stabilizer you are referring to.
Is tyrosine broken down by heat?
I want to add l-tyrosine to my collagen drink in the morning, and I usually put it in pretty hot (not boiling, but close) water. Thanks!
Melissa, I don’t think putting L-Tyrosine in a hot beverage will affect its efficacy much. But that’s just a guess. According to this study it may not be affected: https://academic.oup.com/jn/article-abstract/16/2/115/4726587?redirectedFrom=fulltext
I spend hours upon hours researching nootropics and this is the most in-depth, well rounded website. Keep up the great work.
Tolerance to NALT seems to affect some users including me around the 3 week mark after a increasing dosage schedule week over week.
The assumptions are dopamine receptor downregulation. Any thoughts on this? To me it makes sense.
Because of this I cycle NALT and take sulbutiamine (DA receptor upregulator) when cycled off NALT.
Jim, tyrosine tolerance can be an issue for some people. Sulbutiamine is one good option. Another to try is Aniracetam which affects dopamine receptors as well.
Another thing to keep in mind – as dopamine goes up then serotonin goes down. These two neurotransmitters must be in balance. You may want to try 500 mg L-Tryptophan 60 – 90 mins. before bed and see if that helps while you are using NALT.
Yes, I purchased some L-tryptophan as an alternative to 5-htp as per your article regarding the subject. Thanks.
Jim, hope it works for you. I certainly prefer it to 5-HTP for raising serotonin safely.
Hi there! Let me start off by saying I’ve just purcahsed your book and SO excited to read it! 🙂
So, my dilemma is that I suffer from chronic fatigue, I would say that more often than not – I’m tired. I switched over to a ketogenic diet a few months ago, and while it’s improved my ‘baseline’ I still don’t feel as great I believe I should be feeling.
I’m on Ritalin/concerta almost daily and now started taking ALCAR, NALT and mindlab pro as I saw you recommended it on a different post. I’m waiting on the performance lab pro to arrive and will soon add that.
My question is – how long till I start feeling the effects? And I know the ALCAR and NALT are both water-soluble, but the MLP is fat soluble – would it be okay just taking them all at once with a tablespoon of MCT oil? Or do I need to take them separately due to solubility?
Hope I’m making sense!
Thanks in advance.
Zeeble, you can take all these supplements at once by using MCT Oil to ensure the absorption of the fat-soluble ingredients in this stack.
You should begin feeling the positive effects of ALCAR and NALT within the same day. As long as you are dosing them correctly. Including time of day.
Please let me know if you have questions about timing when using these supplements. I think I explained it in my ADHD post but let me know if it’s clear: https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-nootropics-for-adhd-add/
Hi David,
Do you offer consultations? If so could you please let me know all relevant info – how to book, price etc.
Thanks
I do offer personal consultations. The link to my calendar with pricing is on this page: https://nootropicsexpert.com/personal-consultations/
Hi David,
Unfortunately, I don’t see pricing on that page?
Zey, not sure which ‘pricing’ you are referring to. You can find the price for Mind Lab Pro including relevant discounts here: https://www.mindlabpro.com/
Hi David, I’m referring to the price of your consultations.
Zey, my fee is $100 for 30 mins. or $200 for 60 mins. Most choose the second option for the first consultation because there is so much to go over. I also have you send me a list of current nootropics, medications, health issues, etc. ahead of time. And I typically spend an hour or two in research before we have our time together.
PLEASE could you recommend a good brand oF NALT and ALCAR
Zey, I get my NALT as an ingredient in Mind Lab Pro. And ALCAR as an ingredient in Performance Lab Energy. As standalone supplements I also make NALT capsules from powder I get from Bulk Supplements (https://amzn.to/2CmtDp8), and separate ALCAR capsules from NutriCost (https://amzn.to/2XXDMBZ).
iHerb ships to me, however, I’m not sure which of the brands on their site are good?
Zey, Source Naturals, Doctor’s Best, NOW Foods and Jarrow are all good brands. But please check the label of each supplement no matter who the manufacturer is and do your best to avoid additives. You want as pure of a supplement as you can find.
You may need to go directly to the manufacturer’s website to find a copy of the relevant label. But it’s well worth the effort and time. The best supplements have only the ingredient you want and the capsule. Nothing else.
Thanks for the response. The ingredients in;
Doctor’s Best are – 500MG ALCAR from BIOSNT HCI and magnesium silicate, micro-cyrstalline cellulose, modified cellulose (vegetarian) silicon dioxide and stearic acid
NOW foods are – 500mg ALCAR from HCI
and Hypromellose (cellulose capsule), Magnesium Stearate (vegetable source) and Stearic Acid (vegetable source).
Source Naturals are – 500mg ALCAR, 40MG calcium, 150mg Alpha lipoic acid and Silicified microcrystalline cellulose, dibasic calcium phosphate, stearic acid, colloidal silicon dioxide, and magnesium stearate.
These are the ingredients listed on the labels. Which of the 3 is the best/most natural? I’m not sure which ingredients to look out for when it comes to supplements.
Thanks!
Zey, that’s what I was afraid of. It’s not necessary to have any of these other ingredients in these supplements. You can get pure ALCAR in a capsule, or order the powder and make your own capsules.
Please see my post on buying quality supplements here: https://nootropicsexpert.com/7-tips-for-choosing-the-highest-quality-nootropic-supplements/
Hi David,
What brand of NALT do you use? I see you take 500 mg 4x/day, but is this as a capsule? I want to reduce the number of capsules I take in a day, and I currently take 700 mg 3x/day, 2 capsules each dose. So do you know of a high quality, reputable brand that sells NALT capsules containing 5-800 mg each? Thanks!
Adam, I’ve been making my own capsules using powder I get from Bulk Supplements here in the USA.
Hi David,
Thanks again for all this great information. You have commented that you make your own capsules for some supplements. Do you have recommendations for a capsule making device and capsule sizes? I want to make my own too, but unsure where to start. I do have a small scale.
Thank you!
Cari, I’ve tried at least four different brands of capsules and now use these: https://amzn.to/2SaaYFx. They are pre-separated “00” gelatin capsules. The same company offers veggie capsules as well I think if that is your preference. All the others I’ve tried consistently come with broken or mis-shaped or brittle capsules that break easily while filling them.
For the first 10 years (I can’t believe I didn’t wake up sooner) I used a little capsule machine that made 24 capsules at a time. Now I can make 100 capsules in about 10 minutes using this machine: https://amzn.to/37d6Oku.
I haven’t yet made a video on how to make capsules. So please search YouTube for a how-to video. I think a couple of the manufacturers of these machines also link to YouTube videos from their site.
I put the machine in a 12 in. X 12 in. square plastic tray from the dollar store so powder doesn’t get all over the place. And dump the 100 filled capsules onto a paper plate which makes it easy to pour into an empty supplement bottle.
Once you get accustomed to making capsules you’ll find you no longer need your scale. Because depending on how you fill them, they’ll consistently be from 500 – 750 mg each.
Thank you so much!
Hi,
I am starting to built a stack for ADHD & Depression and I found NALT and Rhodiola listed in your ADHD Post.
I am wondering if it is safe to combine NALT and Rhodiola since it works as a MaoI?
Thanks,
Matthew
Matthew, it’s not only safe but works in synergy because Rhodiola helps NALT work better. You’ll find them stacked together in some of the best nootropic stacks including Mind Lab Pro.
Hello, congratulations for the content, you have my admiration.
My doubts are as follows:
I do not have the financial conditions to buy the most diverse nootropics I recommend, here in Brazil we do not have most of them, so I have to import it, it’s even more expensive this way. I would like to know which are the 3 essential nootropics that recommends for those who study and need focus and energy.
Thiago, if budget and importing nootropics is a factor then I’d say L-Tyrosine, ALCAR and unrefined coconut oil or MCT Oil.
Hi David,
Thanks for directing me to NALT as a possible addition to my stack.
I’ve studied NALT and see that it stimulates T 3 and 4 thyroid hormones. So my question is, can NALT be taken safely without concerns about over stimulating the thyroid and perhaps over time causing a permanent increase in these hormones?
I ask because my thyroid was tested a few months back during a routine checkup. And it’s functioning perfectly. I know the frustration an overactive thyroid can cause after seeing my friend go through hyperthyroidism. And wouldn’t like to break something that’s working.
What are your thoughts on overstimulation? And also can overstimulation cause permanent changes in T 3 and 4 hormone levels?
Gabriella, it really depends on the person and your body chemistry. I’m hypothyroid and use NP Thyroid 4-times per day. And use NALT or L-Tyrosine 3-times per day with no problem.
NALT is not going to have the same effect as using a thyroid medication. It’s just something you need to be aware of. And if you want to be extra careful then have your thyroid labs done a month after using NALT and see what it says.
hello, i have a question regarding this idea like, take amino based supplements on an empty stomach so they do not compete with food proteins for transport to the brain….what about other amino supplements?? i have not seen any info about this anywhere…..for example if i took, phenylalanine, NALT, ALCAR, agmatine, theanine, and 5htp at once…on an empty stomach first of the day, you think that stack would make a bottleneck or start working against itself?
it is relatively low/average doses of each, i generally like to mix more things to give the body better chance to choose and fill what it needs most but i got wondering where the line is exactly for good synergy.
thank you for all the great info!
Milton, I take my stack all at once as well. The biggest competitor for these amino acid transporters is that provided by food. You digestive system needs to do a lot more work dealing with breaking down food. But not nearly as much work with pure supplements.
I think your mixing philosophy is sound. There’s only so much we can do and then let the body’s natural intelligence take care of the rest.
Hi David,
Ive recently purchased your book and think its great. I am also adult ADHD, taking dexamphetamine (in Australia) and am very interested in what you are taking and testing them on myself. Ive ordered the Performance Lab multi and energy and Mid Lab Pro, waiting for them to arive.
Im having trouble finding NALT to buy. Iherb only has one, Jarrow Formulas, N-Acetyl Tyrosine (is this the same as N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine)? On Jarrow’s website it says it is USP grade, which I have read on your site to avoid. The capsules consists of bovine gelatin, which doesnt sound good.
Do you have any suggestions please.
Thanks
Graeme
Graeme, this is what I currently use: https://nootropicsexpert.com/what-i-take/
You can use either N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine or L-Tyrosine. I’ve had a good experience with both but some find one works better than the other. So you may want to try both.
I’ve found that USP grade vitamins and minerals are often synthetic. For example, you can have a USP grade mineral that is ground up rock. And not the chelated type your body needs. USP grade NALT is a marketing ploy and doesn’t apply to amino acids like NALT.
Performance Lab and Mind Lab Pro use Plantcaps which are made from tapioca. Standard vegetarian capsules are a semi-synthetic polymer made from wood pulp. If had to choose between veggie capsules and bovine gelatin capsules I’d choose the gelatin capsules. Preferably made from grass-fed beef and non-GMO.
The key to making my ADHD protocol work is consistency, timing, and correct dosage.
Hi David, I am in the same boat at Graeme. All I could get my hands on (for a half decent price) was Jarrow Formulas, N-Acetyl Tyrosine (is this the same as N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine)? I’m still waiting for it in the mail so will try it when it arrives, but should it help at all in the ways NALT is supposed to?
Charles, there are a couple of different ways people spell N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine. And you’ve found them. Both are NALT for short. It’s just L-Tyrosine with an acetyl-group added to improve bioavailability.
Jarrow is a good company. And I’ve noticed they’ve started to pay more attention lately to the “other ingredients” they add to their supplements. The fewer the better. But NALT is NALT and if your brain needs more dopamine then this is the nootropic for you.
Hello,
First of – thank you for this incredible website 🙂
I have a question L-Tyrosine in another context – is it safe if I’m taking caprylic acid?
I’m battling Candida at the moment and looking for sth to boost my mood and performance/ energy levels and since my recommendation is to move my diet from sugars towards protein/ amino acids, I was thinking L-Tyrosine was looking great.. do you know about any known interactions between the two?
I will be grateful for the answer and any recommendations that you may have.
Mirka, have you tried Oregano Oil for candida? Labs showed I was dealing with candida. I used Oregano Oil daily and within a month candida was gone.
I use L-Tyrosine with caprylic acid 3-times per day and it works great.
Hello David,
I’m after two weeks of using a combination of caprylic acid with L-Tyrosine and I feel really good 🙂 L-Tyrosine gave me a boost, and I needed it because when I started taking caprylic acid and changed my diet I felt tired all the time. My doctor said it may have been due to my body purging from dead candida and recovering from sugar addiction.
It feels much better now 🙂
I bought oregano oil and started having it with a cup of fresh tomato juice with my supper. I’m using 5 drops, following the instructions of my doctor. I noticed that my tongue seems to be a bit clearer in the morning – so I’m hopeful.
I will post a short update in a month – maybe somebody else finds it useful 🙂
I’m also reading your website and learning a lot. Thank you for this solid source of knowledge and the work you do for us!
I think you are erring by recommending NALT over l-tyrosine.
“Neither in controls nor in patients an increase in plasma tyrosine concentration was seen after Nac-Tyr, and the major part of Nac-Tyr infused was lost in urine…Nac-Tyr elimination was not grossly affected by hepatic failure, but neither in healthy subjects nor in hepatic failure patients was an increase of tyrosine seen.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7705801
“N-Acetyl-L-tyrosine was the least effective prodrug tested.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2576051
Doug, that’s why I included this section here: https://nootropicsexpert.com/n-acetyl-l-tyrosine/#n-acetyl-l-tyrosine-nalt-vs-l-tyrosine-whats-the-difference. A separate review for L-Tyrosine is on my loooong list of reviews to write. But personally I’ve found that NALT works better for me than L-Tyrosine. I’m sure others find that L-Tyrosine works better for them. Only way to find out is try both.
Hi David,
First of all thank you so much for publishing your findings as well as your own experiences.
Since some people report a tolerance after a week of L-Tyrosine usage, should L-Tyrosine be cycled to ensure a sustained effectiveness. My son is ADD with his working memory below average, he lacks flexibility in his thinking, regularly experiences brain fog, poor organisation skills, gets overwhelmed quickly, etc. He uses Mind Lab Pro daily (no cycling,one in the morning and one before lunch because if he takes 2 in one go, it makes him very sleepy) which does contain some NALT, he also uses a daily dose of L-Tyrosine (500mg in one go) Curcumin and caffeine. All of these are taken every morning. This combination works really well especially when taken on an empty stomach with MCT oil and water. He then takes another MLP before lunch. He also takes fish oils in the evening. He has a lot of exams coming up over a period of a month and I therefore want to make sure that this stack is as effective as it can be. I am reluctant to cycle Mind Lab Pro as nearly of the ingredients will only work if taken long term, but it contains NALT. From my research whilst NALT is more bio available studies have shown that plasma levels are in fact minimal compared to L-Tyrosine. L-Tyrosine works for my son so I won’t be getting NALT. But the question remains, for maximum benefit and at the right time especially during exam seasons, should L-Tyrosine be cycled and therefore perhaps Mind Lab Pro too and if so how often. Having previously cycled Mind Lab pro 5 days on and 2 days off, we noted that this did not help him but rather doing a 4 weeks on 1 week off had a better effect. For L-Tyrosine, if effects could diminish after a week would it be prudent to cycle L-Tyrosine with 5 days on and 2 days off but continue with Mind Lab Pro with a 4 weekly cycle and one week off? So far my son had not cycled L-Tyrosine but as he is not really self-aware (difficult to get feedback unless the effect is really obvious) he cannot tell me if after a week’s use its effects diminish. However I have noticed that if cycled (he recently had a week off L-Tyrosine, Mind Lab pro and Curcumin), on starting his stack again he suddenly perked up, his motivation levels increased, Maths suddenly became easy, he outperforms others in English, etc.
What are your thoughts? His exams start in 2 weeks time and these will be over a period of 4 weeks.
Many thanks for your kind help.
Lauren
Lauren, I wonder if the effect of more motivation after a one week hiatus is a result of taming tolerance. Or it seems like more motivation because he was off for a week. Did that make sense? Is it real? I’m NOT questioning your judgement. Just something to consider.
I’ve not had a problem with L-Tyrosine tolerance and this is after 10 years of daily use. Not saying it can’t happen. But maybe something else is going on here.
L-Tyrosine affects thyroid hormones. So you may want to try supporting the thyroid in this case by adding iodine and selenium. Also consider supporting the adrenals because they are directly associated with synthesis of catecholamines. I personally use Solaray Adrenal Caps and it helps with energy.
You may also want to consider adding either Alpha GPC or CDP-Choline because you are using extra L-Tyrosine. I realize Mind Lab Pro provides Cognizin but it may not be enough. But this will take trial and error to see if it helps. Look up the side effects of each of these choline supplements so you can tell if they are having a negative effect.
Is the fish oil you are using high in DHA? Because the brain has a high concentration of DHA vs EPA. Most fish oil supplements favor EPA and the dose of DHA is far too low. I find 1,000 mg of DHA per day works well. But use it in the morning do it doesn’t interfere with sleep. And make sure it’s pure. Nature’s Way makes a good supplement called Mega-DHA.
Also consider adding a highly bioavailable B-Complex (using folate and methylcobalamin and NOT the synthetic versions like folic acid). Life Extension makes a good one. Also magnesium, zinc and copper. These are all directly involved in and work as cofactors for synthesis of neurotransmitters. And the last two support testosterone production.
But a disclaimer here. I’m not a doctor. And don’t even play one on TV. These are my personal suggestions on things I’ve found have helped me and over the years. Hopefully this will provide some guidance you can use to tweak this stack.
Lauren, one other thing … boosting dopamine too much suppresses serotonin. This could account for the ‘tolerance’ effect. One week off from taking these supplements allows serotonin to come back in balance. You can counter this effect by increases serotonin. 500 mg L-Tryptophan before bed and dopamine and serotonin should come back into balance.
BTW, magnesium should dosed before bed as well because it helps you sleep. And a high enough dose if taken during the day could cause fatigue.
Hi David,
Thank you so much for coming back to me.
I have now purchased Mega-DHA to replace the one he currently uses due to the DHA content being lower than of the EPA and I will ensure that he takes it mornings instead of the evening. I have Ashwaganda in the cupboard so I will give him that in the evening. I have now ordered some Kelp as a way of supplementing him with iodine and zinc, not sure what time of the day he should take that however. I have already have some Alpha- GPC in the cupboard but I am nervous of adding this to his stack as previously it made him extremely sleepy and this for hours when I need him alert and focused. I can start with a very low dose on top of the MLP dose perhaps.
I reflected on what you were saying about whether the fact that his motivation levels having increased was real or not. My son naturally has low motivation levels and this from a young age, he gets down very easily and it is usually a mammoth task to get his mood/confidence levels back up again – this I believe is genetic as his own father is like that as well as his grand father.
On Monday when he started taking his stack again after having a week’s break from nootropics, he displayed a level of enthusiasm, spontaneity, interest in others, ability to express himself easily, ability to do maths easily and much increased motivation levels I had not seen. This is not the son I normally see. He seems happy in himself! Now, what I didn’t say to you was that for the first time Monday I asked him to take this stack 30 minutes prior to food- on an empty stomach basically. Prior to that he had always taken his stack with food, oil and water. This, I believe is what is making all the difference. He had an exam today and he nailed it.
I do have some 5-HTP in my cupboard so I will be adding that to his evening stack but I will keep it at a low dosage of 100mg considering that he is only taking 500mg of L-Tyrosine a day (not NALT). Or is this not a good ratio? Should it be higher?
Thank you for your kind help.
Lauren
Lauren, the sleepiness that sets in after using Alpha GPC likely indicates too much acetylcholine. So it sounds like his choline levels are high enough without adding a supplement.
Be very careful with 5-HTP because it is powerful and direct precursor to serotonin. And why I usually recommend L-Tryptophan instead because there are more steps in the pathway to making serotonin. It is very easy to overdo it with 5-HTP and throw things out of balance again. I know my moods go south fast if I use just 100 mg of 5-HTP all at once. So please watch what his moods are like in the morning. If anything seems off after starting 5-HTP you’ll know what the culprit is.
The other thing you learned is some supplements are fat-soluble and some water soluble. Fat-soluble supplements require food or another healthy oil for absorption.
But if it’s am amino acid and it’s taken with food, the amino acids in food compete with the amino acid supplement. In that case you do not get the full benefit of the supplement. So do some research and learn which are fat soluble and which water soluble. It’s why some bottle labels recommend “with a meal”. Or just a glass of water.
Yes that’s right, Curcumin is fat soluble, as well as MLP but the rest in his stack are water soluble.
Thank you for letting me know about 5 HTP I have given him 5 HTP before and did not notice any difference, I will look to get some L-tryptophan instead.
Another thing I wanted to ask your advice about is that while I am now convinced he is using the right stack for him and it is making a difference from a motivation, mood, etc and focus perspective, his memory is still below average despite having used MLP for 3 months now. He has always used MCT oil with MLP so it should be doing the job it is intended to do, unless I have missed something. Is there anything else I can add to his stack or perhaps swap the stack for something else on some days when he has exams that require his memory to be working well?
Thank you again for your kind help.
Lauren, when it comes to memory, I suggest you study this post: https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-nootropics-for-learning-and-memory/. Because there is no easy answer to your question. When I lost my memory around 5 years ago it took a couple of years for it to recover with a lot of hard work.
I personally use Aniracetam and Sulbutiamine which is detailed in my ADHD post here: https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-nootropics-for-adhd-add/
But I’ve also experimented with a lot of different nootropics. I also use the CILTEP stack everyday which helps memory. It includes Artichoke Extract, Forskolin and ALCAR and is detailed in the reviews of Artichoke Extract and Forskolin.
Please study the memory post. Then I suggest selecting one nootropic from each category on that page. It will take time for them to work and rebuild the pathways to memory. But they do work.
Would you clarify for me the best approach to raising both serotonin and dopamine? Although I feel I’d benefit from both tryptophan and tyrosine, I know they compete for the same receptor transport to the brain, so how does that work if you’re supplementing with both? Or, can I accomplish it with tryptophan alone? In your article on tryptophan you mentioned it not only increases serotonin but dopamine as well. Can you describe the mechanisms at work with how tryptophan increases dopamine levels? Or, is there a clear advantage to raising dopamine with tyrosine supplementation? Your clarification is greatly appreciated.
Matt, the reference to dopamine and Tryptophan was my mistake and I’ve corrected it (thank you). The study references an enzyme called 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyethylglycol (MHPG) which degrades norepinephrine. Which clearly does not raise dopamine.
The transport system you are referring to handles the transport of several amino acids. This process is going on naturally in your body while transporting the amino acids you get from food. Your body has an amazing ability to sort things out and keep things in balance. We can throw this balance out of whack by supplementing too much of one thing.
You can use L-Tyrosine and L-Tryptophan the same day. Just separate the dosage. Use L-Tyrosine earlier in the day. And L-Tryptophan before you go to bed. I successfully dose NALT at 5 AM, 11:30 AM, and 4 PM. And use 500 mg of L-Tryptophan about 90 minutes before I go to sleep.
The key here is not raising dopamine too late in the day or it will interfere with sleep. But you need more serotonin later in the day because it assists in producing melatonin which helps you sleep.
I just wanted to say thank you for all of your information. My son has ADHD and is taking Strattera. He was always extremely angry in the evenings and had a hard time transitioning after the medicine wore off. NALT has changed everything for him. He is pleasant in the evenings and happier. I am so grateful!!!
Great article
And appreciate the ADHD management note.
HI,
I have MTHFR, and I take methyl-folate, P5P, B12, niacin, vitamin D3, vitamin C. I found that this helps a lot, but I tend to get tired during the day. What do you advise? There are a bunch of things out there that I could take. But I want to be safe about it. Carnitine, Tyrosene, Phos Serine, and several herbs. Bacopa, Ashwagandha, green tea.
Thanks for the advice.
David, that’s a tough one because each one of us reacts differently to a certain degree with each of these nootropics. Please see this section in a post I wrote on “Increasing Your Success…”: https://nootropicsexpert.com/5-ways-nootropics-can-increase-your-success-in-business-and-life/#banish-brain-fog-stay-energized-all-day.
I would certainly try ALCAR, Rhodiola Rosea and L-Theanine. Try them one at a time at the lowest “recommended dose” from the dosage suggestions here on Nootropics Expert. If you don’t experience anything negative then increase your dose but no more than what is recommended in each of those reviews.
Likely your best option is Phenylpiracetam. It’s completely safe at recommended doses. Please let us know what you tried and which worked the best for you.
I agree with the author on its helpfulness for focus and energy. Two points to add – NALT is an amino acid and thus competes with other amino acids for transporters to carry it across the blood brain barrier to the brain. If you consume protein with NALT then digested amino acids will compete with NALT for transport, reducing its effectiveness. So take on an empty stomach or with protein-free foods, like fruit or oil for full effect (give 30-60 minutes before eating protein). Otherwise you might not feel much. Since proteins take a while to fully assimilate, morning is best for NALT.
Second, results may vary by person, but I find NALT to be FAR more effective than l-tyrosine. Acetylation also affects amino acid metabolism and seems to be pretty important in this case. Incidentally the same applies for acetyl l-carnitine, which is much more cognitively potent than plain ol l-carnitine.
Should it be assumed that all of the supplements here are water soluble unless otherwise stated? In almost all sites it appears to an an area greatly ignored regarding the information on nootropic supplements.
Mike, great question. And no, I would not assume a supplement is water-soluble unless otherwise stated. I try to remember to include solubility in dosage notes for each nootropic. And in the case for NALT I’ll update the section. So thank you for pointing this out.
NALT is ‘more’ water-soluble that L-Tyrosine. So take that as being water-soluble. I use a tablespoon of coconut oil when I take NALT because I’m taking other fat-soluble supplements at the same time. So I suppose I’m covering my bets here. But adding the acetyl group to Tyrosine is supposed to increase its bioavailability.
Some of the research on the other hand doesn’t support the bioavailability of NALT compared to L-Tyrosine. Like here > http://www.metabolismjournal.com/article/0026-0495(89)90005-X/abstract
I’m sure that only confuses the situation more. But see which one works best for you. NALT works for me but L-Tyrosine may work better for you. Either way, both are water-soluble.