AMINO ACIDS: L-TYROSINE
Some evidence suggests tyrosine supplementation can affect performance on working memory tasks under certain conditions, especially stress. Tyrosine may enhance convergent (double-task) thinking. In one study, tyrosine even seemed to reverse some of the detrimental effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance. However, if tyrosine increases working memory performance by elevating catecholamine levels, the effect could easily be short-lived.
CHEMISTRY
Tyrosine is a non-essential phenylalanine-derived amino acid. Tyrosine’s structure comprises a para-hydroxylated phenyl ring connected to a pentatonic acid group, which is a five member carbon chain with a carboxyl (C(=O)OH) group on the terminal carbon. This pentatonic acid chain is substituted at R2 with an amino group in levorotary orientation.
Three structural isomers of L-tyrosine are known. In addition to the common amino acid L-tyrosine, which is the para isomer (para-tyr, p-tyr or 4-hydroxyphenylalanine), there are two additional regioisomers, namely meta-tyrosine (also known as 3-hydroxyphenylalanine, L-m-tyrosine, and m-tyr) and ortho-tyrosine (o-tyr or 2-hydroxyphenylalanine), that occur in nature. The m-tyr and o-tyr isomers, which are rare, arise through non-enzymatic free-radical hydroxylation of phenylalanine under conditions of oxidative stress.
In plants and most microorganisms, tyr is produced via prephenate, an intermediate on the shikimate pathway. Prephenate is oxidatively decarboxylated with retention of the hydroxyl group to give p-hydroxyphenylpyruvate, which is transaminases using glutamate as the nitrogen source to give tyrosine and ฮฑ-ketoglutarate.
Mammals synthesize tyrosine from the essential amino acid phenylalanine (phe), which is derived from food. The conversion of phe to tyr is catalyzed by the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase, a monooxygenase. This enzyme catalyzes the reaction causing the addition of a hydroxyl group to the end of the 6-carbon aromatic ring of phenylalanine, such that it becomes tyrosine.
PHARMACOLOGY
The effects of tyrosine as a supplement or psychoactive compound are due to it being a precursor to catecholamine neurotransmitters1. Supplemental L-Tyrosine is converted by the body into L-DOPA which is then decarboxylated into dopamine, which later turns into norephedrine and is then finally converted to epinephrine. This means it effectively boosts the levels of these neurotransmitters in the brain, resulting in stimulating and euphoric effects. These three neurotransmitters are collectively referred to as “catecholamines.”
The process of catecholamine synthesis within the body is limited to a localized substrate pool, meaning that the subjective effects of tyrosine can often reach an “upper-limit” at heavy dosage in which additional supplementation for the purposes of intensify one’s stimulation becomes ineffective.
Aside from being a proteinogenic amino acid, tyrosine has a special role by virtue of the phenol functionality. It occurs in proteins that are part of signal transduction processes and functions as a receiver of phosphate groups that are transferred by way of protein kinases. Phosphorylation of the hydroxyl group can change the activity of the target protein, or may form part of a signaling cascade via SH2 domain binding.
SUBJECTIVE EFFECTS
In comparison to traditional stimulants such as amphetamine and methylphenidate, tyrosine can be described as more “natural” feeling, less jittery, and with fewer side effects and a milder come down or “crash.” It is significantly less forced, with no distinct body high. It is also less euphoric and recreational but more functional.
It is also worth noting that these effects will not necessarily occur in a predictable or reliable manner, although higher doses are more liable to induce the full spectrum of effects. Likewise, adverse effects become increasingly likely with higher doses and may include addiction, severe injury, or even death.
PHYSICAL EFFECTS
- Stimulation
- Appetite suppression
- Headache
- This effect is usually only present at heavy doses
- Nausea
- This effect is usually only present at heavy doses
COGNITIVE EFFECTS
- Anxiety suppression
- Analysis enhancement
- Cognitive euphoria
- Tyrosine can cause mild euphoria at strong doses
- Creativity enhancement
- Focus enhancement
- Increased libido
- Increased music appreciation
- Wakefulness
- Memory enhancement
- Thought acceleration
- Motivation enhancement
- Stamina enhancement
AFTER EFFECTS
- Cognitive fatigue
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Wakefulness
- Irritability
- Thought deceleration
DANGEROUS INTERACTIONS
Many psychoactive substances that are reasonably safe to use on their own can suddenly become dangerous and even life-threatening when combined with certain other substances. The following list provides some known dangerous interactions (although it is not guaranteed to include all of them)
STIMULANTS
Tyrosine is stimulatory on its own. Therefore, it may theoretically interact with other stimulatory pharmaceuticals or supplements and cause dangerously high blood pressure or heartrate.
MDMA
Any neurotoxic effects of MDMA are likely to be increased when other stimulants are present. There is also a risk of excessive blood pressure and heart strain (cardiotoxicity).
ALCOHOL
Combining alcohol with stimulants can be dangerous due to the risk of accidental over-intoxication. Stimulants mask alcohol’s depressant effects, which is what most people use to assess their degree of intoxication. Once the stimulant wears off, the depressant effects will be left unopposed, which can result in blackouts and severe respiratory depression. If mixing, the user should strictly limit themselves to only drinking a certain amount of alcohol per hour.
DISSOCIATIVES
Both classes carry a risk of delusions, mania and psychosis, and these risk may be multiplied when combined.
Stimulants – Tyrosine may be dangerous to combine with other stimulants like cocaine as they can increase one’s heart rate and blood pressure to dangerous levels.
MAOIs
This combination may increase the amount of neurotransmitters such as dopamine to dangerous or even fatal levels. Examples include syrian rue, banisteriopsis caapi, and some antidepressants.
TRAMADOL
Tramadol is known to lower the seizure threshold and combinations with stimulants may further increase this risk.
- Neurotransmitters are chemicals that transmit signals from a neuron to a target cell across a synapse. They are stored in chemical packages known as vesicles and are found in the end of the neuron. Upon arrival of an action potential, neurotransmitters are released into the synapse where they then diffuse and bind to receptors on the post-synaptic neuron.
โฉ๏ธ
Good info!
@COOK13 @cook13
Was just thinking about the talks I’ve heard of monoatomic gold and how ingesting it is “bad for you” according to mainstream opinion.. but scientifically it’s well understood that that gold is an excellent conductor of electricity. The thought behind ingesting it in it’s monoatomic form is that it fills the gaps between our synapses and speeds up our mental processes by facilitating the transfer of those electrical impulses between the synapses.
Tramadol actually lowers my seizure threshold! I’m sure it’s just because of the type of epilepsy I have but I definitely can’t take it. It’s never actually caused me to have a full blown seizure but it causes me to experience the auras I get right before I am about to have a seizure!
I’ve been seizure free for 6 years and counting but just thought this would be interesting to add.
Trying to get to you
Interesting.
Hi youll
Hello
Very useful information!!! Thank you
Everyone who made this possible thank you!!!!
Thank you for the in depth info.