ARE L-TYROSINE SUPPLEMENTS NATURAL ADDERALL? WHAT IS EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW?
The natural amino acid l-tyrosine and the pharmaceutical stimulant Adderall have a lot in common.
In terms of science and *ahem* reality, they may have similar effects in the short-term, but over the long run, they don’t have much in common.
The vast majority of health-conscious people (shout out to our regular readers) know to research any fitness, wellness, or medical advice they see on social media. Due to the appeal of “challenges”, as well as the way some influencers convey information, it can be difficult to sort out what is fact and what is false.
L-tyrosine supplements are more popular than ever, so let’s discuss what this health supplement can and cannot do for you.
SHOP AMINO ACID SUPPLEMENTS
HOW DOES L-TYROSINE WORK?
There are many amino acids, but tyrosine is one of them. In l-tyrosine, the letter “L” is one form of the same substance, but you’ll see l-tyrosine supplements with and without it.
It is known that amino acids are the “building blocks of proteins,” as we call them so fondly. Proteins comprised of amino acids play a fundamental role in our bodies, and fitness professionals tend to place an emphasis on these amino acids.
AMINO ACIDS COME IN 3 TYPES:
Those amino acids which are essential to the body and cannot be produced on its own; thus, they must be obtained by food consumption.
Non-essential amino acids:
Amino acids that the body is able to produce on its own.
Conditionally essential amino acids:
Amino acids that, while typically produced by the human body, may need to be supplemented by foods under certain conditions like illness or injury
The amino acid tyrosine is not essential. In addition to tyrosine, your body manufactures phenylalanine, another amino acid, on its own. In human tissues and many fluids, tyrosine has an important role to play in a variety of body functions, including:
- The synthesis of proteins
- Enzyme creation
- Regulation of thyroid hormones
- The management of melanin
Production of neurotransmitters, epinephrine most notably, norepinephrine, and dopamine
NATURAL TYROSINE SOURCES
A different amino acid is used by the body to produce tyrosine. If the body’s supply of tyrosine drops, it quickly replenishes it. You break it down and remove it when there is too much in your body.
Furthermore, it is naturally present in many foods such as:
- Beans
- Cheeses
- Soy
- Pumpkin seeds
- Peanuts
- Poultry
- Almonds
- Avocados
- Bananas
- Yogurt
- Milk
Considering its wide availability as well as the body’s natural capabilities, most people do not lack l-tyrosine. How would anyone benefit from taking an l-tyrosine supplement? Trying to say “TikTok made me do it” is not acceptable.
L-TYROSINE SUPPLEMENTS: WHY DO THEY WORK?
There are some scientific benefits to taking a l-tyrosine supplement, as there are for many other isolated vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
THERE ARE A FEW WELL-DETAILED BENEFITS:
Under stress, mental function is improved
Resistant to sleep deprivation
There have been several studies that demonstrate (and duplicate) that l-tyrosine supplementation significantly improves working memory, concentration, follow-through ability, and cognitive flexibility (the ability to switch tasks/ideas).
In addition, studies have shown that a single dose of a l-tyrosine supplement can help a person who suffers from sleep deprivation. So, it is short-term but beneficial. It appears that these methods only work when the user is stressed or sleep deprived. L-tyrosine supplements, unlike most amino acid supplements, do not improve physical performance or health.
As many articles (and TikTok users) point out, tyrosine can help ease depression symptoms. Theoretically this is true (depression is thought to be caused by a chemical imbalance related to neurotransmitters specifically), but early research does not support this finding.
IS IT SAFE TO TAKE L-TYROSINE SUPPLEMENTS?
Generally, L-tyrosine supplements at a dose of 150mg per kg of body weight per day are considered safe over a period of three months. Whether those dosages are safe long-term is not known.
If someone is considering taking an l-tyrosine supplement, they should be aware of some medication interactions.
THIS INCLUDES:
- Those who use thyroid medications or have hyperthyroidism
- Those who use MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors)
- Those using L-dopa (levodopa)
HOW DO L-TYROSINE SUPPLEMENTS COMPARE WITH ADDERALL?
There is little chemical similarity between l-tyrosine supplements and Adderall, which is why scientists and health experts object to the TikTok comparison.
You might understand why TikTok makes the connection if you know a little about Adderall and why people (prescribed or not) use it.
HOW DOES ADDERALL WORK?
An amphetamine and dextroamphetamine combination drug, Adderall is a prescription medication. Stimulants also called psychostimulants work by altering the chemicals in the central nervous system responsible for hyperactivity and impulse control.
Adderall is primarily prescribed for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and occasionally for narcolepsy.
ADHD – WHAT IS IT?
A medical diagnosis is required for ADHD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. People use this term to describe either their inability to focus or their excessive activity, even if they haven’t formally been diagnosed. There is, however, a difference between hypertension and ADHD, and the latter requires a medical diagnosis.
These behaviors can be either inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive, or both. The characteristics of ADHD vary depending on the type:
- The failure to pay attention to details
- Focus and attention issues
- Tasks not completed on time
- Organizational difficulties
- Easily distracted
- Weak memory
- Fidgety
- Chatty
- An inability to control impulses
- Consuming dopamine-rich foods
A child’s or adult’s ADHD is diagnosed based on information gathering and medical evaluations to rule out any other potential medical conditions that might contribute to the problem. Unfortunately, ADHD is not curable and there is no known cause. Treatment options often include medication, psychotherapy, medical devices, or a combination of them.
In the treatment of ADHD symptoms, Adderall is a commonly prescribed medication. A neurotypical brain does not function the way an ADHD brain does. When taken according to prescription, Adderall can improve hyperactivity, impulse control, and attention span in individuals with ADHD.
The effects of Adderall, however, differ among those with and without ADHD. In neurotypical individuals who are not affected by ADHD, Adderall floods the brain with dopamine which has the listed effects:
- Feeling more energetic
- An emotion of euphoria
- Focus increased
Students who are stressed out and overworked are likely to misuse the drug because of these effects. However, Adderall is an addictive stimulant, and it is illegal and dangerous to use without a prescription.
ADDERALL IS SAFE?
Those who suffer from the above conditions can benefit from Adderall by managing their symptoms. As with most prescription drugs, even those who use it properly do run the risk of dependency and side effects.
Talk to a trusted medical professional about the benefits and risks of using Adderall if you have ADHD.
In the absence of one of the conditions listed above, Adderall should not be used recreationally. Since it is chemically related to meth, and both are highly addictive stimulants, it has been compared to meth.
ADDERALL MISTAKES MAY LEAD TO:
- Migraines
- Irritability/shakes
- Palpitation of the heart
- Sleep disorders
- An increase in blood pressure
- Appetite loss
- Insanity
- Stress
- Loss of weight
Using the drug for an extended period of time may lead to physical dependence in which the user’s body can no longer function normally without it.
AN ADDERALL WITHDRAWAL WILL INCLUDE:
- Weakness
- Depressed
- Sleeplessness
- A greater appetite
- Feeling anxious
- Fears
- The thought of suicide
The primary reason l-tyrosine supplements have been called “natural Adderall” is that they can improve mental performance under stress and help you recover from sleep deprivation if you’ve been studying late at night.
L-tyrosine supplements are sometimes referred to as “natural Adderall” simply because they can improve mental performance under stress and can help you cope with sleep deprivation if you were up late studying one night. In our opinion, the comparison is due to Adderall’s famous ability to keep you up all night without you dying when misused. By now, you’ve witnessed that there aren’t many points to compare beyond that.
However, even though TikTok’s comparison does not hold up (shocker, we know), if you’re debating between Adderall misuse and natural L-tyrosine supplements, we urge you to choose the natural one.
WHAT ARE THE POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF L-TYROSINE SUPPLEMENTS FOR ADHD?
As a natural treatment for ADHD symptoms, l-tyrosine supplements are unlikely to succeed in replacing Adderall.
Considering natural treatments for your conditions is totally understandable and encouraged. There is some evidence to suggest l-tyrosine supplements can actually replace Adderall, as twelve adults with ADHD did see an improvement in their symptoms after using them for two weeks.
Unfortunately, the adults developed a tolerance to the supplements after the sixth week, and they no longer helped. According to the study, l-tyrosine supplements did not significantly alleviate symptoms of ADHD in adults.
ARE L-TYROSINE SUPPLEMENTS SAFE TO TAKE WITH ADDERALL?
If you’re currently taking Adderall to treat your ADHD symptoms, you might be wondering if you can use l-tyrosine safely alongside your medication.
It is true that Adderall interacts with a large number of drugs, but l-tyrosine supplements are free of these interactions. This supplement is generally considered safe-but not studied beyond three months of use.
In order for us to give you medical advice, you should always discuss your current prescription medications with your primary care physician prior to taking l-tyrosine supplements.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF L-TYROSINE SUPPLEMENTATION?
It is important to ask yourself why you would like to add any supplement to your daily routine. When it comes to supplements, reading about others’ experiences and doing your own research is a great way to gain insight, but it should never be the deciding factor when making a decision.
CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS WHEN CONSIDERING ADDING L-TYROSINE (OR ANY SUPPLEMENT):
- How does this supplement benefit me?
- Is this supplement backed by research for my goal?
- Is my diet already adequate to provide me with this substance?
- Is it possible to get the effects via food alone?
- How much dose will I need to get the results I want?
- Is this supplement safe to take for an extended period of time?
- Risks: what are they?
If you are certain you want to use this supplement and feel confident in your decision, you should look for a reputable supplement brand and then carefully follow the directions.
If you’re a parent of children who don’t sleep through the night regularly or a stressed-out student who sometimes has to stay up late studying, l-tyrosine is a supplement you might want to keep on hand. Several studies show that this supplement can be helpful during these events. Although the supplement is not known to be safe or effective for long-term use, there may not be much benefit to using it daily. Furthermore, you should know that if the body detects too much tyrosine, it simply breaks it down and eliminates it-talk about getting your money’s worth out of nothing.
Even though we do not endorse the illegal use of prescription drugs, we do understand the appeal of a “natural” supplement that can enhance your focus and energy. Instead of l-tyrosine, you might want to look into these supplements (or supplements that contain these ingredients) instead:
- nootropics
- caffeine
- methionine
- a vitaminB complex
- GABA
TikTok and other social media platforms are great for connecting and entertaining, but they are not the best place to get medical advice. While some people may have knowledge, education, or even their own positive experiences to share, it is always advisable to do some research on supplements before taking them, and please don’t refer to l-tyrosine supplements as “natural Adderall,” since that is absolutely not true.
SHOP MYSUPPLEMENTS.ca
#supplements #BCAA #Pre Workouts #Post Workouts