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Supplements

L-tyrosine

ٹائروسین · N-acetyl-L-tyrosine
Weak evidence

Helps thinking under stress and sleep loss. No good evidence it treats depression.

This is information, not medical advice. This page is information, not medical advice. Nothing here is a prescription, a diagnosis or a recommendation to take anything, and none of it replaces a doctor who knows your history. Supplements are not harmless because they are natural: they interact with prescription medicines, some are unsafe in pregnancy, and a few can cause real damage. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist before starting anything here, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, under 18, have a liver, kidney or heart condition, or take any regular medication. Never stop a prescribed antidepressant to try a supplement instead.

What it is

An amino acid the body uses to make dopamine, adrenaline and thyroid hormones.

What the research says

The decent evidence is narrow and specific: it appears to protect mental performance during acute stress, cold or sleep deprivation - military and shift-work studies. For depression itself, trials have been negative or inconclusive. Marketed for motivation on the strength of the mechanism rather than results.

What studies have used

Studies of stress performance used 100 to 150 mg per kg of body weight, which is much more than a typical capsule.

Recorded because a person who has decided to try something will find a number somewhere, and a forum's number is worse than a trial's. It is not a recommendation, and the right amount for you depends on things only a doctor who knows your history can weigh.

Who should be careful, and what it interacts with

Avoid with MAOI antidepressants - a hypertensive crisis risk. Care with overactive thyroid or thyroid medication, since tyrosine is a thyroid hormone building block. Can cause restlessness and insomnia.

In Pakistan

Sold mainly in gym and nootropic shops rather than pharmacies.

Before you take it

Tell your doctor or pharmacist about everything else you take, prescription and herbal both. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, under 18, or have a liver, kidney, heart or thyroid condition, ask first. And if what brought you here is that you have been feeling low or frightened for weeks, that deserves more than a supplement — ask us anything, anonymously, or talk to us on WhatsApp.

← All supplements for depression

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