What do people use L-Tryptophan for? - Top 6 Uses!

L-Tryptophan is one of the best supplements for promoting a relaxed state of mind, with a subtle mood boost. L-tryptophan can be thought of as a subtle version of 5-HTP and may be better at helping to promote healthy sleep. It’s also an essential amino acid that your body uses to build proteins. People use L-Tryptophan for a number of different benefits and effects. In this article, we’ll explore the top 6 reasons why people use l-tryptophan. You’ll find other interesting facts in our article about how to take l-tryptophan with other supplements, as well as on our product description.

1.    L-Tryptophan for mood-boost

One of the top benefits that people use L-Tryptophan for is its mood-boosting effect. L-tryptophan easily crosses the blood-brain barrier and is converted into serotonin in your brain. Serotonin is one of the best neurotransmitters for producing a mood-boost.[1] This is why people enjoy the mood-lift from l-tryptophan so much. Although this mood-lift is subtle when compared to 5-HTP, it is still very effective.  

2.    Promoting healthy sleep

Another reason that people love to use L-Tryptophan is that of its potential ability to help promote healthy sleep. Once it has been converted into serotonin, L-Tryptophan can be further converted into melatonin. Melatonin is the hormone that your body uses to regulate your sleeping patterns. [2] Melatonin is usually produced in your pineal gland, and its production depends on a number of factors.   [caption id=""attachment_1347"" align=""alignright"" width=""300""] L-tryptophan may be beneficial in promoting healthy sleep[/caption] In our busy lives, our sleeping patterns sometimes become confused. This is often due to stress, anxiety or just staying up late. Your body also regulates melatonin through light and dark rhythms. [3] Sometimes, with bright lights and television, this light-dark rhythm gets confused. This is one reason that people use l-tryptophan for healthy sleep.  

3.    L-Tryptophan for calming effects

L-Tryptophan also has the potential ability to help promote a calm, relaxed state of mind. This is because it is converted into both serotonin and melatonin. This means that you get the mood-lifting effects of serotonin along with the relaxing effect of melatonin. The result is often a nice, relaxed state of mind. L-Tryptophan’s effects can be thought of as subtle. People often wonder about 5-HTP vs L-Tryptophan, which you can read about here.  

4.    As a protein supplement

L-Tryptophan is also an amino acid, meaning that your body can use it as a building block for proteins. L-Tryptophan is an “essential” amino acid, which means that your body can’t produce it – you need to get enough L-Tryptophan from your diet. [4]   [caption id=""attachment_1348"" align=""alignright"" width=""300""] L-tryptophan may help with building strong muscles[/caption] You can use L-Tryptophan as a dietary supplement that is great for people looking to improve muscle mass through extra protein. Since your body can’t produce L-Tryptophan on its own, it may be a good idea to think of taking an L-Tryptophan supplement, along with other branched-chain amino acids.  

5.    Used for headaches

Some people actually use L-Tryptophan for headaches. There is some preliminary data which shows that L-Tryptophan may help to reduce headaches, especially migraine headaches.[5] However, the science behind this is very early. More studies are definitely required before we can conclude that L-Tryptophan has the potential to help with headaches.  

Conclusion

[caption id=""attachment_1297"" align=""alignright"" width=""290""] Liftmode's L-tryptophan, 98+% purity[/caption] In conclusion, you can use L-Tryptophan for a number of different benefits and effects. The best benefits of L-Tryptophan supplements include their mood-lifting and sleep-promoting effects. L-Tryptophan can also be used as an amino acid to supplement a healthy diet, and for promoting a calm, relaxed state. Finally, some people use L-Tryptophan for headaches.          

References:

[1] L-Tryptophan: Basic Metabolic Functions, Behavioral Research and Therapeutic Indications, DM Richard et al., Int J Tryptophan Res. 2009; 2: 45–60, Published online 2009 Mar 23. [2] Meta-analysis: melatonin for the treatment of primary sleep disorders., Ferracioli-Oda E et al., PLoS One. 2013 May 17;8(5):e63773. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0063773. Print 2013. [3] Protecting the Melatonin Rhythm through Circadian Healthy Light Exposure, MA Bonmati-Carrion et al., Int J Mol Sci. 2014 Dec; 15(12): 23448–23500, Published online 2014 Dec 17. doi: 10.3390/ijms151223448 [4] L-tryptophan PubChem, Open Chemistry Database, retrieved on October 25, 2016 [5] L-Tryptophan University of Michigan Health System online, retrieved on October 25, 2016