Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

L-tryptophan is an essential amino acid that serves as a precursor to serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in mood regulation and anxiety. The rationale for using L-tryptophan in anxiety disorders is largely based on its role in serotonin synthesis. Several small clinical trials and experimental studies have investigated the effects of L-tryptophan supplementation on anxiety and mood. Some early studies from the 1970s and 1980s suggested that increasing tryptophan intake could have mild anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) effects, likely due to enhanced serotonin production in the brain. More recent research has shown modest benefits, with some studies indicating that tryptophan supplementation may reduce anxiety in specific populations or experimental settings. However, the overall quality of evidence is limited by small sample sizes, short study durations, and methodological weaknesses.

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses generally conclude that while there is a plausible biological mechanism and some supportive data, the clinical evidence is not robust or consistent enough to firmly recommend L-tryptophan for anxiety disorders. Most major psychiatric guidelines do not include L-tryptophan as a standard treatment. Furthermore, safety concerns (such as the risk of eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome associated with contaminated supplements in the past) have limited its widespread use. In summary, L-tryptophan has some scientific rationale and limited clinical evidence supporting its use for anxiety, but it is not a first-line or well-validated treatment.

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