5 Amino Acids and Neurotransmitters for Postpartum Anxiety & Insomnia
Amino acids and neurotransmitters have been life-changing for me and my clients when it comes to anxiety, strange pains in the body, insomnia, and random panic attacks.
If you’ve struggled with similar sensations that create anxiety in your body, this post is for you.
In this article, I’ll cover the must-have amino acids, the test you can take to see if you're low, and how to take these supplements safely.
But, wait. INDIVIDUALLY, they’re not always meant to be taken every day. Read that again. So, if you buy them separately, not in a combined product, use caution.
It’s a symptom-by-symptom dosing.
So you wait and see how your symptoms are before taking them. Trudy Scott of www.everywomanover29.com has amazing information on dosing and products to try.
It’s important to note:
If you’re sensitive to medications and supplements, you’ll want to purchase a liquid, a capsule you can open, or a lozenge form.
Why?
You can open the capsules and take a little at a time, or place the lozenge in your mouth and wait and see if it’s right for you, and spit it out. Rather than swallowing a pill and feeling anxious over it.
Let’s get started.
What are amino acids?
Amino acids are molecules that combine to form proteins.
When you consume proteins in food, you receive amino acids.
Other roles amino acids play...
They make neurotransmitters.. like serotonin and GABA- you’re happy hormones
Grow and repair body tissue.
Make hormones
Provide an energy source.
Maintain healthy skin, hair, and nails.
Build muscle.
Boost your immune system.
Sustain a normal digestive system.
What are Neurotransmitters?
Neurotransmitters are special chemicals that your nerve cells use to talk to each other.
Examples of neurotransmitters are:
Glutamate.
Dopamine. ...
Adrenaline (Epinephrine) ...
Serotonin - {Tryptophan and 5htp can raise these levels}
Oxytocin. ...
Acetylcholine.
How to test for amino acids?
I’m in the process of taking Doctor’s Data Urine Amino Acids (24 hr or Random/FMV)
So, what are these magic supplements?
GABA for Anxiety
GABA, or gamma-aminobutyric acid, has been one of the best remedies for my panic attacks. It’s known to block signals between neurons and promote relaxation. I open the capsule and place a small amount on my tongue when I start to feel panic. It’s the smallest amount, and it works fast.
How do you know you need GABA? Here are some symptoms shared by Trudy Scott.
Gaba symptoms
Panic attacks
Unable to relax or loosen up
Stiff or tense muscles
Feeling stressed and burned out
Craving carbs for relaxation and calming
Craving alcohol for relaxation and calming
Craving drugs for relaxation and calming Insomnia
* Have intrusive thoughts, perseverate, or have an overactive brain or have unwanted thoughts – thoughts about unpleasant memories, images, or worries
* Inability to prioritize planned actions
* Acrophobia (fear of heights)
* Poor focus
* Rectal spasms * Burning mouth * Visceral pain/belly pain with IBS *
How to take GABA?
Place the lozenge in your mouth when you have symptoms.. Wait and notice if it feels good to you. You can take if you get anxiety at night before bed as well.
Take it out if it doesn’t
Don’t take it daily, only when you have symptoms
Dose:
125 mg
Or open the capsule and take a dab on your tongue
Results are within 5 min.
2. L-Glutamine for anxiety
L-glutamine is a powder substance known to heal your gut from leaky gut syndrome. We know that your gut microbiome, through the gut-brain axis, contributes to anxiety and depression. source.. So, healing your gut is an imperative part of healing anxiety.
How do you know you need L-glutamine?
Symptoms include:
Crave sugar, starch, or alcohol any time during the day
Irritable, shaky, headachey – especially if too long between meals
Intense cravings for sweets
Lightheaded if meals are missed
Eating relieves fatigue
Agitated, easily upset,
nervous
How to take L-glutamine?
Consider adding this powder to a drink if you crave sugar after a meal.
3. L-Tryptophan and/or 5-HTP for anxiety
If you’re having intrusive thoughts, negativity, cravings, and insomnia, and feel like it’s all in your head. You may want to raise serotonin with L-Tryptophan or 5-HTP.
Trudy Scott suggests trying tryptophan first, as 5HTP can raise your cortisol higher if you have high cortisol.
How do you know you have low serotonin?
Anxiety
Panic attacks or phobias
Feeling worried or fearful
Obsessive thoughts or behaviors
Perfectionism or being overly controlling
Irritability
Anxiety that’s worse in winter
Winter blues or seasonal affective disorder
Negativity or depression
Suicidal thoughts
Excessive self-criticism
Low self-esteem and poor self-confidence
depression, lack of self-esteem, ruminating thoughts
PMS or menopausal mood swings
Sensitivity to hot weather
Hyperactivity
Anger or rage
Digestive issues
Fibromyalgia, temporomandibular joint syndrome, or other pain syndromes
Difficulty getting to sleep
Insomnia or disturbed sleep
Afternoon or evening cravings for carbs, alcohol, or drugs
“L-Tryptophan and amino acids have changed my life! I have been taking tryptophan in quite big amounts (ca. 1300 mg per day) and it is really amazing. I had hardcore PMS/PMDD, nervous breakdowns, shaking, anxiety attacks, and and and. Thanks to the micronutrient test, we could identify the poor Tryptophan levels and it was amazing how fast it worked. I have a glorious sleep of 8-10 hours per night now, no more sleepless nights before my period, no more PMS/PMDD (unbelievable, right?), anxiety attacks almost zero, no nervous breakdowns and no horrible shaking”
A note about DIM and Serotonin
If you take too much DIM3c, it lowers your serotonin
So you can try L-tryptophan or 5-HTP to raise it again.
It’s a balancing act when your hormones are fluctuating so much.
Consider trying tryptophan first and only when you feel you need it.
4. DPA for Anxiety or Depression
Trudy Scott says, “DPA or D-Phenylalanine is the amino acid that helps to raise endorphins and eliminates the comfort/reward eating and the feelings of ‘I deserve this’ and LOVING certain foods.”
Signs of low endorphins
Heightened sensitivity to emotional pain
Heightened sensitivity to physical pain
Crying or tearing up easily
Eating to soothe your mood, or comfort eating
Really, really loving certain foods, behaviors, drugs, or alcohol
Craving a reward or numbing treat
PMS (premenstrual syndrome) or PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder)
How to take DPA to raise endorphins?
Trudy Scott suggests a product called Lidtke Endorphigen 500mg
5. L-Theanine for Anxiety
L-theanine is an amino acid found primarily in green and black tea. It’s known to help ease anxiety, stress, and reduce insomnia.
A few clients have been taking L-theanine with great success.
In a randomized, placebo-controlled trial found that four weeks of L-theanine supplementation (200 mg/day) significantly reduced stress-related symptoms and improved sleep quality and focus in healthy adults.
How to take L-theanine?
I’m going to try Quicksilver GABA and L-theanine next. Head over to Fullscript to save 15% off this product and others.
Food and digestion should always be addressed when you’re struggling with anxiety.
Six Foods to naturally boost your neurotransmitters
Pumpkin Seeds: Rich in magnesium and tryptophan, supporting serotonin production.Allrecipes
Spinach: Contains folate and tryptophan, aiding in dopamine and serotonin synthesis.
Sweet Potatoes: High in vitamin B6, essential for neurotransmitter production.
Almonds: Packed with magnesium and zinc, which help produce anti-stress hormones.
Green Tea: Contains L-theanine, promoting relaxation.
Fermented Foods (e.g., Sauerkraut): Support gut health, which is linked to mood regulation.
One question I get asked a lot is….
Are amino acids and neurotransmitters safe while breastfeeding?
Dr. Aviva Romm suggested, In small, blended formulas, they may be safe, but there is limited data to support this.
I do have clients taking L-glutamine, L-Tryptophan, and L-theanine while breastfeeding.
Please check with your doctor and always listen to your body and watch your infant for adverse effects when breastfeeding.
Conclusion
Amino acids may be the missing link in healing our roaming symptoms that come with anxiety, insomnia, and depression. In this busy life we’re living, raising kids and trying to work, life can be very stressful. The goal is to listen to your body and your symptoms first, then take a small amount second, then wait and see.
What amino acids have you tried for anxiety? Let us know in the comment area below.
xo
Tara
P.S. I’m loving momentous aminos. Learn more about them HERE.
Resources
Save 15% off your supplements here: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/tgregorio/store-start
Amazing resource for dosing amino acids:https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/amino-acids-mood-questionnaire-from-the-antianxiety-food-solution/
GABA for anxiety: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0006291X2400754X
Gut-brain axis:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25830558/
L-theanine for stress: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31623400/
