I’ve written previously about the use of amino acid therapy as a way to eliminate the urge to pull in trichotillomania and have gotten several questions and comments about it so I wanted to revisit why this approach is so effective.

Amino acid therapy is essentially supplying the body with the amino acids and cofactors it needs to restore proper neurotransmitter status. This is much easier said than done because of the complex interplay of amino acids and neurotransmitters in the body, but when done properly, it can lead to the complete elimination of the urge to pull.

The primary neurotransmitters that seem to be involved in the urge to pull are serotonin and the catecholamines, including dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine. Therefore, it is imperative that we find the correct blend of amino acids necessary for each person to restore proper neurotransmitter function which will eliminate the urge to pull.

By providing the brain the proper proportion of the necessary amino acid precursors and cofactors necessary to achieve optimal serotonin and dopamine function we have had an 86% success rate with eliminating the urge to pull, as opposed to just reducing the urge to pull for a period of time. Once more, after a sufficient period of time on properly balanced amino acid therapy, we have found many trichotillomania sufferers can substantially decrease and even eliminate the need for the amino acids while remaining free of the urge to pull.

This occurs because properly balanced amino acid therapy addresses the underlying root imbalance that seems to lead to the urge to pull for most people with trichotillomania. By correctly the underlying neurotransmitter imbalance with correctly balanced amino acid therapy you effectively eliminate the problem, which allows you to stop pulling your hair out. Every person has unique amino acid and nutritional needs, but with professional guidance there is a solution to trichotillomania and that solution is finding the correct mix of amino acids that works for you.