I have received several comments about the post on Addressing the cause of trichotillomania, most agreeing that this approach makes good sense and seems very straight forward. Why then is it so difficult for some people to obtain optimal neurotransmitter function? After all, it seems that if we give the body the amino acids and cofactors it needs, it should make the necessary neurotransmitters.
Unfortunately, in practice there are a number of other variables that can make achieving proper neurotransmitter balance much more difficult to do. This is because there are many interactions between amino-acids and neurotransmitters:
Illustration taken from Marty Hinz, MD – www.hinzmd.com
(For a more complete discussion on these interactions, see http://amino-acid-therapy.com/neurotransmitters/proper-neurotransmitter-balance/)
One look at this figure and you can easily see that even though 5-HTP and L-tyrosine are made into serotonin and dopamine, respectively, they also have a number of other effects which can create imbalance in other neurotransmitters. For example, taking 5-HTP will increase serotonin levels, but it can also deplete the body of dopamine, which can cause other imbalances that then also need to be addressed. Likewise, taking L-tyrosine may increase dopamine levels, but it can deplete 5-HTP, serotonin and the sulfur amino acids, making the overall picture much more complicated.
Because of this, the odds of a person – or a clinician for that matter – guessing the correct blend of amino acids necessary to properly address an individual’s specific neurotransmitter imbalance(s) are virtually zero. This limitation can be disheartening, but it can be overcome.
Test, Don’t Guess
Luckily, you don’t have to guess; clinician’s trained in the proper use of amino acid therapy have several specialized tests at their disposal to help them determine the exact combination of nutrients each individual needs to achieve optimal neurotransmitter function.
For some, the process can lead to the complete elimination of the urge to pull within days to weeks; others may take a few months to achieve the balance necessary to eliminate their urge to pull; a very small number could take years. No matter how long it takes, achieving proper neurotransmitter function through targeted amino acid therapy is the only known way to provide a long-term solution to trichotillomania for most people.
