I use L-Tyrosine as an adjunct to stimulant meds. I feel it (and zinc) enhance the meds anti-add properties hence I can keep the dose of the med on the low side. Theroy has it, that supplements with anti-adhd properties work as precursors of neurotransmitters - i.e., - our body uses them to make neurotransmitters.
A word of caution: When we use natural supplements (compounds found in our normal food supply) in high doses, they start behaving as drugs and can have undesirable side effects. In my case, too much L-Tyrosine makes me very moody and causes insomnia. Others have reported becoming aggresive. Be aware of that and back off on the dose if you experience anything similar.
I have had adverse reactions to other natural substances: DMAE, a wicked sore neck. I can take no more than 400mg/day. Also, it acts on me as a sedative not a stimulant. Zinc, a day long case of nausea. I can take no more than 50mg/day.
Thanks, but do you know if just a moderate dose of L-Tyrosine alone (without any other stimulant meds) will work to treat the ADD? Or does it usually require one or more meds in addition to it to notice a difference?
I know there are studies proving the efficacy of zinc with stimulants and the lack of efficacy alone. Anecdotally, I experience that with L-Tyrosine. But let's do a little extrapolating. Both L-Tyrosine and Zinc must have some ADHD symptom relief properties, otherwise, why would they assist the stimulants? My conclusion, based on rather scant evidence, is if your ADHD is mild and the damands on your concentration are light, they just might work alone.
I am able to do most everything without meds except my job. Change jobs? And do what? I'm 53 years old. It took me megahours to master my craft of computer programming. I can dig ditches, just dug one on my property, but it doesn't pay enough. But it does demonstrate that demands on our ability to concentrate can make a difference between whether meds or needed or not.
