Tyrosine

Tyrosine
Chemical Nomenclature
Common names	Tyrosine, L-Tyrosine, 4-Hydroxyphenylalanine
Systematic name	L-Tyrosine
Class Membership
Psychoactive class	Stimulant (Weak)
Chemical class	Phenethylamine / Amino acid
Routes of Administration
WARNING: Always start with lower doses due to differences between individual body weight, tolerance, metabolism, and personal sensitivity. See responsible use section. ⇣ Oral Dosage Threshold 300 mg Light 500 - 1000 mg Common 1000 - 2000 mg Strong 2000 - 3000 mg Heavy 3000 mg + Duration Total 2 - 4 hours Onset 30 - 90 minutes Peak 1 - 3 hours After effects 6 - 12 hours DISCLAIMER: PW's dosage information is gathered from users and resources for educational purposes only. It is not a recommendation and should be verified with other sources for accuracy.
Interactions

Summary sheet: Tyrosine

Tyrosine, L-Tyrosine or 4-hydroxyphenylalanine is a non-essential amino acid and a precursor to dopamine, adrenaline and norepinephrine which is naturally found within the body. As a supplement this compound is a psychoactive drug and nootropic with stimulant properties. It is also one of the 22 amino acids that are used by cells to synthesize proteins. This compound is abundant in many high-protein foods such as: chicken, turkey, fish, cottage cheese, cheese, yogurt, almonds, milk, avocados, bananas, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds and soy products.

There is some evidence to suggest tyrosine supplementation can affect performance on working memory tasks under certain conditions, especially stress. Tyrosine may enhance convergent thinking. In one study tyrosine seemed to even reverse some of the detrimental effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance. However, if tyrosine increases working memory performance by enhancing catacholamine levels the effect could easily be short-lived. Some animal studies have shown dopamine levels quickly return to baseline.

Chemistry

This chemistry section is incomplete. You can help by adding to it.

Pharmacology

This diagram represents the mechanism for tyrosine conversion into numerous catecholamines.

The effects of tyrosine as a supplement or psychoactive compound are due to it being a precursor to catecholamine neurotransmitter synthesis. Supplemental L-Tyrosine is converted by the body into L-DOPA which is then decarboxylated into dopamine, which later turns into noradrenaline and is then finally converted to adrenaline. This means it effectively boosts the levels of these neurotransmitters in the brain, resulting in stimulating and euphoric effects. These three neurotransmitters are collectively referred to as 'Catecholamines'.

The process of catecholamine synthesis within the body is limited to a localized substrate pool, meaning that the subjective effects of tyrosine can often reach an "upper-limit" at heavy dosages in which additional supplementation for the purposes of intensify one's stimulation becomes ineffective.

Subjective effects

The effects listed below are based upon the subjective effects index and personal experiences of PsychonautWiki contributors. The listed effects will rarely (if ever) occur all at once, but heavier dosages will increase the chances and are more likely to induce a full range of effects.

In comparison to traditional stimulants such as amphetamine and methylphenidate, tyrosine can be described as more natural feeling, less jittery, with fewer side effects and a milder come down or "crash". It significantly less forced, with no distinct body high. It is also less euphoric and recreational but more functional.

Physical effects

• Stimulation
• Appetite suppression

Cognitive effects

• Anxiety suppression
• Analysis enhancement
• Focus enhancement
• Wakefulness
• Memory enhancement
• Thought acceleration
• Motivation enhancement
• Stamina enhancement

After effects

The effects which occur during the offset of a stimulant experience generally feel negative and uncomfortable in comparison to the effects which occurred during its peak. This is often referred to as a "comedown" and occurs because of neurotransmitter depletion. It is significantly less intensive and uncomfortable with tyrosine in comparison to other more traditional stimulants but its effects commonly include:

• Cognitive fatigue
• Thought deceleration
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Wakefulness
• Irritability

Toxicity and harm potential

Tyrosine is physically safe, is not known to cause brain damage, and has an extremely low toxicity relative to dose. Similar to many other nootropics drugs, there are relatively few physical side effects associated with acute tyrosine exposure. Various studies have shown that in reasonable doses in a careful context, it presents no negative cognitive, psychiatric or toxic physical consequences of any sort.

It is strongly recommended that one use harm reduction practices when using this drug.

Tolerance and addiction potential

Tyrosine may potentially be mildly habit forming and the desire to use it may actually increase with use. This is because of its dopaminergic properties. However, in comparison to other more traditional stimulants such as amphetamine or methylphenidate, it is not nearly as addictive or compulsive.

Tolerance to the effects of tyrosine are quickly built after repeated usage. After that, it takes about 7 days for the tolerance to be reduced to half and 14 days to be back at baseline (in the absence of further consumption). Tyrosine presents cross-tolerance with [[Cross-tolerance::other dopaminergic stimulants]], meaning that after the consumption of tyrosine most other stimulant compounds will not have a reduced effect.

Dangerous interactions

Warning: Many psychoactive substances that are reasonably safe to use on their own can suddenly become dangerous and even life-threatening when combined with certain other substances. The following list provides some known dangerous interactions (although it is not guaranteed to include all of them).

Always conduct independent research (e.g. Google, DuckDuckGo, PubMed) to ensure that a combination of two or more substances is safe to consume. Some of the listed interactions have been sourced from TripSit.

• Stimulants - Tyrosine is stimulatory on it's own. It may thus theoretically interact with other stimulants pharmaceuticals or supplements.
• "[[DangerousInteraction" contains a listed "[" character as part of the property label and has therefore been classified as invalid.]] & "[[DangerousInteraction" contains a listed "[" character as part of the property label and has therefore been classified as invalid.]] - 25x compounds are highly stimulating and physically straining. Combinations with Tyrosine should be strictly avoided due to the risk of excessive stimulation and heart strain. This can result in increased blood pressure, vasoconstriction, panic attacks, thought loops, seizures, and heart failure in extreme cases.
• "[[UncertainInteraction" contains a listed "[" character as part of the property label and has therefore been classified as invalid.]] - Combining alcohol with stimulants can be dangerous due to the risk of accidental over-intoxication. Stimulants mask alcohol's depressant effects, which is what most people use to assess their degree of intoxication. Once the stimulant wears off, the depressant effects will be left unopposed, which can result in blackouts and severe respiratory depression. If mixing, the user should strictly limit themselves to only drinking a certain amount of alcohol per hour.
• "[[UnsafeInteraction" contains a listed "[" character as part of the property label and has therefore been classified as invalid.]] - Combinations with DXM should be avoided due to its inhibiting effects on serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake. There is an increased risk of panic attacks and hypertensive crisis, or serotonin syndrome with serotonin releasers (MDMA, methylone, mephedrone, etc.). Monitor blood pressure carefully and avoid strenuous physical activity.
• "[[UnsafeInteraction" contains a listed "[" character as part of the property label and has therefore been classified as invalid.]] - Any neurotoxic effects of MDMA are likely to be increased when other stimulants are present. There is also a risk of excessive blood pressure and heart strain (cardiotoxicity).
• "[[UncertainInteraction" contains a listed "[" character as part of the property label and has therefore been classified as invalid.]] - Some reports suggest combinations with MXE may dangerously increase blood pressure and increase the risk of mania and psychosis.
• "[[UncertainInteraction" contains a listed "[" character as part of the property label and has therefore been classified as invalid.]] - Both classes carry a risk of delusions, mania and psychosis, and these risk may be multiplied when combined.
• "[[UnsafeInteraction" contains a listed "[" character as part of the property label and has therefore been classified as invalid.]] - Tyrosine may be dangerous to combine with other stimulants like cocaine as they can increase one's heart rate and blood pressure to dangerous levels.
• "[[DangerousInteraction" contains a listed "[" character as part of the property label and has therefore been classified as invalid.]] - Tramadol is known to lower the seizure threshold and combinations with stimulants may further increase this risk.
• MDMA - The neurotoxic effects of MDMA may be increased when combined with amphetamine and other stimulants.
• "[[DangerousInteraction" contains a listed "[" character as part of the property label and has therefore been classified as invalid.]] - This combination may increase the amount of neurotransmitters such as dopamine to dangerous or even fatal levels. Examples include syrian rue, banisteriopsis caapi, and some antidepressants.
• Cocaine - This combination may increase strain on the heart.

Legal issues

This legality section is a stub. As such, it may contain incomplete or wrong information. You can help by expanding it.

Tyrosine is unscheduled across the world and is not known to be specifically illegal within any country.

See also

• Nootropic
• Dopamine
• Stimulant

External links

• Tyrosine (Wikipedia)
• Tyrosine (Examine)