Okay first a little back story...
Like most of you, I've suffered from an inability to sleep predictably and on a regular basis. And because a lack of sleep so adversely affects my ADD (insomnia + ADD = ADD x 10) . So just to be able to predict and get myself to go to sleep I've tried Melatonin (worked for a while) then Benedryl (knocks my husband smooth out in 30 minutes... me I'm still awake 3 hours later), then a magic combo of 1/2 Benedryl plus glass of wine (mighty fine!) plus melatonin. Basically, I've been looking for the equivalent of an elephant tranquilizer.
I knew this wasn't a great or healthy combination. Not to mention the calories. I try to keep alcohol consumption confined to the weekends. But dang it I needed to sleep. So I'added herbal tea (valerian). Some better but it wasn't reliable. But, as part of my new year's resolution/committment to a healthier lifestyle I vowed to cut my dependance on alcohol to help me sleep.
So, the last time I was at the local Whole Foods. I looked into L-Tryptophan. I used to take this back in the 90s but it was pulled and outlawed due to contamination. QC and sources have since gotten better so it's been allowed back since 2002. I knew that L-Typtophan supplements (animal source usually) or it's metabolite 5-HTP (most often plant-based) were effective for mood and sleep regulation. So I checked out the options.
What I found out since is that L-Tryptophan is an amino acid that is the building block for serotonin (Hello! ADD people don't process serotonin normally. Right?) and then is turned into melatonin (hello, can anyone say sleep?) All this equals improved CNS function (mood, cognitive function, and SLEEEP!!!)
I kept taking 5 mg. of melatonin at bedtime but I added at first 500 mg L-Tryp. It worked a little but not great. After a week, I added another 500 mg. L-Tryp., and kept my melatonin at 5 mg. Eureka!!
I'm able to lay down (even if I'm not totally drowsy) and go to sleep. I then proceed to dream my butt off. I wake up rested (even if I was only able to get 6 hours) and I feel sharp all day. I'm still taking my Adderall 20 mg. during the day but at night my brain and body are shutting down.
I've complained to my doctor about the sleeping pill leaving me feeling drugged. And the Rozerem wasn't covered by insurance and would cost 0 for 30 days. No thanks.
I've done some research online and the only problem/contraindications with the L-Tryp and resulting serotonin had to do with artherosclerosis/heart valve problems (it can increase the stickiness of the blood thus increasing cholesterol levels) but that's about the only problem I saw. Taking B-6 with the L-Tryp binds with the excess seratonin and it's gotten rid of.
The other thing I learned from the online research had to do with the role of serotonin/epinephrine/norepinephrine/dopamine in ADHD symptoms. Apparently the ratios of the three are important and serotonin regulates the other two.
Anyway, I found it interesting and just wanted to share. I know I'm sharing this with my psych.
ADD&Proud39881.6411805556huh... thanks, I'll have to look into that