D-phenylalanine (enkephalinase inhibitor)
Interesting substance, its one of the few dextro (right-spinning optical isomer) amino acids that you can process or something.
I think its fascinating because its purportedly an endorphin reuptake enkephalinase inhibitor? or something so its potentially quasi-opioidergic. I’m not sold on the notion its legit but its definitely a provocative idea.
Glutamate is good to know about.
It’s the oldest intercellular signaling chemical in evolutionary history. Sponges use glutamate to communicate between cells, so it predates nervous systems.
It has tons of distinct meanings in the human body’s context, but mostly it means “fight or flight”. A state of excessive glutamate signaling, sometimes referred to as a “glutamate storm”, is associated with feelings of overwhelm and panic attacks.
It can be blocked from binding by a chemical called L-theanine, which occurs naturally in tea and can be bought in pills at supplement stores. Studies have shown that people who take L-theanine supplements experienced reduced beta wave amplitude and increased alpha wave amplitude.
In my own experience, L-theanine pills can basically nullify the “frozen” feeling I have with procrastinating on complex work, such as homework or software development, or even just complex decision-making.
In other words, it’s the most effective anti-procrastination substance I’ve ever encountered. This is compared with:
- anti-anxiety meds like xanax
- blood pressure meds like propranolol
- more coffee
- adderall
- ritalin
- cocaine
- alcohol
- antidepressants
- microdosed LSD
- microdosed psilocybin
- pseudoephidrine
- maca
… all taken at once. Not recommended
all taken at once
I beg your finest pardon. That’s my secret recipe to success.
+1 for L-theanine though, it’s one of my favorite supplements. Although, more than once I’ve had to explain to someone that it’s not a Spanish word (“el theanine”).
Tryptophan. It is a biochemical precursor for important neurotransmitters, vitamins and hormones such as melatonin, serotonin, and niacin. There happens to be very high concentrations of it in milk and eggs, both of which I love a lot. It can have sedating effects and make you feel chilled out!
MSG because it’s delicious.
This feels like one of those “is water wet?” pseudo-paradoxes.
Is MSG actually tasty or does it make other things tasty while not actually being tasty itself?
The video of the soon-to-be-very-disappointed kid eating a spoonful of drinking chocolate powder just played in my head. And oh, there goes a cinnamon challenge one as well.
I think I’ll pass.
Probably plain L-phenylalanine, since it’s the precursor to phenethylamine, the body’s natural amphetamine.
Public schools and religious college failed me. I do not have a favorite amino acid.
