| Used for
| Amount | Why |
|---|
Insomnia | 1 to 2 grams at bedtime
|  [3 stars] L-tryptophan has been used successfully for people with insomnia in many studies,including double-blind trials.
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Pain | 2 to 4 grams per day
| [3 stars] Double-blind research has also shown that oral L-tryptophan can increase tolerance to acute pain.
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Premenstrual Syndrome | 2 to 6 grams per day, during the second half of the menstrual cycle
| [3 stars] Some research suggests that L-tryptophan may help balance mood symptoms associated with PMS.
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Bipolar Disorder | Refer to label instructions
|  [2 stars] Supplementation with L-tryptophan has led to improvement in depression in many studies, though its effect on bipolar disorder needs more study. |
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Depression | 3 to 6 grams per day
| [2 stars] Several controlled trials have found L-tryptophan as effective as antidepressant medications. Depressed people should consult a doctor before use.
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Obesity | 1,000 mg three times daily before meals | [2 stars] Preliminary clinical trials suggest that serotonin precursors such as L-tryptophan might help control appetite and promote weight loss. |
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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder | 6 grams per day (only under a doctor's supervision)
| [2 stars] With a doctor's supervision, some people with OCD have experienced some symptom relief from supplementing with L-tryptophan.
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Schizophrenia | 1 to 8 grams per day (under a doctor's supervision)
| [2 stars] L-tryptophan supplementation has occasionally been helpful for specific schizophrenia symptoms, such as aggression and memory function.
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Seasonal Affective Disorder | With doctor's supervision, 2 to 4 grams per day, increasing up to 6 grams if no improvement
| [2 stars] Some research suggests that L-tryptophan alone or in combination with light therapy may improve SAD symptoms.
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Alcohol Withdrawal
(Glutamine, L-Tyrosine, Multivitamin, Phenylalanine) | Refer to label instructions
|  [1 star] In double-blind research, alcoholics treated with L-tyrosine combined with DLPA (D,L-phenylalanine), L-glutamine, prescription L-tryptophan, plus a multivitamin had reduced withdrawal symptoms and decreased stress.
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Anxiety | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Research suggests a connection between anxiety and serotonin deficiency and that its precursur L-tryptophan may help reduce anxiety in people with social anxiety disorder and neurosis. |
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Attention Deficit–Hyperactivity Disorder | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Imbalances in the brain chemical serotonin, or low blood levels of its precursor, L-tryptophan, have been associated with ADHD in some (though not all) studies
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Bulimia | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] L-tryptophan may be beneficial for people with bulimia, as this amino acid synthesizes serotonin, a hormone that helps regulate food intake and appetite. |
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Bulimia
(Vitamin B6) | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Vitamin B6, when taken with L-tryptophan, has been shown to improve eating behavior, feelings about eating, and mood among women with bulimia. |
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Hypertension | 3 to 4 grams per day | [1 star] Supplementing with L-tryptophan can temporarily raise blood serotonin levels and lower blood pressure, but whether L-tryptophan can help prevent and manage hypertension in the long-term is still unknown. |
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Migraine Headache | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Preliminary research has found abnormally low levels of serotonin in the brains of people suffering a migraine attack, which was reversed with L-tryptophan supplements.
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Restless Legs Syndrome | 1 to 2 grams at bedtime
| [1 star] Preliminary research has shown some benefit reducing symptoms of restless legs syndrome and the insomnia that often accompanies it. |
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Smoking Cessation | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] In one study, tryptophan supplements along with a high-carbohydrate diet lessened withdrawal symptoms and helped people smoke fewer cigarettes. |
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Tardive Dyskinesia | Refer to label instructions
| [1 star] Animal research and preliminary human reports suggest that L-tryptophan may help reduce the severity of symptoms.
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