Do BCAA's cause depression?

[Anonymous]

I started working out again and am using BCAA's throughout the day. However, since taking them, I've noticed that I've sunk into a pretty deep depression. I thought they reduce serotonin, and therefore, would help alleviate depression. I've noticed a similar response with Cyproheptadine. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[jyb]

Taking BCAA depletes dopamine if it is not balanced with some of the other amino acids. The effect was also pretty evident for me when I took BCAA. Haidut gave advice about it in the BCAA threads.

 

[Anonymous]

It's a very mellow, sad feeling. Not aggressive at all. Okay. So should I supplement with Tyrosine?

 

[Theo]

One supplier of BCAA uses taurine, glycine, glutamine, arginine and tyrosine in their BCAA product.

From my own experience tyrosine is the one to increase dopamine.

I use tyrosine daily as well as taurine. And I take BCAA of course.

 

[Dr.Winston O'Boogie]

I've been drinking water containing about 15mg's of BCAA's split before, during and after my session at the gym. It's early days yet but if anything I find them quite energising. I've also started taking 5 mg's after my main protein meal (usually meat) in the evenings. Nothing negative to report so far but it's only been a week.

 

[Theo]

Poliquin's page on BCAA is a good summary of the science.
http://www.poliquingroup.com/articlesmu ... bcaas.aspx

Dr Slagle's take on l tyrosine. After reading this page I made tyrosine a daily staple.:

http://www.thewayup.com/products/0094.cfm

If you decide to add tyrosine to your BCAAs I don't think you'll be disappointed.

 

[answersfound]

I don't like taking individual amino acids anymore. I stick to Hydrolyzed Collagen. Aspirin is good for mitigating serotonin's effects.