Phenylethylamine (PEA)

Does anybody know about Phenylethylamine (PEA) for depression? I've read that PEA can be taken with an MAOI-B inhibitor. Licorice tea includes some MAOI compounds. So I've considered using PEA and licorice together (they are both nutritional supplements).

I have done a lot of research on supplements as I went on a quest to find some alternatives to help battle some ailments. I currently take about 6 supplements but not PEA or licorice in any form. I would caution you to do this. Since PEA is an amine and has had more interest for ADHD as a psychco-stimulant, it still has not been studied enough. Whenever you are buying supplements such as in tea form you really don't know how much of the actual medicine you are getting. There has not been adequate studies about how much the body should get either. So mixing two supplements like this is very risky. MAOI's have a chemistry all to themselves and so many foods and substances cannot be taken with MAOI's. I think you are taking a gamble and it could work out or it could be a way to spend money and not get a good result. I would ask my doctor on this one or a nutritionist. You might try asking a pharmacist for some of this information. The best one to ask would be a naturopathic doctor or specialist. Good luck and maybe others will have some feedback for you.

Thanks, my sister is an MD who has additional certificates in "functional medicine" ( https://www.functionalmedicine.org/ is the link I think). I might ask her what she thinks of my idea. Surprisingly though, I often get better information from internet forums than I do from doctors. I guess medicine is such a complicated field that doctors can't know everything.

Up until recently, I have rode my exercise bike for over an hour every day to fight depression. My hip and knee hurt so much, that I can't do this anymore. I have also found that sexual arousal reduces depression the following day. Unfortunately, my libido is so low that this is difficult.

PEA is associated with the runner's high and with chocolate and with sexual arousal. This is why I think PEA might help me. I have tried drinking licorice tea after exercising to see if it softens and extends the runner's high. It might work, because usually I feel like crying a few hours after I exercise. I haven't noticed this sadness when I drink licorice tea after exercising.

I am afraid of taking PEA, because it can be addictive when combined with an MAOI-B inhibitor that extends its duration.

Also, I had very bad luck when I tried anti-depressants. Anti-depressants interfere with sexual arousal. I found they also interfere with the runner's high. I was miserable while taking anti-depressants.

Just wanted to update this thread. I bought some PEA capsules and took one yesterday and today. Today I drank a licorice tea along with the PEA (licorice has an MAOI-B inhibitor to extend the duration of the PEA).

It seems to have a very noticeable effect (of course placebo is a possibility). This morning I was feeling very mentally foggy and crummy as if I had a hangover. That feeling started going away about 30 minutes after taking the PEA. The PEA seemed to increase in intensity and seems to be fading now after 3 hours.

Both times, I have noticed an inclination to meditate. To be honest, it makes me feel a little bit too good and too focused. It's a little uncomfortable.

But this could also be a placebo effect. I will keep experimenting carefully.

EDIT: The reason I say "carefully" is that PEA is a natural amphetamine. Amphetamines are addictive, and I have an addictive personality.

Here is a link I just found and a quote. I used to ride my exercise bike every day to fight depression (and increase PEA naturally), but my joints hurt.
http://www.balancingbrainchemistry.c...epression.html

I discovered that I feel awful for several hours after the PEA wears-off. I also discovered that I don't always feel any positive effect. It may be a placebo effect.

I've ordered some DL-phenylalanine supplements to try next. These are supposed to be the precursor nutrients that the body uses to create PEA.

I've been taking the DL-phenylalanine after I ride my exercise bike this week. It seems to have an effect similar to PEA - but less intense and without the wretched feeling after it wears off.

I'm sure nobody is reading this, but WTF

About 15 minutes after taking the DL-phenylalanine, I notice a feeling similar to getting ready to drop on a roller coast ride. A couple of times I noticed feeling a little bit light headed.

After another 5 or 10 minutes, the effect softens but my skin feels weird (rubbery).

Now the good part: I find that I can get a lot of work done for the next couple of hours. I feel much, much, much more optimistic, assertive, focused, etc.

After a couple of hours I begin to feel tired, and then I'm back to normal.

My baseline without the temporary high from exercise and supplements seems to be very low this week. In the evenings I have been feeling very depressed, bitter, and pessimistic.

Supposedly the positive effects can last longer when combined with an MAOI-B inhibitor. I guess I will try the licorice tea with it next. Licorice has some natural MAOI-B inhibitors, but too much can cause health problems.

BTW Licorice works great for improving my sleep. I usually drink licorice tea before going to sleep and wake up feeling refreshed about 3 am. (Normally I sleep until 5 am.)

I read something about phenylalanine in aspartame (i.e. NutraSweet). This is interesting, because I have always felt that artificial sweeteners give me a headache, nausea, and depression. Sometimes I buy a drink and begin to feel bad. Then I look at the label and see that it has sucralose or some other artificial sweetener.

It's interesting that DL-phenylalanine seems to make me feel better. I have religiously avoided diet drinks for 20 years, because I thought they triggered depression.

Herbalists cost about 200USD for a consultation, to get your history, and then it's best medicine at the best price after that. I recommend that you find an herbalist. Because thy're humanists, they can occasionally do trades. They are, for my herbalist who got a psych degree and continued his education, seemingly utterly competent and able to address all range of physical problems. My herbalist outdid a renal doctor, and saved me from a future with dialysis.

Thanks for the info. For some reason, I don't always get email notifications of replies, so I didn't see this until now.