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British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology logoLink to British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
. 1975 Apr;2(2):165–172. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2125.1975.tb01572.x

The acute effects of oral (--)-tryptophan in human subjects.

M H Greenwood, M H Lader, B D Kantameneni, G Curzon
PMCID: PMC1402514  PMID: 1234498

Abstract

1 The psychotropic effects of a single oral dose of (--)-tryptophan (5 g) in human volunteers were investigated using a series of physiological and psychological tests. 2 Self-ratings of mood showed increase in drowsiness but no euphoria was detected. 3 Severe initial nausea occurred and headache increased; other bodily symptoms were unaffected. 4 Trptophan caused increased activity in the slow wavebands of the EEG but did not alter the other physiological measures. 5 The levels of total and free tryptophan in the plasma increased 8 and 20 fold respectively to peak levels 2 h after ingestion.

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Selected References

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