Serotonin Robbers
4. Manufacturing the “Magic Powder”
This story is the last part of a 4 part article series:
- 1. Sparkless Days
- 2. Portrait of the Robbers
- 3. Tryptophan Deprivation
- 4. Manufacturing the “Magic Powder”
How do we know that tryptophan is essential to the manufacture of serotonin or that robbers are involved?
Tryptophan depletion studies confirm that it is required for serotonin production. How would one find out how to deplete someone of a nutrient? Well, strangely enough, it was discovered in the same way the Tatin’s sister created the famous “Tarte Tatin,” by accident. Patients who were fighting chronic viral infections became depressed after taking a specific drug. Interferon-α-based immunotherapy was intended to help patients fight infections, but it also affected the cytokine network, inhibiting the creation of serotonin and consequently causing anxiety or depression. This treatment caused tryptophan to be converted to kynurenine rather than serotonin.
About the author: Nicolette Francey Asselin, M.D.has contributed to many publications over the years and enjoys writing about prevention of illnesses.
Follow this author on Medium publication or on Wordpress at ReFlex-Ions.
