Amino acid therapy for anxiety, depression, cravings and focus starts with the building blocks. Your brain makes serotonin from tryptophan and dopamine from tyrosine, and research on tryptophan depletion shows that lowering this one amino acid can drop mood, especially in people with a history of depression.
Laurie Hammer, Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and founder of Mind Thrive Academy, joins Freddie Kimmel to explain how targeted amino acid therapy feeds the neurotransmitters behind mood, sleep and stress resilience. Laurie found amino acids in 1996, after twelve years of bulimia, depression and anxiety, and calls them the foundation of her recovery. She walks through her virtual intake and the under-the-tongue test she uses to see how someone responds, then assesses Freddie live on air.
In this episode:
- Essential amino blends vs. peptides vs. targeted amino acid therapy
- The five categories Laurie assesses: endorphins, serotonin, catecholamines, GABA and glucose regulation
- Why she plans on 3 to 6 months of therapeutic use, then tapers
- GLP-1s, cravings, cost, and who should be cautious
Connect with Laurie Hammer:
Website: https://lauriehammer.com
Take Back My Brain Podcast
Instagram + Facebook: @takebackmybrain
Book mentioned: The Mood Cure by Julia Ross
Episode Highlights
0:00 — Welcome Laurie Hammer
3:37 — Laurie's take on mood medications
6:16 — What is amino acid therapy?
7:06 — Freddie's pre-show amino acid snack
9:45 — Can you get therapeutic doses from food?
10:43 — "Is there a model for this in nature?"
12:11 — Laurie's story: bulimia, depression and a GNC article
17:18 — Leaving nursing school for prevention
18:35 — How a virtual consult works
20:18 — Essential amino blends vs. targeted therapy
23:14 — The five neurotransmitter categories
24:59 — Lithium orotate
27:13 — Live assessment: Freddie's profile
30:47 — How long do you take them?
34:38 — Cost: aminos vs. IVs and supplements
35:51 — GLP-1s and coming off them
38:55 — GLP-1s and bone density
41:25 — What it costs to work with Laurie
43:18 — Amino acids and addiction
45:53 — Youth antidepressant use since the pandemic
46:38 — The equalizer in your brain stereo
49:21 — Book recommendation: The Mood Cure
50:00 — Who amino acid therapy isn't for
55:12 — Your body is designed to heal
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For education only, not medical advice. Don't start, stop or taper any medication without your prescriber. If you're struggling with an eating disorder or thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 (US).
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