Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Amino Acids in the Treatment of Psychoactive Substance Addiction: A Comprehensive Review

Citation: Dennis Relojo-Howell, Kian Zehtabian, Ronald C. Yrog-irog, Aidin Kazemizadeh, "Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Amino Acids in the Treatment of Psychoactive Substance Addiction: A Comprehensive Review", Universal Library of Medical and Health Sciences, Volume 01, Issue 01.

Copyright: This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

This paper offers a comprehensive review of the potential therapeutic role of amino acids, specifically tyrosine and tryptophan, in treating addiction to psychoactive substances such as cocaine and amphetamine. Amino acids are fundamental to various physiological processes and serve as precursors to neurotransmitters like dopamine. This review hypothesises that amino acids could influence dopamine production in the brain, offering a novel treatment pathway for addiction. While preliminary human trials show promise, the exact mechanisms and potential side effects are not yet fully understood, particularly in the context of co-occurring mental health disorders.

Keywords: Addiction, Amino Acids, Dopamine, Mental Health, Psychoactive Substances

https://doi.org/10.70315/uloap.ulmhs.2023.0101001