How L-Tyrosine Can Make You More Productive: Increase Your Mental Energy and Focus

Updated April 18, 2024 by | Reviewed by William Gallagher, MNeuroSci
(Estimated reading time: 5 minutes)

We all need a boost in productivity from time to time. That's why L-Tyrosine is so popular as a nootropic supplement.

L-Tyrosine has been shown to increase mental energy and focus by increasing dopamine, adrenaline, and norepinephrine production.

The result?

You'll feel more alert, less stressed out, better able to concentrate on tasks at hand - just plain old more productive!

Sounds good right?

Let's take a closer look at how L-Tyrosine works and get a better understanding of why it's so helpful.

What is L-Tyrosine?

L-tyrosine is an amino acid that exists in two forms: L-tyrosine and tyrosine.

It's a nonessential amino acid, which means you can get it from food if necessary.

It's produced by the body, using phenylalanine, another amino acid.

Tyrosine is found in all human tissues and most bodily fluids. It aids the body's synthesis of proteins as well as enzymes, thyroid hormones, and skin pigment melanin.

It also aids in the production of neurotransmitters that enable neurons to communicate.

Tyrosine is crucial in the formation of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine.

The majority of individuals do not require L-tyrosine due to a built-in mechanism that controls tyrosine supply.

Your body may synthesize more if you don't get enough tyrosine from food.

If you eat too much, your system will break it down and eliminate it.

How Does L-Tyrosine Work?

l-tyrosine

Tyrosine is vital during times of tension and stress, as well as when you need to power through a difficult task that needs a lot of concentrated attention.

If you run out, you may begin to feel as though you've reached a mental barrier.

Because tyrosine is a precursor to several of the body's most fundamental neurotransmitters, it has an important role in brain function.

These neurotransmitters are:

  • Dopamine - is a neurotransmitter that improves mood and motivation.
  • Norepinephrine - is an important neurotransmitter for muscle recovery and blood flow.
  • Adrenaline - is crucial for focus and drive.

Your neurotransmitters can begin to decline when you're under physical or mental strain.

If you have enough tyrosine in your circulation, though, that reserve will replenish the neurotransmitters before stress may deplete them, allowing you to stay sharp for longer without burning out.

Tyrosine is involved in multiple functions of the brain.

Because it's a building block for many important brain chemicals, it has a variety of benefits.

Let's take a look at some of tyrosine's major advantages and how to ensure your brain receives enough of it.

The benefits of L-Tyrosine

When it comes to the benefits of L-Tyrosine, the research is promising.

Some of its biggest advantages are:

Improves mental clarity and focus

Since tyrosine helps produce neurotransmitters that allow your brain to function properly, it's also useful for improving memory.

Chronic stress depletes the brain's norepinephrine stores, which can result in memory loss, attention difficulties, and general cognitive impairment.

Tyrosine can assist with high levels of stress.

During times of tension, tyrosine maintains your brain in optimum working order and improves your attention while performing tasks that need mental endurance.

As a nootropic, tyrosine is beneficial because it aids the brain in coping with difficulties without becoming fatigued.

Improves mood

If you're feeling down, tyrosine might be able to help. Tyrosine converts into dopamine, one of the brain's main neurotransmitters that affect pleasure and motivation.

Dopamine also influences serotonin levels, and the two are thought to play a major role in controlling your mood.

Tyrosine also seems to influence how your brain stores memories, which can help prevent age-related cognitive decline.

Improves alertness

Tyrosine is vital for the production of epinephrine and norepinephrine, hormones that increase your heart rate.

Higher levels of these neurotransmitters lead to a state of heightened awareness because they narrow your focus onto important stimuli while tuning out distractions.

In other words, you're more capable of concentrating on a single thought or task without becoming distracted.

In addition to helping you become more productive, tyrosine also may be able to prevent neurodegeneration in the aging brain.

Reduces fatigue and improves recovery time after stressors

If your body is depleted of norepinephrine due to stressor events, tyrosine can help.

By increasing the quantity of norepinephrine, tyrosine helps increase your brain's ability to cope with stressors while controlling fatigue and depression that may result from depletion.

It is being studied for its effects on ADHD because it is converted into norepinephrine, which plays a role in concentration.

What's the best dosage?

150 milligrams (mg) of L-tyrosine is the typical dose.

Tyrosine supplements should be taken with meals, preferably divided into 3 doses daily.

If you take tyrosine with vitamin B6, folate, and copper, your body may utilize it more effectively.

If supplementation is not your thing, Tyrosine is found in a variety of foods, including:

  • Peanuts
  • Fish
  • Chicken
  • Turkey
  • Eggs
  • Cottage cheese

But if you're looking to take advantage of tyrosine's benefits, supplementation is probably your best bet.

In Summary

L-Tyrosine is an amino acid that has many different functions in the brain.

One of its main benefits is that it helps maintain mental clarity and focus.

Tyrosine also helps improve mood, alertness, and can even be used to reduce fatigue after intense periods of stress.

The best dosage is 150 mg of L-Tyrosine taken with meals or as a nootropic.

If you're looking to take advantage of tyrosine's benefits, supplementation is probably your best bet.

FAQ

What is L-tyrosine used for?

L-Tyrosine is an amino acid made by the body and found in many foods. It has been used in alternative medicine as a possible cognitive performance booster and attention enhancer. L-Tyrosine has also been utilized to treat depression and attention deficit disorder (ADD or ADHD).

Does L-tyrosine help with anxiety?

Tyrosine is said to boost mood by converting into L-dopa, which is made into dopamine. Dopamine can be depleted in people with anxiety disorders and depression. Thus tyrosine may help boost mood for these individuals by increasing their dopamine levels.

Is L-tyrosine safe to take daily?

L-tyrosine is generally safe when taken in the recommended dose of 150mg daily. However, some people may experience side effects such as dizziness, anxiety, or irritability if they take too much tyrosine at once.

Is L-tyrosine a nootropic?

L-tyrosine is believed to have benefits for memory and focus by increasing norepinephrine levels. This neurotransmitter is important for memory and focus, thus tyrosine may be considered a nootropic as it helps improve those cognitive functions.

When should you take L-tyrosine?

It is best to take tyrosine with a meal because it can cause nausea. It should be taken three times daily, 15-30 minutes before meals.

What foods have L-tyrosine in them?

L-tyrosine is found naturally in many different types of food such as chicken, beef, fish, and peanuts.

How does L-Tyrosine make you feel?

When taken 1-3 times a day at 150 mg, L-tyrosine will make you feel more alert, awake and focused.

Does L-tyrosine make you tired?

L-Tyrosine is thought to boost mental acuity by increasing dopamine production in the brain which can lead to feelings of increased energy.

Does L-tyrosine increase serotonin?

L-tyrosine is thought to increase dopamine production in the brain which can lead to feelings of increased energy. Dopamine does not influence serotonin levels, thus tyrosine is unlikely to affect your serotonin levels.