Glycine supplement sold as a ‘mood booster’ may CAUSE major depression

Research suggests that the compounds used in many “mood-boosting” and “sleep-enhancing” supplements can actually cause anxiety and major depression.

In a mouse study, people who had mutations that blocked the uptake of glycine, a naturally occurring amino acid, had lower markers of stress in the body associated with mental health.

Researchers have suggested that glycine is involved in the development of these diseases, and that too much glycine can lead to the development of depression and anxiety.

They even hope that blocking the body’s receptors for drugs could be a new tool for combating these diseases.

Researchers at the University of Florida who conducted the study believe they can develop effective drugs to combat depression and anxiety by blocking glycine receptors in the brain.

Glycine is sold as a supplement on stores such as Amazon and GNC for 15 cents per tablet.

But Florida researchers have found that chemicals may be the cause of people’s mental health problems, not the cure.

It took 15 years of research for the team that published their findings Science Thursdayto make their discoveries.

A study into the causes of stress and mental health problems in mice found that rodents lacking key receptors in their brains were more resilient to stress than others.

They named this receptor GPR158. But it wasn’t known which chemical stimulated it, so it was what scientists described as an “orphan receptor” in the brain.

“Orphan receptors are a challenge. You want to understand how it works.

“What’s really exciting about this discovery is that it could be important to people’s lives. That’s what wakes me up in the morning.

Researchers want to investigate whether humans have the same receptors.

After further investigation, we discovered that in 2021 the receptor takes up glycine. Now he was renamed mGlyR and the team continued to work on the receptor.

They found that when it was triggered, it sent a signal to the brain to slow down. This made it easier for me to get stressed.

Over time, this excess stress spurs the development of conditions such as anxiety and depression.

The researchers hope their findings will help advance the development of antidepressants.

Dr. Kirill Martemyanov, a biomedical researcher in Florida, said, “Treatments for people with depression are limited.

“Most of them take weeks to really kick in. We really need new and better options.

Many antidepressants work by increasing levels of hormones such as serotonin in the brain.

Instead, researchers hope that drugs that block mGlyR uptake of glycine can help prevent symptoms of the disease.

However, some people now use glycine in the form of antidepressants themselves. to enhance their effectiveness.

Glycine is a popular choice for supplement users, helping to revitalize a rapidly growing market.

Amino acid supplements are sold at popular retailers, including Walmart, and alongside dozens of other supplements, each reports its own health benefits.

Packages of these supplements are meant to promote restful sleep and support the nervous system. Many say they help boost a person’s mood.

However, these claims are based on previous mouse studies, and many experts question their validity.

Japanese research published in 2014 They found that mice exposed to chemicals slept longer and were less disrupted to rest.

Pakistani researchers discovered in 2018 Mice exposed to the chemical had higher levels of serotonin than their peers.

Glycine is also found in many staples of the popular Mediterranean diet, including fish, dairy products, and legumes.

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Serotonin helps carry messages between nerve cells in the body, and elevated levels are associated with better sleep, reduced stress, and improved overall mental health.

With 10% of adults in the U.S. suffering from depression and at least 3% with an anxiety disorder, some see glycine as a cure for the disease.

In the United States alone, sales of all supplements will exceed $160 billion in 2022. Market insiders predict that this figure will reach $327 billion by 2030.

Unlike prescription drugs, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not require regulatory approval before supplements can be marketed.

The agency considers the product to be “food” rather than “pharmaceutical”. This means the FDA allows it for sale as long as it doesn’t contain toxic or controlled substances.

With regulatory standards so low, it can be difficult for consumers to determine whether a supplement has real proven value.

The FDA also warns that “products containing hidden drugs can also be mismarketed as dietary supplements, exposing consumers to even greater risks.”

“For these reasons, it is important to consult a medical professional before using any dietary supplement.”