I was just reading somewhere that BCAAs are likely to block dopamine (which of course can have all sorts of effects, usually not desirable). Any truth to that, especially if taking large doses of BCAAs?
Thanks.
Never heard of adverse effects of eating BCAAs… just like I’ve never heard of adverse effects of eating beef…
could you post the source where you read this?
Didn’t you ask this question already? Were you not happy with the first answer CT gave you or did you want to explore it further?
[quote]Damici wrote:
I was just reading somewhere that BCAAs are likely to block dopamine (which of course can have all sorts of effects, usually not desirable). Any truth to that, especially if taking large doses of BCAAs?
Thanks.
[/quote]
“…dopamine (which of course can have all sorts of effects, usually not desireable)…”
Not certain where you got that impression about dopamine (DA). DA is absolutely essential to life. The most primal example I can offer you is the fact that w/o DA for arousal, the human race wouldn’t be capable of reproduction by natural means (i.e. one of DA’s roles is that it’s vital to arousal and stimulation).
About the only drawback to DA (if it could even be argued as such) is that b/c it’s intimately involved in “pleasure” response, anything that caters to that reward system has the potential of being abused. Drugs such as meth and coke are typical culprits, but if shopping brings you pleasure, then you have DA to thank for the “rush” that results from a trip to the mall. When I come home to my daughter and wife, the former giving her daddy a smile, it’s DA receptors that are involved in my hightened state of joy.
As for BCAA’s causing a down-regulation of DA, I think what you’re referring to is the fact that BCAAs (particularly, Leucine and Isoleucine) have insulin mimetic properties when consumed in adequate doses, and under proper conditions; they mimic the effects of insulin, increasing the uptake of glucose (from blood) into tissues.
You see, your brain works entirely from glucose, and any shortage of homeostatic levels of glucose that your brain receives via signals sent from your hypothalamus triggers your brain to send a response (efferent) signal designed to kick on a whole host of metabolic pathways w/ the overal goal of being able to get levels back up to homeostatic setpoints (i.e. levels that your brain had grown accustomed to, and now prefers things remain). DA is a major neurotransmitter (or, neurohormone) that’s vital w/in this signalling cascade.
Hope that helps. - chris
No, I didn’t. Read the link. That question was about prolactin.
[quote]Bri Hildebrandt wrote:
Didn’t you ask this question already? Were you not happy with the first answer CT gave you or did you want to explore it further?
Hi,
Thanks. I had read it in Eric Braverman’s book “The Edge Effect.” So is it fair to say there’s no real concern then with taking high doses of BCAAs . . . ?
[quote]Lockwood wrote:
Damici wrote:
I was just reading somewhere that BCAAs are likely to block dopamine (which of course can have all sorts of effects, usually not desirable). Any truth to that, especially if taking large doses of BCAAs?
Thanks.
“…dopamine (which of course can have all sorts of effects, usually not desireable)…”
Not certain where you got that impression about dopamine (DA). DA is absolutely essential to life. The most primal example I can offer you is the fact that w/o DA for arousal, the human race wouldn’t be capable of reproduction by natural means (i.e. one of DA’s roles is that it’s vital to arousal and stimulation).
About the only drawback to DA (if it could even be argued as such) is that b/c it’s intimately involved in “pleasure” response, anything that caters to that reward system has the potential of being abused. Drugs such as meth and coke are typical culprits, but if shopping brings you pleasure, then you have DA to thank for the “rush” that results from a trip to the mall. When I come home to my daughter and wife, the former giving her daddy a smile, it’s DA receptors that are involved in my hightened state of joy.
As for BCAA’s causing a down-regulation of DA, I think what you’re referring to is the fact that BCAAs (particularly, Leucine and Isoleucine) have insulin mimetic properties when consumed in adequate doses, and under proper conditions; they mimic the effects of insulin, increasing the uptake of glucose (from blood) into tissues.
You see, your brain works entirely from glucose, and any shortage of homeostatic levels of glucose that your brain receives via signals sent from your hypothalamus triggers your brain to send a response (efferent) signal designed to kick on a whole host of metabolic pathways w/ the overal goal of being able to get levels back up to homeostatic setpoints (i.e. levels that your brain had grown accustomed to, and now prefers things remain). DA is a major neurotransmitter (or, neurohormone) that’s vital w/in this signalling cascade.
Hope that helps. - chris
[/quote]
[quote]Damici wrote:
No, I didn’t. Read the link. That question was about prolactin.
Bri Hildebrandt wrote:
Didn’t you ask this question already? Were you not happy with the first answer CT gave you or did you want to explore it further?
http://www.T-Nation.com/readTopic.do?id=1371540
[/quote]
Sorry, I guess that wasn’t clear. Prolactin is the body’s mechanism of controlling dopamine levels. They are inversely related. When you effect one it always effects the other. That’s why people take dopamine agonists like Cabergoline and Bromocriptine. It’s to lower prolactin levels.
Dopamine antagonists like Zyprexa and Seroquel tend to raise prolactin although that’s not their intended use.
Whether the lowered dopamine function is significant is another thing. I doubt it is. You’ll have to weigh whether the negative of lowered dopamine function is greater than potential muscle gains.
Wow, that clears it all up for me. Cool. Thanks for that. 
I’ll have to do a little trial and error, I suppose.
Much appreciated.
[quote]Bri Hildebrandt wrote:
Damici wrote:
No, I didn’t. Read the link. That question was about prolactin.
Bri Hildebrandt wrote:
Didn’t you ask this question already? Were you not happy with the first answer CT gave you or did you want to explore it further?
http://www.T-Nation.com/readTopic.do?id=1371540
Sorry, I guess that wasn’t clear. Prolactin is the body’s mechanism of controlling dopamine levels. They are inversely related. When you effect one it always effects the other. That’s why people take dopamine agonists like Cabergoline and Bromocriptine.
It’s to lower prolactin levels. Dopamine antagonists like Zyprexa and Seroquel tend to raise prolactin although that’s not their intended use.
Whether the lowered dopamine function is significant is another thing. I doubt it is. You’ll have to weigh whether the negative of lowered dopamine function is greater than potential muscle gains.[/quote]
I took 50g/d BCAA’s for several weeks and could feel my dopamine decrease by 16-19%.
I didn’t notice any effects during the high dose phase or at a lower dose.
BTW-Since BCAA’s are 3 different amino’s, can they be considered a ‘stack’?
Smart-ass.
Jeez, you try to ask a serious question around here and . . .
[quote]David Barr wrote:
I took 50g/d BCAA’s for several weeks and could feel my dopamine decrease by 16-19%.
I didn’t notice any effects during the high dose phase or at a lower dose.
BTW-Since BCAA’s are 3 different amino’s, can they be considered a ‘stack’?[/quote]
You must have smelled like an IHOP! 50g?!
[quote]David Barr wrote:
I took 50g/d BCAA’s for several weeks and could feel my dopamine decrease by 16-19%.
I didn’t notice any effects during the high dose phase or at a lower dose.
BTW-Since BCAA’s are 3 different amino’s, can they be considered a ‘stack’?[/quote]
Stack away, my friend. Stack away.