Beta Alanine Reduces Serotonin Levels In The Brain

haidut · Sep 1, 2015

Animal study, but worth reviewing. The dose of beta alanine was not that high (2.5g - 3g for a human) and the reduction of serotonin was probably the cause of the anxiolytic effect of beta alanine in rats, even though only levels of serotonin in hypothalamus were reduced.
If someone has access to the full study, please forward along so I can take a better look.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20099004

"...In contrast, beta-alanine-supplemented diet decreased the concentration of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, a major metabolite of serotonin, in the hypothalamus. Beta-alanine-supplemented diet also increased carnosine (beta-alanyl-L: -histidine) concentration in the cerebral cortex and hypothalamus, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor concentration in the hippocampus. These results suggested that taurine-supplemented diet had an antidepressant-like effect and beta-alanine-supplemented diet had an anxiolytic-like effect."

Another study showing dopamine-sparing effects of beta alanine:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/99490

aguilaroja · Sep 1, 2015

A recent study observed beta-alanine supplementation reduced PTSD-like behavior in rats. However, if the action is to increase a nerve growth factor, BDNF, it may questionable whether this is an optimal metabolic function.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25758106
β-Alanine supplemented diets enhance behavioral resilience to stress exposure in an animal model of PTSD.
Hoffman JR1, Ostfeld I, Stout JR, Harris RC, Kaplan Z, Cohen H.
Amino Acids. 2015 Jun;47(6):1247-57. doi: 10.1007/s00726-015-1952-y. Epub 2015 Mar 11.
"BA supplementation in rats increased brain carnosine concentrations and resulted in a reduction in PTSD-like behavior, which may be mediated in part by maintaining BDNF expression in the hippocampus."

http://raypeat.com/articles/other/auton ... tems.shtml

Endocrinology 2000 Mar;141(3):1059-72. An increased intraovarian synthesis of nerve growth factor and its low affinity receptor is a principal component of steroid-induced polycystic ovary in the rat. Lara HE, Dissen GA, Leyton V, Paredes A, Fuenzalida H, Fiedler JL, Ojeda SR.
"The results indicate that the hyperactivation of ovarian sympathetic nerves seen in EV-induced PCO is related to an overproduction of NGF and its low affinity receptor in the gland. They also suggest that activation of this neurotrophic-neurogenic regulatory loop is a component of the pathological process by which EV induces cyst formation and anovulation in rodents."

http://raypeat.com/articles/aging/madcow.shtml

"J Neural Transm. 2001;108(2):221-30. Difference in toxicity of beta-amyloid peptide with aging in relation to nerve growth factor content in rat brain. Fukuta T, Nitta A, Itoh A, Furukawa S, Nabeshima T. “NGF levels in the hippocampus were increased only in adult rats. These results suggest that Abeta is toxic only in the matured adult brain, and that the mechanism of toxicity is related to NGF synthesis."

CoolTweetPete · Sep 2, 2015

Very interesting. Do you folks use Beta-Alanine / know of a good brand? I was using Natural Stacks BCAA's for a while but they're very pricey as they boast good sourcing.

Would prefer to just take Beta Alanine at this point.

http://www.naturalstacks.com/products/natural-bcaas

haidut · Sep 2, 2015

aguilaroja said:
https://raypeatforum.com/forums/posts/97954/ A recent study observed beta-alanine supplementation reduced PTSD-like behavior in rats. However, if the action is to increase a nerve growth factor, BDNF, it may questionable whether this is an optimal metabolic function.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25758106
β-Alanine supplemented diets enhance behavioral resilience to stress exposure in an animal model of PTSD.
Hoffman JR1, Ostfeld I, Stout JR, Harris RC, Kaplan Z, Cohen H.
Amino Acids. 2015 Jun;47(6):1247-57. doi: 10.1007/s00726-015-1952-y. Epub 2015 Mar 11.
"BA supplementation in rats increased brain carnosine concentrations and resulted in a reduction in PTSD-like behavior, which may be mediated in part by maintaining BDNF expression in the hippocampus."

http://raypeat.com/articles/other/auton ... tems.shtml

Endocrinology 2000 Mar;141(3):1059-72. An increased intraovarian synthesis of nerve growth factor and its low affinity receptor is a principal component of steroid-induced polycystic ovary in the rat. Lara HE, Dissen GA, Leyton V, Paredes A, Fuenzalida H, Fiedler JL, Ojeda SR.
"The results indicate that the hyperactivation of ovarian sympathetic nerves seen in EV-induced PCO is related to an overproduction of NGF and its low affinity receptor in the gland. They also suggest that activation of this neurotrophic-neurogenic regulatory loop is a component of the pathological process by which EV induces cyst formation and anovulation in rodents."

http://raypeat.com/articles/aging/madcow.shtml

"J Neural Transm. 2001;108(2):221-30. Difference in toxicity of beta-amyloid peptide with aging in relation to nerve growth factor content in rat brain. Fukuta T, Nitta A, Itoh A, Furukawa S, Nabeshima T. “NGF levels in the hippocampus were increased only in adult rats. These results suggest that Abeta is toxic only in the matured adult brain, and that the mechanism of toxicity is related to NGF synthesis."

Thanks, I thought about that as well. BDNF is elevated form endurance exercise and some types of stress. So, beta alanine may not be optimal for everybody. But Ray talks about it favorably in one of his articles and it also has proven ergogenic benefits (alone or in combination with baking soda, creatine, etc). Since caffeine lowers BDNF maybe it can be combined with beta alanine for extra ergogenic benefit and reduced jitteriness (beta alanine is a GABA agonist like taurine and glycine).

cantstoppeating · Sep 2, 2015

haidut said:
https://raypeatforum.com/forums/posts/98024/

aguilaroja said:

https://raypeatforum.com/forums/posts/97954/ A recent study observed beta-alanine supplementation reduced PTSD-like behavior in rats. However, if the action is to increase a nerve growth factor, BDNF, it may questionable whether this is an optimal metabolic function.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25758106
β-Alanine supplemented diets enhance behavioral resilience to stress exposure in an animal model of PTSD.
Hoffman JR1, Ostfeld I, Stout JR, Harris RC, Kaplan Z, Cohen H.
Amino Acids. 2015 Jun;47(6):1247-57. doi: 10.1007/s00726-015-1952-y. Epub 2015 Mar 11.
"BA supplementation in rats increased brain carnosine concentrations and resulted in a reduction in PTSD-like behavior, which may be mediated in part by maintaining BDNF expression in the hippocampus."

http://raypeat.com/articles/other/auton ... tems.shtml

Endocrinology 2000 Mar;141(3):1059-72. An increased intraovarian synthesis of nerve growth factor and its low affinity receptor is a principal component of steroid-induced polycystic ovary in the rat. Lara HE, Dissen GA, Leyton V, Paredes A, Fuenzalida H, Fiedler JL, Ojeda SR.
"The results indicate that the hyperactivation of ovarian sympathetic nerves seen in EV-induced PCO is related to an overproduction of NGF and its low affinity receptor in the gland. They also suggest that activation of this neurotrophic-neurogenic regulatory loop is a component of the pathological process by which EV induces cyst formation and anovulation in rodents."

http://raypeat.com/articles/aging/madcow.shtml

"J Neural Transm. 2001;108(2):221-30. Difference in toxicity of beta-amyloid peptide with aging in relation to nerve growth factor content in rat brain. Fukuta T, Nitta A, Itoh A, Furukawa S, Nabeshima T. “NGF levels in the hippocampus were increased only in adult rats. These results suggest that Abeta is toxic only in the matured adult brain, and that the mechanism of toxicity is related to NGF synthesis."

Click to expand...

Thanks, I thought about that as well. BDNF is elevated form endurance exercise and some types of stress. So, beta alanine may not be optimal for everybody. But Ray talks about it favorably in one of his articles and it also has proven ergogenic benefits (alone or in combination with baking soda, creatine, etc). Since caffeine lowers BDNF maybe it can be combined with beta alanine for extra ergogenic benefit and reduced jitteriness (beta alanine is a GABA agonist like taurine and glycine).

BDNF is known to act like a "fertilizer" for neurons:

A massive amount of research, Ratey explained, has shown that BDNF “nourishes neurons [brain cells] like fertilizer.” When researchers sprinkle BDNF onto neurons in the lab, the cells spontaneously sprout new branches, producing the same structural growth required for learning—causing Ratey to think of BDNF as Miracle-Gro for the brain.

http://www.cbass.com/Miracle-GroBrain.htm

Aerobic exercise has shown to increase levels of BDNF, fascilitating memory formation and general learning. There's a book detailing how kids and adults could benefit from light aerobic exercise around studying for better retention and recall of material. BDNF seems to be a positive form of stress and something we want to occur.

Tarmander · Sep 2, 2015

cantstoppeating said:
BDNF seems to be a positive form of stress and something we want to occur.

I have found something similar in my own studies. I believe I read an article not long ago that said elevated blood sugar levels can cause brain levels of BDNF to fall, and may be responsible for depression.

nullredvector · Feb 5, 2016

Beta alanine always comes up as elevated in my blood tests. Protective mechanis? Just a little bit supplementally gives me a flush

Lokzo · Jul 31, 2019

Sci-Hub | β-Alanine and the Hormonal Response to Exercise. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 29(12), 952–958 | 10.1055/s-2008-1038678

This study seems to suggest that Beta Alanine can raise cortisol levels greater than placebo? @Hans

Lokzo · Aug 1, 2019

haidut said:
Since caffeine lowers BDNF

That's the first I've ever heard man. Very interesting.

Caffeine‐mediated BDNF release regulates long‐term synaptic plasticity through activation of IRS2 signaling
Protective effect of chronic caffeine intake on gene expression of brain derived neurotrophic factor signaling and the immunoreactivity of glial fi... - PubMed - NCBI
Caffeine improves adult mice performance in the object recognition task and increases BDNF and TrkB independent on phospho-CREB immunocontent in th... - PubMed - NCBI

Hans · Aug 1, 2019

Lokzo said:
Sci-Hub | β-Alanine and the Hormonal Response to Exercise. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 29(12), 952–958 | 10.1055/s-2008-1038678

This study seems to suggest that Beta Alanine can raise cortisol levels greater than placebo? @Hans

Just the exercise-induced spike, but it still dropped below the levels of the other group 30 min post-workout. Anyway, the difference is pretty small though.

Lokzo · Aug 3, 2019

Hans said:
Just the exercise-induced spike, but it still dropped below the levels of the other group 30 min post-workout. Anyway, the difference is pretty small though.

Thank you.

I am really enjoying Beta alanine. My workouts have improved at least 25%. My endurance is scary good and its only been like 5 days.

BigChad · Aug 25, 2019

Lokzo said:
Thank you.

I am really enjoying Beta alanine. My workouts have improved at least 25%. My endurance is scary good and its only been like 5 days.

What dosage, frequency. Are you using creatine or other aminos

Lokzo · Aug 26, 2019

BigChad said:
What dosage, frequency. Are you using creatine or other aminos

I've been loading Beta alanine, about 2 grams a day, split into two doses. I like it pre workout and then post workout or at night. Doesn't really matter tbh, just make sure there's some carbs nearby.

I am also using Taurine on and off.

No creatine, as that fks my 5-HT1A issue.

BigChad · Aug 26, 2019

Lokzo said:
I've been loading Beta alanine, about 2 grams a day, split into two doses. I like it pre workout and then post workout or at night. Doesn't really matter tbh, just make sure there's some carbs nearby.

I am also using Taurine on and off.

No creatine, as that fks my 5-HT1A issue.

What do you mean loading beta alanine? That dosage is normal/small?
Why do you need carbs nearby beta alanine, does it lower blood sugar. Didn't know that.

Whats your ht1a issue could you describe

cjm · Jul 12, 2021

haidut said:
Animal study, but worth reviewing. The dose of beta alanine was not that high (2.5g - 3g for a human) and the reduction of serotonin was probably the cause of the anxiolytic effect of beta alanine in rats, even though only levels of serotonin in hypothalamus were reduced.
If someone has access to the full study, please forward along so I can take a better look.

The impact of taurine- and beta-alanine-supplemented diets on behavioral and neurochemical parameters in mice: antidepressant versus anxiolytic-like effects - PubMed

"...In contrast, beta-alanine-supplemented diet decreased the concentration of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, a major metabolite of serotonin, in the hypothalamus. Beta-alanine-supplemented diet also increased carnosine (beta-alanyl-L: -histidine) concentration in the cerebral cortex and hypothalamus, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor concentration in the hippocampus. These results suggested that taurine-supplemented diet had an antidepressant-like effect and beta-alanine-supplemented diet had an anxiolytic-like effect."

Link to full study: Sci-Hub | The impact of taurine- and beta-alanine-supplemented diets on behavioral and neurochemical parameters in mice: antidepressant versus anxiolytic-like effects. Amino Acids, 39(2), 427–434 | 10.1007/s00726-009-0458-x

You posted an excellent summary, but the comparison between the taurine and beta alanine groups is worth a look. I need a glossary for mouse maze terminology, tbh.

"The effect of taurine- or beta-alanine-supplemented diet on the percentage of time spent and entries in the open arms in the elevated plus-maze test for 5 min is shown in Fig. 1. Significant increases of the percentage of time spent in the open arms were observed in the beta-alanine group compared to the other two groups."

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Beta Alanine Reduces Serotonin Levels In The Brain

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