Phenethylamine: Why Some Weight Loss Supplements Are Bad for Bipolars

You want to lose weight so you research online and find a popular weight loss supplement with green tea, caffeine and a few other ingredients like PEA. You never think twice about the fact that you have bipolar disorder when choosing an all-natural weight loss supplement. PEA is Phenethylamine and it could be the worst ingredient to consume when you suffer from bipolar disorder.

The Runner's High and Your Bipolar Symptoms

According to a research study completed by a British team in 2001, the infamous "runner's high" may be associated with natural PEA or Phenethylamine levels in the brain. As the runner exercises, Phenethylamine levels rise causing a euphoric effect. This effect becomes addictive and the runner wants / needs to run again the next day to feel the same "high".

People who suffer from depression tend to have lower than normal Phenethylamine levels, which is enough reason to promote exercise as a healthy treatment for mild depression, but the bipolar brain does not work the same way a depressive brain works. In most people, exercise causes a natural rise in Phenethylamine levels causing elevated mood and relief from depression. As Phenethylamine levels return to normal, mood falls, but it does not crash. For the bipolar, sometimes the fall is not worth the rise.

Exercise is not the only source of Phenethylamine. Many weight loss supplements including Nuphedragen, Fenphedra, VPX Meltdown, Zyatrim and CytoLean all contain Phenethylamine. There is no known weight loss benefit from taking the ingredient, so the only reason the ingredient is added is for that euphoric "runner's high" effect. While most of the time, Phenethylamine is metabolized so quickly the brain only receives small amounts through supplementation, supplement manufacturers have learned to add natural MAOIs like Hordenine into the mix to help more Phenethylamine make it to the brain.

MAOIs inhibit monoamine oxidase, which is responsible for metabolism of Phenethylamine. If the oxidase is inhibited, more PEA makes it into the bloodstream and races to the brain. The effect is a natural euphoria. For bipolars, the depressive side of the disorder may mean lower PEA levels to start with, but the nature of the disorder could also mean a heavy crash at the end of that "runner's high".

Bipolar disorder is characterized by roller coaster emotions ranging from depression to mania. While the average runner or even the depressed runner may have all the right brain chemicals to stop the fall at a given point, the bipolar may continue to fall beyond a normal level of depression.

Losing weight is a healthy choice for anyone above normal BMI and weight levels and exercise is a healthy means of feeling better both chemically and physically. But taking weight loss supplements to increase metabolism and fat burn may not be a healthy choice for the bipolar. If a weight loss supplement is something you want to try and you have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, talk to your physician before taking any supplements. The risk of an emotional crash is not worth the reward of losing a pound or two.

Resources

"Phenethylamine."Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 18 Aug. 2010.

"Is 'Runners' High' a Cure for Depression?"WebMD - Better Information. Better Health. 27 Sept. 2001. Web. 18 Aug. 2010.

"Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor."Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 18 Aug. 2010.