Neurotic Jakartans

I read this post over at Rima's on neurotic Jakartans. I found it explained a lot of things when I finally had the Jakarta Post point out to me that 25% of Jakartans suffer from neuroses or anxiety.

Happy Reading over at Rima's joint.

This picture is Rima.

Tryptophan

It is being reported that research into tryptophan is showing that the conversion of this amino acid into serotonin makes people feel happier about their lives. So, the belief is that perhaps this amino acid can play a role in alleviating the symptoms of depression and anxiety. My advice would still be to seek professional help no matter what the scientologists say! However, having a little knowledge of how diet can help you will never go astray.

The report suggests that foods high in tryptophan will be most beneficial to lifting your mood from that of melancholy to something a lot more cheerful. The foods identified so far include mung beans, lobster, turkey, asparagus, sunflower seeds, cottage cheese, pineapple, tofu, spinach, and bananas. The food I eat least on this list is lobster because it it too expensive for my taste buds (except on rare and special occasions).

My question is this:

If I was to supplement with tryptophan because I felt I was not getting enough of the amino acid through my diet, can I over-compensate and get too much tryptophan and end up being too happy?

Or is it like other supplements where you just pee away the excess? There is nothing like pissing your hard-earned salary down the toilet!

Nevertheless, I guess if it makes you feel better what harm is there in that. Some people can always do with feeling a little better, particularly if it is the difference between a good and a bad day!