title: L-tryptophan: a rational hypnotic with clinical potential.
abstract: The author states that the use of the amino acid L-tryptophan as a hypnotic might avoid the problems of nonspecificity in the currently used CNS depressants because L-tryptophan is chosen on the basis of the chemistry of normal sleep rather than on a purely empirical basis. He reviews nine studies from his laboratory dealing with the effects of L-tryptophan on sleep. Studies in rats, normal human subjects, and subjects with mild insomnia all demonstrate that L-tryptophan reduces sleep latency. Polygraphic studies demonstrate that L-tryptophan, unlike hypnotics, does not produce distortions of sleep physiology when first administered, on long-term administration, or after withdrawal.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000187:drug effects; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications; D010919:Placebos; D051381:Rats; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects*; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D010919:Placebos; D012701:Serotonin; D014364:Tryptophan