Drug in turkey that makes you sleepy

Tryptophan in turkey has become almost as famous as the bird's white and dark meat. So has the legend of its power to make people sleepy.

By Coco Ballantyne. Let us give thanks on Thanksgiving for its cornucopia of foods: mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, creamed corn, cranberry sauce and, of course, turkey, among other delights. Every fourth Thursday of November, friends and family in the U. Those early revelers were probably knocked out by their marathon feast, and most people today are familiar with the post-Thanksgiving food coma. But often the blame falls on the bird. Turkey allegedly causes drowsiness because it is packed with a nutrient called tryptophan.

Drug in turkey that makes you sleepy

Once a year the Thanksgiving holiday is time spent with family and eating a large meal. After stuffing yourself much like a turkey at the center of this holiday, you notice yourself feeling extra sleepy. Most people have heard at some point in their lives this fatigue is due to the turkey containing tryptophan, a chemical that can make you tired. So is your mealtime bird to blame for your sleepiness? After a little research we found some answers to this popular holiday question. So, what exactly is tryptophan? Therefore your diet must supply it. Tryptophan is found in turkey, other types of poultry, cheese, yogurt, meat, eggs and fish. Tryptophan is then used by the body to make the B-vitamin niacin which is vital for digestion, healthy nerves and skin, and production of the brain chemical serotonin. Serotonin is the chemical responsible for our moods and also can create feelings of happiness and relaxation. Serotonin is also used to make melatonin, the hormone that regulates your sleep cycles. So is your Thanksgiving turkey packed full of this sleep-inducing amino acid?

Every fourth Thursday of November, friends and family in the U. Tryptophan is found in turkey, other types of poultry, cheese, yogurt, meat, eggs and fish.

So many of us just want to nap on Thanksgiving, and some say turkey may be to blame. So does turkey make you sleepy , or is it something else? Turkey has the makings of a natural sedative, an amino acid called tryptophan. Tryptophan is an essential amino acid the body uses produce to produce melatonin, serotonin and the B vitamin niacin. Melatonin is a hormone that helps regulate your sleep cycle, and serotonin is a neurotransmitter that also plays a crucial role in sleep.

The idea that eating turkey makes you sleepy because of the tryptophan it contains is a common myth. And if you regularly battle to keep your eyes open after your Thanksgiving feast every year, you may fully believe in its powers. But there are some other components of your meal that may be lending a helping hand. Tryptophan is an amino acid that helps create a chemical called serotonin in your brain, which is important for good sleep. But here's the thing: turkey doesn't have more tryptophan than other meats like chicken and beef. In fact, some foods like nuts and cheeses have even more tryptophan than turkey does.

Drug in turkey that makes you sleepy

Does eating Thanksgiving turkey make you sleepy due to its tryptophan content? Though the turkey myth has been debunked, as turkey contains no more tryptophan than any other common food or meat, there are other aspects of this myth that are worth exploring. Tryptophan is an essential amino acid, meaning the body cannot produce it. One of its metabolic pathways includes the production of serotonin and melatonin. A simplified metabolic pathway is illustrated below:. It remains unclear whether a potential contaminant such as Peak X caused the cases of eosinophilic myalgia. However, the presence of Peak X and its potential toxicity caused the FDA to ban L-tryptophan and 5-HTP dietary supplements until the mids, today more Health Care Providers are concerned of possible drug interactions between L-tryptophan supplements and select antidepressants that may cause serotonin syndrome, a life-threatening condition. This is just one example of how dietary supplements may ultimately cause harm as well as wellness; therefore, patients, and healthcare providers need to have open conversations regarding their medication and supplement usage. Maffei ME.

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To get into the brain they must be shuttled across the blood—brain barrier by specialized transport proteins. Why do we feel tired after our turkey-centered Thanksgiving dinner? Serotonin is the chemical responsible for our moods and also can create feelings of happiness and relaxation. Because the body is unable to manufacture tryptophan on its own, it must be obtained from food protein. Taken in isolation, tryptophan would increase brain serotonin, Wurtman says, but no food source contains tryptophan in the absence of other amino acids. Create profiles to personalise content. Is Turkey Bacon Healthy? That means it's very likely that tryptophan alone isn't solely responsible for your sleepiness. Tryptophan is a naturally occurring amino acid found in many foods. A new study suggests that consumption of ultra-processed foods is linked to 32 adverse health outcomes like cancer, heart disease, type 2 diabetes…. Also, if you drink alcohol with your dinner, you'll likely feel its sedative effect. These choices will be signaled to our partners and will not affect browsing data. Despite the latter's name, all have a lulling affect on the mind and body. List of Partners vendors. Does Turkey Make You Sleepy?

Does turkey's tryptophan dose cause drowsiness? Not likely.

How we reviewed this article: Sources. So does turkey make you sleepy , or is it something else? We avoid using tertiary references. Why do we feel tired after our turkey-centered Thanksgiving dinner? First things first: Yes, turkey does contain tryptophan , which does promote good sleep and a good mood, according to research published in Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews. So is your mealtime bird to blame for your sleepiness? The body also uses tryptophan to make melatonin, which helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle, according to the National Library of Medicine. The best solution to stay more alert is to moderate your meal. Medically reviewed by Grant Tinsley, Ph. It may simply be a function of scarfing down enormous quantities of food. Other good sources include:.