Am J Psychiatry 1977; 134:366-370
Copyright © 1977 by American Psychiatric Association
L-tryptophan: a rational hypnotic with clinical potential
E Hartmann
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.
