A compound used in many “mood-enhancing” and “sleep-inducing” supplements may actually cause anxiety and severe depression, according to a study.
In studies of mice, those who had mutations that blocked the uptake of the naturally occurring amino acid glycine had lower levels of stress markers in their bodies linked to the mental illness.
Researchers suspect that glycine plays a role in the development of these diseases and that too much of it can lead to the development of depression and anxiety.
They hope that blocking the body’s receptors for the drugs may even be a new tool to fight these diseases.
Researchers have found that the amino acid glycine may be central to the development of conditions such as anxiety and depression (file photo)
Glycine supplements, reported to improve sleep quality and help the nervous system, are sold at stores like Amazon and The Vitamin Shoppe
Researchers from the University of Florida who conducted the study now believe they can develop effective drugs to combat depression and anxiety that switch off the brain’s glycine receptors.
Glycine is sold at supplements like Amazon and stores like GNC and The Vitamin Shoppe for 15 cents a pill.
But the Florida researchers are discovering that the chemical may instead be at the root of people’s mental health problems — and has no cure.
It took the team, who published their findings Thursday in the journal Science, 15 years of research to make their discovery.
Research into stress and the causes of psychological problems in mice showed that rodents that lacked a key receptor in their brains were more resistant to stress than other rodents.
They named this receptor GPR158. However, it was what scientists call an “orphan receptor” in the brain because they weren’t sure what chemical would stimulate it.
“An orphan receptor is a challenge. They want to find out how it works,” said Dr. Thibaut Laboute, a researcher at Scripps Research Institute who contributed to the findings.
“What really excites me about this discovery is that it could be important in people’s lives. It wakes me up in the morning.”
Researchers want to investigate whether people have the same receptor.
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After further research, they found that the 2021 receptor absorbs glycine. The team, now renamed mGlyR, continued research on the receptor.
They found that when activated, it sends a signal to the brain to slow down. This made it more vulnerable to stress.
Over time, this excessive stress will encourage the development of conditions such as anxiety and depression.
The researchers hope their findings will help in the development of antidepressants.
“There are limited medications for people with depression,” said Dr. Kirill Martemyanov, a biomedical researcher in Florida.
“Most of them take weeks to start, if at all. We really need new and better options.”
Many antidepressants work by increasing levels of hormones such as serotonin in the brain.
Instead, the researchers hope that drugs that prevent mGlyR from taking up glycine may help prevent disease symptoms.
However, some people currently use glycine itself as a form of antidepressant. Previous research has even supported its use with prescription antidepressants to increase their effects.
Glycine is a popular choice for supplement users and is helping to fuel the burgeoning market.
Dietary supplements for the amino acid are sold at popular stores, including Walmart — along with dozens of other supplements, each reporting their own health benefits.
The packaging of these dietary supplements is designed to promote restful sleep and support the nervous system. Many also say that it can improve their mood.
However, these claims are based on previous mouse research, and many experts have expressed doubts about their effectiveness.
A Japanese study published in 2014 found that mice exposed to the chemical slept longer and were less disturbed.
Pakistani researchers found in 2018 that mice exposed to the chemical had higher levels of serotonin than their counterparts.
Glycine is also found in many of the staples of the much-vaunted Mediterranean diet, such as fish, dairy products and legumes.
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Serotonin helps transmit messages between the body’s nerve cells, and increased levels are linked to better sleep, reduced stress, and better overall mental health.
With 10 percent of American adults suffering from depression and at least three percent having a diagnosed case of anxiety, some have considered glycine as a treatment for their disorders.
In the US alone, sales of all dietary supplements will exceed $160 billion by 2022. Market insiders predict that number will reach $327 billion by 2030.
Unlike prescription drugs, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not require regulatory approval of dietary supplements before they can be placed on the market.
The agency considers the goods to be “food” and not “medicine”. This means that the FDA allows them to be sold as long as they do not contain any toxic or controlled substances.
With such a low regulatory limit, it can be difficult for consumers to determine whether their supplements actually have proven value.
The FDA also warns: “Products containing hidden drugs are also sometimes falsely marketed as dietary supplements, putting consumers at even greater risk.”
“For these reasons, it is important to consult a doctor before taking any dietary supplement.”
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
