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A few years ago, I had been on countless prescription SSRI antidepressants and "mood stabilizers" that either had no effect, made me very sleepy, or made me feel worse. After deciding to get off all the prescription meds and go the natural route, I read The Mood Cure by Julia Ross and also subsequently read similar anecdotal evidence online that L- and DL-Phenylalanine - naturally occurring amino acids that are precursors to tyrosine - work well at boosting mood, fighting depression, and promoting energy and alertness. So I decided to give it a try. For me it definitely does all these things. Since phenylalanine mostly converts to tyrosine, it has the same effects, and can largely be spoken of in the same manner. I wrote a similar review on the product page for L-Tyrosine, so the content here will be largely the same. Remember DLPA converts to tyrosine. If one doesn't work, try the other. Tyrosine acts as a precursor to a specific type of neurotransmitters in the brain called catecholamines, namely dopamine, epinephrine (adrenaline), and norepinephrine. As mentioned, these catecholamines promote energy, alertness, and a general sense of optimism. They are also responsible for the body's natural fight-or-flight response to immediate stress or danger, when the adrenal glands pump massive amounts of adrenaline into the bloodstream, increasing heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, and muscle strength, all while also creating a sense of mental hyper awareness. This is one reason DLPA is great for pain. Caffeine, a powerful amphetamine/stimulant, also does these things, but causes a crash or 'burnout' later. This is why so many people turn to caffeine (usually via coffee) and other stimulants to start their day, since these substances temporarily enhance mood, energy, and cognition by increasing catecholamine synthesis. You can almost think of tyrosine and DLPA as milder forms of caffeine without the intense amphetamine-like effect, without the crash, and without the associated negative side effects. The other probably more important reason DLPA is great for pain management is because the D-form increases endorphins and enkalphalins the most. As you can probably guess, studies have shown that people who are depressed generally have lower-than-average levels of catecholamines. A typical modern American diet (MAD) also seems to provide less catecholamine synthesis than the diet of our ancient ancestors, which could potentially play a role in explaining the increasing rates of depression and general complaints about fatigue in our modern society. If you really want to investigate your own situation, you can always go to your doctor and request a catecholamine test via a urine or blood sample. You could even get really scientific with it by going back a month later after regular tyrosine or DLPA supplementation to see if there is indeed a positive change in your catecholamine levels. Granted, if there is you will be able to feel the effects, but it's always nice to have some concrete data to back up a feeling and to rule out a potential placebo effect. As a side note, tyrosine also happens to be a precursor for melanin, the pigment that makes your skin darker after sun exposure, so a nice side effect is being able to tan much quicker in the summer. I also rarely get sunburned (red skin) anymore, since my body is able to produce more melanin at a faster rate because of the tyrosine. Admittedly, I do not know if there is any scientific evidence for that, but I would argue that perhaps different tyrosine levels contribute to the fact that some people get really sunburned without getting a dark tan, while others seem to be able to tan effortlessly without really getting burned. As another reviewer stated, I have also always had a weird problem with a general lethargy and lack of energy throughout the day, even though I get plenty of sleep and have a very healthy diet. DLPA provides the alert energy I've been searching for. What's great is that it is not a jittery, amphetamine-like effect that you get from coffee and energy drinks. Instead, it is a clear, alert, energetic mental state - the way I think a healthy body and mind are supposed to feel. Emotionally, I also just "feel good" and have a more positive outlook. For those who are trying or have tried DLPA and are not seeing effects, it is important to remember these things to ensure maximum absorption: - Take DLPA on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes after and before any food, especially protein. Amino acids compete with each other for blood-brain barrier transport, so if you are taking DLPA or L-Tyrosine (or any amino acid supplement for that matter) with any type of protein or other amino acids, you are wasting your money. I like to take mine right when I wake up with a large glass of water and then wait an hour before eating. I know this may be difficult for those who like to immediately eat breakfast after waking up, but fight the urge and try to change your morning routine to allow time for the tyrosine to be fully and properly absorbed. - Take DLPA with Vitamin B6 and Vitamin C to further maximize absorption. - Experiment with different dosages. In regards to dosage, I think it is different for everyone, as is usually the case with any supplement. In specific regards to DLPA, too little and you won't feel any effect, too much and you may feel a bit jittery or agitated, as one of the negative reviewers pointed out. I have experimented with 1 750mg tablet daily up to 1500mg daily with no adverse side effects. For anyone with depression, chronic fatigue, or mood swings, I would also highly recommend reading The Mood Cure by Julia Ross (mentioned above) and The Depression Cure by Dr. Stephen Ilardi. These 2 books have literally changed my life. In relation to The Mood Cure, it is important to find out what "type" of mood(s) you have to see what chemical(s) you may be low in. For example, those with what she calls Type 1 "black cloud" depression are probably low in serotonin, while those with Type 2 "Feeling the Blahs" depression are probably low in norepinephrine. You can be in multiple categories, of course. There are several. I found myself to be in all of them somewhat. If you read The Mood Cure, there is a questionnaire in the book to help you figure it out, which can also be found here: http://www.moodcure.com/take_the_mood_type_questionnaire.html With the knowledge gained years ago from the 2 books above and my subsequent extensive research on health, nutrition, and overall wellness, I am supremely confident that anyone can take control of or at least diminish their depression naturally. Keep in mind that everyone reacts differently to different supplements, so in the rare case that DLPA just does nothing for you, try L-Tyrosine. I mentioned I found myself in every mood category/type. For this reason, I also supplement GABA, 5-HTP, and L-Tryptophan in the evening before bed, since they make you sleepy by converting to serotonin and eventually melatonin, which regulates your sleep cycle. These amino acids have a counterbalance effect in the body. Supplementing DLPA may negatively affect your serotonin levels (especially if using high dosage), and supplementing L-Tryptophan may negatively affect your dopamine levels, so it is very important to find out what you're low in. I firmly believe this is part of the reason why SSRI's just made me extremely tired all the time while having no motivation or drive. Source Naturals is a great supplement company; I almost exclusively buy supplements from them and NOW Foods. I definitely recommend to anyone that you at least give L-Tyrosine or DLPA a try and remember the absorption tips above. In the interest of full disclosure, I am not a medical doctor and nothing herein is intended to be medical advice. This is my own personal experience. Always consult your doctor before taking any nutritional supplements. Cheers to happiness and health!