Tyrosine
Also known as amino acid, l-tyrosine, tyrosine
Key takeaways
- L-tyrosine may influence working memory gating depending on the individual's baseline levels (PMID: 32133585).
- Acute tyrosine administration was studied for its effects on reactive and proactive response inhibition in older adults (PMID: 30094335).
- Systematic reviews indicate varied behavioral and cognitive effects of tyrosine intake in healthy adults (PMID: 25797188).
What the research shows
AI-synthesized from 50 peer-reviewed sources · Updated 2025
Tyrosine is a precursor amino acid to dopamine and other catecholamines. Research generally explores its role in cognitive performance and mental health, though many provided sources focus on tyrosine kinase inhibitors (pharmaceuticals) rather than the dietary supplement.
By condition
Cognitive Function
Weak
Evidence suggests a baseline-dependent effect on working memory gating, but results across healthy adults are mixed.
Mental Health
Insufficient
Exploratory trials have investigated tyrosine as part of a multi-amino acid blend for office workers, but definitive efficacy is not established.
Effective doses
Specific dose ranges were not detailed in the provided abstracts.
Safety & interactions
No specific supplement contraindications were listed, but caution is advised regarding the distinction between dietary tyrosine and pharmaceutical tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
Limitations
Much of the available literature in the provided set refers to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) for cancer treatment rather than the amino acid supplement. There is a lack of large-scale, consistent RCT data for general cognitive enhancement.
Top-rated Tyrosine products
Ranked by safety score and evidence coverage
Drug–supplement interactions
2 documented interactions
| Drug | Severity | Mechanism | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maoi | Critical | Tyrosine is a catecholamine precursor. MAOIs prevent catecholamine breakdown. Co | well-established |
| Levodopa | Moderate | Tyrosine and levodopa compete for the same intestinal absorption transporter. | probable |
How it's sold
Data aggregated from 480 product labels
Research evidence
Showing top 10 of 50 sources, sorted by quality
The urgent need to reduce the cost of new drug discovery has led us to create a new, more selective screening method using free chemoinformatics tools to restrict the high failure rates of lead compounds (>90%) during the development proces…
BACKGROUND: Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitors (BTKi) reduce mortality and morbidity in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) but have an association with cardiotoxicities, including hypertension, atrial fibrillation (AF), ventricular arrhyt…
BACKGROUND: Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) play a vital role in neonatal nutrition. Optimal BCAA supplementation might improve neonatal nutrient storage, leading to better physical and neurological development and other outcomes. OBJECT…
Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) fusion represents one of pivotal driver genes within the realm of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). ALK-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (ALK-TKIs) have demonstrated remarkable therapeutic efficacy for patients …
In recent years, with the discovery of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene and the successful development of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI), the treatment efficacy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with EGFR gene se…
Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) catalyses the rate-limiting step in dopamine biosynthesis. Autosomal recessive tyrosine hydroxylase deficiency (THD) leads to clinical phenotypes reflecting the deficiency of dopamine, norepinephrine, or epinephrin…
**Jongkees et al., 2020** | Cogn Affect Behav Neurosci | Rct Jongkees Bryant J. Baseline-dependent effect of dopamine's precursor L-tyrosine on working memory gating but not updating. Cogn Affect Behav Neurosci. 2020-Jun;20(3):521-535. doi:…
The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of pre-exercise amino acid (AA) supplementation on post-exercise iron regulation. Ten healthy males participated under two different sets of conditions in a randomized, double-blind, cr…
**Salem et al., 2024** | Sports Med Open | Systematic Review Salem Atef, Ben Maaoui Khouloud, ... Chtourou Hamdi. Attenuating Muscle Damage Biomarkers and Muscle Soreness After an Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage with Branched-Chain Amino Aci…
The green tea amino acid, L-theanine (L-THE) is associated with several health benefits, including improvements in mood, cognition and a reduction of stress and anxiety-like symptoms. This systematic review evaluated the effect of pure L-TH…
Frequently asked questions
What is L-tyrosine and what is it used for?
L-tyrosine is an amino acid that serves as a precursor to dopamine and other catecholamines in the body. It is primarily researched for its potential role in supporting cognitive performance and mental health, particularly in managing stress or fatigue.
Does tyrosine improve cognitive function or working memory?
Research on tyrosine's effect on cognitive function is weak and mixed. Some evidence suggests it may influence working memory gating in a baseline-dependent manner, but results across healthy adults are inconsistent, indicating that evidence is limited for general cognitive enhancement.
Can tyrosine help with mental health or stress?
There is insufficient evidence to establish the efficacy of tyrosine for mental health conditions. While exploratory trials have looked at tyrosine blends for office workers, definitive benefits have not been proven, so research is mixed regarding its impact on mental well-being.
What is the effective dose of tyrosine for cognitive benefits?
The provided evidence does not detail specific effective dose ranges for tyrosine supplementation. Consumers should consult a healthcare provider for personalized dosage advice, as specific amounts are not established in the available research summaries.
Is tyrosine safe to take with MAOI antidepressants?
No, it is critical to avoid taking tyrosine with MAOIs due to a well-established critical interaction. Because tyrosine is a catecholamine precursor and MAOIs prevent catecholamine breakdown, combining them can lead to dangerous increases in catecholamine levels.
Are there drug interactions between tyrosine and Levodopa?
Yes, there is a moderate interaction between tyrosine and Levodopa because they compete for the same intestinal absorption transporter. This competition may reduce the absorption of Levodopa, so individuals taking this medication should consult their doctor before using tyrosine.
Who should avoid taking tyrosine supplements?
Individuals taking MAOIs or Levodopa should avoid tyrosine due to serious drug interactions. Additionally, caution is advised for anyone distinguishing between dietary tyrosine and pharmaceutical tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and you should always consult a healthcare provider before starting new supplements.