Amino Acids May Curb Urge to Pull Hair

We’ve all heard the phrase, “I am going to pull my hair out,” from someone in a stressful situation, but there are actually many Americans who suffer from urges to pull their hair and have been diagnosed with a disease called trichotillomania. Trichotillomania is a condition where sufferers have compulsive urges to pull on their hair, many times pulling it out, causing bald areas. There is new evidence that a daily dose of amino acids, found in health food stores, may curb the urge to pull ones hair.

A team of researchers with the University of Minnesota, lead by Dr. Jon Grant, a psychiatrist with the University, recently released their study illustrating the positive effects of amino acids against compulsive hair pulling, in the July 2009 issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry. According to Dr. Grant, compulsive hair pulling begins in adolescence with many suffers not realizing their problem or are too ashamed to seek assistance, making it difficult to determine exactly how many suffer from the condition. According to the study, around two percent of Americans are affected and it is seen most often in women. Trichotillomania has also been linked to anxiety disorders and social phobias.

Currently there is no FDA-approved treatment for the condition, but based on the new study, amino acids may be the key. Researchers conducted a study that lasted for 12 weeks, involved 45 women and five men ranging in age from 18-65, who regularly pull their hair. The trial was a double-blind controlled trial, with half of the group receiving 1200 mg of N-Acetylcysteine daily for six weeks, and then an increased dosage of 2,400 mg daily for the remaining 6 weeks, the other half of the participants were given a placebo treatment for the full 12 weeks. At the end of the 12-week trial, 56 percent of the group receiving the amino acids reported feeling much better and 16 percent of the placebo group reported less tendencies to pull their hair. Amino acids have previously proven to have positive results in treating obsessive-compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, and it is sold in a nasal spray formula used to treat mucus buildup and other uses. Eventually we may see a formula specific to obsessive-compulsive disorders, but more testing is needed.

Dr. Grant wrote, “This study, the first to our knowledge that examines the efficacy of a glutamatergic agent in the treatment of trichotillomania, found that N-acetylcysteine demonstrated statistically significant reductions in trichotillomania symptoms.” According to Grant amino acid treatment, subdue a chemical in the brain that could also lead to a potential treatment for other obsessive-compulsive disorders, such as constant hand washing and may even help addicted gamblers.

Amino acids are readily available at any health food store and are relatively inexpensive, costing between $20 and $25, for a month’s supply. For those who suffer from the condition, this would be a minimal price to pay versus the potential embarrassment for early balding, especially for children and young adults, where more emphasis is placed on appearances. The team of researchers noted, as effective treatments for trichotillomania arise, it is important for medical staffs to be aware of the condition and its signs and symptoms, and screen patients for the disorder, to help provide prompt medical attention. Even though the research proved positive, the perfect dose and duration of amino acid treatment has not been determined and anyone wanting to try amino acid therapy, as treatment for trichotillomania may want to discuss the treatment with their doctor.