Taking supplements containing N-Acetylcysteine (an amino acid with antioxidant effects) may help tame trichotillomania, a condition marked by a compulsive urge to pull out hair from your scalp.
For a recent study, 50 people with trichotillomania took either an N-Acetylcysteine supplement or placebo pill daily. At the start of the study, patients in the supplement group were given 1,200 mg of N-Acetylcysteine each day; after six weeks, their dosage was increased to 2,400 mg a day. After nine weeks, members of the supplement group had significantly decreased hair-pulling. And by the end of the 12-week study, 56 percent of patients in the supplement group reported feeling much improved, while only 16 percent of participants taking the placebo pill reported less hair-pulling.
According to the study's authors, N-Acetylcysteine appears to moderate levels of glutamate (a brain chemical known to trigger excitement). By altering glutamate levels in a specific brain region, the authors suggest, N-Acetylcysteine may help trichotillomania patients control their compulsive behavior.
Past studies indicate that biofeedback and hypnotherapy may also benefit people with trichotillomania.
How can we obtain this supplement in Canada (Toronto) ??
Can you tell me what the side effects are?
Interesting post. It is amazing that these simple amino acids can have so many extraordinary uses. Many amino acids can help treat more than one condition too. I couldn’t imagine having a condition where I was pulling my hair out, i’m glad people with this condition at least have the information on this amino acid that can help
Research Study on the Relationship Between Caffeine, Trichotilloamania (as well as self-injury and skin-picking) and Family-of-Origin Relationships
-This study has been approved by the International Review Board at Alliant International University and is being conducted by Cassandra Curtis and Dr. Steven Jella’
Anxiety and physical and emotional abuse have been shown to be prevalent among people with Trichotillomania. People who hair-pull are often found to have higher rates of anxiety than those who do not and research has reported that most people who hair-pull have a diagnosable anxiety disorder. Research has also reported that people who hair-pull have reported higher rates of physical and emotional abuse in childhood than those who do not.
Research on stressful early parent-child relationships has demonstrated increased sensitivity to anxiety in adulthood by way of altered dopaminergic and serotonergic systems, which are two neurological systems that caffeine acts upon. The study below aims to examine the relationships between caffeine, Trichotillomania (as well as skin-picking and different and dynamic forms of self-injury) and early family dynamics.
By participating in the study you may help contribute to society gaining a more holistic perspective of hair-pulling and in helping to develop more comprehensive treatment modalities for people dealing with Trichotillomania.
Please click on the link below to access the survey. All responses will be kept anonymous and confidential. Thank you for participating.
Click Here to take survey
Hello i have two girl twins of 3 years. They have Trichotillomania from 11 months.Are these pills good for this small age also?What are there side effects?
This amino acid pill absolutely works, I have been using it consistently and have been pull free ever since. Brain chemistry and the hair pull impulse urge have some kind of relation to the N-acetyl-L-Cysteine. GET a 600mg time released capsule Bottle or product from a Nutrition store.
Email me: jamesinaustin@rocketmail.com
Hi Cathy –
We would recommend using NAC only as a secondary treatment. There are two reasons for this. First, NAC works on glutamate, which is a secondary excitatory neurotransmitter. What you really need to do is get the primary neurotransmitter balance under control, then the secondary neurotransmitters that NAC affects will self-regulate. Also, you have to be careful to balance the excitatory neurotransmitters with the inhibitory transmitters. Using only NAC will cause an imbalance, and only worsen the problem. It’s detailed on our post Supplement May Not Make You Able to Stop Pulling Hair Out. Thanks for making people aware of this treatment, and starting some conversation about it.