Comments on: vindicated!

vindicated!

Tryptophan-5ht — Thu, 24 Nov 2005 14:38:54 -0800

turkey tryptophan wont make you sleepy

By: rxrfrx

rxrfrx — Thu, 24 Nov 2005 14:42:10 -0800

Thank you for posting this. There's been a good Snopes page on it for a while, too.

By: teece

teece — Thu, 24 Nov 2005 14:42:11 -0800

I was always a little skeptical about that turkey makes you sleepy bit. Apropos screen name to make this post, too, eh?

By: iron chef morimoto

iron chef morimoto — Thu, 24 Nov 2005 14:49:32 -0800

It's good to see tryptophan standing up for himself.

By: gaspode

gaspode — Thu, 24 Nov 2005 14:54:03 -0800

Heh, nice page title.

By: Gyan

Gyan — Thu, 24 Nov 2005 14:56:07 -0800

In any case, it's the melatonin that's ultimately implicated: L-Tryptophan --> 5-HTP --> 5-HT a.k.a. Serotonin --> Melatonin/

By: BlackLeotardFront

BlackLeotardFront — Thu, 24 Nov 2005 14:56:42 -0800

However, after eating so much food in one sitting, there is a hormonal and physical satiety reflex that activates your parasympathetic system, which will slow you down anyway. So don't go telling everyone they're faking it.

By: BlackLeotardFront

BlackLeotardFront — Thu, 24 Nov 2005 14:58:23 -0800

Gyan, you may as well say it's cyclic AMP or a G-protein unit that's ultimately implicated as the chemical messenger if you're going that far..

By: milquetoast

milquetoast — Thu, 24 Nov 2005 14:59:54 -0800

Is this something I would need an endocrine system to understand?

By: Robot Johnny

Robot Johnny — Thu, 24 Nov 2005 15:03:49 -0800

Tryptophane I was wrong, it's an ordinary day Tryptophane It began, I was feeling like I am By the leg of the bird And the special day observed I was mad 'til I found There was more to go around Tryptophane All alone, I was wrong And there's much more going on In my vein, in my mind In my chemistry I'd find Tryptophane, I'm aware Like the calm breeze in the air Like a swan on the lake I'm not calm, that's my mistake Tryptophane

By: Mach3avelli

Mach3avelli — Thu, 24 Nov 2005 15:26:14 -0800

G-G-G-G-G-G protein unit!

By: R. Mutt

R. Mutt — Thu, 24 Nov 2005 15:48:27 -0800

Cool, but its 6:48 pm and I'm going to bed. Peace.

By: thirteenkiller

thirteenkiller — Thu, 24 Nov 2005 15:49:28 -0800

WHY DO YOU LIE

By: The Deej

The Deej — Thu, 24 Nov 2005 17:03:46 -0800

Oh BITE ME it will too!!!!!!

By: reverenddrjice

reverenddrjice — Thu, 24 Nov 2005 17:21:56 -0800

I think the point is that is precisely NOT the tryptophan->serotonin->melatonin (to second messenger casade) that causes the drowsiness, its the parasympathetic "rest or digest" feature of it all. The article explains it well by pointing out that the amino acid transporters in the brain are overwhelmed and could not allow enough tryptophan to get in. You can make a case for the high carb meal adding to the effect but thats pretty darn secondary to the fact you just ate a ton of food.

By: Balisong

Balisong — Thu, 24 Nov 2005 18:21:42 -0800

turkey tryptophan wont make you sleepy Tell that to my turkey coma.

By: Stan Chin

Stan Chin — Thu, 24 Nov 2005 18:32:31 -0800

I'm going to start an awesome Goth Band called Tryptophantasmagoria. We'll be playing at the Dungeon this weekend.

By: arjuna

arjuna — Thu, 24 Nov 2005 18:40:11 -0800

As I understand it, tryptophan does have a hard time competing with other amino acids to cross into the brain. Until that is, you eat something sugary and insulin levels rise in your bloodstream. A side effect of insulin is that most plasma amino acid levels drop, but not tryptophan which is then free to cross into the brain unimpeded. This is one reason why a sweet milk drink before bed helps with sleep (provided you're lactose tolerant).

By: longsleeves

longsleeves — Thu, 24 Nov 2005 18:40:35 -0800

Tryptophantasmagorians identify with all turkeys. You will never understand.

By: Stan Chin

Stan Chin — Thu, 24 Nov 2005 18:43:55 -0800

I think you mean Polturkeygeists.

By: Robot Johnny

Robot Johnny — Thu, 24 Nov 2005 18:51:09 -0800

I think you mean Polturkeygeists. Isn't that Poultrygeists?

By: Stan Chin

Stan Chin — Thu, 24 Nov 2005 18:58:46 -0800

Ah yes, if there was a movie called Schindler's Haunted Thanksgiving, the poultrygeists would haunt by chanting "Goebbels Goebbels Goebbels."

By: rxrfrx

rxrfrx — Thu, 24 Nov 2005 19:49:24 -0800

oh shit winner.

By: pointilist

pointilist — Thu, 24 Nov 2005 20:09:44 -0800

I wasn't sleeping.

By: youcancallmeal

youcancallmeal — Thu, 24 Nov 2005 20:38:57 -0800

*dies*

By: kosher_jenny

kosher_jenny — Thu, 24 Nov 2005 20:49:44 -0800

Ah, well it's good to know that it was always a load of bu-*snores*

By: loquacious

loquacious — Thu, 24 Nov 2005 22:44:10 -0800

Huh? What? Goddamnit, keep it down, I'm napping.

By: Ynoxas

Ynoxas — Fri, 25 Nov 2005 06:33:55 -0800

It's clear that none of these "scientists" have ever had a proper thanksgiving meal. A good turkey dinner is almost as effective as a quarter-bottle of Nyquil. Therefore, I renounce my belief in science. I hope everyone enjoys their turkey dinner nap, which was installed in each of you by an intelligent creator.

By: Secret Life of Gravy

Secret Life of Gravy — Fri, 25 Nov 2005 07:02:40 -0800

Actual conversation around the Gravy table yesterday (to be read out loud with very thick Southern drawls): Sister in law: Turkey's got tryptophane in it. It'll make you sleepy. Mother in law: Trypto Whaaat? Sister in law: Tryptophane. It's somethin' in the turkey. Mother in law: Huh. Father in law (on the couch): Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

By: briank

briank — Fri, 25 Nov 2005 07:55:35 -0800

Personally, for me, it's the half a bottle of wine with dinner.

By: borq

borq — Fri, 25 Nov 2005 08:18:55 -0800

erm, so like 'tryptophan in the Ambassador Hotel in Turkey' doesn't make me sleepy? Stewpit AdLinks.. If you take pills, then eat turkey!

By: reverenddrjice

reverenddrjice — Fri, 25 Nov 2005 10:02:08 -0800

Folk science is adorable!

By: Smedleyman

Smedleyman — Fri, 25 Nov 2005 11:02:10 -0800

Ixnay on the Urkey tay not making you eepy-slay. The wife will have me doin' chores instead of watching football.