vindicated!

November 24, 2005 2:38 PM

turkey tryptophan wont make you sleepy
posted by Tryptophan-5ht (32 comments total)

Thank you for posting this. There's been a good Snopes page on it for a while, too.
posted by rxrfrx at 2:42 PM on November 24, 2005

I was always a little skeptical about that turkey makes you sleepy bit.

Apropos screen name to make this post, too, eh?
posted by teece at 2:42 PM on November 24, 2005

It's good to see tryptophan standing up for himself.
posted by iron chef morimoto at 2:49 PM on November 24, 2005

Heh, nice page title.
posted by gaspode at 2:54 PM on November 24, 2005

In any case, it's the melatonin that's ultimately implicated: L-Tryptophan --> 5-HTP --> 5-HT a.k.a. Serotonin --> Melatonin/
posted by Gyan at 2:56 PM on November 24, 2005

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.
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 2:56 PM on November 24, 2005

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..
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 2:58 PM on November 24, 2005

Is this something I would need an endocrine system to understand?
posted by milquetoast at 2:59 PM on November 24, 2005

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

posted by Robot Johnny at 3:03 PM on November 24, 2005

G-G-G-G-G-G protein unit!
posted by Mach3avelli at 3:26 PM on November 24, 2005

Cool, but its 6:48 pm and I'm going to bed. Peace.
posted by R. Mutt at 3:48 PM on November 24, 2005

WHY DO YOU LIE
posted by thirteenkiller at 3:49 PM on November 24, 2005

Oh BITE ME it will too!!!!!!
posted by The Deej at 5:03 PM on November 24, 2005

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.
posted by reverenddrjice at 5:21 PM on November 24, 2005

turkey tryptophan wont make you sleepy

Tell that to my turkey coma.
posted by Balisong at 6:21 PM on November 24, 2005

I'm going to start an awesome Goth Band called Tryptophantasmagoria. We'll be playing at the Dungeon this weekend.
posted by Stan Chin at 6:32 PM on November 24, 2005

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).
posted by arjuna at 6:40 PM on November 24, 2005

Tryptophantasmagorians identify with all turkeys. You will never understand.
posted by longsleeves at 6:40 PM on November 24, 2005

I think you mean Polturkeygeists.
posted by Stan Chin at 6:43 PM on November 24, 2005

I think you mean Polturkeygeists.

Isn't that Poultrygeists?
posted by Robot Johnny at 6:51 PM on November 24, 2005

Ah yes, if there was a movie called Schindler's Haunted Thanksgiving, the poultrygeists would haunt by chanting "Goebbels Goebbels Goebbels."
posted by Stan Chin at 6:58 PM on November 24, 2005

oh shit winner.
posted by rxrfrx at 7:49 PM on November 24, 2005

I wasn't sleeping.
posted by pointilist at 8:09 PM on November 24, 2005

*dies*
posted by youcancallmeal at 8:38 PM on November 24, 2005

Ah, well it's good to know that it was always a load of bu-*snores*
posted by kosher_jenny at 8:49 PM on November 24, 2005

Huh? What? Goddamnit, keep it down, I'm napping.
posted by loquacious at 10:44 PM on November 24, 2005

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.
posted by Ynoxas at 6:33 AM on November 25, 2005

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
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 7:02 AM on November 25, 2005

Personally, for me, it's the half a bottle of wine with dinner.
posted by briank at 7:55 AM on November 25, 2005

erm, so like 'tryptophan in the Ambassador Hotel in Turkey' doesn't make me sleepy?
Stewpit AdLinks..
If you take pills, then eat turkey!
posted by borq at 8:18 AM on November 25, 2005

Folk science is adorable!
posted by reverenddrjice at 10:02 AM on November 25, 2005

Ixnay on the Urkey tay not making you eepy-slay.
The wife will have me doin’ chores instead of watching football.
posted by Smedleyman at 11:02 AM on November 25, 2005