Is there such thing as a tryptophan overdose?

If there is... I think I have!

Thanksgiving was awesome. I traveled 6.5 hours to Rapid City (Ellsworth AFB), South Dakota on Tuesday night to spend five days with some of my military friends (Side note: We got out of the military two years ago, but our relationships with our friends live strong).

The family we went to visit actually helped us move into our first house in Denver area... Yes, they drove 6.5 hours to help us move boxes. THOSE are friends. Aren't you jealous?

Then again, when we moved into the current residence, they offered to come down and visit for a few days and help us move.

Yes, be jealous. Be very, VERY jealous.

We also have another friend who met us there... 14 in all came to the tryptophan party.

Two turkeys and one ham later... we were stuffed like the Thanksgiving Bird! Ha! Oh my goodness, I think I ate more food in that twenty four hours then I had eaten in the past three weeks combined. No kidding.

Even before the meal, we were sampling the freshly barbequed bird... once... then twice... we lost count after the tenth.

Seriously, what is it about the amino acid named tryptophan that makes us so tired... *yawn*

Do you know? Ahhh, but I do... now. Research, gotta love research. And unfortunately, I have to dispell the old wives tale now...

*snicker*

While there are high levels of tryptophan in turkey, it has been proven these amounts are not the cause of our post bird coma's. In fact, it's everything else... or rather the combination of everything else like carbs, alcohol, eggs, sugar, etc...

Basically it's a carb induced coma... with tryptophan as a side dish. If you ate a "normal" portion of all the foods, your body probably would not go into this vegitative state... but since Thanksgiving is for stuffing yourself...

But, can you overdose on tryptophan?

You can on overdose on synthetic tryptophan... they use it in some sleep aids. Seek medical attention is you overdose on that. Not something to mess with.

However, *giggle* after another google read... I have found out that you CAN indeed overdose on the tryptophan that is contained in turkey. So be careful with your turkey consumption people... remember stop at 5 WHOLE Turkeys for dinner... because the 6th one may do you in.

*Shaking her head* How does one figure that out??? 6 whole turkeys?!?! Really???