L-Tyrosine
Also known as: tyrosine, L-tyr, 4-hydroxyphenylalanine
A conditionally essential amino acid that serves as the direct precursor to dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. Supplemental tyrosine is studied for maintaining working memory and task performance during acute stressors such as cold, noise, sleep loss, and multitasking, when catecholamine turnover is high. It is a staple of focus and pre-workout formulas and is generally not stimulating on its own.
Research summary
Supplies substrate for catecholamine synthesis, helping sustain dopamine and norepinephrine output when demand is elevated.
Dosage
Daily amounts, of compound.
| Lowest studied | Typical range | Highest studied | Upper limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 mg | 500–2,000 mg | 10,000 mg | — |
Consumer products use 500–2,000 mg per serving, taken 30–60 minutes before a demanding task. Research protocols showing effects under stress often used 100–150 mg/kg (roughly 7–10 g for a 70 kg adult) as a single dose, which is far above typical product doses. Benefits appear limited to stressful or depleting conditions rather than rested baseline performance.
Source material: fermentation-derived
Forms of Tyrosine
| Form | Typical dose | Element % | Formats | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| L-Tyrosine | 500–2,000 mg | — | Capsule, Powder, Tablet | low |
| N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine | 350–1,000 mg | — | Capsule, Powder, Tablet, Liquid | mid |
Format suitability
- Capsule
- Powder
- Tablet
- Softgel
- Gummy
- Liquid
Poorly water-soluble and slightly bitter; gram-level doses are impractical in gummies. 1 g requires roughly two size-00 capsules.
Formulation notes
Commonly stacked with caffeine and L-theanine in focus formulas. Formulators should note it is a catecholamine precursor when pairing with stimulants; a drug-interaction flag applies mainly to MAOI users, which is a label-caution matter.
Sources
Related ingredients
Rhodiola Rosea Extract
BotanicalA root extract from an arctic and alpine plant, standardized to rosavins and salidroside, that is used in energy, focus, and stress formulas.
Typical: 200–600 mg
American Ginseng Extract
BotanicalThe root of a ginseng species native to North America, used in focus and calm-energy formulas.
Typical: 200–400 mg
Caffeine Anhydrous
Sports performancePurified, dehydrated caffeine — the standard stimulant in pre-workouts, energy, and focus products.
Typical: 100–200 mg
L-Theanine
Amino acidAn amino acid found naturally in green tea that promotes a calm, focused state without sedation.
Typical: 100–200 mg
MCT Oil
Fatty acidMCT oil is a clear, flavorless oil made by fractionating coconut or palm kernel oil to isolate the medium-chain fatty acids caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid as triglycerides.
Typical: 5–15 g