Deprenyl and Phenylalanine: An Adderall Alternative?

Adderall is an extremely potent stimulant and focus enhancer. If you’re in need of raw productivity there are few drugs that can match it. Unfortunately it comes with serious side effects, is addictive, and worst of all is only legal with a prescription. This causes many people to seek out adderall alternatives. Modafinil is an obvious choice as an adderall alternative. It’s safer and less addictive, but unfortunately in the US it is also illegal to possess without a prescription. There is one option which is rarely discussed, however. It is the combination of Deprenyl and Phenylalanine (PEA).

What are Deprenyl and Phenylalanine?

Deprenyl is an irreversible selective MAO-B inhibitor at small doses (5 mg or less). Monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) is a protein which is partially responsible for the breakdown of dopamine. When you take deprenyl, it prevents MAO-B from breaking down dopamine, causing levels of it to rise in the brain. (One major effect of Adderall is releasing and slowing the break down of dopamine)

Phenylalanine is an essential amino acid which is commonly found in the breast milk of mammals. It has been shown to have both analgesic and anti-depressant properties, however it produces little effect when taken alone because it is rapidly broken down by MAO-B once it reaches the brain. When taken with Deprenyl, Phenylalanine is not broken down nearly as quickly, and produces much more noticeable effects.

Is it an effective Adderall Alternative?

When taken in combination, Deprenyl and Phenylalanine cause an increase in mood, energy, and the ability to focus in a way similar to that of adderall. Unfortunately it falls short in a few ways. Anecdotal evidence suggests that its effects only last a couple of hours at most. This is sadly a far cry from the 5-6 hours that adderall is effective for. Also, the combination is often reported as providing more euphoria than focus, which may make it better suited for a night out than a long study session.

Is this combination safe?

Taken at low doses, this combination is not especially dangerous. When Deprenyl is taken at doses exceeding 5 mg per day, however, it begins to lose its selectivity and inhibits MAO-A as well as MAO-B. When this happens, it is very dangerous to take Deprenyl with many drugs and medications, particularly MDMA and almost all stimulants. It can also interact negatively with foods containing Tyramine. Because Deprenyl is an irreversible MAO inhibitor, this effect can last up to two weeks after you stop taking it. If you plan on giving this combination a try, read this article thoroughly and talk to your doctor first.