Researchers have found anecdotal evidence that food is used by some creative people to improve concentration and depth of thought. This anecdotal evidence was tested in a study using L-Tyrosine.

L-Tyrosine is an amino acid present in many foods, and is a precursor to the catecholamine Dopamine. Catecholamines are a class of neurotransmitter. Dopamine is involved in the cognitive functions of problem solving, attention and memory.

In this study, the effect of oral L-Tyrosine supplementation on creative thinking was tested. 32 participants were tested for improvement in two styles of creative thinking– divergent thinking, usually referred to as brainstorming, and convergent thinking – more commonly known as focus or concentration.

Participants took either 2 grams of L-Tyrosine or a placebo with orange juice. Those who took the L-Tyrosine performed better in convergent thinking tests – in other words, L-Tyrosine improves concentration and focus. There were no performance changes for the divergent thinking tests.

So L-Tyrosine may assist in achieving goals in many areas of life that require convergent thinking – including academic, career and sporting endeavours.

Source: “Food for creativity: tyrosine promotes deep thinking”, LS Colzato, AM de Haan, B Hommel
Image © Feedough | Dreamstime.com