Replied By Bee (Usa) on 10/29/2009
I had posted asking about this not too long ago. The studies I read on pubmed had said dosages were from 1200-2400 mg. I have not yet tried it- but am seriously considering it- I would love to find a solution to this problem- sometimes I feel so defeated with this disorder- most people just wonder why I don't just stop pulling- but it's so much deeper than that- even on days I say I won't- inevitably it happens- next thing you know my eyelashes and eyebrows are bare. It's horribly frustrating and embarrassing. I would love to find something to help.Replied By Bee (Anonymous, Usa) on 11/08/2009
I decided to go ahead and purchase some N-Acetyl Cysteine- it's being shipped now. I purchased 600 mg capsules and will start on a regimen when I receive them. Will update with my progress- I really hope for good results since I have struggled with TTM since I was very young!! You don't find too many people out there that want to talk about this problem either- I admit I'm quite ashamed and embarrassed by it myself. Thanks again for this great website!!Replied By Bee (Anon, Usa) on 12/07/2009
Just wanted to update on my progress with the NAC and Trichotillomania. I have been taking a dose of 1200 mg for just short of four weeks (the studies I read said best results were at 9 weeks). I am obviously not cured and still have some bad episodes of pulling. But it's worked well enough that I finally have some eyelashes growing back- and this is for me BIG progress. It's hard to see progress with this disorder because you can feel like your progress is completely ruined with one bad episode of pulling and you are back to square one- but I'm trying to realize it's not that big of a deal and it's not all ruined. I do have less strong of an urge to pull which is a new feeling and I assume it's the NAC since I haven't changed anything else. For most people this is a lifelong problem, so to see any progress makes me happy- I am going to continue on with the NAC and may even increase the dosage to 2400 mg- depending on progress further along.Replied By Anonymous (Washington, Usa) on 02/19/2010
HI I wanted to add something about N-ACETYL CYSTEINE ALSO KNOWN AS NAC (THATS WHAT SUPPLIMENT LABELS WILL ADVERTIZE AS). I HAVE BEEN PULLING OUT MY HAIR SINCE I WAS A KID AND NOW I AM ALMOST 30. I HAVE TRIED DEPPRESSION MEDICINE FROM A DOCTOR, I REALLY DONT THINK APPLE CIDER VINAGER WILL WORK...WHAT A JOKE, I HAVE TRIED NOT PULLING, I HAVE GOTTEN LONG NAILS PUT ON AT THE SALON TO MAKE IT HARD TO PULL, I HAVE TRIED COUNSELING SESSIONS, I HAVE ALSO TRIED A DIET CHANGE. ALSO I HAVE OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER WHICH MAKES IT WORSE. ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO I HAVE STARTED TAKING 600 MG OF NAC TWO TIMES A DAY. IT IS FROM THE SUPLIMENT STORE ( COSTS ANYWHERE FROM 8 DOLLARS TO 30 DOLLARS DEPENDING ON WHAT BRAND YOU WANT ). I TAKE IT WHEN I GET UP IN THE MORNING AND I TAKE IT BEFORE I GO TO BED. THE REASON I AM POSTING THIS REPLY IS TO TELL THE DESPERATE PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO PULL THEIR HAIR OUT AND CANT STOP THAT THERE IS HOPE. MY CONDITION IS SO BAD THAT I, AN ATTRACTIVE COLLEGE STUDENT, AM ALMOST COMPLETELY BALD AND HAVE BEEN THIS WAY FOR YEARS. I WEAR REALLY EXPENSIVE WIGS THAT I SPEND ALL MY MONEY ON TO COVER UP THIS PROBLEM. MY WIGS LOOK VERY REAL. I HAVE DONE TONS OF RESERCH ON THE NAC SUPPLIMENT AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS SUPPLEMENT IS AMAZING AND EVERYONE IN THIS WORLD SHOULD BE TAKING IT. AT THE END OF THIS POST I WILL INCLUDE A WEBSITE THAT TELLS YOU EVERYTHING NAC IS GOOD FOR. THERE HAD BEEN VERY LITTLE RESERCH ON THIS HAIR PULLING DISORDER AND MOST MEDICAL PERFESSIONALS HAVE BASICALLY LABLED THIS PROBLEM AS UNCURRABLE. IT IS NOT FAIR. AND BECAUSE OF THIS DISORDER I AM AFRAID OF GOING OUT INTO THE WORLD BECAUSE I DONT WANT PEOPLE TO JUDGE ME IF THEY NOTICE MY WIG. ITS REALLY MESSED UP. I STAYED UP ALL NIGHT AND RESERCHED NAC AND FOUND OUT IT HAS BEEN USED TO HELP PEOPLE NOT PULL OUT THEIR HAIR OR AT LEAST DO IT LESS. I HAVE BEEN TAKING THIS SUPPLIMENT FOR TWO WEEKS AND I JUST REALIZED THAT I HAVE BEEN PULLING MY HAIR OUT WAY WAY WAY LESS. AS LONG AS I KEEP MY HAND AWAY FROM MY SCALP I WILL NOT PULL. BUT ONCE I START PULLING IT BECOME HARD TO STOP. BUT WITH TAKING THE NAC I HAVE NOT BEEN PULLING OUT MY HAIR AS MUCH AND I DONT EVEN REALLY THINK ABOUT DOING IT UNLESS I REMIND MYSELF. IT IS AMAZING. I MEAN SOME TIMES I CRY BECAUSE I CATCH MYSELF PULLING MY HAIR OUT FOR HOURS. I WILL UPDATE YOU ALL AND LET YOU KNOW IF I AM PULLING ANYMORE OR NOT. SO FAR WITH ONLY TAKING THIS FOR TWO WEEKS I HAVE PULLED LESS THAN I EVER HAVE. ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS WOW AND MAYBE THERE IS HOPE. AS SUGGESTED ON SOME WEB SITES, I MIGHT GO FROM TAKING 1,200 MG A DAY TO 2,400 A DAY. ONE OF THE WEBSITES YOU CAN READ ABOUT NAC FOR MANY CURES IS:
http://clinicaltrialsfeeds.org/clinical-trials/show/NCT00993265
From http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19581567
Trichotillomania or hair pulling treatment
N-acetylcysteine, a glutamate modulator, in the treatment of trichotillomania: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2009 July. Grant JE, Odlaug BL, Kim SW. Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Minneapolis, MN 55454, USA.
Trichotillomania is characterized by repetitive hair pulling that causes noticeable hair loss. Data on the pharmacologic treatment of trichotillomania are limited to conflicting studies of serotonergic medications. N-acetylcysteine, an amino acid, seems to restore the extracellular glutamate concentration in the nucleus accumbens. Fifty individuals with trichotillomania (45 women and 5 men were tested. Half received 1200-2400 mg/d of the supplement, and the other half placebo for 12 weeks. Patients assigned to receive N-acetylcysteine had significantly greater reductions in hair-pulling symptoms as measured using the Massachusetts General Hospital Hair Pulling Scale and the Psychiatric Institute Trichotillomania Scale. Fifty-six percent of patients "much or very much improved" with N-acetylcysteine use compared with 16% taking placebo. Significant improvement was initially noted after 9 weeks of treatment. This study, the first to our knowledge that examines the efficacy of a glutamatergic agent in the treatment of trichotillomania, found that N-acetylcysteine demonstrated statistically significant reductions in trichotillomania symptoms. No adverse events occurred in the N-acetylcysteine group.
Replied By Kathy (Gresham, Or) on 12/22/2014
Hello everyone, I'm a 53 yr old women, and have been pulling my hair out since I've been 8yrs old. It is the worst it has ever been. My Doctor put me on Luvox 4 month's ago and it hasn't helped at all. Infact, it's gotten worse. This the first time asking for help. So please, to anyone out there who can help me at all or just a little, I would be so greatful. Tired of hiding.Replied By Cayita (Ontario, CA) on 02/16/2015
Kathy, I suffered from this problem since I was 12 years old. Now I am 47. A year ago I started spraying Epsom Salts mixed with water on my scalp several times during the day. When it dries you have to kind of shake the salt from your hair. About 1 Tablespoon in 2 - 3 oz of hot water, mix well and spray. I keep it in my spray bottle. It totally helped. I still spray after washing my hair, it actually helps to give volume too. For eyebrows and eyelashes you can try mixing the Epsom Salt with an oil.Replied By Hope (Virginia) on 10/18/2016
Is there any more current information that you all have found helpful? I've read all the posts and am so grateful for some options to try that are natural and harmless. I'm 46 and probably started when I was 10-12, I don't remember. I've never sought treatment as all the research I have done seems to take a psychiatric route and that has never felt right to me. Reading today about the possibility of a fungus, candida, or chemical imbalance problem really makes more sense to me as the intensity comes and goes. Recently I've had some serious episodes, so much so that my hair stylist commented and I had to create a lie. These periods cause me to feel horrible about myself but I really believe there is a reasonable cause and a viable, natural solution. Thank you to all who posted thus far and to any current posts that you all create. Blessings to all my beautiful partners on this challenging journey.Replied By Jo (Melbourne, Australia) on 01/13/2017
Did you ever try the NAC? I see the need to also support the nervous system and anxiety/stressors. In my research, the mineral magnesium and herbs (lemon balm, adapatagons and nervines such as Kava) can help. I am about to embark on some supportive measures for my 5 yr. old son. How are you travelling these days? Jo, Melbourne. AUSTRALIA