trypt-amine ’trip-ta,mēn n. [tryptophan fr. tryptic, fr. trypsin, fr. Gk. tryein, to wear down (from its occurrence in pancreatic juice as a proteolytic enzyme) amine fr. NL ammonia] 1: A naturally occurring compound found in both the animal and plant kingdoms. It is an endogenous component of the human brain. 2: Any of a series of compounds containing the tryptamine skeleton, and modified by chemical constituents at appropriate positions in the molecule.

“The voters in this country should not be expected to decide which medicines are safe and effective.” — Gen. Barry McCaffrey, Drug Czar, 1996.

“If people let the government decide what foods they eat and what medicines they take, their bodies will soon be a sorry state as are the souls of those who live under tyrrany.” — Thomas Jefferson, 3rd President of the U.S.