GABA Benefits for your Mood, Mental Health and Cognitive Function

GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid) is one of the most important amino acid which is produced within our bodies.

In adult brains, it acts as the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter, working to calm neurons which are firing in an excited pattern.

GABA is synthesized from Glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter essential for good brain function.

GABA essentially counterbalances the level of excitement in your neurons caused by excitatory brain chemicals such as Glutamate, helping to ensure you do not become over-stimulated or anxious.

GABA benefits are numerous in this regard, ranging from improving your mood, ability to focus, promoting relaxation, and helping to control stress.

However, despite the fact that GABA plays such an important role in the brain, there are serious doubts as to the benefits of GABA supplements. The nootropic value of GABA remains questionable because of its inability to cross the blood-brain barrier in amounts which could enhance cognitive function.

In other words, when you ingest GABA as a supplement, it cannot reach the brain when it is circulated through your blood.

Nonetheless, there is a body of anecdotal reports to support GABA being used by individuals for ADHD, depression, anxiety, insomnia, panic attacks, and addictions.

In the US, GABA is available as a dietary supplement only, and the FDA has not approved GABA as a drug to prevent or treat any conditions.

GABA

GABAergic Supplement

Mood

Sleep

Body- building

How It Works:

• Anxiolytic effects to reduce stress
• May improve sleep & anxiety
• Supports fat loss & increases HGH

Dosage:

Between 250 - 1500 mg per day

Safety:

Rated Likely Safe

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Mechanism of Action

GABA produced within the brain acts as a neurotransmitter, carrying signals from neuron to neuron.

Although many of the known neurotransmitters function as both excitatory and inhibitory, GABA is unique in that it functions in the adult human brain as the primary inhibitor and calming agent for excitatory neurotransmitters which are firing too rapidly.

It has been referred to as “nature’s valium” because of the calming effect it can exert.

When GABA levels are low, an excitatory neurotransmitter can fire too often in the brain without any inhibition. When the brain is functioning optimally, a balance is maintained.

When needed, GABA is synthesized from Glutamate and is sent out in an attempt to balance the over-firing, or excitation.

Top GABA Benefits

Many correlations have been established between low GABA levels and people who have trouble sleeping, those with depression, inability to focus or maintain attention, people with anxiety disorders, drug and alcohol addicts, and those suffering with panic attacks. Because of GABA’s beneficial calming ability, increasing GABA production may result in an improvement in symptoms among those with deficiencies.

GABA is a natural calming agent. It is the second most prevalent neurotransmitter in our brains and is vital for proper brain functioning. It also helps our bodies make endorphins. These are chemicals that make us feel happy and offer us a sense of general well-being.

Increasing low GABA levels can effectively produce a sense of tranquility within the user. Anxiety levels may decrease, depressive symptoms may lessen and insomnia or sleep disruption may cease entirely.

ADHD or ADD symptoms may be lessened as increased GABA levels help with focus and concentrative ability.

Simply put, GABA’s benefits consist of an inhibitory effect on over-excitation within the brain has a calming, soothing, anxiolytic effect which contributes to a person’s sense of well-being.

Do GABA Supplements Really Work?

While endogenous GABA is necessary in the body and can have a calming effect on the mood, the effects of supplemental GABA are debatable. This is due to the fact that it has been shown that GABA cannot cross over the blood-brain barrier to any substantial degree. Therefore, following current scientific knowledge, if it is unable to reach the brain, it will be unable to cause an effect there.

However, there are countless positive reviews for GABA supplements online from thousands of users. It is entirely possible that the effects they believe they feel are due to placebo effect alone. Alternatively, there are also some theories about how GABA supplements may work in the body.

Blood-brain barrier hyperpermeability (also called “leaky blood-brain barrier”) is an area of current research. There is a theory that personal differences in blood-brain barrier permeability may allow compounds such as supplemental GABA into the brains of some people.

Another theory states that GABA supplements do not need to cross over the blood-brain barrier and enter the brain at all to have effects in the body. While the exact connection is still being studied, it is believed that the network of neurons in the gastrointestinal system (enteric nervous system) has a connection with our brain and can actually play a role in our mental state.

The theory therefore is that supplemental GABA can interact with receptors in the enteric nervous system to cause mental effects without having to enter the brain directly.

However at this time, these theories have not been proven, and would be good areas for future research, to help reconcile current scientific understanding with the many anecdotal GABA supplement effects.

The matter of efficacy aside, GABA supplementation is considered generally safe. It has few side effects and those which have been reported are considered mild. As with any supplement or medication, though, you should consult with your doctor before taking it because it may interfere or interact adversely with your current medications.

There are also alternatives to taking GABA supplements. These include eating foods which are high GABA producers or precursors. Some of these foods include mackerel, wheat germ, almonds, broccoli, beef liver, brown rice, bananas, halibut, lentils and spinach.

Giving your body the materials from which it can generate more GABA does seem to offer benefits by slightly increasing GABA levels. Regular yoga practice has also been shown to stimulate the benefits of GABA production.

GABA Doses

There is no standard recommended dosage for GABA supplementation, however, there are studies utilizing specific doses which offer us some guidelines, as well as thousands of anecdotal reports sharing their standard dosage.

Most users find that taking between 250mg-750mg, two or three times each day is beneficial. Those taking GABA for insomnia usually take between 500mg-750mg once, right before bedtime.

Side effects are few at these doses and include drowsiness, tingling/itching/tickling sensations in the face, neck or limbs, rapid breathing, increased heart rate and nausea.

It is not recommended to take GABA in doses exceeding 1500mg per day. The effects (including drowsiness) the supplement has on you may carry over to the next day as well.

The above dosage ranges are general guidelines only, and your personal dosage may be different. It is recommended that you speak with your doctor to determine the best dosage for your needs.

Supplement Alternatives to GABA

Two supplements which are GABAergics are Lemon Balm and L-Theanine. Both have been shown to effectively pass through the blood-brain barrier enabling them to reach the brain.

If GABA supplementation doesn’t seem to be working for you, these may be a good consideration as suitable replacements in order to gain the benefits of increased GABA levels in your brain.

While there are real GABA benefits, the key is using a supplement that can effectively deliver it to your brain where it can begin to take effect.

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