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GABA is the acronymic name for Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, a naturally occurring amino acid within our bodies.
In our brains, GABA acts as a neurotransmitter that is responsible for calming excited neurons, which in turn allows us to experience a state of well-being and tranquility.
As a nutritional supplement, GABA has been used for anxiety, panic attacks, ADHD, depression, insomnia, alcoholism, and nervousness.
But before you decide to take this natural compound to help you relax and sleep better, you might be wondering whether or not it is safe.
What are the potential GABA side effects and what is a safe dosage range for this supplement?
Mood
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Body- building- Anxiolytic effects to reduce stress
- May improve sleep & anxiety
- Supports fat loss & increases HGH
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Our brains naturally synthesize GABA from another neurotransmitter called Glutamate.
GABA is the second most prevalent neurotransmitter in our brains, with Acetylcholine being the most abundant.
GABA functions as the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter, working to calm excited neurons.
When GABA is available in a sufficient amount, it contributes to creating a balanced chemistry within in our brains. When other neurotransmitters cause neurons to begin firing too rapidly, GABA rushes in to inhibit the over-excitation.
When our brain chemistry is in balance, we experience this as a general sense of well-being and calmness. Having a GABA deficiency can result in the experience of continual anxiety, agitation, and irritability. You may find it difficult to focus, to sleep, or to think clearly.
Although, there is little scientific evidence that supplementing with GABA can provide benefits for any of these disorders. This is because when ingested, GABA cannot cross over the blood-brain barrier on its own to interact with neural receptors.
However, anecdotal reports from users continue to grow. It is possible the results being experienced are due, in large part, to a placebo effect, though this has not be proven, either. Scientists are studying whether there may be an alternative way that GABA is acting in the body to bring about these effects.
One theory is that personal differences in blood-brain barrier permeability may allow supplemental GABA into the brains of some people. Another theory states that GABA supplements may not need to cross over the blood-brain barrier, but instead interact with GABA receptors in the gut (enteric nervous system) to cause mental effects.
Either of these theories could reconcile the current scientific knowledge of GABA supplements in the body with the large number of positive reviews. Neither of these theories has been studied in earnest yet, and would be a good area for future research.
GABA is available as a dietary supplement only at this time, and the FDA has not approved GABA as a drug to prevent or treat any conditions. Because of this, there are no recommended dosing guidelines from the FDA. Manufacturers often include dosing suggestions and some, but not all, include a list of potential side effects and contraindications.
Risk of GABA Side Effects
Dosage guidelines gleaned from common user experiences suggest taking 250mg-750mg of GABA, two to three times throughout the day. Your personal dosage may be different; it is recommended that you speak with your doctor to determine the best dosage for your needs.
Supplementing with GABA can result in potentially dangerous side effects, most of which are mild to moderate when staying within the dosing guidelines. These include:
- Increased heart rate
- Rapid breathing or shortness of breath
- Sensation of tingling, itching, and/or tickling in the neck, face, and/and limbs
- Drowsiness
Among these more common side effects, the effects on breathing and heart rate dissipate fairly soon after onset. Tingling, itching, or tickling sensations typically lasted no longer than 20-40 minutes.
Also of note are several anecdotal reports from users who took GABA supplements over a period of time (3 months or more) who experienced (after continued use) an increase in feelings of anxiety.
The users reported that once they stopped taking the supplement, the increased anxiety ceased. Again, further study is needed to understand the mechanism of action which is occurring.
In addition, one study in which GABA was administered via IV reported that subjects experienced other side effects including a sense of dysphoria (unease or generalized dissatisfaction), lightheadedness, and an increase in both blood pressure and heart rate.
Although it is unknown what dose was given, the study is of interest because of the alternative method of administering the supplement.
Other Potential Drawbacks
Caution should be exercised if taking GABA with any drug that affects GABA pathways in the brain. These drugs include but are not limited to benzodiazepine, barbiturates, and alcohol.
GABA should not be taken by people with bipolar or unipolar depressive disorders. GABA may cause drowsiness. Do not drive or use heavy machinery.
Pregnant or lactating women, children and people with liver or kidney disease should not take GABA due to a lack of research into side effects in these groups.
As mentioned earlier, researchers are unable to provide evidence that GABA powder supplementation has any meaningful effect on anxiety, ADHD, depression, insomnia, or panic attacks.
This doesn’t necessarily mean it does not work in all individuals, but that in most people, supplementing with GABA doesn’t bring about any real changes in mind or mood states.
This is thought to be because GABA is unable to cross the blood-brain barrier (a membrane specifically tasked at keeping harmful substances out of the brain) with any degree of effectiveness. This means that taking a GABA supplement every day may not provide the effects users wish to have.
L-Theanine and Lemon Balm are both GABAergic natural supplements which are known to cross the blood-brain barrier and interact with GABA receptors similarly to endogenous GABA. Consider trying either of these supplements if GABA supplements do not seem to cause the effects you want, or if GABA side effects become an issue for you.
A Summary on GABA Side Effects
Supplementing with GABA for anxiety, insomnia, depression, panic attacks, ADHD, or nervousness is common, though there isn’t evidence that GABA supplementation can actually assist with these issues.
Because of GABA’s inability to cross the blood-brain barrier, it isn’t understood to be able to reliably provide effects. Some people use GABAergic supplements like Lemon Balm or Theanine if GABA supplementation does not work for them.
GABA has few known side effects, all of which appear to be mild when taken in moderate doses. Side effects include increased heart rate, rapid breathing, tingling or tickling sensations on the skin, and drowsiness. GABA side effects usually go away shortly after onset.
- Plante DT, Jensen JE, Schoerning L, Winkelman JW. Reduced γ-aminobutyric acid in occipital and anterior cingulate cortices in primary insomnia: a link to major depressive disorder? Neuropsychopharmacology. 2012
- Coghlan S, Horder J, Inkster B, Mendez MA, Murphy DG, Nutt DJ. GABA system dysfunction in autism and related disorders: from synapse to symptoms. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2012
- Xu F, Peng G, Phan T, Dilip U, Chen JL, Chernov-Rogan T, Zhang X, Grindstaff K, Annamalai T, Koller K, Gallop MA, Wustrow DJ. Discovery of a novel potent GABA(B) receptor agonist. Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 2011
- McCarson KE, Enna SJ. GABA pharmacology: the search for analgesics. Neurochem Res. 2014
- Möhler H. The GABA system in anxiety and depression and its therapeutic potential. Neuropharmacology. 2012
- Yoto A, Murao S, Motoki M, Yokoyama Y, Horie N, Takeshima K, Masuda K, Kim M, Yokogoshi H. Oral intake of γ-aminobutyric acid affects mood and activities of central nervous system during stressed condition induced by mental tasks. Amino Acids. 2012
Article last updated on: March 13th, 2018 by Nootriment
10 Comments
For normal autism person how much mg dose we can try for minimum side effect. age17/wt 50
I took a 750 mg GABA pill by error, and I could not control my balance, I was very disturbed mentally and physically for at least an hour.
My wife is taking 2 or 3 times the dose (2250) and she claims it is for sleeping but Her insomnia never improved noticeably
She continues to be unstable, calling me with anxiety attacks, having all kind of discomforts and thinking she has every possible disease. I don’t see that taking GABA dies anything it advertised for, but my wife seems to be addicted to it and cannot quit, in spite of the fact she says it is not a drug and it is not addicting. She can only quit for 1 or 2 days when she forgot to renew her bottle
I am very worried about her taking this pill for many many years, especially after my experience with one pill only.
Do you have any advice?
The adverse reactions you experienced might have been caused by the nocebo effect. The fear of potential side effects is enough to cause transient bio-chemical changes to your brain that might manifest themselves as physical symptoms.
Below are some arguments that might support this theory.
1. You took this supplement by error.
2. It was a one time dose.
3. You took a rather low dose.
4. The same substance is synthesized by our body.
5. Gaba reportedly has difficulty crossing the brain blood barrier.
Of course the theory can only be verified by a rigorous double blind test, in which you repeatedly take this supplement or an identical looking placebo and report any side effects.
I have taken 750mg pills 3-4times a day without any issue, couple months now. Time to time I feel bit tired, but that’s with the pill and without the pill.
No noticeably effect on me. I use it for inhibit inflammation and for immunomodulator effect, but thats another case.
According to research 2015: “Study of GABA in Healthy Volunteers: Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics.”
“GABA was rapidly absorbed (Tmax: 0.5 ~ 1 h) with the half-life (t1/2) of 5 h. No accumulation was observed after repeated oral GABA administration for 7 days.” and “Subjects with repeated dosing showed an elevated incidence of minor adverse events in comparison to placebo or the single dosing period, most notably transient discomforts such as dizziness and sore throat. However, there were no serious adverse events observed throughout the study. ”
It seem to be safe supplement, ofcourse, individuals can react differently.
I hope this helps.
I take gaba but not every day because it makes me feel drowsy in the mornings (I take one capsule before going to bed, 500mgs) it helps me with my anxiety and desperation up to a more bearable degree. Let me know of any voluntary research quests.
I’ve taken gaba a couple times in hopes of optimizing fat metabolism, but the side effects were too intense: dizziness, nausea, excessive sleepiness after more than 12 hours.
She’s just likes the highs bro (;
I take 3000 mg (3 grams) at one time. But I know I cannot do that all the time. Only when I feel super anxious or low. My fear is that taking high doses regularly will cauae the brain to he unable to produces the proper amount off Gaba on its own. Which could lead to a living hell. I would seriously consider having you’re wife really read up on neurotransmitter amd emotional/mood health.
I take 500mg once a day and I have all side effects and have troubles sleeping. Probably I should take lower dosage.
je viens de commencer a prendre du gaba ça fait 6 jours et ma préssion artériel a beaucoups monté déja qu elle était haute . hier j ai monté a 213 j arrétte le gaba c est trop risqué pour moi et en plus ca me rends trés anxieuse j étais pas comme ca avant