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GABA supplements are promoted by many as a safe and natural way to reduce anxiety levels and help combat stress.
This chemical occurs naturally in your brain and produces feelings of calm, lessens the neurological signs of nervousness and stress, increases focus, and aids in falling and staying alseep.
GABA is one of the most important brain neurotransmitters for mood regulation and boosting alpha brain waves. However, while GABA produced within the body (endogenous GABA) has many positive qualities, supplemental GABA may not be effective when used for anxiety, depression, or sleep disorders.
This has to do with something called the blood-brain barrier which GABA supplements are unable to cross if ingested orally.
This article will discuss what the benefits of the GABA neurotransmitter are, current knowledge of supplemental GABA in the body, and alternative supplements that people use for anxiety, depression, and sleep disruptions.
Mood
Sleep
Body- building- Anxiolytic effects to reduce stress
- May improve sleep & anxiety
- Supports fat loss & increases HGH
Top GABA Products* ❯How Does GABA Work in the Body?
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GABA is also known as Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid and it is technically an amino acid. It is produced in the brain from Glutamate (another amino acid and neurotransmitter) as well as Vitamin B6.
Neurotransmitters are chemicals in the brain and nervous system that transmit signals between neurons. GABA is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter within the Central Nervous System. This makes it part of the brain’s natural self-regulation system to prevent over-excitement of your neurons from any external stimuli.
GABA allows for the balancing out of other chemicals such as Adrenaline and Noradrenaline that may otherwise lead to feelings of restlessness, irritability, and even insomnia. GABA works to offset the impact of excitatory neurotransmitters by blocking the nerve impulses which are triggered by these chemicals.
Therefore, the primary role of Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid in the brain is to produce a calming effect, helping to counter-balance moments of extreme neuronal over-excitement. Low levels of the GABA neurotransmitter have been linked to irregular sleep patterns, depression, anxiety, and excessive stress.
GABA is also said to increase the level of productive alpha waves in the brain which can put you in a state of enhanced focus and “mental flow”.
There are also a number of other functions GABA is believed to be responsible for throughout the body. This includes the regulation of muscle tone and possibly also support for the production of other hormones which are needed to build muscle cells.
If you have been trying to find an easy to take supplement to help increase your strength and muscle gains in the gym, than you might be interested in using GABA supplements.
It has been used by weight lifters for a long time due to its ability to improve athletic performance and help with fat loss. There is even evidence suggesting that GABA plays a key role in the regulation and growth of embryonic and neural stem cells.
GABA supplements have been rated as Likely Safe when used orally and appropriately. While this supplement is generally well tolerated, there have been some mild side effects associated with its use.
Endogenous GABA’s Effects on Anxiety
One of the main reasons people take GABA supplements is for anxiety and to help them enhance their moods.
Anxiety is thought to be caused primarily by the brain becoming overly excited. In general terms, what happens is that too many different neurons all decide to fire off their impulses at the same time.
GABA can calm the brain down by regulating how often these neurons fire. This leads to a feeling of calm and relaxation as stress and anxiety levels dissipate. It also becomes much easier to relax and lower your inhibitions. In fact, the relaxed, mellow mood that can accompany alcohol consumption is due to the triggering of GABA receptors in your brain.
Many common anti-anxiety medications work by stimulating receptors for gamma-amino butyric acid in the brain. Some examples include the benzodiazepine drugs like Xanax, Klonopin and Valium.
There is even some evidence suggesting that GABA aids in the release of chemicals which help to fight pain. GABA also helps the nerves and neurons to communicate with each other more efficiently. This improves the ability to perform cognitive functions like attention switching, focus, and concentration.
Supplemental GABA and the Blood-Brain Barrier
Despite all the benefits of endogenous GABA, current scientific knowledge says that GABA supplements themselves are ineffective for anxiety, depression, and sleep issues.
The reason has to do with the blood-brain barrier, which is a protective filtration system in your brain that separates circulating blood from reaching your brain tissue.
In order for any of the nutrients you consume to make it to your brain, they have to cross this barrier and only certain types of compounds can make it across, and often only in certain amounts.
If you ingest GABA pills or powder orally, it will get absorbed into your blood through your intestines and circulate to your brain, but it will not actually be able to cross this barrier.
Any of the GABA in your brain is actually made within your brain cells by converting other ingredients into GABA. But if you were to take Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid directly by itself, you would not end up increasing levels of this neurotransmitter in your brain.
However, regardless of the current scientific understanding, there are many positive GABA reviews from users online. Users report that oral GABA supplements have helped them relax and calm them down, as well as decrease anxious thoughts.
Blood-brain barrier hyperpermeability (also called “leaky blood-brain barrier”) is an area of current research. It has been found that certain circumstances such as acute or chronic inflammation may disrupt the normal functioning of the blood-brain barrier and allow for greater passage of compounds into the brain.
There are some theories that personal differences in blood-brain barrier permeability (whether naturally or due to conditions such as chronic inflammation) may allow supplemental GABA into the brains of some people, however this has not been proven at this point, and would be a good area for future research.
GABA and the Gut-Brain Axis
Another area of interest is in the connection between the brain and the network of neurons that govern the gastrointestinal tract, known as the enteric nervous system.
While the exact connection is still being studied, it is believed that this “second brain” in the gastrointestinal system has a connection with our brain and can actually play a role in our mental state and certain diseases throughout the body.
There are theories that GABA may not need to cross over the blood brain barrier to have neurological effects in the body, and instead act in the enteric nervous system to cause mental effects. One product that works on this principle is PharmaGABA.
PharmaGABA is a product that is produced from probiotic bacteria and is considered a natural source of GABA, as opposed to synthetic GABA that is produced in a laboratory.
One study with PharmaGABA found that alpha waves in the brain are increased and beta waves (seen more in stressful situations) are decreased in patients given PharmaGABA versus patients given placebo.
Another PharmaGABA study measured IgA (a salivary immunoglobulin) levels in people before, during, and after a fearful experience (people with a fear of heights walking over a suspension bridge).
When people are relaxed there are high levels of IgA, while stress results in decreased IgA levels. In the control group, IgA levels decreased by 35%, while the GABA group maintained IgA levels during the experience, and even had higher IgA levels at the end of the experience.
The makers of PharmaGABA maintain that the product does not cross over the blood-brain barrier and instead works preferentially with GABA receptors in the enteric nervous system, which then send messages to the brain to have an effect.
This means that it is capable of stimulating GABA receptors in the stomach which are capable of communicating with neurons in the brain.
More research is needed in this area to determine if synthetic GABA (what most GABA supplements are made of) is potentially able to interact with the enteric nervous system in a similar way.
Double-blind placebo controlled studies need to be done to prove the efficacy of GABA supplements regardless of how they potentially work in the body. Unfortunately, these types of studies most likely will not be done due to the current scientific understanding that GABA supplements cannot cross over the blood-brain barrier, and that they would need to do this to cause effects in the brain.
However, with so many benefits to improving GABA levels, neuroscientists have invested resources into finding other supplements that can lead to higher GABA concentration in the brain. These nootropics include GABA precursors that give you more of the components needed to synthesize this neurotransmitter as well as other compounds that break down directly into GABA.
One natural GABA booster is L-Theanine which is found in Green Tea and is known to help you relax and focus. Additionally, there are alternative supplements that work on different neurotransmitter pathways in the brain to bring about similar effects as the relaxation and calm of GABA.
Alternative Supplements
While the efficacy of GABA supplements is up for debate, there are other supplements available that are also used for the most common reasons people use GABA: anxiety, depression, and sleep issues.
For example, for anxiety, some people use Lemon Balm, Ginkgo biloba, or Lavender oil.
5-HTP and S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe) have been used for depression. Melatonin and Valerian root have both been used for sleep disorders.
Supplements Used for Anxiety
Lemon balm is a lemon-scented herb that is native to southern Europe. Historically, lemon balm has been purported to possess sedative or tranquilizing effects. It has been used for centuries in traditional medicines in a number of cultures.
Research has found that Lemon Balm essential oil can interact with GABA receptors in the brain and also increase alpha waves (which indicates relaxed states) similarly to GABA.
The Natural Medicines database has rated Lemon Balm as Possibly Effective for improving symptoms of anxiety. Some clinical research has shown that a standardized lemon balm extract reduced anxiety-associated symptoms and manifestations in patients with anxiety disorders.
According to secondary sources, Ginkgo biloba has been used medicinally for thousands of years and is one of the top-selling herbs in the United States. The Natural Medicines database has rated Ginkgo biloba as Possibly Effective for improving symptoms of anxiety.
Clinical research has shown that a standardized ginkgo extract taken for 4 weeks can reduce symptoms of anxiety in a greater percentage of adults with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) compared to placebo.
At the end of the trial a reduction in anxiety rating score of at least 50% was seen in 44% of patients treated with 480mg/day, 39% reduction in patients given 240 mg/day, and 22% reduction in patients given placebo.
Lavender is an herb that is native to the Mediterranean region that has been used medicinally throughout history. In modern times, lavender is more commonly used in aromatherapy, baked goods, and body products (shampoo, lotion, body wash, etc.), however it is also used orally as a supplement.
The Natural Medicines database has rated Lavender as Possibly Effective for improving the symptoms of anxiety. Some evidence suggests that taking a lavender capsule orally improves anxiety in some patients.
Clinical research has shown that a specific lavender capsule (Silexan, 80 mg) taken daily for 6-10 weeks improved anxiety, remission rates, and sleep scores compared to placebo in patients with mild to severe anxiety.
Another study found that taking a daily 80 mg capsule of lavender oil for 6 weeks improved anxiety scores, remission rates, and quality of sleep compared to the baseline, however it was not more effective then lorazepam (Ativan).
Lemon Balm, Ginkgo biloba, and Lavendar oil are available as dietary supplements only, and the FDA has not approved them as drugs to prevent or treat any conditions.
Supplements Used for Depression
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is Serotonin-boosting supplement. Like GABA, Serotonin is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that is involved in mood regulation.
In the body, the amino acid Tryptophan is broken down in the body into 5-HTP and other metabolites. 5-HTP, either from Tryptophan in food, Tryptophan supplements, or 5-HTP supplements, travels through the bloodstream, crosses over the blood-brain barrier, and enters the brain.
There the 5-HTP is used to produce Serotonin. Balanced levels of Serotonin result in a relaxed sense of peace and contentment, while elevated levels can even lead feelings of elation and enthusiasm.
The Natural Medicines database has rated 5-HTP as Possibly Effective for improving symptoms of depression. Some preliminary clinical stidues have shown that 5-HTP may be comparable to some conventional antidepressant treatments.
In one study, 5-HTP 150-400 mg daily taken for eight weeks had similar effects as fluoxetine (Prozac) 20-40 mg daily in reducing symptoms of depression. Similar results were seen when 5-HTP was tested against fluvoxamine (Luvox) and imipramine (Tofranil).
Another supplement that is commonly used for depression is S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe). This compound is formed naturally in the body from methionine and adenosine triphosphate.
The Natural Medicines database has rated SAMe as Likely Effective for improving symptoms of depression. Several clinical studies have shown that taking SAMe is more effective than placebo and appears to be as effective as tricyclic antidepressants in trials lasting up to 42 days.
Guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association and the Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) suggest SAMe as a potential alternative to conventional antidepressants (e.g., paroxetine, venlafaxine, etc) for patients with major depression who are interested in using alternative therapies.
Both 5-HTP and SAMe are available as dietary supplements only, and neither have been approved by the FDA as drugs to prevent or treat any conditions.
Supplements Used for Sleep Disorders
Valerian is flowering herb plant that is originally from Europe and parts of Asia. Valerian has been used as a medicinal herb for relaxation and improving sleep since at least the time of ancient Greece and Rome.
The Natural Medicines database has rated Valerian as Possibly Effective for improving symptoms of insomnia. Most research has shown that taking valerian orally reduces the time to fall asleep (sleep latency) and also improves subjective sleep quality.
Multiple meta-analyses of valerian use for insomnia suggest that valerian may improve sleep quality without producing side effects. It was also shown that taking valerian significantly increased the change of having improved sleep by 1.4-1.8 times.
Melatonin in the primary hormone and neurotransmitter involved with sleep. The body naturally produces Melatonin when light levels decrease in the evening to prepare the body for sleep, and levels are suppressed when light increases.
Sometimes natural Melatonin levels are disrupted, and this can lead to disruptions in normal circadian rhythms (sleep/wake cycles).
The Natural Medicines database has rated Melatonin supplements as Likely Effective for circadian rhythm sleep disorders in the blind, delayed sleep phase syndrome, and sleep-wake cycle disturbances; Melatonin has also been rated as Possibly Effective for insomnia and jet lag.
In clinical trials, short-term melatonin use appears to modestly reduces sleep latency, as well as improve sleep quality based on both subjective and objective measures in patients with primary insomnia and other sleep disorders.
Multiple studies have shown that melatonin supplements can modestly improve certain symptoms of jet lag such as alterness, and daytime sleepiness and fatigue. When traveling eastward through 5 or more time zones, using Melatonin at local bedtime on the day of arrival and for the next 2-5 nights thereafter (if necessary) may be useful for travelers to adjust to the local time.
Additional Uses for GABA Supplements
The debate on potential nootropic effects aside, there are a few other reasons why people would take GABA supplements.
The Natural Medicines database has rated GABA as Possibly Effective for hypertension and motion sickness.
Preliminary clinical research has shown that a product containing 10-12 mg GABA plus fermented milk for 12 weeks significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared to fermented milk alone in patients with hypertension.
Preliminary clinical research has shown that GABA decreases the occurrence of motion sickness symptoms including chills, cold sweats, and pallor compared to placebo. Using GABA 40-50 minutes before an induced motion sickness episode also significantly delayed the onset of motion sickness compared to placebo.
GABA supplements are also thought to be natural fat burners. GABA is not a stimulant, unlike many of the other fat burning and weight loss products out there today.
Instead, GABA works is by supporting the production of hormones that help to build lean muscle mass. As more lean muscle is developed, the body naturally becomes more thermogenic. This means that GABA supplements may boost your metabolism since additional muscle mass puts greater caloric demands on the body.
GABA and Human Growth Hormone
GABA is used by bodybuilders to promote lean muscle growth, strength gains and workout recovery. Use of a GABA supplement is purported to increase resting human growth hormone levels.
Human Growth Hormone (HGH) is a peptide hormone that stimulates cellular reproduction and growth throughout the body. It is involved in muscle protein anabolism and stimulates muscle hypertrophy.
In one research study, a one-time 5 gram dosage of GABA was found to increase serum growth hormone in healthy adults. However, another study found that administering 18 grams of GABA for four days resulted in a decrease in GH and an increase in prolactin levels.
In a third study, the effects of GABA on two isoforms of growth hormone was investigated in resistance-trained men at rest or after exercise. The study looked at levels of immunoreactive GH (irGH) and immunofunctional GH (ifGH).
Eleven men between the ages of 18 and 30 years old participated in the study with a crossover design. Participants were given either 3 grams of GABA or a placebo and then were told to rest or engage in resistance exercise training.
The results of the study showed that those given GABA and instructed to rest saw a 400% increase in peak concentrations of the growth hormone isoforms. Those given GABA who then engaged in an exercise session saw a 200% increase in irGH and a 175% increase in ifGH.
This suggests that use of oral GABA supplements can elevate levels of these growth hormone isoforms both at rest and after exercise.
The authors of this study point out that it is unclear how irGH and ifGH contribute to hypertrophy of skeletal muscle. However, they add that “Augmenting the postexercise irGH/ifGH response may improve resistance training-induced muscular adaptations.”
There have not been any research studies conducted so far which directly show an increase in muscle growth or protein synthesis due to supplementation with GABA. Most of the evidence available on the bodybuilding results of this supplement comes from anecdotal reviews and user experience logs.
GABA Supplements Dosages
The recommended dosage of GABA is dependent on many different factors including age, weight, sex, and the reason for taking the supplement. The following dosage recommendations are general guidelines only, and your personal dosage may be different.
It is always recommended that you speak with your doctor before beginning any new supplements to help determine the best dosage for your needs, as well as determine any potential negative interactions with existing medications or supplements.
The recommended dosage range of GABA is between 3 and 5 grams per day. This can be taken all at once, although it might be more effective if the dose is divided into several equal administrations throughout the day.
If GABA is being used solely for the purported fat loss benefit, then the best time to take it is about 2 hours before sleep. Do not take this supplement with a protein source since it might affect proper digestion.
GABA Side Effects and Dangers
GABA supplements are rated as Likely Safe by the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. In research studies, it has been used safely for up to 12 weeks.
GABA should not be used by women who are pregnant or lactating due to insufficient reliable evidence of safety. It has not been researched in these populations and it is not clear how this supplement may affect a developing or nursing baby.
This product is generally well tolerated as a dietary supplement. In some cases, mild adverse effects have been reported including constipation, reduction in appetite, stomach discomfort, nausea, fatigue, muscle weakness, increased body temperature and minor throat irritation.
When administered intravenously, it has the potential to cause anxiety, reduced alertness, mood disturbances, increased blood pressure, changes in pulse rate and dysphoria.
In one study, GABA was administered alongside phosphatidylserine. A small number of gastrointestinal side effects were reported including constipation, nausea and severe gastric distress. One patient also experienced amenorrhea.
In a study of children with Cerebral Palsy taking oral GABA tablets, some participants experienced nausea and a decreased appetite. Four children experienced convulsions and others experienced motor restlessness. According to NMCD, it is unclear whether GABA was the cause of these adverse effects.
Excessively large dosages of GABA have been linked to impaired respiratory function. In one case, a dosage of 18 grams per day was found to induce short periods of breathlessness.
The only known interaction with medications is with blood pressure reducing medications. Use of this supplement alongside medications to treat hypertension may cause blood pressure to fall too low. Check with your doctor before taking this supplement with the following medications:
- Captopril (Capoten)
- Enalapril (Vasotec)
- Losartan (Cozaar)
- Valsartan (Diovan)
- Diltiazem (Cardizem)
- Amlodipine (Norvasc)
- Hydrochlorothiazide (Hydrodiuril)
- Furosemide (Lasix)
Theoretically, GABA may also interact with Benzodiazepines, which are a class of pharmaceutical substances that interact with GABA-A receptors in the brain. Use of Benzodiazepines with this supplement could cause over-excitation of GABA-A receptors.
Below is a list of some of the most commonly used Benzodiazepine drugs:
- Alprazolam (Xanax, Xanax XR)
- Clobazam (Onfi)
- Clonazepam (Klonopin)
- Clorazepate (Tranxene)
- Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
- Diazepam (Valium, Diastat Acudial, Diastat)
- Estazolam (Prosom)
- Lorazepam (Ativan)
- Oxazepam (Serax)
- Temazepam (Restoril)
- Triazolam (Halcion)
Other effects of taking GABA can include being overly relaxed. You should avoid driving a vehicle or operating heavy machinery while in such a state.
It is also important not to drink alcohol or do other drugs when taking GABA as this can lead to serious problems.
Alcohol works by stimulating GABA receptors in the brain. Combined use could result in excessive stimulation of GABAergic receptors, leading to increased feelings of intoxification.
GABA Supplements Conclusion
As has been stated, current scientific knowledge indicates that GABA supplements cannot cross the blood-brain barrier and cause any noticeable effect there. However there are many reviews online from people who have had positive effects using GABA supplements, whether due to placebo effect, potential blood-brain barrier hyperpermeability, or a possible connection through the enteric nervous system.
If GABA supplements give you the results you want then continue to safely use them. If GABA supplements do not seem to work for you, then consider an alternative supplement such as L-Theanine, 5-HTP, SAMe, or Melatonin, based on your personal needs.
- Meyerhoff DJ, Mon A, Metzler T, Neylan TC. Cortical gamma-aminobutyric acid and glutamate in posttraumatic stress disorder and their relationships to self-reported sleep quality. Sleep. 2014
- Vanini G, Nemanis K, Baghdoyan HA, Lydic R. GABAergic transmission in rat pontine reticular formation regulates the induction phase of anesthesia and modulates hyperalgesia caused by sleep deprivation. Eur J Neurosci. 2014
- Gou ZH, Wang X, Wang W. Evolution of neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid, glutamate and their receptors. Dongwuxue Yanjiu. 2012
- Roberto M, Gilpin NW, Siggins GR. The central amygdala and alcohol: role of γ-aminobutyric acid, glutamate, and neuropeptides. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med. 2012
- Miyazawa T, Kawabata T, Okazaki K, Suzuki T, Imai D, Hamamoto T, Matsumura S, Miyagawa T. Oral administration of γ-aminobutyric acid affects heat production in a hot environment in resting humans. J Physiol Anthropol. 2012
- Montgomery S, Emir B, Haswell H, Prieto R. Long-term treatment of anxiety disorders with pregabalin: a 1 year open-label study of safety and tolerability. Curr Med Res Opin. 2013
- 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
Article last updated on: April 30th, 2018 by Nootriment
69 Comments
“GABA supplements are not effective for anxiety” GABA supplement side effects: “These can include being overly relaxed”.
Yes, thats a bit of a contradition isn’t it.
I’m guessing the take away here is just use l-Theanine
Hi JJ,
Thanks for your response. Not at all – the takeaway is to consider the research for any supplement you are using. We are agnostic as to whether you use L-Theanine, GABA, Valerian Root or any other supplement. We don’t care what you use, we just want what you use to work for you.
Currently, the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database states that there is insufficient clinical evidence available to rate the effectiveness of GABA for anxiety or stress relief.
Until more clinical studies are conducted to validate efficacy, it would be worthwhile considering the other supplements out there that do have clinical trials behind them to back up their purported effects.
Hey Kevin,
Thanks for your comment. This is sort of the reality when it comes to how side effects are reported and how products can affect different people.
For example, a small number of people who take caffeine report that it makes them feel drowsy and fatigued. Even though the majority of people experience increased alertness when they consume caffeine, this will still be reported as a side effect in comprehensive monographs.
We have different evidentiary standards for reporting side effects versus therapeutic effects. While the bar for demonstrating therapeutic efficacy is quite high, if one person reports a negative certain reaction when using a product during a clinical trial, it will get documented as a potential side effect. This may be independent of findings of causality.
Even though GABA is nothing compared to the supplements that allow it to enter the brain, it has its uses. I don’t know why, but my body feels so much more relaxed when I take it. My breathing feels a bit labored, but this forces me to breathe more deeply, which relaxes me as well.
“It doesn’t work, except it totally does. But buy our products instead.”
I’ve had a prescription for it before and it does work. It can actually be very mood altering especially at higher doses.
Hi Kurtis,
Thanks for your comment. In order for GABA to produce meaningful changes in mood (beyond a placebo effect), it must first be able to access the brain through the blood-brain barrier.
There’s evidence that supplemental GABA does not penetrate the blood–brain barrier when administered normally in adults. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/002839087190013X shows low uptake of GABA into neural tissues and concludes that the BBB is “impermeable to both blood-borne ?-aminobutyric acid and endogenous cerebral ?-aminobutyric acid.”
Some have hypothesized that high levels of GABA (higher than recommended amounts) may result in some increased uptake, but this has not been conclusively demonstrated.
One study http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12480126 found that entry of GABA passed the blood-brain barrier is greater in infant rats compared to the limited penetrability of adult rats.
Picamilon is a formulation of GABA and niacin that has been shown to penetrate the blood-brain barrier well. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1884802 Once in the brain, it is a pro-drug for GABA and increases activation of GABA receptors.
Picamilon has also been shown to restore the number of GABA receptors in the brain following: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20821973
If you find GABA works for you, then I’m quite pleased to hear it. But the preponderance of evidence shows that it does not penetrate the blood-brain barrier well and Picamilon does.
Here’s the problem with your theory.
80 to 90 percent of the serotonin in your body is *not* even in your brain. Its located in your gut. I could probably end this entire post with that comment, but suffice it to say, neurotransmitters are in massive abundance in the intestinal system, and this is exactly why Gaba probably works for many people. There have also been studies showing that certain probiotics have significant anxiety-reducing effects, and well-being induction when taken orally. Same reason. There is a direct connection between the gut and the brain. You may wish to google and research the “gut brain axis”.
Hello,
While it is true that 80-90% of serotonin exists outside the brain, it is not true that the serotonin outside the brain can interact directly with neurons that regulate mood. Outside the brain, it is considered a hormone and not a neurotransmitter and it is also incapable of crossing the blood-brain barrier. Serotonin has a number of roles outside the brain including regulating peristalsis, it is a growth hormone, it regulates milk production in the breasts and plays a role in cardiovascular function. To my knowledge, there have been no studies establishing that ingesting serotonin directly has a positive effect on mood, again due to the inability to pass the blood-brain barrier. While it is true that there is a connection between the gut and the brain, there has been no evidence than serotonin’s activity in the gut is connected to its mood enhancement capacities. There could potentially be a pathway that allows for increased serotonin synthesis in the brain if less typtophan is required to synthesize serotonin outside the brain, but that’s entirely speculative. https://nootriment.com/serotonin/
Could it simply be astroturfing on the part of those with vested interests in pharmaceuticals? youtube.com/watch?v=-bYAQ-ZZtEU. I have found GABA to be a great anxiolytic and am always skeptical of studies that contradict the preponderance of positive anecdotal reports. A better research question is: what does GABA do outside the brain that may account for the positive effects and reports of people who take it?
GABA does not need to penetrate the blood-brain barrier to have physiological or psychological effects. The vagus nerve in the gut uses GABA as a primary neurotransmitter and GABA uptake in the gut may act as a neural modulator. This is the primary mechanism for probiotic anxiety reduction in mice:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21876150
http://www.phyllisbronsonphd.com/Graphics/BronsonGABA.pdf
It can be absorbed directly by the central nervous system.
I have FMC/CFS/MCS and a host of other issues. My wife is in worse shape. Both of us noticed a large difference in our dreaming, mood and DEFINITELY how restful our sleep was on GABA powder (and not some special form).
Then again people like us have blood-brain barrier problems so we may very well get more out of simple GABA supplementation than other people. Who knows? We are also low on just about all the aminos (essential or produced by the body).
Incidentally if you have a permeable gut, leaky gut, SIBO, or bad gut flora problem – then you ALSO have a bad blood-brain barrier (they go together). With the huge amounts of Triclosan and Glyphosate in the water and food (they kill soil bacteria – the kind that lives in the gut), EVERYONE (except the Ahmish) have bad gut flora & therefore a bad blood brain barrier.
Screwed up flora means having flattened villi & micro-villi with poor absorption of nutrients and you also lose the ability to absorb aminos acids from your food (and vitamins) and lose the inability to MAKE a lot of your own “non essential” amino acids (and vitamins too) – things that the body would normally makes for itself.
Incidentally “Picamilon” is just a very expensive way of joining niacin (B3) & GABA. You *CAN* just take the niacin with your GABA and skip the expensive lab. Or for that matter if somebody made a sinus inhaler for GABA it would go straight into the brain as there is no barrier to that method of administration. OR – just read or so something that causes MILD STRESS before you take your GABA, because that will increase you blood-brain permeability to 19 times higher (with mice, all they do is put the mice into in warm water – you don’t have to play “Silent Hill” or watch “Saw”).
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picamilon
Hi,
I read this in a scholarly article:
“The idea that GABA does not cross
the BBB is largely based on a 1971
experiment on adult mice and rabbits.
Radiolabeled GABA was injected
intraperitoneally and intraventricularly
to the test animals. No significant
amount of GABA that was injected
intraperitoneally showed up in the brains
of the mice or rabbits. The researchers
concluded that GABA does not cross
the BBB. This conclusion persists
today based upon this single study.
However, some important question
about the permeability of the BBB to
GABA remain. This study was done in
mice and rabbits, not humans. It was
with intraperitoneally injected GABA,
not from oral consumption. Certain
metabolites of GABA were identified
in the brain of these test animals and
throughout other parts of the body, but
this was not followed up.8
There are some novel ways of
enhancing GABA absorption across
the BBB. The addition of L-arginine to
GABA for oral consumption dramatically
increased GABA concentration in the
brain in rats. GABA concentrations in
the brain showed a fourfold increase,
or 383%, following the addition of
L-arginine in a dose dependent manner.”
Gaba is regulated as food. There are not prescriptions for it. Gabapentin is a very different drug
In particularly stressful times I take GABA + taurine (2-3g & 1g). On an empty stomach I feel the effects within 10-15 mins. Generally I will have about 30 secs with shortness of breath followed by a prickly feeling in my face. Within 1/2 an hour I can feel muscle tightness reduce and the feeling that anxiety produces physically, a sensation I feel in my legs and stomach (which I believe to be the result of stress hormones) dissipates. I Don’t know the science behind it but I believe the GABA may actually be taking up space on nerve receptors that stress hormones also bind too???? Or maybe neutralising the hormone. I can actually feel the tension disappear over short period. This period of relaxation gives me the time I need to get my head in order
I would hesitate to take anything that gives shortness of breath to anyone.
If one has a leaky blood-brain barrier then GABA can definitely get through. In fact you can use it as a test to determine whether you have a leaky blood-brain barrier. If 1000mg of GABA has a calming effect on you, it’s also an indication that your blood-brain barrier is compromised. If it has no effect, your blood-brain barrier is intact.
Why is taurine added to GABA ? What purpose does it serve?
In spite of the “science” behind the why it won’t work here is my experience. I have tried the following for anxiety/depression and resulting muscular tension, headaches and fatigue that I’ve been experiencing for years: 5HTP, Valerian, L-Tyrosine, traditional antidepressants, muscle relaxants, Magnesium, vitamin D, B vitamins, headache medicines, and more. The above either did nothing at all in my case or had worse symptoms that made me feel more sick than before. I did drop the coffee and pop, and replaced with green tea. This did help with my stomach problems and made me feel a bit better (maybe a bit more energy and fewer arthritic flair ups), but didn’t actually solve my muscular or mood problems. I’ve in general been cleaning up my diet which is always advisable but not solving my specific problems. When I took GABA with added B6 I noticed the effect RIGHT AWAY. It was not a placebo or something I could write off as a maybe or a fluke. My chest tightness and pressure sensations in my sinus area subsided greatly and were replaced by a warm fuzzy feeling and greater sense of wellbeing. What turned me onto it was my doctor let me try Adavan as a way to see if Anxiety could be a cause or relevant issue. It had similar positive effect on me, but because this medication is not for long term use it was not an option. I get the impression it is more for people who have occasional panic attacks and not a general chronic issue. I can’t tell if GABA will be good for me long term, but don’t believe an article just because scientists can’t explain why. Actually I did read an article that claimed it is possible for some people to have a compromised blood brain barrier that could account for this.
I think that this article misses the most effective use for GABA, at least that I’ve personally experienced — and that is as a nighttime sleep aid. I have used GABA on dozens of occasions to “hack” my sleep on nights where I won’t get as much rest as usual (such as leaving for an early flight next morning). Basically when I take GABA before bed I sleep much more deeply and need about 3/4 the amount of sleep to feel the same. Have done this so many times and it has never failed once, so for me at least the evidence of effectiveness is quite empirical. Your mileage may vary but I’d love to hear if others have had similar experiences.
I agree with your comments and those of others who have ACTUALLY tried taking GABA capsules. I am aware of the many sites that say “GABA doesn’t cross the blood-brain barrier and so has no effect when taken orally” or similar comments.
Well, despite that claim, I, my wife, and some co-workers have taken oral GABA as a sleep aid, and it very much DOES calm/relax you. I’ve tried Vitacost, Twinlab, Natural Factors, and another brand, and all of them make you feel calm/relaxed.
I have taken it on and off for over 5 years, but less often since it REALLY makes me hung over the next day, even at doses of 100-200 mg. I used to take 500 mg but then I’d be hung over, calm, zoned out for most of the next day. Even drinking a large coffee could barely shake the fog.
Further, if you read “The Mood Cure” by Julia Ross, they have a clinic (in California?) that helps people with sleep, mood, adrenal problems and they routinely recommend GABA orally, and it has helped hundreds (or thousands?) of patients be able to relax, unwind, de-stress, and sleep. So has L-tryptophan (but I tried that too and it makes me too groggy the next a.m.)
I know there is a study referenced above about GABA not crossing the BBB, but I’ll have to read and analyze it. It is not placebo effect, each time I try a supplement I use a sleep app and I also write down dose and time, how I slept, wakeups, etc. and the effects have been repeatable even at infrequent times.
In short, if you are a person with high anxiety, stress, racing mind, etc. GABA orally CAN help, just give it a try – but start small, only 100 mg, so it doesn’t last too long. High doses (1000 mg or greater can actually cause paradoxical stimulation / anxiety).
If Gaba pills don’t pass the blood-brain barrier, how does xanax pass it?
Xanax has been acetylated.
My fiancee gave me gaba to help me sleep two nights ago. I read the bottle to understand the active ingredients and did not have any expectations other than it might help me sleep.
I have the most vivid dreams and slept so well, I took another one last night.
I think the placebo effect only works if you expect there to be some great change. Again, I had no expectations while taking a hippy dippy product. But, it works. At least it definitely worked for me. I have a leaky blood brain barrier, haha.
The placebo affect can work on a subconscious level.
Typo: effect not affect.
If the positive outcome is the result of the placebo effect so be it. The outcome is what matters.
For whatever reason Gaba works for me. It’s not perfect but I can relax and my existing anxiety goes away. I take GABA 1 week out of the month and Black Cohash daily for anxiety and increased anxiety from PMDD. I know they say it’s not possible but there are so many people that it works for. My therapist and I both agreed that it worked. The pharmacist that helped me choose what brand also uses Gaba and said while there is no proof it’s capable of crossing the blood brain barrier there was no doubt it could be beneficial to someone with anxiety. There is something here whether they want to admit to it or not. I’ve been able to treat my severe anxiety by going holistic. Something my doctor was not really amused with. She wanted me on an anti-depressant and prescribed several.
I have no doubt that GABA does not pass the blood brain barrier.
But,the largest creator of GABA is not the brain but the digestive system.
Called the second brain our guts are also making GABA via intestinal bacteria.
Nervous stomach? Food poisoning? Too many antibiotics? All of these could have killed off your GABA producing bacteria in your gut. And GABA is a known cofactor in some intestinal bacteris reproduction.And then the cascade of issues start.
Worse gut symptoms, IBS, reflux and GERD, and those anxiety symptoms.
So taking a GABA sup may ease anxiety even though it does not cross the BBB, by creating more favorable grounds for some bacteia to grow which in turn make more GABA. While we believe anxiety is all in our heads- pun intended, it may be caused by something as simple as antibiotics or preservatives in food killing off the bacteria we need.
bila ingin beli gaba atau 5 htp apakah ada yang tahu supplier gaba atau 5 htp di jakarta??
bila ada yang tahu saya minta nomer telp supplier yang bisa saya hubungi
thanks
I don’t think that just because it doesn’t pass through the blood-brain barrier that it can’t produce a calming effect for the rest of your body. If your body feels relaxed, then it is easier for your mind to follow suit. I’ve been on GABA for about a month now. With my anxiety/OCD I generally feel like I have substances sticking to me. My muscles feel tense. But after about a month on GABA, my muscles actually feel more relaxed and the feeling of things sticking to my skin feels more subtle and goes away eventually much quicker. And I feel that because my physical body doesn’t seem to be holding on to the lingering anxiety, my mind also begins to think that it doesn’t need to be thinking about anxious thoughts. I believe that our mind and physical state is strongly connected and that even just the physical sense of calm can induce the mind to calm as well. Just like the practice of Yoga induces brain calm and not that brain calm directly induces one to do Yoga. I really do think that “placebo effect” is really an incorrect assumption in light of that.
Picamilon did nothing for me. No matter how low or high the dosage was. L-theanine works a little bit and phenitbut is the best one. Normal GABA with b6 is even better than picamilon in my opinion.
Yes but is GABA better than phenibut?
What about PharmaGABA?
Hey Mark,
Thanks for your comment :). We actually have an article on PharmaGABA that should be ready to go on the site later this week. I will e-mail you the link once it goes live.
I have cervical dystonia and I am looking for more information on the PharmaGaba. Would you please send me an article as well, please. Thank you
Hello Lynne,
Thanks for your question! You can find our article on PharmaGABA here.
I am one of those people that have the opposite effect with Gaba. I have tried 3 different types; gaba calm sublingual, pharma gaba and country life gaba relaxer. I feel agitated even on a little bit, can tolerate gaba calm the best but dare not take it in the evening. I take .5 xanax in the morning and .5 to sleep. I believe my anxiousness is caused by effexor which I am slowly weaning off of.
sure would like to get off the xanax too. Probiotics and diet are very instrumental in my being able to reduce the effexor.
How has your transition been on slowly weaning off of effexor?
I was on it and found that you can’t wean off of it because when you are at a low dose level effexor then becomes a different type of anti-depressant. I ended up finding an article online during my desperation due to quitting effexor cold turkey. That article said to take high doses of Omega 3 fish oil, so I took 4000mgs 4X a day and that really really helped with the effects that I had been experiencing with quitting effexor. Taking the high doses of fish oil helped big time, I don’t know what I would have done without it.
My son’s ADHD doctor prescribed GABA for my son’s tantrums, anxiety, stress & fidgetiness, His GABA levels showed VERY low on a blood test.
My son is 5 and I started the GABA two weeks ago. The difference is Astounding!!! tantrums, anxiety, stress & fidgetiness are GONE. We took him to the zoo yesterday & he was like any other kid 5 year old kid. Not afraid of the animals, not anxious of the large crowds or noise, no crying. He was calm & happy & enjoyed ever minute of the zoo & we were there for 4 hours. His babysitter & his grandparents have all noticed the difference too, to the point that they asked me how he has gotten so calm & happy. It does get in his blood stream and effect his neurotransmitters and that’s why it works.
To: Renee
My son is 16 with ADHD and we are awaiting his blood test results for any deficiencies (vitamins, amino acids, iron, etc.). I am curious about what kind of GABA was prescribed or did your doctor tell you of a certain brand to buy at a health store? My son has been on Concerta for 5 years now and he seems to tolerate it now and it has not been working. He has been off Concerta for a month now, and i am using supplements trying to find the right combination that works for him. GABA is the only supplement that i have not tried yet. Poor grades with the Concerta and he is now experiencing tics, which is caused by the medication. Glad to hear GABA works for your son.
These studies indicate that, for whatever reason, it doesn’t matter that GABA doesn’t pass the blood/brain barrier.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16971751
http://www.phyllisbronsonphd.com/Graphics/BronsonGABA.pdf
After reading these studies, I have decided to order some. And like Diana, I would like to ask Renee what kind and what dosage of GABA helped her son.
Kenneth Blum has done pioneering and persistent work since the 1980s with what he’s called the Brain Reward Cascade. It is a set of reactions in the brain that culminate in the feel-good-feeling that accompanies being rewarded. Further to this, he’s discovered the underlying condition in addiction and many psychopathies is that this system is not working. The condition is Reward Deficiency Syndrome. This is well-elucidated over 3 decades and supported in vitro, and, in vivo.
He specifically cautions people against taking GABAergic supplements in an effective dose, whether GABA or glutamine. This is because in the Brain Reward Cascade, a critical step is the inhibition of GABA transmission, in order to release dopamine in the Nucleus Accumbens to the D2 receptors. That is the last step in the feel-good-fix. It’s problematization is the root of what drives people to bizarre behaviour for reward. In a minor way, this is why people struggle with GABA as a supplement, since, depending on one’s genomic antecedents, it can make mood disorders harder to handle–I believe–because it prevents a culminating feel-good-fix.
I see that there is some debate in this forum, so my two-cents are rehashed from Kenneth Blum’s work. His solution for Reward Deficiency Syndrome works. His discussion of wanting, learning, liking, and reward is valuable. Lastly, his insight is unparalleled on the neurochemical consequence of taking GABA.
Any of the terms or the name will rapidly call up this research. It is prominent at times in the professional literature but is largely marginalized in the mainstream, considering what application the research has for common problems in the population with self-medication.
Stephen Crane, thank you for this post and directing my attention to “Kenneth Blum”. You may find this interesting and part of the recipe of reward or anxiety.
Ingestion of Lactobacillus strain regulates emotional behavior and central GABA receptor expression in a mouse via the vagus nerve
http://www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.1102999108
I suffer from numerous nerve injuries in my neck from a brachial plexus injury (right arm, lung, chest, shoulder, and hand paralyzed), and I’ve only recently been deducing the very likelihood of a vagus nerve injury that was never detected (since all the immediately surrounding nerves are paralyzed). If this is true, then my brain is most likely GABA deficient, which would have a number of cascading effects: sleep irregularity, depression, anxiety, increased pain expression. etc etc.
I’m looking forward to diving into Kenneth Blum’s work.
Many thanks,
Christopher
STRESS, VAGUS NERVE, & GABA:
Ingestion of Lactobacillus strain regulates emotional behavior and central GABA receptor expression in a mouse via the vagus nerve
http://www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.1102999108
GUT FEELINGS: RadioLab 2012 – story based on above study (great listen!)
Decrease in major neuroinhibitor GABA with VAGOTOMY
http://www.radiolab.org/story/197242-gut-feelings/
Vagotomy & B12
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vagus_nerve#Vagotomy
One serious side effect of a vagotomy is a vitamin B12 deficiency later in life — perhaps after about 10 years — that is similar to pernicious anemia. The vagus normally stimulates the stomach’s parietal cells to secrete acid and intrinsic factor. Intrinsic factor is needed to absorb vitamin B12 from food. The vagotomy reduces this secretion and ultimately leads to the deficiency, which, if left untreated, causes nerve damage, tiredness, dementia, paranoia, and ultimately death.[13]
Assessment of psychotropic-like properties of a probiotic formulation (Lactobacillus helveticus R0052 and Bifidobacterium longum R0175) in rats and human subjects
http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=8098359
There are three relevant studies which can be found at:
http://www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.1118626109
http://www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.1118654109
http://www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.1119283109
“Scattered” by Gabor Maté (1999) – page 60
-“Researchers at the University of Washington, Seattle, measured the electrical activity of an important nerve, the vagus nerve, in five month old babies.* (The vagus connects the central nervous system with the heart, the lungs and stomach.) Infants with higher baseline “tone” in the vagus nerve were also “more emotionally reactive to both positive and mildly stressful stimuli”. These same infants at fourteen months were more reactive to maternal separation.
*Vagal stimulation study: Dawson and Fischer, 349.
(I have never been able to find the reference study above here)
http://www.addforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1678148&postcount=38
hi, if i take gaba orally, will it raise my hgh level? thank you
Hi it said there are better alternates than Gaba for sleep but it does not list which tablets they are Could admin or anybody else provide me with the information which natural tablets are best and not sleeping tablets from the doctor. If you can e-mail me at : [email protected] that would be a lot better for me. Thanks.
Nitric oxide (NO) seems to be able to increase blood brain barrier permeability to GABA significantly. See the research report here: https://examine.com/supplements/gaba/#summary3
GABA works great for me. It might not for some people, but then that is true for lots of things, including prescription drugs. Seems it won’t hurt to try it and see what you think — since, from what I read, the only thing (science) can agree on is that there are very little, if any, side effects. PharmaGaba? I would be very leery of this personally, as from what I understand, it is “synthesized from a type of probiotic bacteria.’ Of course there is no ‘scientific’ documentation that I have found on this aspect of PharmaGaba, however, folks with metal implants are told to avoid probiotics for risks of sepsis. Since PharmaGaba does reportedly cross the BBB, are we risking meningitis? What say admin?
Interesting article & comments.
Here’s an study over viewing the oral GABA & BBB relationship and possibilities:
“with L-arginine, brain GABA increased by 383.3%”
Neurotransmitters as food supplements: the effects of GABA on brain and behavior (2015)
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4594160/
“GABA by itself was found to increase brain GABA by 33%, but when GABA was administered together with L-arginine, brain GABA increased by 383.3% (Shyamaladevi et al., 2002). The authors suggest that this dramatic increase in brain GABA might be caused by an L-arginine-mediated increase in nitric oxide, which is thought to affect BBB permeability (Shukla et al., 1996). It would be interesting to see if this effect can be replicated in humans.”
I suffer from extreme neuropathic pain from nerves being torn out of my spine (brachial plexus injury), leaving my arm paralyzed. Along with a possible vagus nerve injury yet to be determined. I’m researching the relation of GABA and interneuron pain expression.
The blood brain barrier can be breached in several ways:
-Oils in Peanut Butter
-Coconut oil chunk
-Fish Oil
This is going to sound disgusting, but this had been helpful. Open the capsule into a small ramekin bowl. Get your oil. Melted if coconut. Mixed if Peanut Butter. Squeezed open if fish oil capsules (3). Yuck, here goes. Make a paste with the Gaba powder and the oil of your choice. It tastes nasty. It smells bad. You feel like you assimilated “The Little Book of Calm” into your system within a few minutes. But here’s the kicker: Xanax folks, you need this 2-3 times a day and the serving suggestion is one. I guess it just depends on how bad the anxiety is. I’m postpartum so they upped my Xanax from one to four a day. I’m all zen and happy and that’s not ok with me because it’s a crutch to me. I used GABA to withdraw from Hydrocodone four years ago after a root canal and it was MORE than effective.
GABA works but you have to get creative. As for the Nootriment Editorial Staff, they aren’t any of us. They can stick it and go back to sitting around, writing useless editorials. Happy Yule!
Thanks for the tip Juliette. But could you elaborate on the trick with the peanut butter and coconut oil? Why should they be able to help GABBA through the bbb? Do you have any link or further info about it? If you take the powder out of the capsule it also looses it’s protection against stomach acid. And everything gets absorber in the small intestines anyway. So shouldn’t it have the same effect if you just take the GABBA as capsule alongside with the oil?
Be careful with what people advice in the comments. Just be careful… Many of them have no clue how things work. They just hear some Dr. Oz or another show on TV and they believe in that and repeat to others.
Thank you, Juliette! I am going to try it.
I am taking GABA for about 4 months now, and it changed my life. I even went back to school and I am in the middle on my MS in Finance. I take the GABA at night and then I go to bed. I wake up ready to start the day. Before taking GABA, I use to wake up exhausted, with muscle and headaches. Dreadful way to begin a day. I eat healthy, however, it looks like eating healthy is not enough for the body to process the so needed chemicals.
Could somebody tell me what could be the cause for a rapid onset of tolerance to GABA as a sleep aid?
It worked for me – I KNOW it wasn’t placebo (I wasn’t expecting anything, but certainly not the sudden deep sleepiness that overcame me; on the other hand, substances that I absolutely did expect to work, and looked forward to it, didn’t) – until suddenly it didn’t.
If I remember correctly, it stopped working after a week or so; and the initial overwhelmingly powerful effect only happened with the first dose.
I never took more than two capsules (don’t remember the dosage).
After a year or so, I bought the very same brand of GABA. Nothing.
BTW, the very same thing, only more dramatically so – it stopped working after TWO DOSES of 25 mg (with a day or two of pause between them) – happened to me with hydroxyzine, which is all the more astounding because it is specifically NOT associated with tachyphylaxis.
I do not seem to develop tolerance to other drugs – not so fast, anyway.
I’d be grateful for any thoughts.
“GABA is a highly regulated compound in the body, and is able to balance itself out in body tissues due to a myriad of factors. Due to these regulation factors, GABA as a supplement cannot alter human physiology to much of a degree.” Source: examine.com
What if I told you that Gaba supplements do not need to cross the blood brain barrier to be effective. What if I told you that 90% of neurotransmitters are located guess where, if our gut/stomach.
My guess is that when you swallow a pill orally instead of rectally is that is does get directly to where its needed, the stomach/gut.
Hate to say, “I told you so”
Can anyone comment on Gaba’s ability to help with common spine / sciatica nerve pain? I’d like to find an alternative to using drugs like Percoset while I give my disc herniation time to resorp.
Dosage suggestions?
Taking GABA with B6… What is the added benefit of doing so?
Many thanks
GABA TOTALLY worked for me for a variety of problems and I tried it from the standpoint of an absolute skeptic! I think you should try to sell your products on their own merits instead of saying something does not work when it does.
You have a crappy, misleading title, a shallow article and a comment section full of people contradiction what your article said. I would fix the title and edit the article to make you seem a little more reliable, otherwise, we’ll keep on thinking you just want to sell your product. GABA works. No doubt about it.
I took gaba per someone’s recommendation after withdrawing from Ativan after a hospital stay because I wasn’t sleeping and she said my body still needed GABA.
When I take it I have trouble breathing. I can feel my heart trying to slow down and match my breath. It feels
really weird. I don’t like it. Then I have hot flashes and tingling. After about two hours it did knock me out and I slept through the night. But I dk. I’m skeptical. I hated how I felt!
Do I need it? Not need it?
My doctor is no help at all and just wants me on Ativan. I do not want to get addicted to that. But I want to function! I am currently so fatigued I can’t work or participate in normal every day life. And I’ve got anxiety for the first time in my life. Help? Suggestions?
GABA receptors are in the gut, too. The gut communicates with the brain. This article is useless.
“It’s impossible that GABA supplements make it to the brain to work. But here’s studies that show how effective it is, in so many ways.” Yeah. And here’s a comments section FULL of people saying it definitely does work.
Take away? That once again, scientists and doctors THINK they know everything because they understand more than the rest of us, yet they forget that they may not know ANYTHING about how the body REALLY works, for instance how they’re only jslust recently beginning to understand how the GUT, not the brain, is where basically RVERYTHING actually happens (immune system, serotonin production and storage, etc etc.) Hmm, so the fact that “it’s impossible to cross the blood brain barrier” means there’s noooo other way it can possible absorb or work?? Like the gut? Right. I once had a male pharmacist tell me there was “no possible way for Advil for work on menstrual cramps once they’ve started” due to some pain cycle science facts. It’s laughable how confidently scientists can tell you that the Truths that you know and experience are impossible placebos. Empower YOURSELVES people, the scientists have a LONG road of learning to walk before they actually understand how the puzzle pieces they hold fit together.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4594160/
“It has long been thought that GABA is unable to cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB), but the studies that have assessed this issue are often contradictory and range widely in their employed methods.”
Since this article does not include a reference section, and only one relevant study in the comments, there’s a good lesson about doing your own research.
Hi Jay,
Thanks for your feedback – we do have a reference section at the bottom of the article if you would like to review that.
Kind regards
“In one research study, a one-time 5 gram dosage of GABA was found to increase serum growth hormone in healthy adults. However, another study found that administering 18 grams of GABA for four days resulted in a decrease in GH and an increase in prolactin levels.”
Can you please give me a reference to the conducted study?
I always loved the coffee condenscending nATURE of articles like this that Don’t promote a supplement and then further promote other supplements it doesn’t work but it might work, we don’t know here try our products they work yeah we know they do. But we also know the other stuff doesn’t work like fuck you and your ulterior motives
Hello,
Thanks for your feedback. It’s not our intention to promote products that don’t work or to suggest that products that do work don’t work. We want people to find solutions that work for them. That’s why this site exists. We are agnostic as to what supplement you use and there are no benefits to us if you decide to use one supplement over the other. Up until very recently, the general consensus among researchers has been that GABA does not work for anxiety and that it is not bioavailable. There is some preliminary evidence that suggests it could influence brain EEG patterns, but we rely on the ratings of the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database to determine efficacy. According to NMCD, there is insufficient reliable evidence to rate the efficacy of GABA for stress.
As per NMCD, “Although endogenous GABA has well-established relaxant effects, the effects of exogenous GABA are not as clear. When administered orally or systemically, GABA does not cross the blood-brain barrier, so it seems unlikely to have sedative or anxiolytic effects.”
“Most evidence suggests that GABA does not cross the blood-brain barrier in notable amounts following oral or systemic administration.”
References cited by NMCD: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/13645239?dopt=Abstract
Boonstra E, de Kleijn R, Colzato LS, Alkemade A, Forstmann BU, Nieuwenhuis S. Neurotransmitters as food supplements: the effects of GABA on brain and behavior. Front Psychol. 2015 Oct 6;6:1520. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01520. eCollection 2015.