GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is one of my top nutrient recommendations for clients with physical tension, anxiety, overwhelm and panic attacks. I’m often asked if it really works and is it even worth taking so here is some feedback from practitioners from the Anxiety Summit, all of whom I consider experts on the topic.
Julia Ross, MFT, pioneer in the field of amino acid therapy, my mentor and the author of The Mood Cure and The Diet Cure shares this wisdom about GABA during our interview: Eliminating Anxiety: Amino Acid Therapy and Adrenal Balancing on season 1 of the Anxiety Summit:
Among other things, GABA relaxes the nerves in the muscles in the body. One of the most common kinds of feedback that we get from people who are doing a GABA trial is that it seems to take effect so quickly. This may be because, unlike tryptophan, which has to be converted into serotonin, GABA is the neurotransmitter and the amino acid all in one and requires no conversion.
There isn’t often a GABA discussion when the topic of the blood-brain-barrier doesn’t come up and whether GABA actually does work. Of course Julia addresses this too:
There is a myth going around, based on one old study, that GABA doesn’t cross into the brain, that it doesn’t cross the blood-brain barrier. But there are other studies that show that it does [here is a paper published earlier this year], and our clinical experience is overwhelming. This is the most popular trial that we do, the GABA trial, using only 100 mg. It zips right into the brain, and people immediately feel relaxed physically and mentally.
I see this with my clients on a daily basis and I can certainly attest to that personally too. I like to share that I was a “GABA girl”: when I had my terrible anxiety and panic attacks in my late 30s anxiety, GABA worked beautifully for me. It was amazing and life-changing! Zero anxiety and no more panic attacks!
We are all individual and you may find that theanine works better for you than GABA. Julia talks about this too:
I would say about 15 to 20 percent of people who need this GABA-type relief of the tension and stress, don’t seem to get it from GABA. In those cases, most of them do get it from the amino acid, l-theanine, instead, in our experience.
Dr. Josh Friedman, is dear friend, colleague and integrative psychotherapist who uses amino acids and other nutritional approaches in his practice. I also had the honor of interviewing him on season 1 of the Anxiety Summit. I ask him if he uses GABA with his patients and what he thinks about the naysayers. I just love his answer:
[GABA] is definitely something I use. I am not a biochemist, so I actually don’t really know whether it crosses the blood/brain barrier, nor do I care actually. The first question should be, is it harmful? Are any of these things going to cause harm? And the answer with all the amino acids are no, they’re not going to cause harm, especially when compared to psychiatric medicines. The second question is, does it work? Is it helpful for our patients that we see in our practice?
GABA certainly worked for Meme Grant, GAPS Practitioner, Nutritional Therapist, FNTP, and fellow African. She had anxiety, panic attacks, didn’t enjoy speaking in public, had insomnia and was an emotional eater. I also interviewed her in season 1 and she shared this:
I took GABA for the first time in the afternoon and had no panic attacks that afternoon, and I took one in the evening and I did that for a couple of weeks, and I haven’t seen a panic attack since.
I find that many people do well with a combination of GABA and one or more of theanine, taurine and glycine. All of these are calming amino acids and since we are all unique you may find that one of these combinations work better for you.
Dr. Hyla Cass, M.D. board-certified in psychiatry and integrative medicine and the author of Natural Highs and The Addicted Brain and How to Break Free, talks about this in our interview: The Addicted Brain and How to Break Free
If someone has anxiety, it’s not a Valium or a Xanax deficiency. It could be a GABA deficiency. And that could be due to stress. So if you’re low in GABA, there are some really cool things to take – theanine, glycine, taurine. The different nutrients work together and when we add them together, it’s more than the sum of its parts. So adding glycine and GABA together is going to give you a better result and you don’t have to use as much as each of the individual ones. So that’s nature’s Valium.
Jonathan Prousky, ND, MSc, editor of the Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine and author of Anxiety: Orthomolecular Diagnosis and Treatment shares this in our season 2 interview: Tapering off psychiatric drugs so they do not ruin your life
I have found GABA to be invariably helpful and I don’t really know exactly how GABA works but I know it to be very, very safe and, to me, that is fundamentally important. It’s not associated with any withdrawal, with any tolerance, with any habituation, so people can try it without a lot of concern.
Dr. Prousky uses both regular crystalline GABA and pharmaGABA but prefers the latter. He uses it as part of his SRR model for helping his patients taper of psychiatric drugs such as benzodiazepines. SRR stands for sedation, relaxation and regulation:
- Sedation: one gets the sedating effects of GABA (he uses pharmaGABA at a dose of 100-200 mg)
- Relaxation: niacin at a dose of 250-500 mg (immediate-release)
- Regulation: melatonin (generally about 3mg) to helps regulate the sleep-and-wake cycles
GABA really does work if your anxiety is a result of low GABA levels. As Julia so wisely says:
On a scale of zero to ten, zero is not an unrealistic goal when it comes to anxiety. It’s really the human potential and GABA [and tryptophan] give us access to it.
So we have many expert opinions but the best way to figure out if GABA works is to try it. You’ll know within 5 minutes if it’s working for you. This is one of the reasons I love the amino acids: you get results right away and it makes you feel less anxious right away, giving you hope while you deal with other factors that may be contributing to your anxiety.
How much GABA do we need and how do we take it? I find that GABA is most effective when taken sublingually. Source Naturals GABA Calm is a great sublingual that contains 125mg GABA, 50mg Glycine, 20mg taurine, some magnesium and 25mg N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine. I also really like Nutritional Fundamentals for Health GABA-T SAP which contains 300mg GABA 300 mg and 150mg theanine. This is pleasant-tasting when opened on to the tongue and seems to be most effective when held there for about 2 minutes. GABA products that contain 500mg and 750mg are often too much for most of my clients.
You can find these and other GABA products that I recommend here
If you’d like to learn more about GABA from the above experts, you can get details of the Anxiety Summits here
You’ll also learn about many other nutritional and biochemical causes of anxiety: gut health and the microbiome, hormone imbalance, methylation issues, other low neurotransmitter levels, pyroluria (causing social anxiety), oxalates/gluten (special diets), pyschoneuroendocrinology, heavy metals, poor liver health, adrenal issues like high cortisol, mold, candida, parasites and much more!
Have you used GABA or any of the other calming amino acids and found benefits? Please share what product and how much worked for you?
If you have not tried GABA, were you a naysayer but now feel more inclined to look into this?
I use Source Naturals GABA Calm 125mg to help me fall back a sleep when I wake up in the middle of the night with racing thoughts. It quits my mind in no time helping have a restful sleep. I prefer the Orange flavor.
I once bought the Now brand 500mg GABA and it was way too strong. If a took a whole tablet it would make my arms and head tingle.
Heather
Thanks for sharing your wonderful results. I have the majority of my clients starting with this dose/brand, unless they have melanoma or high blood pressure or bipolar – due to the tyrosine.
Thanks for sharing your 500mg GABA results. Many of my clients also find the 500mg is too much although for some it works well. But they always start low and build up each week until they find their ideal dose.
Hello, does taking tyrosine at night keep people awake? I struggle with sleep and searching for something to help. This looks promising for sure. I take 5-htp at night and I’ve heard it helps people sleep but I haven’t experienced that. Also, I read recently that glycine can help with sleep – I see that it’s an ingredient in the Source Naturals but a much smaller dose than the GABA. Do you find that GABA is better than glycine for sleep? n Thank you so much!
Keegan
I have clients with sleep issue avoid tyrosine later than mid-afternoon, although some can tolerate the tiny amount in GABA Calm. GABA helps with sleep if it’s a low GABA issue, 5-HTP or tryptophan helps if it’s a low serotonin issue. And for some 5-HTP is too stimulating. I seldom use glycine on it’s own.
When you are new to the amino acids I really do recommend my book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” so you understand exactly how to use them. There is an entire chapter on the amino acids and how to use them.
It also covers other anxiety nutrition solutions like gluten/sugar/caffeine removal, blood sugar control, gut health, pyroluria etc and is a great foundation. Remember, it’s the amino acids and diet. More here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/
I get really bad headaches when using GABA. Headaches as well with theonine (though not as bad). However, I have seen many people benefit from it. Have you seen this? I have the COMT SNP, so I suspect that is playing a part?
Crystal
I’m sorry to hear this. I’m guessing you mean theanine and not theonine?
I’d be happy to comment about the GABA if you would be so kind as to answer these 1) what form? GABA? pharmaGABA? phenibut? (some people use phenibut and use the term GABA). 2) what brand – a link would help 3) And how much and how often? 4) swallowed or held in mouth? 5) are you very sensitive to small amounts of supplements i.e are you a pixie dust person? 6) what low GABA symptoms do you have? 7) do you suspect leaky gut? Thanks!
Hi,
I do have a comment and question. Interesting how I first encountered “gaba”. I was prescribed a substance called “gabapentin” for relief of intense sciatic pain. It didn’t do a lot for the pain but it was the most effective medicine I have ever taken for anxiety and depression, and over the years, I have tried them all! I don’t have those problems to any serious degree anymore,mostly due to a daily dedicated Zen practice, but I keep some around just in case.
How is gabapentin related to the obviously more natural supplements you are speaking of?
Thanks!
George
George
Thanks for sharing your gabapentin experience. Gabapentin is drug that is a GABA analog, meaning that it looks very similar in structure but it is not completely the same. It seems to be most often prescribed for pain, especially neuropathic pain. It’s interesting to hear how well it worked for your anxiety and depression. Also, like all drugs, it does have side-effects so this would need to be considered.
I’m curious if you ever tried GABA or pharmaGABA?
I love that you have a daily dedicated Zen practice!
I am prone to depression, and when I take GABA it definitely does something in my brain to start kicking off those depressive thoughts. When you recommend GABA it might be helpful to include that caution for people like me who don’t do well with it. Thanks for all the helpful info you put out!
Mary
You’re welcome and thanks for feedback. Yes we are all unique and everything doesn’t work for everyone.
I’m sorry to hear GABA kicks off those depressive thoughts. Would you share what GABA you have used (brand/form) and how much? It may well be that it was too high an amount or a form that didn’t suit you.
I experienced the depressive effect even when I only used 1/2 of a GABA calm lozenge.
Mary
Thanks for letting me know – that is a very small amount. I would also question if it could possibly be related to one of the other ingredients? sorbitol, mannitol, stearic acid, modified cellulose gum, natural orange flavor, and magnesium stearate?
I would like to ask a question. I have fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue and also have a mthfr mutation. A naturopath recommended a magnesium powder for me and it has taurine in it. Every time I mix just half a scoop I get a headache. Is this related to the mthfr issue, being that bipolar runs in my family?
Mary-Anne
I suggest checking with your naturopath. Magnesium and taurine don’t typically cause headaches so I would suspect it’s one of the other ingredients in the magnesium powder (assuming there are flavor/s etc).
Hi, a few of my nutrition friends and I decided to give GABA a try to see if it actually works as all our lecturers have said that it does not cross the blood brain barrier unless the barrier is compromised and there is some form of permiability present. Out of the 6 people who tried it, only one person said the felt different (calmer). Can you please share your thoughts on it only being able to cross the blood brain barrier if it is compromised.
Thanks,
Vanessa
Hi Vanessa
I love your experiment but before I can answer I’d like some additional information from you please
1) Of the 6 people how many had low GABA symptoms https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/amino-acids-mood-questionnaire-from-the-antianxiety-food-solution/ ? the amino acids only work if you need them.
2) How did the person who felt calmer score?
3) What GABA product did you use and how much?
4) Was the GABA product swallowed or if it was not a sublingual product was it opened on to the tongue and held there for 2 minutes?
5) Was the GABA product taken at least an hour before or after a meal containing protein?
6) Do any of the 6 have low thyroid/underactive thyroid? the amino acids are less effective in this instance
7) Do any of the 6 have leaky gut or suspect leaky gut?
8) Have any of the 6 had success with any of the following amino acids: tryptophan, 5-HTP, glutamine, tyrosine, DPA/Endorphigen? (assuming they score high in the related sections on the questionnaire ie they need support in these areas)
I’d also love to hear who you learned the blood-brain-barrier-GABA information from? I hear from many people who have been taught this based on Dr. Datis Kharrazian’s work. He is brilliant but we differ on our opinions of the use of GABA and whether it works
Thanks!
Hi Trudy,
I have your book and follow your posts. I have a 19 yr old daughter with clinical depression and severe social anxiety. We have taken the pyroluria test and she meets some of the markers. I am just wondering after reading through most of your book, if any of this could apply to her age group? For instance, trying GABA for anxiety?
Leslie
Absolutely! I would have her do the low GABA questionnaire and if she has those symptoms (more physical anxiety) then do a trial of GABA to see if it will help
Thank you so much for such quick feedback. I’ll have her do the test and go from there!
Leslie
Hi Trudy, first thank you for all the unbelievable worthy information. When I read this blog of GABA, I was thinking, if GABA would also help with claustrophobia attacks. Because of my claustrophobic feeling, I wasn’t flying for many years, now I plan a flight to Mallorca (it’s 2hrs from my home) and thought if GABA would help me calm down. Otherwise I would take diazepam pills.
What’s your opinion on this special panic attacks. Please let me know, if you find time to answer.
Thank you very much.
Helga
Yes, GABA can be very helpful for these types of panic attacks. I’d also look into low serotonin and possibly doing a trial or 5-HTP or tryptophan too. I hope you have a wonderful flight!
Are you familiar with Benzodiazepine protracted withdrawal in which the GABA receptors become downregulated , sometimes for years after cessation of the drug, along with horrific daily symptoms? I tried Pharma GABA a few months ago, with no success, trying to calm the constant anxiety and panic-like symptoms. This benzo problem is a serious global problem affecting thousands, yet the american doctors are clueless that this issue exists with these drugs for some people, and they continue to be prescribed daily around the world. Any advice about the use of GABA for a downregulated GABA system would be very helpful. thank you.
David
Yes I’m aware of the benzo problem and am very much against the prescribing of this medication. I’m sorry to hear about the constant anxiety and panic symptoms. Many people who have been prescribed benzos can’t tolerate any supplements, some do ok with small amounts of certain supps and some do absolutely fine with whatever they are low in.
I encourage you to search the blog as I have tons of resources on the topic. Here is one that will get you started https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/say-no-to-benzodiazepines-for-anxiety-webinar-replay/
Hello Trudy,
I was on the point of trying Source Naturals GABA Calm to help taper off fluoxetine when I saw the precaution about tyrosine and bipolar disorder, for which I have been on lithium for 30 years. When I cut back on fluoxetine my main symptom is irritability. Could you tell me the problem with tyrosine, and what you would recommend? I am not currently working with a practitioner, and it’s unlikely that I can find a nutritionally-oriented one in my area.
Thank you.
Carol
Tyrosine may trigger mania in folks with bipolar disorder so it is recommended to use a GABA only or GABA/theanine product. I just blogged about a variety of products https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/gaba-calming-amino-acid-products-results/
Just so you know, since fluoxetine is an SSRI that works on serotonin, so GABA may help, but addressing low serotonin (with tryptophan/5-HTP) is going to be more effective. With this you do need to be working with a practitioner/your prescribing doctor due to the possibility of serotonin syndrome.
Thanks so much for your reply and for all the information you share. It is very empowering.
I would be very interested in Trudy discussing treatment for bipolar disorder naturally.
Perhaps even a panel of experts discussing why to avoid certain amino acids and what to try instead.
I feel many people suffer in silence due to the stigma and don’t seek proper treatment so go thru life symptomatic when perhaps you could offer hope and options that bring balance into ones life.
Balance without harmful side effects or conventional
Prescriptions.
Do you offer a bipolar questionnaire and treatment protocol?
You really seem to understand how to bring equilibrium to light.
Much Appreciated ~ Thank you
Casper
Thanks, I’ll add it to the list as it’s a much needed topic. For now, here is a blog I wrote awhile ago on blood sugar swings, diet and gluten – all related to bipolar https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/bipolar-disruptive-mood-or-gluten-and-junk-food/ and a good start for anyone. Other factors I consider are sex hormone imbalances and thyroid issues (especially Hashimotos) which can look like bipolar disorder.
And then low dose lithium orotate (in the 5 to 20mg per day dose) is very promising for many with a bipolar diagnosis. Dr James Greenblatt, MD and integrative psyhciatrist, uses it with his patients with bipolar disorder, allowing them to reduce or stop their prescription lithium.
As far as amino acids goes, tyrosine and glutamine have the potential to trigger a manic attack.
I have been using GABA for the past month. First I bought the 500mg and was too much so I stopped using it. Then after reading all you articles I decided to try again so I took the 500mg capsule and split it in to two. I use half at mid noon and another half from another capsule before bed time. I feel more relaxed even though I have nights I don’t sleep.
I will keep using it.
Kohava
Thanks for sharing. Glad to hear less is better. I’d consider other factors for sleep too – like low serotonin, low blood sugar, gluten issues, high cortisol.
I just sent a comment about the GABA.
I have a lot of Herpes breakouts like mouth, pimples on my face. I was recommended to use Lysine. I have been using lysine 500mg 3 times a day. It helps.
For how long do I have to use the lysine? or do you recommend to use it on a daily basis.
I already modified my food. I eliminated the sugars, gluten, dairy products, nuts, all the night shade vegetables etc. What else do I have to do I guess there is no much left?
I would appreciate your comments.
Kohava
I don’t have expertise in herpes so I’m afraid I can’t help except to share this link http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3115841 – “The treatment group was given L-Lysine monohydrochloride tablets (1,000 mg L-lysine per dose) 3 times a day for 6 months.” Of course, the assumption would be a herpes diagnosis from the doctor.
What is your experience with bruxism?
Have used Gaba Calm for day time anxiety as it takes a long time to solve sublingualy. However, at night time, I wake up at 3-5 am as my teeth are hurting from biting hard. Which Gaba product would you recommend to take in the middle of the night? I do not have other sleeping problems but go to toilet twice per night and could take the Gaba around 1 am to prevent bruxism. I have tried custom made night guards twice and hate them and there are no other problems with my teeth according to dentist.
Noora
With bruxism I’d have someone try just GABA before bed and on waking in the night – starting with around 200mg. I’d also look into parasites as they can lead to night-time waking (which should not happen i.e. you shouldn’t need to get up and go to the bathroom twice) and teeth-clenching. Low serotonin can also cause TMJ so this would be something to consider too.
Thank you for the information!
Which GABA supplement format do you use on waking in the night?
According to FM studies, parasites are excluded. SSRIs did not help and fortunately, I did not develop addiction to benzos. Tryptophan gave me UTI. So, I think the night time toilet visits are caused by the general irritation due to several UTIs in life time. Pelvic floor stimulators have been a little bit of help.
Hi Trudy,
Thank you for sharing all this valuable info. 5yrs ago I had all the preliminary testing for any underlying issues because I was having what I now know to be anxiety attacks….To get things into control I was given Ativan….got my self off of that, but to this day I keep a prescription on hand for occasional sleepless nights. I have trouble turning my thoughts off…then there is the occasional anxiety that creeps back in….I control most with what I’ve learned, I have used L-theanine before bed and even during the day at times with good results….Now I wonder if GABA would work better…can it be taken at anytime one is feeling anxious or trouble falling asleep??Thank you in advance
Pam
I’m so sorry I somehow missed this one. When I hear “I have trouble turning my thoughts off” I think low serotonin and tryptophan.
Trudy,
I am taking Neurontin and Advil around the clock for sciatic nerve pain. Together they take the edge off but I don’t want to stay on either for weeks on end(it’s already been a couple weeks). Would GABA or any other amino acid help? I am getting physical therapy and avoiding moments that aggravate it already. I sure am open to a more natural way to treat this pain. I’m also taking astaxathin and Suzy Cohen’s Joint Script and curcumin.
Lorraine
Sorry to hear about the pain. Yes, 5-HTP, tryptophan, DPA and GABA can often help reduce pain
Here are some resources on pain
GABA: https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/gaba-and-more-for-pain-relief-and-anxiety/
5-HTP or tryptophan: https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/fibromyalgia-tryptophan-5-htp-for-anxiety-depression-pain-and-insomnia/
Pain summit https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/balance-neurotransmitters-pain-anxiety/
Magnesium: https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/anxiety-summit-anxiety-musculoskeletal-pain/
Hi Trudy, and heartfelt thanks for work you do.
Severe anxiety started about 18 months ago, after underlying anxiety for my entire life. Following your lead, I have been on zinc and tryptophan, and GABA. I did t note the GABA Calm helped much, and didn’t notice an effect from GABA until 500-750 mg. I take it in the morning, and it seems good all day until evening and sleep. Then severe anxiety often awakens me during the night.
Is this too large of a dose? I am normally more of a pixie dust person.
Also, will my body become normalized to the GABA, and start creating less of it by itself over time. I’d like to be able to taper off, if possible, someday.
Or is GABA treatment something we anxiety people must stay on long-term or for our entire lives?
I’d appreciate your guidance. Thanks so much!!!
Cath
I’m so sorry I somehow missed this one. Each person has different needs so more is fine if it’s helping and not causing side-effects. Ideally we should be able to stop once we have addressed the root cause. I am not aware of it affecting our own GABA production.
Severe night anxiety could be low GABA, low serotonin, high cortisol amongst other factors.
Hi Trudy, thanks for this valuable information. I was wondering of you could do a blog specifically about anxiety/panic attacks. Share your experience in detail and get comments from your community. i would like to know more about specific symptoms, duration, triggers, causes etc. What treatments worked for you and others. Thank you so much. My son had a panic attack recently, his doctor told him it was not a panic attack and diagnosed him with stomach flu, i know it was a panic attack and would like to try to educate him about them but i am struggling to find good information to share with him, i dont want to wait until he has another one, he has Pyroluria & MTHFR C677T, but will not accept these as real health problems.
Cheryl
I’m sorry your son’s anxiety and panic attacks are being dismissed – that’s not ok!
Do you have my book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” – this is all covered in detail in the book. Additional information I’ve learned since then is all on the blog.
If I was working with your son I would look into GABA and tryptophan to start – to give immediate relief and hope. This convinces the naysayers very well.
HI Trudy, thanks for your reply, i do have your book, unfortunately with my sons dyslexia and the fact that he does not think he had an anxiety attack it would be hard to get him to read it. My son believes the doctor who said it was not an anxiety/panic attack, he was diagnosed with stomach/gastric flue,but i am sure it was. I thought i could send my son some credible info/links to show him that it was a panic attack, info would have to be short, like maybe a list of the symptoms, or others personal experiences, and what treatment worked for them. i googled it but could not find anything. I do have gaba & trytophan ready to give him, but i am thinking this attack might be caused by the lack of nutrients eg: pyroluria & MTHFR. He also said it happened after he had a cup of coffee.
Cheryl
If he is willing to listen instead of read then I’d have him listen to interviews from The Anxiety Summit. If you don’t have the audios you can get access to free samples here http://www.theanxietysummit.com and then decide if you’d like to purchase it. I interview many people who have had anxiety themselves and in season 2 I describe my anxiety and panic attacks in great detail.
There are also hundreds of examples of people describing their symptoms here on the blog comments. Feel free to read through them and share with him.
Your comment “it happened after he had a cup of coffee” – Magdalena shares about anxiety and caffeine in season 4 of The Anxiety Summit https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/coffee-hidden-anxiety/
I was not present, but my son said his symptoms where…Cant breath, gasping for air, shallow breathing, heart racing, thought he was having a heart attack, feeling of doom & gloom, thought he was going to die, hot & cold. He was taken to the emergency department at a hospital by his girlfriend, he was there for about 4 hours, they did some tests and said there was nothing wrong with him and sent him home. Please help me so i can help him. much appreciated.
Cheryl
This is just how I describe my symptoms in my book. Please see my comment above.
Hi Trudy,
How long should I continue the GABA for? You said to take it until you find the root cause, but can’t low GABA also be a cause of the anxiety? Can it be taken long term?
Jen
There is no research on long-term use. And yes low GABA is a root cause but why is GABA low – low protein consumption, low stomach acid, stress, gluten issues etc
Hi- My wife suffers from panic attacks and I’m trying to find something which will help her. When she has a panic attack I give her a lorazepam and that helps but it takes awhile and then I have to knock her out with sleeping pills! I have read that inositol and gaba is a good combo along with glycine, The difficulty is getting hold of this stuff in the UK! Also,How does Redicalm compare to the Gaba combos?
Thanks
Peter
I have tried transcendental meditation, hypnosis to catch my emotions regarding my social anxiety I have not worked anything like that. Now try GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) I’ll tell you later how it was.
Hello Trudy,
I would appreciate if you could give me advice about GABA from Source Naturals. Since I live in Europe, I can not order from your online store Gaba Calm. I have found GABA CALM Orange Flavor, 120 Lozenges on the site IHERB where I usually order my supplements. It contains the same amount of GABA, glycine,taurine,N-acetyl L-Tyrosine and magnesium as original GABA CALM. Even on the Source Naturals site, there is only GABA CALM of 750 mg.Do you think that this version is equally good, as the one you are suggesting on your blog?
Thank you in advance!
Sanja
Sanja
If the ingredients and amounts are the same it sounds like it’s the same product. The Source Naturals site can be confusing and they seem to have a few products with very similar names!
Hi, I am a 59 yers old woman and very recently I have suffered from bad bout of Herpes on my scalp and forehead – this has given me fever and problems with my eye. The scars have gone but I am suffering with post herpetic neuropathic pain which is often quite severe. At the moment I am dealing with it (and not that successfully) by means of paracetamol and ibuprofen but clearly this pain could extend over a very long period of time and I have started reading about alternative treatments. In addition to the Herpes attack I have suffered from anxiety and panic attacks in the past which is being treated with half a Zolfot per day — so, would the use of Gaba help me kill two birds with one stone?. I suffer from mildly high blood pressure. Do you think that Gaba might work for me? In association with something else or on its own? Thanks in advance for your kind help.
Magdalena
I can’t offer you specific advice via the blog but can say that if the anxiety feels physical in nature then a trial of GABA would be something I would consider with a client. GABA may very likely also help with postherpetic neuralgia/nerve pain. If the anxiety/panic attacks are more mental/worry/ruminating in nature than serotonin support would help (a trial of tryptophan). Tryptophan also helps with pain relief in many instances but the timing with an SSRI such as Zoloft needs to be 6 hours away from it and the prescribing doctor needs to be informed.
Hi Trudy,
Thank you so much for informing us on a regular basis about the healing properties of the amino acids. I have a friend who is in pain because of Benzodiazepine withdrawal. I wonder if Gaba could help in this case.
Thank you so much!
Galena
I use GABA and other nutrients like melatonin, niacinamide, other B vitamins etc to support my clients with symptoms from benzodiazepine tapers/withdrawal. I have them get nutritionally stable BEFORE starting a taper – this means real food, no gluten, no sugar, no caffeine, eating to balance blood sugar, addressing gut health/the adrenals and addressing nutritional deficiencies like low serotonin, low GABA, low zinc, low vitamin B6 etc
Many wonderful benzodiazepine support groups will say no supplements during a taper and we disagree on this approach.
Hi,
Thank you for he helpful article and replies to comments.
Im female, 27 and I have had brainfog/hangover feelings for 18 months. Constant tiredness (never feeling refreshed), fatigued, short term memory issues, crazy anxiety and mostly dazed. Further I can’t think of the right words most of the time.
I haven’t drank in a year and have cut out all gluten dairy sugar and caffeine for 8 months.
I started taking Gaba 5 weeks ago (300mg 3 times a day – 7am – 1pm – 7pm and it did help to a degree (stoped anxiety and I could fall asleep within an hour) but I would always wake up even worse than usual … extremely fatigued and would take 2/3 hours to even be able to start thinking about that day.
Moreover, about a week ago it seemed to just stop working for both the anxiety and the sleep. I tried upping the dose but it made my mornings and days even worse (sleepy) and my mind now races throughout the day. I also have stabbing headaches. I have since cut the dose to 100mg twice a day to see if I can then go back up and it work again but the stabbing pains in my head are still there.
Could you help at all ?
Thank you.
Laura
Laura
I can’t consult via the blog but when working with someone with issues like this I’d consider candida (hangover feeling is a big clue), adrenal issues, low blood sugar, low iron/ferritin, low zinc and also low catecholamines (to start). New headaches with a new supplement is a clue it’s not ideal/needed
Thank you for your reply. It’s much appreciated.
I’ve been to doctors and they’ve tested everything and apparently it’s fine.
Very frustrating.
I’ll look into catecholamines.
Thanks again!
Laura
Hello
I started taking 500 mg of the now brand GABA once in morning with 10 mg of Paxil as prescribed by doctor for anxiety etc. I have been having terrible headaches. Does GABA typically cause headaches.
Kimberly
I have my clients start one thing at a time so we know what each is doing. I’m not in favor of Paxil and help my clients find nutritional solutions for their anxiety. With GABA (and all the amino acids) I have clients use the trial method to figure out how much they need and we typically start with 125mg. Too much can cause headaches, dizziness and even flushing.
I have been taking flexeril every day for a couple of years to sleep. Yesterday I went to get some Valerian and melatonin to try so that I can quit taking the flexeril. I have insomnia and arthritis in my neck and shoulders and don’t sleep without some kind of help. An employee at the health food store suggested I try the Gaba Calm instead. I could tell that it made me calm, but I didn’t sleep well and got a blinding headache (which I still have) and a stomach ache. I put 1 pill on my tongue to dissolve, then another 5 hours later. I’m not sure if I should return them, or try only using 1 earlier in the day? I had also thought about keeping them for the occasional time when I’m really stressed. My concern is the headaches.
Susie
GABA Calm contains tyrosine which can cause headaches in some people. The sugar alcohols can cause digestive upset in some. Using a GABA-only product is an option. I recommend all my clients become informed about amino acids and the precautions before using them
I believe I do need glycine but every time I even try magnesium glycinate as my magnesium form, I immediately get worse anxiety… I think from the glycine. I have tried the Gaba Calm and the same thing happens. I do have many inefficient GAD snps in my genetics, but is there no solution for this? Cofactors that can help, etc? So tired of hearing how calming glycine is for everyone when it does the exact opposite for me. Thorne Pharmagaba 250 helps my anxiety a bit, but when it wears off, wow… I get a huge resurgence of anxiety almost twice what it was before I took it. Really difficult to find any relief. I already take 200mg theanine several times per day. I’d be so grateful for any suggestions. As an aside, I also don’t tolerate bone broth/ collagen peptides/ gelatin, maybe for same reason and/or due to histamines… very difficult to heal leaky gut without these primary recommendations.
Mari
We are all unique and have to find what works for us. When I have a client who reacts to something we avoid it and find something else. If glycine and GABA don’t work then we look for other anxiety root causes like low serotonin (using tryptophan), high cortisol (Seriphos) , gluten, caffeine, EMFs etc.
Trudy,
I am a 47 year old woman in peri menopause. I have been saliva tested and have off the charts cortisol all day . In my blood test my cortisol is okay but in my urine and saliva it starts the day off the charts and lowers starting at about 11:00 but It’s was to high all day. I also am testing way to low in serotonin. I wake up with a lot of anxiety (skin crawling and unwanted thoughts) and it decreases throughout the day but never completely leaves. I fall asleep fast and wake up at 3:00 am sweating and heart pounding. I can fall back asleep but wake at 5:30 or 6:00 and can’t fall back asleep.
I am so frustrated and tired of feeling crappy.
Thank you,
Shelly
When I take Gaba (about 1/2t) I get very tingly in my hands and on my head, accompanied by shortness of breath. It feels exactly like the beginning of a panic attack and it’s extremely scary.
Is there any reason that some people cannot take gaba as a supplement.
Kris
Too much GABA can cause this reaction. I start clients on 125mg. Depending on the product 1/2t can be as much as 500-1000mg