Low levels of GABA, a calming neurotransmitter can lead to anxiety, fears and panic attacks. With low GABA, the anxiety is a physical kind of anxiety with muscle tension or muscle spasms. Today you’ll read how low GABA may be one possible root cause of globus pharyngeus, which you may have experienced as a rather scary golf-ball-like lump or constriction in the throat.
Let me describe globus pharyngeus and then I’ll share my story with globus pharyngeus, why low GABA may be a factor (and supplemental sublingual GABA to the rescue) and other possible root causes that should be considered.
This 2015 paper, Globus pharyngeus: an update for general practice, defines it as follows:
Globus pharyngeus or globus sensation is the painless sensation of a lump in the throat and may be described as a foreign body sensation, a tightening or choking feeling.
Globus means globe or sphere and it can actually feel like you have a golf-ball sized object in your throat.
You may have experienced it without even knowing the medical name. Only a few of my clients and those in my community have ever heard the term. I also only learned about the name many years after my episode.
What is very surprising is that, according to the above paper, up to 45% of the population have experienced it.
My story with globus pharyngeus
I’m one of the 45% and for me it was a terrifying experience. As you may know, I experienced anxiety, PMS, fears and panic attacks in my late 30s and early 40s (it’s why I do this work).
Fortunately I only had one episode. It truly felt like I had a golf-ball in my throat and was horrifying. I knew I needed to swallow so I could get rid of this obstruction but at the same time I was terrified to swallow in case it got stuck and choked and killed me.
I remember going to the mirror to try and see this golf-ball sized object in my throat. I was so surprised that I couldn’t see anything.
Looking back, I suspect the addition of GABA Calm to my protocol prevented further episodes. I was also using progesterone cream at the time and this promotes GABA production too.
I’ve had many clients report that looking back they also realized their episodes stopped once they addressed their low GABA levels.
I was also under a great deal of stress at the time: work stress (long hours and my adrenals were a mess) and physical stress (due to amalgam removal, gluten issues, perimenopausal changes and much more).
Globus pharyngeus and GABA
The fact that the throat or pharynx “is a muscular tube that runs from the back of your nose down into your neck” is one reason for considering a muscle spasm and low GABA as a root cause.
The amino acid GABA, when used sublingually, eases muscle spasms within 15 seconds to 2 minutes. Some examples where we see this:
- Physical tension with anxiety
- Rectal spasms or proctalgia fugax
- Throat spasms caused by vagus nerve issues
If you’re in the midst of an episode it’s impossible to open a capsule of GABA into your mouth. Until a client knows how much they can tolerate we start with 100-125 mg and increased based on the trial. Taking the powder and dabbing it with a wet finger and putting the finger to the inside cheek a few times is the best way for quick relief.
A product that is GABA-only in a capsule such as Enzymatic Therapy GABA or ProThera 500mg GABA are my choices for in-the moment relief (more on these in my supplement store here).
Source Naturals GABA Calm is my most popular GABA product and is my choice for everyday use.
Of course, I recommend this approach to doing nothing. The authors state: “simple reassurance may be all that is required” or “Advise patients to resist the urge to dry swallow.” We can do better.
Once your GABA levels are sufficient, it’s less likely to happen unless you’re under a great deal of stress and/or there are psychological factors at play:
There is increased reporting of stressful life events prior to development of symptoms and research suggests that as many as 96% of patients with globus sensation report an exacerbation of symptoms during times of emotional intensity.
During times of added stress, folks may experience other “physical symptoms such as palpitations, poor sleep, and feelings of panic.”
Other root causes and possible solutions
The above paper does also list other root causes and solutions that would need to be investigated if GABA doesn’t help or possibly in conjunction with GABA support: tonsil issues, hiatus hernia, reflux in 23 -68% of individuals (I would look for the root cause rather than using a proton pump inhibitor/PPI), sinusitis, post-nasal drip, goitre, an actual foreign body, high consumption of alcohol/caffeine/tobacco and cancer (which they state is rare).
Interestingly, speech and language therapy has been shown to improve globus pharyngeus in two studies, possibly due to the reassurance experienced.
The paper concludes as follows:
Finally the link between anxiety and globus sensation must be considered. Evidence supports the use of cognitive behavioural therapy, but very little evidence exists for the use of anxiolytics or antidepressants.
I’ll add to this: the link between low GABA and globus sensation must also be considered, especially if you experience the physical type of low GABA anxiety. GABA to the rescue!
Based on the research, low serotonin, vagus nerve function, thyroid health and h/pylori may also be factors. I suspect food sensitivities play a role. And pyroluria too, because of the additional loss of zinc and vitamin B6 which is needed for GABA production. I’ll leave all this for a follow-up blog.
Have you experienced a globus sensation episode? And what did it feel like?
Did you get a diagnosis or is the term new to you?
Has GABA helped … in the moment or if you look back on your use of GABA for anxiety?
Did you discover other root causes and solutions? Please do share.
Please share if you have pyroluria and your episodes were triggered by a very stressful event
And feel free to post your questions.
If you’re a practitioner I’d love to hear your feedback too.
I begin to get hoarse when talking with emotional laden topics.
Could this be related to the vagus response? And what is the
recommended dose of GABA?
Thank you,
Elizabeth
Elizabeth
The vagus nerve is very connected to voice so it’s possible. I start low at 100-125mg based on other symptoms of low GABA ie physical tension/stress
I’ve felt it when eating Chinese rice, And not being anxious about anything,so maybe mine is a third I’d response to soy.
Susy
In this instance I’d suspect MSG or a food sensitivity
Oh my God, I can’t bealive this post. I thought I was going crazy with this sensation that felt like I have a golf ball in my throat! I have thought so much of telling this to my husband but don’t wanted him to think I was going crazy. Thank you, thank you and thank you for this post, I will start taking GABA to see if it helps!
Alexandra
It’s so unfortunate (and very common) that we feel we can’t talk about things like this to loved ones and even practitioners. I’ve had a number of clients who were told they were imagining it. Keep in mind we always do a trial and start low with the GABA.
May I ask if you also experience the physical type of muscle tension anxiety/stress? Do you have pyroluria?
Hi, no, I have not been diagnosed with pyroluria, however, I have been diagnosed with hpa axis dysfunction, my cortisol level at nightime is very high and causes terrible insomnia. Regarding anxiety and stress, I do feel muscle tension….
I have started having panic attacks’ over a good few years now and now I feel like that I have got a lump in my throat it isn’t very nice and I go into a panic I have heard of globus sensation is it harmful
Joanne
Long term chronic anxiety and panic attacks are not something to be ignored as they do increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. They also feel pretty awful and GABA is such a simple and yet powerful solution.
If you are new to the amino acids (and other anxiety nutrition solutions like gluten/grain/sugar/caffeine removal, blood sugar control, gut health, pyroluria etc) my book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” is a great place to start. More here https://www.everywomanover29.com/store/aafsbook.html
I have had a swollen feeling in my throat at the same time that I have notice an increase in anxiety. I thought that perhaps it was my thyroid because I have Hashimotos. I also have a bad taste in my mouth when this occurs. How much GABA would you suggest I take when I experience this sensation and the anxiety that accompanies it? You mentioned 500 mg but I know in other emails you have suggested lower doses.
Nancy
I have all my clients with the physical tension anxiety do a trial and start low as you say. I updated the blog for clarity – until a client knows how much they can tolerate we start with 100-125 mg and increase based on the trial.
Ideally we are working on the anxiety so this lump episode stops happening.
May I ask you to describe the bad taste? Do you have pyroluria?
I guess I would describe the taste as chemical or metallic. I don’t have pyloria. I have been having either panic attacks or hot flashes for 27 months now. I am on bio identical hormones and don’t have as many during the day but whatever is occurring wakes me up every one and a half to 2 hours. If I ever sleep 3 hours in a row it is somewhat miraculous. I try to get in bed by 10:30pm but despite taking 1 mg of Clonazapam, 25 mg of Quitiapine, and 10 gm of melatonin, I wake up around 12:30 and every two hours after that with a panic attack/ hot flash. I take Seriphos after the second waking to try to get more sleep. I know the continual exhaustion is stressing my body.
Thanks for this, Trudy! I don’t have a lump in my throat, but I feel a constriction under my jaw line and also near my thyroid, but it isn’t a lump. (Is that weird??) It’s tension and it definitely is because of stress. I can massage it and it helps temporarily, but it comes right back. My stress is definitely the physical kind. It can be in my chest, as well.
I can only take TINY doses of GABA or it knocks me out, but I’ll try a little bit and see how it goes. Thanks again for all your efforts.
Syd
Any kind of muscle tension can be related to low GABA especially when the stress/anxiety is physical. TMJ and jaw tightness/tension can also be low-serotonin related which is why I like to do a trial.
I am a 58 year old woman and I have been suffering on and off with globus for about 7/years. It makes me feel like I could actually die. It makes me panic, but it does go away so I know it’s related to stress and that I actually won’t die! I’m prone to panic attacks, I think they came first. My fight or flight mechanism is so readily turned on, like the flick of a switch. I was put on PPIs for a short time because I was experiencing GERD. I can go months with nothing, then, bam, it hits me. I have turned into a perpetual scaredy cat, from a very confident, fearless woman. A few years ago, I had difficulty swallowing because of globus, so my doctor sent me for a gastroscopy. Oh my word! I never want to go through that again! I thought I would die! I was told there was nothing physical and given self help leaflets. It doesn’t help that is called globus hysteria. Makes me feel like I’m going mad!
Trudy,
I was glad to find your website. I have only experienced it 2X. Both under much stress.
At the moment it started again just about a week ago. I suspect all this Covid news is the cause and my sleep/wake cycle is turned upside down. As far as taking GABA my question is “Can I safely take it as I am on the following meds for anxiety: Nefazodone-100mg 2x per day, Clonazepam-0.5 mg 1 in am and 2 at bedtime, and lastly Carisoprodol-350 mg at bedtime all since I broke my back in 1996 in a bicycle accident. Thank the Lord I am still mobile and can walk but have a kyposis at T12 level and forward neck which I am slowly working on again. I started taking Natural Vitality Calm at night to help with relaxation (A magnesium powder). I would like your input before I approach my Doctor as I have been on these meds since 1996 and obviously they do not work as well yet I do not want to change and would like to slowly reduce them yet at a time less stressful than now.
Thank you for any input you can provide.
I woke up and I was amazed to find your email sitting in my inbox Judy. My 14 year old who suffers from anxiety, emetaphobia and agroaphobia was talking about a feeling in her throat which is very uncomfortable when she tilts her head back. She noticed it worse when she is feeling anxious. I researched it last night and came across the globus pharyngeus.
The problem we have with her is that her diet is very limited to ‘safe’ foods and I have no idea how I could get her to take Gaba. I would appreciate any ideas you may have.
Sorry Trudy, I think I called you Judy! Please change if you can x
I don’t think I have what you describe exactly. I have “continuous” feels like phlegm in the back of my throat – like when you’re sick and you have junk in your throat but it goes away when you’re well. I have it always. Went to the doctor to make sure I didn’t have cancer – was okay. I have had it for a few years and it’s irritating but tolerable. Doesn’t sound like what you’re describing right?
I have experienced this three times before, but never knew what it was until Trudy’s article. Thank you! The first time was with a trial of SSRIs, the second time was with B stress vitamins, and the third was with going cold turkey off prednisone. I would love to have an explanation about why these three medicines produced the same results. Thank you
Hi Trudy
What is the dose frequency for GABA please?
Also maximum dosage.
Thanks
Denise
It depends on each person. I start with 125mg when I do a trial with folks and 500mg is considered high although I’ve had a number of folks do well with more than this in terms of anxiety and insomnia. Frequency also depends on each person – with globus pharyngeus it’s as needed; for anxiety 3-4 times a day between meals and insomnia it’s at night.
Please read more on the blog and in my book so you are well-informed about the nuances and contraindications. I also offer practitioner training via Anxiety Nutrition Institute https://www.anxietynutritioninstitute.com/
Thanks for putting a name to this for me, Trudy
I lose my voice when speaking and never know when it’s going to quit working.
I have a hoarse voice sometimes.
My voice box, throat feels like I have a buncha phlegm lodged in there. It also feels like a golf ball is sitting in my throat area.
I also have acid reflux that is starting to happen. I know to sit upright after eating a meal. I also have post-nasal drip that has never stopped.
It got this when I was first diagnosed with hashimoto in 2004. The physician gave me something to break up the phlegm so it will pass, it never worked. She never asked for any follow-up questions in any future appointments.
I will be making a future appointment with a doctor now that I know what these symptoms means. Thank you for all you do in giving us good, helpful medical information.
Lauren
I would probably look at the phlegm and the golf-ball feeling as different root causes. With phlegm and reflux my first thought is food sensitivities like gluten and dairy (esp dairy with post nasal drip). But I may be wrong so please let us know what you find
Okay. Thank you, Trudy. I will cut out dairy & gluten to see if this works. I’ve been having cottage cheese in my light dinner meal so I will surely cut this out.
My son, (8 y.o.) has a history of public school use of physical aversion intervention for behaviors that result from a significant language impairment often reports “choking” or tightening in his throat to the point that he cannot swallow. When school stress gets high, he ceases to swallow his saliva which creates a long period of “spitting” out substances including food and natural spit as he is fearful of “choking” to death. During panic attacks he immediately reports “choking” which furthers his panic. You are the first practitioner I have come across that has explained the relationship between Globus Pharyngeus, stress reaction and low GABA levels. I always felt his throat tightening (involuntary muscle response) was a stress response but was not aware of it’s connection to GABA levels. Thank you for this informative piece!
Teresa
I’m sorry to hear what your son is going through. I can’t imagine how scary it must be for someone his age. Please keep us updated on his progress
Hi Trudi
My sister suffers from TN. She is on several neuro meds for the pain but lately she is having increasing excruciating, intermittent, stabbing pain in her lower jaw. I wondered if low dose sublingual GABA may help relieve this type of neuro pain?
She is currently waiting for radiation to the trigeminal nerve to hopefully control the pain.
The pain and the side effects from the meds are completely debilitating.
TK
I would have her discuss a trial of GABA and/or tryptophan with the prescribing doctor based on other symptoms on the questionnaire. And looking at the precautions with the meds she is taking
In what form do you take GABA please. Is it powder form?
Hi just started HRT and this lump sensation has got worse , for years I have had bad throats and can no longer sing some notes are empty and I have to strain my voice to get words out – i am a teacher so this is so hard some days – they now say i have ME because my fatigue is so bad – can the fatigue be due to this condition ? shall I stop HRT i only started for fatigue
Hello,
I am having antidepressant withdrawals with very bad anxiety. I purchased the tryptophan and I am taking it at night. The Gaba Calm works well but I feel like I need 2 at a time up to four times per day. Is this OK to take this much? Please answer.
TR
TR
I cannot consult via the blog but do have clients increase the amino acids based on their symptoms. I have had many clients need up to 2000mg a day in divided doses.
Wow, I am so glad I came across your blog! I have been experiencing globus sensation since September of 2019. It is not as acute as your episode was, rather it is a constant ping pong ball stuck in my throat. It often feels as if it is restricting my air way but it is not painful and it does not affect eating or drinking. I went to an ENT in December of 2019 and after a round of anitbiotics, then antacids/acid reflux, then antifungal without success. Next up was an ultrasound and CT scan of the head; then barium swallow study, and last but not least a CT scan of the neck. Again, no such luck finding anything anatomically wrong. So, using the same research you cite above, the ENT determined it must be anxiety (although anxiety has never been an issue for me, stress yes- anxiety no) and I should get a therapist, possibly take time off work. I’ve started with a therapist, started reading The Mind Body Prescription by John Serno, and I’m seriously debating the time off work but all of these things are so subjective in nature- there’s nothing that is directly in front of me to start helping!! :O I went to my local nutrition store earlier this week and the owner suggested a few things, including looking into the HPA Axis and this led me to your site. I’m going to head right back there today and grab some GABA. If you have any additional insight please do share and I’ll keep you posted on the results of the GABA. Thanks so much!!
Nicole
Thanks for sharing and do keep us posted how it goes. The run-around you got is pretty typical unfortunately but I’m glad you landed here!
Hi, I have a swallowing issue since May 2020, I had two endoscopies done already and two barium shallow and the doctors think my issue is the Acid Reflux. (Mobility issues with my esophagus) After 14 months I am improving very slowly. I’m taking Vitamin D, Magnesium, Pantoprazole. The ERN told me I also have rhinitis, no polyps and he said I have laryngopharyngeal reflux and I don’t feel heartburn at all. Can you tell me if you are getting better since then. I already saw 7 doctors and I don’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. I experience some spasms in my throat back in 2019 and I had a bad cold by the end of December 2019. Since then my health went bad. Right now I feel my throat very tight. Before my neck and throat were super tighter.
Yes I have experienced this, especially after or in conjunction with a laryngospasm:
Sudden laryngospasms, either a small one (choking on a small sip of water or even saliva – perhaps 6 times/year) or a big one with stridor (“wheezing-like noise as you struggle to breathe through constricted throat”, probably “paralysed vocal chords”, about 1/year). It may last up to 2 minutes of physical, spasming and near-blockage in the neck area (and understandable concern, adrenaline coursing around the body, running nose and watering eyes).
In general, laryngospasms and globulus pharyngeus happen at times when I am also experiencing twitching in my legs, especially calves.
The Dutch test showed low normal progesterone (which I supplement dermally) and too low estrogen levels (lower than normal for postmenopausal women) as well as low melatonin (slightly lower than bottom of normal range).
Hours and hours of laryngospam googling and such revealed a connection to GERD or silent reflux, and even acute calcium deficiency (acute hypocalcemia) and is apparently a medical emergency, according to a Hungarian doctor (youtube)!
My serum bone profile blood tests also show lower than normal blood serum calcium over the last 7 years (corresponding with perimenopause).
I am not sure how the hypocalcemia intersects with the low GABA, but I assume if you are physically tense, your body overuses calcium as calcium is needed for muscle contraction and apparently a smaller amount even for releasing contractions (and I do feel my calf muscles twinging for hours a day, on some days)… I am now supplementing calcium and magnesium and got better for a few days but I think GABA is needed too. Woke up at 4am with twitching calves today (after a very hot day yesterday), dissolved some chewable pharmaGABA in my mouth and I immediately noticed my twitching has eased, perhaps gone!
Cis
Thanks for sharing your experience and labs. It’s interesting you make the calf twitching connection. GERD is commonly suggested as a root cause but is not always the case for everyone.
I do know that low vitamin D seems to be a factor for many. This study makes the vitamin D/calcium connection…. “we conclude that vitamin D deficiency is common during winter in young athletes living above the 40th parallel north and favors laryngospasm during exercise, probably by disturbing calcium homeostasis.” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27218140/ Have you noticed an exercise connection? and at what latitude do you live?
I’m going to have to look into the GABA/Calcium connection. Please keep us posted on how the GABA helps the laryngospasm. I have a family member who has experienced this twice in my presence and both times I put GABA powder on my hand and they put some on the inside cheek twice and the laryngospasm subsided immediately. The caution is to use a small amount on the inside cheek so as not to inhale the powder.
It must be so scary to experience it! It’s very scary to watch but now I know how helpful GABA is we both feel more prepared. Now to find the root cause (which is suspect is related to low vitamin D).
This paper mentions how “GABA fine-tunes intracellular calcium homeostasis in rat adult-born granule neurons” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7084234/ but I need to do more reading to understand all this. Thanks for asking the question!
Update: We started a GABA supplement which has positively impacted my son. While he still struggles with hypersalivation when in distress or anxious, his self-reports of feeling like he is “choking” or his throat is closing has not been present since GABA has been started. We are about a month in and I am inspired that we will continue to have progress. I have been referring your work as a source to everyone I know that struggles with anxiety. Thank you for all that you do from a very grateful parent.
Teresa
Thanks so much for coming back and sharing – what wonderful results for your son! May I ask what GABA product you are using and how much/how often you use it? And how quickly he noticed an improvement?
You mention he still has “hypersalivation when in distress or anxious” – has some of his anxiety eased with the GABA? I’d address this next. The anxiety could trigger hypersalivation but the hypersalivation could be as a result of something like a food sensitivity like gluten or dairy (both of which can also contribute to low GABA/low serotonin and be a trigger for anxiety)
Can you share what this means – now that I re-read it it’s not clear to me…”a history of public school use of physical aversion intervention for behaviors that result from a significant language impairment”?
This is such good news! I suddenly lost my singing voice early in 2020 and often had a choking sensation, always telling my husband it felt like something was stuck in my throat. 3 ENT scopes and other investigations later, I have still been suffering and taking the Pepsid prescribed (only diagnosed with GERD, so globus pharyngeus is a new term to me). It has been frustrating day after day to not be able to sing, and to wrestle with hoarseness and phlem all the time. I recently tried Phenibut for sleep, and immediately noticed huge relief of many symptoms…seems I am clearly low in GABA. Not wanting to tangle with the issues of Phenibut, I tried a sub lingual GABA which also provided fast relief. On a total whim today, I searched “GABA” and “throat “, and was quite excited and hopeful upon finding this info. Thank you for writing this! Few things feel as good as validation.
Kim
Wonderful to hear and hoping you continued to see the benefits with GABA! Wise decision not to mess with phenibut.
Apologies for the delay in your comment approval and my response. We had a computer glitch where a large number of comments were hidden from view in a spam folder. It mostly affected new folks who were commenting for the first time but it’s hopefully resolved now.
Teresa
Just following up to share that I blogged about your son’s success with GABA so we can give other parent’s hope. I also expanded on some other ideas too and hope you find the additional information helpful. Thanks again for sharing and hope your son continues to do well
Here is the blog https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/gaba-helps-a-stressed-young-boy-with-episodes-of-choking-or-tightening-in-his-throat/
I’ve been struggling w globus for about 6 months now:( I was diagnosed by my doctor back in February when I forget noticed it. I just purchased GABA today and am hoping it is what I’ve been looking for to make this feeling go away! It has been so annoying and I notice when more stressed it gets worse. Hopefully taking the GABA lozenges will help. I got the source natural ones you recommended!
Devin
I hope they have helped. Apologies for the delay in your comment approval and my response. We had a computer glitch where a large number of comments were hidden from view in a spam folder. It mostly affected new folks who were commenting for the first time but it’s hopefully resolved now.
I have dealt with this throat thing since I was a teenager. I’m now 57. It was only when I saw what you wrote about how yours came back after a scary airplane incident that I made the connection that GABA could help me. I saw that in rhe summer of 2019, so I spent about 40 years dealing with this until I found the GABA answer!
Mine comes up when speaking in front of others, such as work meetings, or even just one-on-one work discussions, and was getting consistently worse. I would be swallowing constantly and trying to talk. Absolutely awful. Of course everyone could see it happening.
GABA solved this for me, and I can’t even describe how grateful I am!
Pam
This is so wonderful to hear! I’m so happy for you! Thanks for coming back and sharing here.
I’d love to hear more – how much GABA helps and how you take it? when you know you’ll be in this situation or a few times a day to get your levels up. Did you ever use a prescribed medication or were recommended something? Have you seen any other benefits too – sleep, anxiety in other situations, reduced cravings? Have you made other changes too – like diet (gluten, sugar, caffeine, alcohol)
Hi Trudy,
I take Gaba Calm … one upon waking, 1 mid-morning, and 1 mid afternoon. I take an extra one right at the time of a meeting.
That is the only change I made. I’ve never been on any prescription medication.
Other than the specific throat issue, I notice I’m generally less physically tense, with muscles not getting so knotted up in my face, scalp, neck, shoulders, and back, which is wonderful.
I work at a computer job, which causes lots of muscle tension, but I feel that anxiety-related muscle tension has reduced. I notice that my muscles have less of that “immediate tightness” upon seeing someone whom I’m nervous to interact with.
Pam
This GABA timing is what I use with clients so great to hear it’s working for you. I’m also so pleased to hear the anxiety-related muscle tension has reduced too – this is to be expected. Keep in mind that the amino acids are intended for short-term use. This could be a few weeks up to 6 months depending on each person. While using the GABA, I have my clients start to address all the dietary changes, gut health, nutritional deficiencies (zinc and B6 is needed to make neurotransmitters), toxin exposure, infections etc and everything else that may be causing GABA levels.
Thanks for sharing further. I plan to share your story in order to give others hope. This condition is way more common than most people realize and mainstream medicine seldom has a solution. Medications that are commonly prescribed for globus pharyngeus are benzodiazepines, antidepressants/SSRIs and sometimes PPIs/proton pump inhibitors. Cognitive behavior therapy has some success in some instances but it’s always best to get to the root cause of low GABA and addressing that.
So I’ll try to cut right to the chase with this. When I get anxious , workout/excersie or do anything that puts stress on the body , hell even when my emotions are as in angry/overly excited I have a strong urgency to gag…hell I even do gag and almost seems like I can’t control it which is weird cause when I’m calm or relaxed I can literally stick my finger down my throat and not gag, so its not my gag reflex being hyperactive (atleast i think).
I have went to an ENT who said my throat looked fine when putting a camera down my throat so I’m honestly at a complete lose. Whats even crazier is I’ve seen ALOT of people talk about this symptom on forums and other sites but literally no one ever has the cure for it or answer to what causes it.
I’ve seen something called “chricopharangyteal spasms” but according to that it should go away within 3 months tops so that can’t be it cause i’ve had this for 15 years now. I really wish it was simple as “oh its just in my head” but sometimes the feeling is there even when I’m relaxed and it causes me to onset my anxiety . It’s like they feed off eachother the feeling gets worse when i’m anxious and my anxiety gets set off by the feeling so its a lose / lose situation its driving me insane.
Is there anyone else here that has that symptom when they get anxious? is there anyone smart out there who could potentially explain what the hell is casuing that? Cause I remember a time before this symptom came on , when I’d get anxious i’d just get butterflies in my stomach but once I hit 14 yrs old that symptom came on out of nowhere! so is GABA my issue or could it be magnesium defiency? (i’m now 31).
Is there any cure to the gagging aspect of anxiety? cause I don’t mind anxiety its the gagging I can’t deal with! Thank you to anyone who responds or guides me in the right direction im hoping that this GABA is my issue or even magnesium deffiency. I get the globus feeling but its more of a tightness in my throat that causes me to gag constantly
Robert
As I share here I have found GABA to be effective for globus pharyngeus (lump in the throat). A trial of GABA would be the only way to know if it would help for the gag issue your describe. Since it happens when anxious, stressed, emotional I would also focus on addressing this emotional aspect with GABA and the other amino acids and a dietary approach.
If you are new to the amino acids (and other anxiety nutrition solutions like gluten/sugar/caffeine removal, blood sugar control, gut health, pyroluria etc) my book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” is a great place to start. More here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/
Hi Trudy
I came across this blog from a comment in a YouTube video, and after some googling, this is where I landed ^^
I’ve got this globus issue for about 3-4 months, I don’t typically have anxiety issues (might not be noticing myself during this Covid period), went to see a ENT specialist, and was diagnosed possible GERD due to slight inflammation on one side of my vocal cord, but then, I have been doing pretty clean keto/carnivore since 2018.
In addition, I do have throat tightness for about 2 years plus, it gets tighter when I speak (sometimes the feeling comes after a long conversation, sometimes it hits me after a few minutes..), I speculated possible Muscle Tension Dysphonia (I might be wrong), went for a few session of speech therapies, but it didn’t help..
I also made some research on improving the Vagal tone by stimulating the vagus nerve, they said that it might improve, am monitoring in the mean time.
Now I’m gonna try the GABA calm, will update once it shows any improvement!! Thanks in advance
Kel
Please do let us know how you do with GABA
Hi Trudy
Just an update ^^
Ever since I started taking GABA calm on 11 Aug 2021, I started to have slight improvement. At some point of time, the sensation did not bother me.
As a start, if I recalled carefully, I did the 1x upon wake, 1x mid day, 1x before sleep.
I did slowly increase the dosage and change to only GABA powder, and up the limit till ~600mg per dose (600mg x3 daily).
I did experienced an increased in heart palpitations at one point, and I was trying to figure out what causes it.. Eventually tried stopping GABA for a day, and the palpitations stopped.
Today (as of 20 Nov 2021), the sensation arises again.. so I started taking 125~150mg to keep it under control, might increase as it goes while monitoring the limit before the increased heart palpitations.
* Btw, I’m also taking 5-HTP once a day before sleep.
Thanks ^^
Kel
Thanks for sharing your results which are great. I think you’re saying all your symptoms resolved – is that correct?
Palpitations can occur with too much GABA so monitor and log your results with dosing in order to find your ideal dose.
And the next step is to figure out why you have low GABA and address that so you don’t need GABA long-term.
Hi
I have been having this for more than 12 months. My GP did an ECG and it came back weird but all the testing was done and nothing. Heart specialist agrees its globus. However, I have now worked out besides stress if i eat gluten it flares up. I am yet to try GABA.
thanks
Ruth
Thanks for sharing and well done for making the gluten connection. Let us know if GABA helps after accidental gluten exposure.
Hi Trudy,
Let me briefly explain my story. Back in December 2020 I had covid and ever since then I have had problems with my throat. I get this realy tightness in my throat near the bottom of my neck. It’s a feeling like I am being strangled and choking and sometimes I feel like I have a little lump there or my airways are narrow. It gets so bad that I gag constantly (I already have a sensitive gag reflex). My GP sent me to an ENT and they put a camera down my nose and said there was nothing there and everything looks fine so they put it down to Anxiety and a bit of acid reflux. I take gaviscon for the acid whish has calmed down but I still get flare ups of the throat tightness and gagging. I can be alright for some weeks and then it comes back. Dr is know help and they actually tell me off for ringing the GP for the same problem and tell me it’s just Anxiety and I need to go help myself whoch leaves me in tears. Their only solution is to go on anti depressants buy I don’t want to do that. I know I have an anxiety and panic attack issue which I have had since a child but I have only developed this tight throat gagging feeling after having covid so I am confused and no one can help me.
Seveda
Infections can lead to depleted nutrients and neurotransmitters so in this instance I’d look into low GABA
Hi Trudy,
Thank you for your response. I don’t understand why I have flare ups of this throat condition. Sometimes I think it is due to long covid as I was pretty sick and had a severe cough and gastrointestinal inflammation when I caught it. I take many vitamins daily, iron, Magnesium, Omega, Vitamins c, vitamin b complex, vitamin d and some others. My dad today gave me 350mg of L-Theanine which he said the brain converts to GABA. Is this OK or should I purchase something else?
Thank you again.
Seveda
Theanine may help and a trial will confirm this. I do find GABA to be more effective
Hi Trudy, I posted this on a different topic thread on Facebook, thankyou for directing me here. Regarding the globus pharyngeus, my question is related to the globus sensation but as well as having an extremely sensitive gag reflex. As a panic attack hits and the globus sensation occurs, the gag reflex kicks in. Is a sensitive gag reflex a low gaba issue also? I’ve suffered this for many years, as a child and into adulthood. It got so bad that I’m now house bound agoraphobic due to chronic debilitating panic attack that got so frequent and always resulted in me gagging so much to the point of vomiting. I’m also emetophobic so vomiting or any bodily emissions has me gagging at just the thought. In public is a very embarrassing thing to happen. I couldn’t control it so eventually gave up trying to go out. I’ve now been housebound agoraphobic for 5 years.
I have many Gamma amino decay boxylase mutations which I’ve always thought significant.
Would an extremely sensitive gag reflex be a simple low gaba issue?
Thankyou
Larina
I am sorry to hear about your issues. In addition to anxiety, panic attacks and agoraphobia, GABA support may also help the overly sensitive gag reflex. This is because of muscle contractions in this area i.e “The gag reflex, also known as the pharyngeal reflex, is a reflex contraction of the muscles of the posterior pharynx after stimulation of the posterior pharyngeal wall, tonsillar area, or base of the tongue” (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554502/)
I also have clients address vagus nerve issues (more here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/vagus-nerve-rehab-gaba/) and pyroluria (symptoms here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/pyroluria-questionnaire-from-the-antianxiety-food-solution/) if applicable.
With phobias we also always look into and address low serotonin too – using tryptophan or 5-HTP. And a full functional work up to rule out other factors like reflux, food sensitivities and TBI/traumatic brain injury/concussion
I’m sure you’ve explored therapy and/or EMDR too but in case not, it may be helpful too.
If you are new to the amino acids (and other anxiety nutrition solutions like real whole food, quality animal protein, fermented foods, organic produce, health fats, gluten/sugar/caffeine removal, blood sugar control, gut health, pyroluria etc) my book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” is a great place to start. More here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/
It’s a comprehensive approach – amino acids AND diet. What is his diet like right now – gluten-free, sugar-free, caffeine-free, eating protein at breakfast for blood sugar control, real whole foods, grass-fed red meat, wild fish, fermented foods etc?
Please keep us posted on how you do
Found this page after dealing with Globus for a few weeks and waiting for an endoscopy appt – feels like I’m losing my mind when dealing with Globus. So when I read about GABA I ordered it right away.
It worked immediately after dipping my finger in the powder and pressing it to my check. I was amazed!
I’ve been taking 1/4 teaspoon (125mg) 3-4 times daily as needed & it has changed my life.
I feel really down and mentally consumed by the Globus feeling so ANY relief is welcomed.
The Globus came on suddenly without me knowing why …. Never had it before but have had uncued panic attacks in the past, though not in years.
Erin
This is wonderful to hear – thanks for sharing. Can you share which GABA product you used? I’d also love to share this via a blog post to give others hope – so please can you describe what the globus felt like and how often it happened? Have you noticed any hormone changes recently? If you have anything else to share that would be great.
I came across this post today. I had tried some of your solutions for issues I was having awhile ago. Back then I didn’t see anything on this particular issue. I started having this as a kid. It was quite severe in my teens. Had multiple episodes that scared the whole family after testing I was told muscle spasms. My throat would seize up on even a tiny piece of rice. Nothing would go down but I could breathe. Not even spit would go down. I learned to calm myself and sometimes it worked. Once I was like this for about 8 hours. Back then it was drugs or plastic tube therapy. I opted for the tube and it was a one time deal and I haven’t had the issue since, until now.
I can feel it coming back. I’m 59 and life is stressful but I’m now wondering if it’s pyloria? I dread the plastic tube but that was so much better than drugs. I had to swallow it and the dr pushed it down and then pulled it back up. Essentially stretching my muscles in the throat. I think I’ll go back to the gaba and see if it starts helping.
Brenda
I’ve written a number of blogs that support the benefits of GABA for laryngospasms. Here is one https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/gaba-mixed-in-water-and-swished-in-his-mouth-before-a-meal-prevents-esophageal-spasms-choking-vomiting-and-allows-him-to-swallow/
Keep us posted please
My daughter has suddenly been having issues with swallowing and it’s causing a lot of anxiety (already has anxiety as it is). She has important medications she needs to be taking but that’s a Catch-22 because swallowing pills seems insurmountable at times.
Are you aware of any good liquid GABA products? Or do you just suggest the finger-to-powder-to-cheek approach?
Levian
The finger-to-powder-to-cheek approach works very well with GABA powder or an opened GABA only product. There is also a GABA/theanine liposomal spray by Quicksilver and Designs for Health that works well too. Other options I have clients use are chewables like GABA Calm (more info on the supps blog https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/amino-acids-pyroluria-supplements/)
Another option I have clients consider is Somnium GABA cream – more on this here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/somnium-nighttime-gaba-cream-insomnia-anxiety-bloated-belly-muscle-spasms-ms-arfid-anorexia-alzheimers-and-autism/
You don’t mention diet but if this hasn’t been addressed yet I encourage you to also check out my book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/ to explore all the possible root causes that may be contributing to the anxiety and swallowing issues – like gluten, gut health, sugar, caffeine etc.
I also have clients get medically checked out when they have swallowing issues.