GABA is the main calming neurotransmitter and the amino acid GABA is wonderful for boosting low levels of GABA and thereby eliminating physical anxiety, tension, panic attacks and overwhelm. It can also help reduce pain and insomnia. I get asked great questions about GABA on the blog all the time and here are some common questions that you may find helpful.
GABA, new found peace and do I need more at different times of my cycle?
I have taken your recommendations I heard you speak about on your most recent Anxiety Summit about GABA – and have been experiencing some new found peace that I thought was forever lost to me. It has been truly wonderful! Thank you!
I have a question – in your experience, have you found that different levels/amounts of GABA were needed at different times in a woman’s cycle? I would be interested to know if there is any research or observational data related to GABA receptors and how they are affected by the hormonal ups and downs – AND how to respond to that with supplementation and/or food and lifestyle adjustments.
Here is my response: I love this – new found peace! GABA is closely related to progesterone which we know fluctuates during our cycles so for some people mirroring this can help even more i.e. some of my clients find it’s beneficial to take extra GABA just before their period or earlier if their anxiety symptoms increase. I have them use their symptoms to guide increasing and decreasing their GABA.
Here are two studies that support this connection in women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder and women who are perimenopausal:
Increasing evidence has suggested that the GABAergic neurotransmitter system is involved in the pathogenesis of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) … dysregulation of the amino acid neurotransmitter system may be an important neurobiological mechanism in the pathogenesis of PMDD
failure of the GABAA receptor to regulate overall GABA-ergic tone in the face of shifting levels of these neurosteroids may induce HPA axis dysfunction, thereby increasing sensitivity to stress and generating greater vulnerability to depression.
I have not seen any research on GABA supplementation in the second half of the cycle (luteal phase) but recently blogged about how tryptophan helps PMS symptoms of anxiety, tension and irritability.
I write about GABA, pyroluria and low cholesterol in this same blog.
A question about GABA, tyrosine and other neurotransmitter imbalances
GABA Calm – who can take this as it has tyrosine? Can someone with low serotonin or high serotonin take this? Or is it best to take straight GABA for those who are not meant to take tyrosine. Can a person who has low GABA have other neurotransmission issues i.e. high dopamine or low serotonin?
Here is my response: The GABA Calm (by Source Naturals) has a very small amount of tyrosine so unless it’s contraindicated it’s the one I use with most of my clients. You would not use it if you have melanoma or Grave disease and would watch carefully if you have high blood pressure or migraines. You can read all the amino acid precautions here.
Many people with low GABA levels may also have signs of the other low neurotransmitters. The best way to figure this out is to do the amino acid questionnaire and do a trial of the relevant amino acid.
You mention high serotonin and high dopamine so I’m guessing you have had the urinary neurotransmitter test done. I’d like to share that I don’t place much value in urinary neurotransmitter testing and prefer to have my clients do a trial.
A question about migraines and getting a red flush with GABA
I’ve had lifelong migraines along with anxiety and depression that have waxed and waned. I’d like to try the aminos and curious if you have any special recommendations or contraindications for migraine with aura.
I’ve tried GABA in the past but ended up with a red flush like a niacin flush. Any ideas on why that might have happened? I suspect maybe the dose was too high. I wanted to try the GABA Calm since it has a low dose of GABA but I’m not sure if tyrosine is a potential migraine trigger.
Would love a little enlightenment on all the above so I’m not so gun shy and doing more harm than good.
Here is my response: Tyrosine is an issue with migraines and I avoid it with clients with a lifelong history of them especially if they are still having them (please see the precautions). If they choose to try a product with tyrosine they simply stop if a migraine is triggered.
Too much GABA can cause a flush and breathlessness. I find this to be the case when 500mg or 750 mg and above is used to start. I have my clients start on the 125mg found in GABA Calm and slowly build up.
When GABA Calm can’t be taken, opening a capsule of a GABA-only product is what we do. You can find the GABA/theanine products I use here. Some of my clients are pixie dust people and need 1/10th of capsule or 200mg GABA so starting low is important for everyone but even more so if you have had a reaction in the past.
I blogged about the large variation in GABA dosing here.
Don’t forget that 1000mg of vitamin C can help to negate the effects of an amino acid. Hopefully this will give you more confidence to do a trial.
A question about insomnia with SIBO/candida and GABA and 5-HTP
What do you do or recommend for people with SIBO/ yeast Overgrowth and can’t sleep well as a result (can’t stay asleep)? I have played with 5-HTP and GABA in the past, but they seemed to have the opposite effect (caused more insomnia). I have read that with overgrowth issues, these products can travel down the wrong metabolic pathway. Have you found this in your clients?
Here is my response: The amino acids will only help with sleep if neurotransmitters are low i.e. GABA will help if GABA is low, 5-HTP or tryptophan will help if serotonin is low. There is actually a great study that shows that a combination of GABA and 5-HTP may help insomnia.
If they are making sleep worse I’d wonder if doses are too high, and I’d look at quality and fillers. I’d also do a trial with tryptophan as 5-HTP can be an issue with high cortisol and this could impact sleep.
Tryptophan can convert to quinolinic acid without the correct co-factors, so taking zinc, curcumin and B vitamins etc. are important. Some people find the Lidtke Tryptophan Complete to be more helpful that the 500mg Tryptophan if they don’t have the co-factors as part of their current protocol.
It goes without saying that foods that make SIBO and candida symptoms worse should be avoided as they may cause bloating and would keep you awake.
With insomnia I’d also look at the following: low blood sugar, parasites, high cortisol, gluten, being on the computer, prior or current benzodiazepine prescriptions.
Resources if you are new to using the amino acids as supplements
If you are new to using any of the amino acids as supplements, here is the Amino Acids Mood Questionnaire from The Antianxiety Food Solution (you can see all the symptoms of neurotransmitter imbalances).
If you suspect low levels of any of the neurotransmitters and do not yet have my book, The Antianxiety Food Solution – How the Foods You Eat Can Help You Calm Your Anxious Mind, Improve Your Mood, and End Cravings, I highly recommend getting it and reading it before jumping in and using amino acids on your own so you are knowledgeable. And be sure to share it with the practitioner/health team you or your loved one is working with.
There is an entire chapter on the amino acids and they are discussed throughout the book in the sections on gut health, blood sugar control, sugar cravings, self-medicating with alcohol and more.
The book doesn’t include product names (per the publisher’s request) so this blog, The Antianxiety Food Solution Amino Acid and Pyroluria Supplements, lists the amino acids that I use with my individual clients and those in my group programs.
If, after reading this blog and my book, you don’t feel comfortable figuring things out on your own (i.e. doing the symptoms questionnaire and respective amino acids trials), a good place to get help is the GABA Quickstart Program (if you have low GABA symptoms). This is a paid online/virtual group program where you get my guidance and community support. There are many moms in the program who are having much success with their kids.
If you are a practitioner, join us in The Balancing Neurotransmitters: the Fundamentals program. This is also a paid online/virtual program with an opportunity to interact with me and other practitioners who are also using the amino acids.
With much appreciation for these women for sharing their stories and allowing me to provide my insights for them and you. We all have much to learn from each other.
Can you relate to any of these questions and have some of these GABA adjustments helped you?
If you have questions please share them here too.
(Most recent updates: June 24, 2022)
Trudy…thank you for introducing me to GABA. I have had chronic insomnia, mainly awaking around 2-4AM and staying awake for 1-2 hours many nights a week. I have been experimenting with GABA, now using 300 mg before bedtime. It may be helping some. My question is: How quickly will I know that it is working for me. Is it something that needs to build up in the body before I feel real positive effects?
Thank you!
Laura
You are welcome. Glad GABA may be helping some. With the amino acids – they do not need to build up in the bodt before you feel real positive effects. Instead it’s almost instantaneous. When it’s not it means it’s not enough or not done sublingually (are you opening the caspule?) or not the correct form (which product? or not needed.
Would you mind sharing which of the low GABA symptoms you had before and have now? only physical anxiety or also mental anxiety? https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/amino-acids-mood-questionnaire-from-the-antianxiety-food-solution/
Keep in mind insomnia can also be due to low serotonin, high cortisol, SIBO, candida, parasites, EMFs, hormone imbalances, sleep apnea, gluten and other food issues, low blood sugar – so I would also address these factors.
do you have any comments on Adreset, used to help heal adrenal health problems caused by anxiety? I have low blood sugar issues, anxiety, and they have given me that and pharma GABA to try …
Carolyn
I’m not familiar with that product – please share a link and /or ingredients. Did you have adrenal saliva testing done? and how do you score on the amino acid questionnaire in the low blood sugar section, low GABA section and low serotonin section https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/amino-acids-mood-questionnaire-from-the-antianxiety-food-solution/?
Metagenics is company, Description: Vegetarian Adrenal Formula. Adreset features extracts of Asian ginseng, rhodiola and cordyceps-adaptogens that support an appropriate and healthy response to stress by promoting balanced hypothalamic-pituitaryadrenal axis function. Adreset is designed to enhance stamina and energy, providing exceptional support for those who are stressed and tired. « less
I didn’t have testing.
I need to reread the questionnaire too, thank you!
Carolyn
It appears to be a good combination but I have not used it
I am confused, I have high blood pressure issues and some sites say I ginseng in the adreset raises bp and some say lowers it, do you have any input for me? I will monitor my bp…
I did about 6-7 months on GABA calm and was able to stop successfully and have felt great. Recently I am beginning to feel some anxiety creeping back in and wondering if I should start the GABA calm again. Is this common, acceptable, etc?
Ps. I recently did a 10 day green smoothie cleanse and I’ve not felt the same since finishing it. Is it possible I “cleansed” all of my good bacteria and this is playing a role in my mood/anxiety?
Salena
It’s not unusual to need to get back on one of the amino acids – we always do want to ask why.
Just reading 10 day green smoothie cleanse doesn’t tell me enough to comment but if you also used products to get rid of candida/parasite/and bacteria then yes this is possible and I’d focus on addressing this too.
I also question green smoothie cleanses as high levels of oxalates in leafy greens can cause anxiety and pain symptoms.
Would you mind sharing which of the low GABA symptoms you had before and have now? only physical anxiety or also mental anxiety? https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/amino-acids-mood-questionnaire-from-the-antianxiety-food-solution/
Just found Pure Encapsulations Best-Rest Formula that sounds pretty comprehensive:
*Melatonin 1 mg
*GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) 300 mg
*l-theanine 50 mg
*valerian (valeriana officinalis)
extract (root) (deodorized) (standardized to contain 0.8% valerenic acids) 400 mg
*lemon balm (melissa officinalis) extract (leaf)
(standardized to contain 5% rosemarinic acid) 150 mg
*hops (humulus lupulus)
extract (aerial parts) 150 mg
*passion flower (passiflora
incarnata) extract (aerial parts) (standardized to contain 3.5% vitexins) 100 mg *
*chamomile (matricaria recutita) extract (flower) 100 mg
*pyridoxal 5′ phosphate (activated B6) 5 mg
*ascorbyl palmitate (fat-soluble vitamin C) 40 mg
Any experience with this? Thank you…
Laura
I assume you are looking for sleep support? This is a great product with good ingredients.
Possible things to consider:
– it has many ingredients and if you don’t do well which ingredient is it?
– 300mg of GABA can be too much for some people
– if 300mg GABA isn’t enough and you have to take more, will it be ok getting more of everything else?
Would you mind sharing which of the low GABA symptoms you have? https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/amino-acids-mood-questionnaire-from-the-antianxiety-food-solution/
Hi. Do you have any knowledge about Digoxin and Gaba interaction? Please share in the form of a post. I have been interested in Gaba but I cannot find enough article about Digoxin and Gaba interaction. I am taking Digoxin for the heart. Thank you and I look forward to your post. Please tag me. God bless.
Estee
I’m afraid I do not and suggest checking with your prescribing doctor.
I was able to find this study that you could share with your doctor: Changes in GABAergic inputs in the paraventricular nucleus maintain sympathetic vasomotor tone in chronic heart failure “this study provides evidence that the sympathoexcitation is maintained by an imbalance between GABAergic and glutamatergic inputs in the PVN (paraventricular nucleus) in HF (heart failure)” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23146621
Would you mind sharing which of the low GABA symptoms you have? https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/amino-acids-mood-questionnaire-from-the-antianxiety-food-solution/
Hi Trudy,
I take 750 mg of GABA at night to help with sleep and it does make a difference. I also take mega doses of Vitamin C; does this negate the GABA I take when I go to bed? As I have noticed it is not as effective as when I took it before I started taking Vitamin C?
thanks,
Maria
Maria
If you take vitamin C within about an hour of the amino acids it can impact it’s effectiveness
Hi,
Do you have any experience with Easy Calm by Physician Formulated TaylorMD?
I contains:
Taurine 350mg
L-Theanine 200mg
Glycine 175 mg
Digestive Enzyme Complex 75 mg
Magnesium 70 mg
GABA 50 mg
Lactic 50 mg
5-HTP 25 mg
Bioperine 5 mg
I am looking for a supplement that gives me more restful, deeper sleep.
Thanks.
Gwenny
Gwenny
I’m not familiar with this product so can’t comment specifically but it looks good. BTW it has lactium (which helps to lower cortisol) and not lactic
Trudy,
I just want to say Thank You for all of the valuable information that you share so freely. You are a blessing to all.
I haveTourette syndrome. It manifests as tics, insomnia, embarrassment when I tic in public. This has been a lifelong problem and is genetic. I know there is nuerotransmitter imbalance but I do not know what to do nor do any doctors. I have tried to meditate having taken several classes but I am unable to meditate. I have gotten some relief from chlorazepate(Tranxene) which allows me to sleep 4 hours. I have taken Pharma GABA which did nothing and GABA MAX which caused intense hyper jittery that lasted for 2 days. I believe my deficiencies may be serotonin and dopamine. I have taken 5-HTP 200 mg and higher and L-Tryptophan 500mg and higher without much improvement. Please help me. I am desperate ! Thank you
Joy
I’m sorry to hear this. I’m not familiar with Tranxene but since it’s a benzodiazepine I would suspect that GABA may help. Without knowing which pharmaGABA product you used (there are many brands) or the brand and ingredients in GABA MAX it’s hard to give more feedback. I can say I avoid phenibut/phenylGABA and combination products with clients who are super-sensitive.
I would do a trial of a GABA-only product (opened and taken sublingually) if someone has low GABA symptoms and responds to a benzo. I’d also guide them in working with their doctor to get off the benzo as this itself can cause issues. Read more here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/world-benzodiazepine-awareness-day-say-no-benzodiazepines-anxiety/
Regarding the tryptophan I only recommend Lidtke tryptophan. For someone with low catecholamine symptoms I’d do a trial of tyrosine.
How do you score on the amino acid questionnaire? https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/world-benzodiazepine-awareness-day-say-no-benzodiazepines-anxiety/
With Tourette’s I’d also look at other possible underlying factors such as: gluten and other food sensitivities, autoimmunity, inflammation, candida, gut health, and infections such as strep/PANDAs. The best book that I have read on the subject is “Natural Treatments for Tics and Tourette’s: A Patient and Family Guide” by Sheila Rogers. Here is the Amazon link http://amzn.to/2b3xQC7 and her website http://latitudes.org/
Hello. Can pharmagaba be taken longterm? Like, forever… Pharmagaba really helps me and Im ok with taking it all the time even if it means developing a dependence. The problem though is that GABA is an amino acid, and from what I’ve heard taking a single amino acid can over time disrupt other amino acids. If this is true, is there any amino acids i can take/eat to prevent and counteract such an imbalance?
Jon
There is no evidence that GABA or pharmaGABA can be taken long term. Ideally we need to be getting to the root cause of low GABA and addressing that.
Hi Trudy. After suffering with anxiety for many years, and hearing abut GABA from your webinars, I have bought a product called Zen Anxiety from Zen Life Supplements in the USA, which contains 500mg GABA, 200mg of L-theanine, 10 mg B6, 40mg magnesium, 150mg Baical Skullcap, 140mg Ashwaganha extract, 140mg Holy Basil and 100mg of Lemon Balm 10:1. This is for each serving of 2 capsules. My question is, do you know of this company and does this sound like a good product? I live in the UK and there is nothing on the market with GABA in, over here. Would very much appreciate hearing from you. Thank you, J
Julie
I’m not familiar with this product but the ingredients look reasonable. It’s always challenging when there are many if you don’t respond or have a reaction – what is causing what reaction? Ashwaganda is usually fine for adrenal support but can be stimulating for some. Also I doubt this could be used sublingually and this is where GABA shines.
Do come back and let us know how you do
Judy – If a person takes GABA and it works, then does the body become dependent on it and will always need it? A doctor warned me about this.
How can one’s body become able to make the correct amino acids for healthy balance?
Thank you!!
Hi Trudy, After reading your website and blog, i would like to try GABA or GABA calm. I did your questionnaire and I seem to have the physical anxiety. In addition I did have Graves Disease a few years ago, but was treated with medication (which I haven’t been on for a couple of years) and currently I do not have an overactive thyroid. If anything it’s closer to the side of being low. Would it be OK to take the GABA calm? If not, what GABA product do you recommend? Further background: Taking small dose of SSRI and would prefer not to increase. Recently found to have high estrogen and low progesterone, and high cortisol. Also taking cortisol manager, dim detox, and progesterone, but still having anxiety and waking up early. Any help would be wonderful. So appreciate your awesome work!
Lisa
I would not use the GABA Calm with someone with Graves or a history of Graves. I like the Nutritional Fundamentals GABA/theanine listed here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/amino-acids-pyroluria-supplements/ and have my clients open it onto the tongue for best effects.
I just blogged about high cortisol so you may want to look into this – some people find Cortisol Manager too stimulating https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/seriphos-reformulated-high-cortisol/
Hi Trudy! Thank you for all the information you provide! I have been suffering from anxiety and depression and took your questionnaire and said yes to everything that indicates low GABA (I also feel the anxiety in my gut), but I do tend to have low blood pressure (so not sure if I should still go with GABA). So my question is what is the difference between the Source Naturals GABA, Kavinace GABA (https://www.pureformulas.com/kavinace-120-capsules-by-neuroscience.html) and Phenitropic by Biotics (https://www.pureformulas.com/phenitropic-60-capsules-by-biotics-research.html)? I am unsure of which to take.
Tina
I write about why I prefer GABA to phenibut here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/gaba-for-anxiety-instead-of-phenibut/
I seldom see an issue with GABA and low blood pressure and just watch for light-headedness or dizziness and then stop
Hi Trudy!
A quick question for you: My daughter and I both take 1000mg of vitamin C (spread out over the day) for its good health effects. We also take a couple of amino acids–L-theanine and N-Acetylcysteine (amino acid precursor). Based on what you wrote above, I am wondering whether it might be good to reduce the amount of vitamin C, in case it could be diluting the good effects of the amino acids?
Just let me know what you think on this!
Many, many thanks,
Cheryl
Cheryl
As long as the vitamine C is not taken at the same time it’s not a problem. I have many clients take 2000mg a day
My 12 yr old was placed on Zoloft 2 years ago when extreme anxiety emerged and I didn’t know any better at the time. I began on an intense educational research path for nutrition and healing options. She was completely weaned off Zoloft 4 months ago and was doing great. Remained gluten free. I have noticed her with increased muscle pains, irritability, and difficulty taking deep breaths. She hasn’t been recently sick. Wondering if low serotonin or withdrawal. We started using Gaba Calm past 3 weeks in morning and afternoon 1 lozenge. It may help for a brief 20min-1 hour. I really don’t want to go back on the meds. It seems she is heading back down the anxiety path. Irregular beginnings of menstruation.
Jennie
Sorry to hear. A few things I’d be considering if I was working with her – is her anxiety the low serotonin type or the low GABA type (from the questionnaire https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/amino-acids-mood-questionnaire-from-the-antianxiety-food-solution/)? She may need serotonin support rather than GABA support or less GABA support?
If the difficulty taking deep breaths started after starting GABA Calm I’d suspect that as the cause (too much can cause breathlessness). I’d also consider the Zoloft withdrawal being a possible factor but would suspect the increased anxiety, irritability and muscle pains being caused by that.
I’d also look at anything new that has been added or changed. And always recommend keeping detailed log of all changes so my clients and track and look for patterns.
I also be addressing all other possible factors other than gluten – real food, quality animal protein especially at breakfast, no caffeine or sugar, addressing gut health, the adrenals (especially when menstrual problems), nutritional deficiencies (like low zinc, iron, D, B6 etc) and so on.
Thank you for the feedback. Breathing started before GABA and isn’t worse when taking it. I just need to figure out how to support “Zoloft withdrawl” and I will look for more ideas for animal protein in the morning. If I add L-tyrosine (50 mg lozenge) for serotonin support, is that taken away from GABA calm? MTHFR is a known factor. We’ll focus again more intensely on gut health. She is a major chocolate craver so copper/zinc balance likely a problem. Thank you again!!
Jennie
Tyrosine is for catecholamine support is something I only consider when anxiety is under control. Tryptophan is for serotonin support and I only recommend the Lidke brand
Hello Trudy
I have been reading and watching your teaching on anxiety and worry! I have been struggling with hashi’s for four years but have been unable to increase my NDT meds to become sufficient…my dr says my adrenals are to blame…So I am consistently feeling down, worried and thoughts ruminating like crazy. Would amino acids “help heal” the adrenals in this situation or just be a temporary fix? How long does one need to take the amino’? I was told at my vitamin shoppe that L-theanime works like L-tryptophan without making you sleepy…is this accurate? Thank you so very much for any help in this area!!
Teri
If the anxiety is due to low GABA (physical anxiety) or low serotonin (worry type of anxiety) then I have clients do a trial. The amino acids address these deficiencies and my clients take them until their levels come up. I use other nutritional approaches to healing the adrenals.
Theanine is calming but works on GABA levels, tryptophan is also calming but works on serotonin. Both can help sleep so the vitamin shoppe statement is not accurate.
Hello and firstly thank you for all the time you spend freely to help people trying to feel better and that can’t come see you! I bought your book on the anti anxiety food solution. I have taken the recommended supplements ‘low dose’ for Pylouria for a year. Helps but I have more answers to find. In my 50’s , actually pretty physically healthy, I follow a more keto diet recently. Take small dose bio-iden progesterone I have had migraines since I was around 8 they became so ferocious in my 20’s they are called cluster/transitory migraines and are debilitating for weeks at a time. Insomnia became part of the picture at that time…. Also at that time anxiousness in the pit of my stomach the doc attributes to the brains anxious state. For 10 yrs I take Dival Proex 125mg am and 250mg pm and it does help. I take just enough to cut the frequency by 90% and it doesn’t make a diff w/ sleep or stomach anxiety if I go to higher dose. Doc combined 50 mg seroquel for insomnia to “quiet the brain because it is in an excited state of inflammation which will cause the migraine”. But my sleep is still poor. I had a recent MRI and all good..
I enjoyed finding your site and 1 month ago I tried 500mg tryptophan (good quality) and it helped the sleep after three weeks by 25% which is a huge number in my case. Last two nights I dropped the seroquel to 25mg. I still managed a positive of 25% better sleep. BTW pharmacist said it wouldn’t interact w/ either drug.
Question Trudy… checking your info …….. yes the anxiety is a worry kind and stress feeling, if something comes up can feel overwhelmed I feel over loaded……looks more tryptophan oriented from what I’m understanding. Would supplementing with a low dose of Amino acid GABA be worth trying? If so how, and at what time of day, and also recommended starting dose? Would supplementing more Tryptophan for sleep and even for the stomach anxiety be worth a try at this point? Maybe through the day or more at night?? I’m obviously being cautious and yet I feel I’m on to something here thanks to you and will proceed “low and slow”!! ANY thoughts would be SO appreciated as I continue to follow your big hearted trail blazing!!
Thanks so so much Trudy and may you receive ten times what you give in life….
Hi Trudy, I’ve been following you since the migraine summit. LOVE your work. Can I ask a question about GABA, L-Theanine and Inositol used all together for sleep? I’ve been reading your articles (I am a pixie dust client!) and my doctor has me on all 3 to help me sleep (15 years of post-viral Chronic Fatigue causing VERY poor sleep) #1 – Do you recommend taking all 3? I’m loving the GABA and can take 100 mgs 3 times a day, but the L-Theanine keeps my mind active so I take 135 mgs in the morning before food. Just finding now that the inositol is making me tired through the day – doctor has me on 650mgs – 3 times a day. Pixie dust me is taking 500mgs but how about just 1000 at night? When I ask her, she just says – take what makes you sleep up to 2000 each!!! I’m lost… wondering if there is a simple answer for doses and best time of day for these things? I’ve also recently been taken off my B12 injection, so the anxiety is rising… thank God I found you and Gaba first!!! Sincerely, Holly xx
A year later, I’ve been watching, waiting and reading all the replies here. I have stopped using GABA… (all 3 things above) as nothing is helping me sleep better. I give up! Hot flushes are waking me 5 times each night. Hard not to get depressed. Up at 3am this morning… 🙁
i would like to try GABA for my daughter who has motor and vocal tics, what is the proper dosage for a 9-year old 75 lbs weight? thanks
Irene
I always use the trial method to find the ideal dose and use 125mg of GABA to start for a 120lb adult and half that for a 60lb child. With tics I’d also consider a trial of tryptophan, and looking into gluten and dairy issues and the infection cause (such as PANDAs) to start.
Hello, Trudy –
I have a question concerning GABA.
I have taken GABA in the past (around 500 mg a day) for sleep. It only worked well – incredibly well! – the first time, even though I never really expected it. Then my brain quickly established homeostasis. (It is incredibly – and annoyingly – quick and efficient in that regard, building up tolerance in no time and swiftly rejecting anything that WORKS.)
A few years have passed, and now I’ve decided to try it again (mostly to improve my mood). I took a 1000 mg capsule the first day. It seemed to work well for my mood – much like phenibut, its blood-brain-barrier-crossing version (which was a surprise). It did nothing for my sleep, though – or rather, it kept it at bay, because I was so wired (albeit in a pleasant way) that even 1000 mg of dimenhydrinate (+ magnesium citrate) didn’t work.
The next day, the same happened. As did the next day.
Today I tried taking only a fraction of the GABA capsule – around 200 mg. I took on an empty stomach (but then my stomach is rarely full because I eat very little) with a few sips of coffee. Then I took a B-complex pill (which I take every single day).
Ten minutes later, while I was out shopping, I suddenly felt the unmistakeable signs of a niacin flush (tingling and reddening of my forehead, ears and then arms). I don’t even know whether the B-complex tablet hat I took contains flush-producing niacin (most such formulas use the “flush free” form) – and it’s never happened with this brand before, anyway.
So I did a quick search – and sure enough, it appears there is a “GABA flush”, too, very similar to the one produced by niacin.
My question is: why would GABa produce such a reaction in such a small dose (but not with the bigger doses)? Do you have any thoughts on that?
Anyway, thank you for your work and this wonderful website.
Helle
The GABA flush is common at doses that are too high for a person’s needs. I haven’t seen someone do well on 1000mg and then flush on 200mg a few days later. I’d check the form of niacin in the B complex
hello.i have suffered Migraines with aura since aged 11yrs old , my late teenage years i suffered stress + anxiety, until 53 ,i have also the fear off speeding in a car ,flying in aeroplane and water. a psychiatrist put me on lustral sertraline ,200mg morning and 200 mg evening,it has made life bearable ,but not completely at ease,i have now heard about Gamma,so do you think it is time for re-evaluation.with perhaps a mixing of the two,my treatment started 23 yrs ago ,i am 76 now .thank you
Leslie
I have my clients start with the basics of real whole food, blood sugar control, addressing food issues (like gluten), gut health and also using amino acids (all covered in detail in my book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” https://www.everywomanover29.com/store/aafsbook.html) . Migraines can have many possible root causes and a common one is low serotonin (more here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/migraines-anxiety-antiphospholipid-syndrome-chronic-headache-migraine-summit/) which is also a factor with fears.
And this site is for both men and women and will be changing to Anxiety Nutrition Solutions
i placed the question above,did not realise it is a woman’s site .i will leave the question on site ,hoping you can help
Hello Trudy, Thank You.
I have KAL Gaba 25mg. 3 bottles.
I have only used one tablet 2 times not consecutively.
I seem to feel worse/more? anxious –
Is there an ajustment period I have to go through to
realize the aforementioned benefits ?
Thank you again,
ray
Ray
No there is no adjustment period and we don’t ever want to push through adverse effects. When someone feels more anxious using GABA it may be that they don’t have low GABA type physical anxiety, they are using too high a dose (see the link to the blog where Syd sees benefits with just 1.5 to 3mg of GABA https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/how-much-gaba-should-i-use-for-my-anxiety-it-depends-on-your-unique-needs-and-there-is-an-extremely-large-variation-in-dosing/) or they may be reacting to something in the product (we switch them to a GABA only product)
My online GABA Quickstart group program is helpful when you have questions and need guidance (and moral support/encouragement). More here about the program and purchase info https://www.anxietynutritioninstitute.com/gabaquickstart/
I was hoping that I could try GABA. Then my nutrition therapist told me that it’s use is illegal here in Finland and it is also illegal to order here. If I do so it can be taken away in the customs or I need to pay a fine. This is very sad situation because I believe it could have helped me a lot.
The nutrition therapist told me that one could use some Essential oils ( Lavender ? ) like GABA. Are you familiar with these? Could it be worth of trying ?
My fibromyalgia pain is very bad in the moment. My body reacts strongly to the humid weather. I do not know what natural medicine could ease that pain. One doctor suggested me to use a synthetic medicine called Gabrion. It has Gabapentin in it. The side effects could be horrible. In the long run it could harm liver, kidneys etc. I also heard it is very difficult to stop this medicine. It does help some with the pain. I think I am not going to try it though I am worried how I can handle this horrible pain. Antidepressants do not help with the pain.
It seems very difficult to go on trying to get better. I still try. In the moment the sun is shining and I enjoy waterrunning in the beautiful lake Päijänne. I love Finnish summer when the weather is fine.
Best wishes, Liisa
Liisa
It’s very unfortunate GABA is not available in Finland and can’t even be purchased online for personal use. Theanine and taurine are somewhat comparable if they are available. Some other options to explore are herbal (oral lavender has been researched as being effective), essential oils (such as lavender and others), nutrients for making GABA (like zinc, B6, magnesium etc), addressing the microbiome (Lactobacillus rhamnosus makes GABA). I do see that homeopathy and Bach flower remedies are available in Finland so they may be options.
I see 5-HTP (well studied for fibromyalgia) is not available either. St John’s Wort (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22435352/) and other herbs are worth exploring.
Please do let us know what you find is available there.
Also be sure to work with your nutrition therapist on all the dietary aspects covered in my book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” (real whole food, quality animal protein, fermented foods, organic produce, healthy fats, gluten/sugar/caffeine removal, blood sugar control). More here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/ Much of this can help anxiety and pain.
I’m not sure what water running is but exercise and nature are wonderful for neurotransmitter production. So is yoga, sauna (https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/thera360-plus-my-portable-full-spectrum-infrared-sauna-from-therasage-better-sleep-and-digestion-more-energy-and-even-more-joy/), a SAD lamp (especially in darker winter days), gardening, laughter and even playing on a swing.
Gabrion is gabapentin and as with all medications there are side-effects. This one also has issues when tapering.
I have taken your Gabba calm and end up getting a headache. It doesn’t do much to calm me down.
I take a low does too.
Susan
I assume you’re referring to the Source Naturals GABA Calm product. It may be the small amount of tyrosine or other ingredients. A GABA-only product may work better. It may also be that the anxiety is not caused by low GABA levels and other root causes need to be explored – like low serotonin, high cortisol, gluten issues, caffeine intake, gut health etc