I have chronic SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) and shared some insights – during an interview on the IBS & SIBO SOS Summit – on what helps me when I’m trying a new protocol or new food and get that awful and painful belly bloat.
It’s so bad that I’m in pain all night, tossing and turning and can’t sleep…. and Iberogast, enzymes and peppermint and lavender essential oil on my bloated belly help so much:
Because of the cellulose in one of the Candibactin products, I was getting the bloating. And the Iberogast taken at night just before I went to bed (together with a few other things) definitely helped with some of the bloating.
For me, the problem with the bloating is the pain (obviously), but worse than that is the lack of sleep. If I’m bloated, it just feels like I’m tossing and turning the whole night. And if I don’t get eight hours of sleep, I’m a mess. So, the biggest issue for me is the impact on my sleep.
But if I’ve got this huge, bloated belly which was happening a lot, I take enzymes that help with carb digestion. I will also rub peppermint essential oil on my belly. So I’ve got a little bowl of coconut oil with a dab of lavender (it’s calming and it helps you sleep as well) and a little bit of peppermint oil.
There’s a number of studies showing that essential oil or peppermint ingested in a capsule can help with IBS. And I’ve found that, topically, it can help too. So that works for me to help with some of the bloating.
I also share about my 2 favorite amino acids – you guessed it – GABA and tryptophan. They just have so many applications! In this instance of painful belly bloating they help with pain and sleep and improve motility:
The other thing that helps is GABA which is one of the amino acids. There is research discussing the role of GABA in stress-induced visceral hypersensitivity. GABA helps with reducing the visceral pain that is seen with IBS/SIBO because we have GABA receptors in various parts of the body, including the digestive system. GABA is amazing for physical tension/anxiety and it can ease that. I’m thinking that this easing of physical tension may be one of the mechanisms as to how it works for some of the pain issues.
I do want to mention something about GABA – it works most effectively when taken sublingually. I just chew a capsule and get the results. And it works within five minutes.
And then, the other one that I use at night is tryptophan. This really helps with the sleep as well by boosting serotonin levels. It actually helps with motility too – there’s research showing this.
If your SIBO causes increased anxiety, these two amino acids would help ease those symptoms too – GABA for the physical anxiety and tryptophan for the worry in the head anxiety:
And then, it helps with anxiety as well if that’s an issue – for many people with IBS and SIBO, anxiety is an issue.
Summit host, Shivan Sarna, shares how LDN (low dose naltrexone) has helped her tremendously (she also has chronic SIBO) and we discuss how too much can increase anxiety and impact your sleep. Since doing this interview I’ve had feedback from two people who successfully used GABA Calm to reduce their anxiety from too high a dose of LDN.
We also touch on some of the possible mechanisms of LDN, I share some of the benefits of berberine, and we discuss benzodiazepines which are so often prescribed for IBS/SIBO (for the anxiety, the insomnia and the pain) and why nutritional approaches are a safer option.
Have topical peppermint/lavender essential oils helped with belly bloat?
Has GABA or tryptophan helped you with the pain, poor motility or anxiety associated with SIBO?
Feel free to post your feedback and questions in the comments below.
Desirae says
I’m wanting to try Gaba. Dr Hyman recommended gaba 500mg 2x daily and theanine 200mg 2x daily… Thoughts? All of the quizzes I have taken suggest that I have a Gaba deficiency. With that said — I don’t feel wired all day – mentally and internally I feel anxious but I also get headaches and feel tired during the day. I’m worried that taking GABA during the day will make my tired. I need to calm my mind so I can think clearly and stay focused but I dont need to be chill and take a nap — in fact I could use a boost of energy. Any thoughts on how Gaba effects people.
Adrienne Greenfield says
I am interested in finding a professional (preferably an MD, but anyone educated is ok) trained by Trudy….as Trudy does not take any cases anymore. How can I find someone knowledgeable? I live in Florida, but can have virtual visit with someone. My son has pyrole , and I might as well.
Thanks for your help, Adrienne
Nev says
This article is nonsense. You can’t just take (ingest) GABA. You can only take GABAergic drugs such as benzodiazepines, which is a disastrous practice because of the tolerance that follows.
The best course is to employ behavioural interventions (such as deliberate relaxation and meditation) which reduce the need for the nervous system to utilise GABA.
Trudy Scott says
Nev
I encourage you to read my book and case studies published about GABA on this blog before posting that using GABA sublingually is nonsense.
I do agree with you on the benzo comment and yes there is a place for behavioural interventions.
When 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/
john osborne says
My first trail of gaba (sublinguially) resulted in agitation and swtiched to trypto and theanine with moderate but noticable results. My case is compounded with sibo/ imo and histamine overload so my expectations are inline.
Recently, tried gaba again. Maybe 300-400mg pwder, sublinqual. Results were good. A somewhat tired feeling prevailed – acompanied by a dopey or loopy sensation. Will experiment up and down, with trypto and/ theanine, but gaba alone may be enough.
Appreciate your contributions. Your offering includes studies and recommendations but also clinicical insight. Which is often missing or dismissed. This aspect of your work clearly distinguishes your expertise and is much appreciate.
Trudy Scott says
John
Thanks for sharing your trials and your very kind words. They are appreciated 🙂