If you are prone to laryngospasm, “choking” episodes and swallowing problems (also known as dysphagia), it makes sense to keep GABA powder on hand (and in a number of locations) and to find the ideal dose for your unique needs since what works for one person may be too little or too much for you. In today’s blog, I share Shawna’s experience with choking episodes, stridor and panic, and how GABA helped her very quickly. She applied some of what she had read about in this recent blog post: Paroxysmal laryngospasm with low GABA physical-tension-type-anxiety: Is GABA powder rubbed on the inside of the cheek a solution?
Her results were profound (as you’ll read about below, and in her own words) but she could have been better prepared with GABA powder and her dosing was not ideal. I share my insights and advice for her and for you if you are prone to similar episodes.
This is how she describes her choking episodes:
I too experience “choking” episodes/laryngospasm. For me it seems my throat reflex doesn’t kick in quick enough and liquid (often just saliva) will go down the wrong way. It can even happen just as I’m falling asleep. Then my throat seems to close and stridor ensues where I can barely wheeze any air in. It definitely sets off panic in me. The length of the episode is likely only a few minutes but it feels much longer. I’d say it can happen 4 or 5x/year for me.
Shortly after reading the above blog post, Shawna had an episode. She shares this:
This situation actually just happened again to me today, I was sitting on the couch and had a bit of a reflux burp and then all of a sudden … “I can’t get air in.” Luckily I had read Trudy’s article (and am so glad I did! It was good to know I am not alone, and there were possible solutions. It is more common than I thought).
When the stridor happens my adrenaline kicks in, and I really can’t think straight. I did know I needed to go to the kitchen and get my GABA though. Initially I could only find the lozenge, so I rubbed that inside my cheek as I was searching for the capsule.
Once I got the capsule open, I shook some on my finger and rubbed it into my cheek, then I just dumped the rest of the 750 mg GABA capsule right under my tongue.
In a matter of seconds (literally just a couple!) the stridor released, and I could get air in!!! WOW! It really works! I have never had an episode clear that quickly before. I am literally amazed and so very grateful. I will carry GABA powder with me wherever I go now. Thank you SO much Trudy! <3
I am eternally grateful for you sharing this trick, it feels almost life-saving to me!
She also shared what she experienced 45 minutes after dumping 750mg GABA onto her tongue. It stopped the stridor and choking but she had a mild adverse effect:
Within 45 minutes after taking the GABA today, I felt so sleepy – like I needed to sleep, then a weird sensation of heartbeat irregularity and almost like an adrenaline rush that lasted about 5 minutes. Strange!
I thanked her for sharing and said how wonderful to hear about her very quick response. I also asked about sharing her success in a future blog post on this topic. She said yes. I appreciate this opportunity to share a powerful success story with GABA and to use some of her story as a way to educate my community and hopefully also help her further.
These episodes started over 15 years ago and she had mentioned this to the doctor years ago, saying she had stridor from choking. However, because it was so irregular, the doctor never suggested any testing.
She also shared that she does have symptoms of both low GABA (feeling worried/fearful, unable to relax, insomnia, overactive brain) and low serotonin (anxiety, perfectionism, anxiety that is worse in the winter, disturbed sleep, self-criticism, TMJ). More on this below.
Keep GABA powder handy
I shared that for folks who are prone to these kinds of episodes I recommend keeping GABA powder on hand in various places in the home and when out and about. This could look like little containers of GABA powder in the bedroom, bathroom, living room, kitchen, handbag, gym bag and even in the car.
I also recommend telling family members about the GABA powder and where it’s kept so as to be prepared in the instance of a more severe episode. You can also demonstrate how they can help you – by tipping some GABA powder into the palm of their hand and holding it out for you or even putting some on the inside of your cheek if needed.
If you’re the parent or caregiver, you can also do this for your child or the person you’re caring for i.e. rub some GABA powder on the inside of the cheek.
Find the ideal dose for your choking episodes
The sleepiness and then weird symptoms (heartbeat irregularity and adrenaline-like rush) after the GABA is likely due to the very high dose of 750mg. I typically start clients on 125mg and there is a large variation in dosing, as explained in this blog.
Shawna’s adverse symptoms only lasted 5 minutes but they can be experienced for up to 30-60 minutes in some folks.
It’s important to find the ideal dose for your choking or swallowing episodes. You do this with the trial method, starting low and increasing based on your unique needs. This may mean you won’t get optimal results the first few times.
Another option is to do what Shawna did and use a relatively high dose initially and so you do get results. And then use less the next time if you get adverse effects from too much GABA.
I prefer the former approach – starting low and slow. Typical is 125mg GABA (and less for very sensitive folks) and increasing frequency and or dosing to 250mg after a week of tracking results. And continuing up from there or backing down if adverse effects are seen.
Consistent use for prevention and easing anxiety
Consistent use of GABA is key especially when there are other low GABA symptoms. Shawna mentions feeling worried/fearful, being unable to relax, experiencing insomnia, and having an overactive brain.
Being consistent with GABA – daily use and a few times a day based on your needs – will raise GABA levels and hopefully prevent or at least reduce future choking or swallowing episodes.
Shawna also shared that she currently takes 100mg of GABA in a sleep remedy. Based on my experience this isn’t enough for her needs. The fact that it is part of a sleep remedy makes it challenging to adjust up and down as needed. For this reason I like a GABA-only or GABA-theanine product.
She does have plans on ordering the GABA Calm lozenges for daytime use to “see if that has an overall decrease in my GABA symptoms.” She did however voice her concerns about Calm Calm not being GABA-only and how she’d respond to the taurine and tyrosine in them. This is a valid concern and a trial will provide the answer.
She also feels it’s difficult to find a GABA-only product in such a low dose. My feedback is to get a GABA powder and simply measure out the dose she requires with a tiny measuring spoon or use the 750mg GABA capsules she has, opened and divided into smaller doses.
GABA is always more effective as a powder or used by opening a capsule.
As always, a full functional workup is important to identify all possible triggers and address them.
And be sure to also get a diagnosis, keeping in mind that can be challenging. And keep your doctor informed about GABA and other supplement use.
Address low serotonin-type anxiety with tryptophan too
Shawna also mentions low serotonin-type symptoms: worry-type of anxiety, perfectionism, anxiety that is worse in the winter, disturbed sleep (this can be caused by low serotonin and low GABA), self-criticism and TMJ.
She would need to do a similar trial with tryptophan or 5-HTP to address these low serotonin symptoms. I recommend trialing one amino acid at a time.
She would also need to work with someone to investigate why she has low GABA and low serotonin and also address these triggers (such as gluten issues, leaky gut, low zinc, low B6, parasites, pyroluria, toxins, sugar/alcohol and so on).
In case you’re new to paroxysmal laryngospasm and stridor
If you are new to paroxysmal laryngospasm here is a good definition:
One type of reactive airway obstruction is paroxysmal laryngospasm, which is a rare laryngeal disease in adults. In this condition, the throat is completely closed due to some form of hypersensitivity or a protective laryngeal reflex causing a transient, complete inability to breathe. Paroxysmal laryngospasm onset in patients is often characterized by a sudden and complete inability to breathe, along with voice loss or hoarseness and stridor. Paroxysmal laryngospasm usually lasts from several seconds to several minutes and may be accompanied by obvious causes such as upper respiratory tract infection, emotional agitation or tension, and/or severe coughing.
I wrote about some of the research, hysterical stridor in adult females who are anxious and/or depressed, and my personal use of GABA during a laryngospasm episode in this blog – Paroxysmal laryngospasm with low GABA physical-tension-type-anxiety: Is GABA powder rubbed on the inside of the cheek a solution?.
I also share that stridor is “an abnormal high-pitched sound produced by turbulent airflow through a partially obstructed airway.”) It’s awful and scary to experience, and distressing to hear a loved one struggling with a partially blocked airway.
The following video offers a helpful illustration of “Laryngospasm and Vocal Cord Dysfunction.” It shows how the vocal cords should open and shows what happens when they don’t, and the accompanying stridor sound. I personally find the sound quite distressing so please use your own discretion when watching and listening.
Resources if you are new to using GABA as a supplement
If you are new to using GABA as a supplement, here is the Amino Acids Mood Questionnaire from The Antianxiety Food Solution (you can see all the low GABA symptoms).
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 team you or your loved one is working with.
I don’t cover choking or swallowing issues in my book but there is a detailed chapter covering the amino acids.
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 you don’t feel comfortable figuring things out on your own (doing the symptoms questionnaire and doing respective trials), after reading this blog and my book, you can get guidance from me in the GABA Quickstart Program (online/virtual).
If you are a practitioner, join us in The Balancing Neurotransmitters: the Fundamentals program. It’s an opportunity to interact with me and other practitioners who are also using the amino acids.
Have you experienced choking episodes/laryngospasm and problems swallowing? And do you have the low GABA physical-tension-type-anxiety symptoms?
If you’ve already been using GABA with success, have you noticed a reduction in these episodes?
Have you ever used GABA in the way Shawna did to stop an episode quickly? And how much helped? Have you done a trial to figure out your ideal dose?
Do you keep GABA powder on hand in various places in your home and when out?
Feel free to ask your questions here too.
Thank you for this post. My son died of laryngospasm. I have had it several times and it is terrifying. I have been using GABA for a year or so to help with anxiety and insomnia which has been much worse since the death of my son. I will keep it on hand in powder form in case there is another one. I am using 600 mg, or 750 mg depending on what I can get. I take one in the AM and one in the PM. I have noticed some irregular heart beat, which now I think maybe related to the high doses. It’s difficult to find smaller doses
Wendy, our condolences on losing your son. You might try iherb for GABA, they have several different doses.
Wendy
I’m very sorry to hear about your son. I can’t imagine the pain and grief you must be suffering. If it’s of comfort to write about how he died please do. The medical sources say it’s very rare other than during surgery or a medical procedure and I’m sure others in my community will find the information helpful.
Too much GABA can cause adverse effects but good results can be seen with lower doses from an opened capsule or using a powder. Consistent use can help with anxiety, insomnia and help prevent future laryngospasms. With insomnia and anxiety we also look into low serotonin too (as mentioned in the blog).
After a loss I also recommend looking into low endorphins and DPA/Endorphigen support too. More on that here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/how-best-to-use-the-amino-acid-dpa-for-easing-heart-ache-weepiness-comfort-eating-and-a-compulsive-desire-for-food/ Trauma support with EMDR and somatic experiencing too.
A company called Bulk Supplements offers GABA. It is in pure powder form (no fillers).
I get it from amazon. The label says 750mg is contained in a rounded 1/4 teaspoon. I find that less than 1/8 teaspoon works for my muscle tension and insomnia. I do not have laryngospasm, but I am dysphagic from over 50 years of reflux. Sometimes food or pills/capsules get stuck in my throat. Fortunately my airway has never closed off when this happens but it is distressing.
I have this happen a few times a year also. It is scary when it happens. I don’t think it’s the worse form of it , but waking up with acid reflux, (I think )and then coughing, and not being able to catch my breath, for maybe 10 minutes is very scary. I’m glad that there is something that can help. Lately it’s been happening in the day with just spit, I thought going down the wrong pipe♀️ I’ll be looking for some gaba. Thank you Trudy!❤️
Karen
Yes I agree, it’s very scary. I hope GABA helps – please keep us posted. Be sure to also look into and address acid reflux and why that is happening – food sensitivity, poor fat digestion, medications etc
Hi Trudy!
I hane som general questions about Gaba and serotonin as I thinner I might be deficient in borh.
Do you recommend gaba powder or sublingual form? Is Quicksilver Scientific’s liposomal Gaba and teanin safe?
I have Pharma Gaba at home bit have tried it only in Bert small doses (50 mg), Dorset help me, matberedare egen worsening it bit not sure about that. In what Way can the pharma Gaba form worsen it if you are histamin issues? Only increased anxiety or can also the. Swallowing get worse?
Thanks. For your answers!
What form of serotonin do you recommend?
Currently I am on a mix dose Benzodiazepines before bedtime. Can I ade Gaba or do I have do quit the benzo totaly first?
Dr. Helena
I’ve only seen these benefits with GABA powder rubbed on the inside of the cheek. The liposomal GABA/theanine may work too but I’d use it by spraying some on the palm of the hand and using a finger to dab it on the inside of the cheek. I’d be concerned spraying it into the mouth while struggling to take a breath may be problematic.
With histamine issues/MCAS using pharmaGABA could make swallowing issues worse. I blogged about this here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/pharmagaba-vs-gaba-when-you-have-histamine-issues-mcas-does-pharmagaba-ease-physical-anxiety-or-make-things-worse/
I have clients use GABA while on benzodiazepines but always discuss with the prescribing doctor. And benzos must never be stopped cold turkey and without medical supervision.
I recommend the Lidtke 500mg tryptophan for serotonin support.
If you feel like you need guidance and support using GABA, consider joining the online GABA Quickstart program so you can get help figuring it out https://www.anxietynutritioninstitute.com/gabaquickstart/
And don’t forget diet. In addition to in depth information on using the amino acids, I cover 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) in my book “The Antianxiety Food Solution.” 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 your 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?
Thanks for your answer!
My diet is (almost) glutenfree and sugarfree. I don’t drink coffe or other substances with caffeine. I only eat whole foods, mostly organic and grassfed meat. I also use fermented products. But beeing in a state of fight and flight mood because of my anxiety most of the day I think might prevent med from absorb some of the nutrinets that I eat.
I have had anxiety for a long time but it got worse since I had Covid-19. although I wasn’t very ill. During Covid I got a panic attack and after that my sleep is very poor. I know there is a connection between Covid and mental health. Have you had any patients with that experience and do they react differently compared to “other patients” with anxiety- and sleep treatment?
I consider buying your book but I can see it’s from 2011, has it happened a lot since then? I mean scientifically or are most facts in the book still relevant?
Another question: the dose of recommended GABA vs Pharma-GABA seems do differ a lot, what dose recommendation do you have for Pharma Gaba? When I read the science it seems to be much more positive to Pharma GABA vs synthetic made GABA.
Kind regards,
Helena
Dr. Helena
Great diet but it does need to be 100% gluten-free.
The amino acids help with folks who have had COVID too and a full functional workup will also indicate if there are other issues to deal with – such as the gut, adrenals, low zinc etc.
My book is still very relevant (other than the folic acid mention – methyfolate is a better choice) and foundational to all the work I do.
Dosing of GABA and pharamGABA are very individualized to each person’s needs. The “science” you’re reading about pharamGABA comes from company marketing documents. Feel free to share a link for my comment
Have you found any of the amino acids to be helpful to relax facial tension? I have no diagnosis and have never been on medication, but I do get anxious. This facial tension happens more with anxiety, but other times it’s not seemingly related. It’s not terrible, just not friendly or relaxed. Looks stressed. Lips are slightly grimaced and tension around and between the eyes. No twitching, tingling, headaches, or redness. GABA has helped me in the past with anxiety (I have no idea if it helped with the facial tension – others notice it more than I do), but then I upped my dose of GABA from 250 to 750 and after a few months on the higher dose I lost all benefit and began to get brain fog every time I took it. I stopped for a few years, and now I just take as small dose as needed every few weeks and that seems to help with anxiety. But I’m not sure it helps with the facial tension.
Michelle
I have seen both GABA and tryptophan help. Using GABA sublingually is most effective.
Hello Trudy — Thanks for your post. Alway find them so insightful.
I have a quick question — does GABA help elderly patients with Dysphagia. My Mother has “swallowing/choking” difficulties as you described with some of your patients but hers is not due to anxiety but due to Lewy body Dementia. So… just wondering if swab of GABA in the cheek will help with choking of Dysphagia??? Thanks!
Barbara
I’m sorry to hear about the “swallowing/choking” issues your mother is having. And yes swallowing issues or disphagia is very common in the elderly and with Lewy Body dementia.
This paper, Dysphagia in the Elderly, has the stats – “The true prevalence of dysphagia is higher in the elderly population than the general population. Although the prevalence of dysphagia in the Midwestern US population was reported to be 6% to 9%, its prevalence in community-dwelling persons over age 50 years is estimated to be between 15% and 22%. The prevalence of dysphagia is even higher in those residing in assisted living facilities and nursing homes, where up to 40% to 60% of residents are reported to have feeding difficulties.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3999993/
As you can see from the above paper, there are many possible root causes. Esophageal spasm is listed as one cause so if there are spasms that are affecting swallowing, GABA may very well help. It may be easier for her to use another approach i.e. GABA swished in water before a meal 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/
Also anxiety/stress is common with Lewy Body dementia even if it’s not obvious, and sleep can be impacted too. More here https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-lewy-body-dementia-causes-symptoms-and-treatments
And pharyngeal dysfunction is a often factor: Dysphagia in Lewy body dementia – a clinical observational study of swallowing function by videofluoroscopic examination https://bmcneurol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2377-13-140
There is some research on GABA/glutamate involvement with visual hallucinations – Analysis of primary visual cortex in dementia with Lewy bodies indicates GABAergic involvement associated with recurrent complex visual hallucinations https://actaneurocomms.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40478-016-0334-3
Be sure to discuss all this with her primary doctor.
If you are ok to share, can you describe what happens and how often? And how long it’s been happening? And if she also has sleep issues, visual hallucinations and other symptoms? And please do let us know how it helps your mom if you do go ahead.
Hi again and thanks a lot for your answer! I will order your book and look forward to read it!
I found 2 articles that you might find interesting.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8783191/
https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/24/15/2678/htm
Kind regards,
Dr Helena
Helena
Thanks and please keep us posted
Hi Trudy,
Wondering if it is safe to use GABA, L-Theanine or Tryptophan with other anti-depressant and antipsychotic medications? Specifically Aripiprazole and Venlafaxine or other SSRI’s.
Also with blood pressure and heart disease medications. I have a few family members suffering anxiety, young and old, so wanted to check before recommending the amino acids.
I know you would recommend to check with the Dr but I have mentioned these before but their face goes blank, like they’ve never heard of them and they don’t know.
Vanessa
I’ve had clients use GABA and theanine with antidepressant and antipsychotic meds but they always discuss with their doctor. Even when they are not familiar with the amino acids they can monitor for adverse outcomes. GABA can lower blood pressure and heart disease meds is too wide for me to comment on.
My 9 year old daughter just had an episode from an emotional upset. It was scary but luckily I had read about this from your emails. I had GABA already on hand. Opened it and took a tiny bit and rubbed in her cheek. Then put some under her tongue – a tiny bit – then a tiny bit more. It stopped quickly and she could breathe. What are root causes of this? It’s almost like hyperventilating. And one lady mentioned her son passed from this. Do kids grow out of this? Who should I take her to see to get it evaluated?
Heather
I’m sorry to hear but really pleased to hear how quickly and effectively this helped her. I would look into low GABA, low serotonin and pyroluria to start – since you mention an emotional upset. Does she have low GABA and low serotonin symptoms and what about pyroluria symptoms?
Can you share how much you used and which product?
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.
My online GABA Quickstart group program is helpful when you have questions and need guidance (and moral support/encouragement). More here https://www.anxietynutritioninstitute.com/gabaquickstart/
Other upstream root causes may also need to be addressed – food sensitivities, GERD, possibly structural issues/tongue-tie. I write about some in this blog 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/
Hi Trudy,
Thanks for all your wonderful information. My mother, age 78, often suffers swallowing issues. She has silent reflux from a hiatus hernia and stricture in her oesophagus.
Sometimes when she eats food, she can’t swallow. She can only spit the food out. If she tries to drink water, that all backs up also. She says her breathing is not affected. Its more of an issue if she is out with friends eating a meal as she needs to quickly run off to a bathroom to spit out her food.
Could GABA help with this do you feel?
Stephanie
I’d explore GABA in a situation like this especially if someone had other low GABA symptoms and if it’s made worse by stress i.e being out with friends. I’ve been getting more encouraging feedback on the swishing approach as I share in this blog 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/
I’m also looking into the IQoro device that Lena mentions (see comments above) and the research is very promising for hiatal hernia and swallowing issues.
Please let us know how she does
I would like mention that this is a liver issue in Chinese Medicine. I was just talking yesterday about this with my Chinese Doctor ( she is from China and she teaches in the School of Chinese Medicine in CO)
Checking what people had being eating previous an episode may be helpful (liver doesn’t like fatty foods when is stagnant or fire up ) Gallbladder play a role here too.
I wonder this can maybe start later down the road of a concussion
Thank you Trudy for this article!!
Claudia
Thanks for sharing and yes upstream causes must always be investigated and addressed. Is this something you experience?
And yes concussion and/or TBI – Dysphagia in severe traumatic brain injury https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20956918/