I’ve been reading your blogs and I’m trying to decide if my 12 year old son should be on GABA? He has ADHD, is impulsive, is a loner, craves carbs, and doesn’t do well or care about school.
Can you tell me what supplement he could be deficient and where to purchase? He is currently on ADHD medication (Focalin) during the school year.
Janice asked the above question about her 12 year old son. I wish it was as simple as just using the calming amino acid GABA but it’s seldom one amino acid that is the answer. GABA is often one of many supplements that may help and in this instance I suspect a combination of neurotransmitter imbalances (low GABA, low dopamine and low serotonin), pyroluria, other possible nutritional deficiencies and dietary factors are at play. Read on to hear my approach for working through what may help this young man improve his focus, reduce his carbs, actually care about school and doing well, reduce his impulsivity and help him fit in socially – and ultimately lead to him being a happier, calmer and healthier child.
GABA with preteens who have ADHD and spinning-type symptoms
I always start with one of the amino acids because we get quick results and immediate feedback. Since Janice asked about GABA, this is the GABA feedback I shared with her: I’ve had good results with GABA with preteens who have ADHD and spinning-type symptoms. One clue is when the craving of carbs is driven by stress i.e. stress eating. I always start with the symptoms questionnaire and have the parent rate each low GABA symptom on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being most severe, ideally in conjunction with their child.
I then have the child do a one-off trial of GABA and we observe improvements in the next 5-30 minutes. If the child reports any improvement in any of the symptoms – in this case focus and spinning driven by anxiety – the child continues with GABA and increases over the next few weeks to find the ideal dose for their needs.
Sometimes focus issues are so severe that it’s too challenging to rate symptoms before, doing a one-off trial of GABA and then rating symptoms afterwards. In cases like this, mom makes the decision to have their child use GABA before school, when they get home and possibly early evening too. Mom can observe their focus and spinning: like getting dressed and ready for school, settling down to homework in the afternoon and settling down for bed.
Relying on feedback from school is invaluable too. Stress related carb cravings are also assessed i.e. does he seek out sugar when stressed and anxious.
A mom shares how GABA helps her 11 year old daughter – GABA for children: ADHD, focus issues, irritability, anxiety and tantrums
My daughter hasn’t been diagnosed with ADHD but has a lot of ADHD qualities. We were having a huge amount of behavior problems as she is getting older (she’s 11). She has had amazing behavior at school and at home since giving it to her. She’s almost like a different child. GABA has truly changed our life.
…before the GABA she was irritable, she was fighting with her teacher and schoolmates, she couldn’t focus and was distracted by anything and everything, she was constantly disrupting the class and she was throwing major tantrums over ridiculous stuff (like her hair didn’t do what she wanted), she was mouthy and everything was a fight.
We are not seeing 99% of those behaviors at all anymore. She of course is still your typical pre-teen but if I say “no you can’t have that” our “no you can’t go there” her reaction is OK. Before it would have been a major fight or meltdown. Her teacher is reporting to me every day about her wonderful days.
Tyrosine for focus issues, low motivation and low energy type carb cravings
With focus issues I would also consider the role of low dopamine and do a trial of tyrosine. Other clues: are his carb cravings related to low energy and is there also low motivation tied to the fact that he doesn’t care about school? Are there also signs of depression or low mood?
We go back to the symptoms questionnaire and have the parent rate each low dopamine/low catecholamine symptom on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being most severe. Again, do this in conjunction with the child if possible.
We only do a trial of one amino acid at a time so we know what is working. Assuming the GABA has been helping, we’d do a trial of tyrosine next and look for improvements in focus, carb cravings (all neurotransmitter imbalances can lead to carb cravings), motivation and mood.
If the one-off trial approach is not an option, tyrosine is also used before school and right after school but no later than 3pm so as not to affect sleep. Again, the above symptoms are tracked.
In this blog both GABA and tyrosine help this teen: GABA helps 14-year-old with Tourette’s Syndrome (the tics and sleep), and tyrosine makes him happier and his mind sharper
Tryptophan or 5-HTP for ADHD/hyperactivity and afternoon cravings
Hyperactivity can also show up with low serotonin, and so can something like not caring about school i.e. a low mood. A clue here is when his carb cravings are more intense – with low serotonin it’s typically afternoon or evening.
We go back to the symptoms questionnaire and have the parent rate each low serotonin symptom on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being most severe. And again, it’s best to do this in conjunction with the child if possible and do a one-off trial of tryptophan or 5-HTP.
If that’s not possible, tryptophan or 5-HTP is used mid-afternoon and evening and symptoms are tracked. This can be layered in on top of the GABA and tyrosine if they are offering some relief.
Here is a blog post where a mom shares how 5-HTP helps her child – ADHD: 5-HTP melts have been a miracle for one of my adopted kids
5-HTP melts have been a miracle for one of my adopted kids. He had lots of trauma and off the charts ADHD. 5-HTP is better than methylphenidate (Ritalin) and we are now weaning off the non-stimulants.
Just 80 mg 5-HTP in the morning is all he needs. He was super ADHD, he had a para (teacher’s aide) in public school for years to keep him on track and this year at a school for ADHD the teachers were complaining that he was never on task. Now after a week it has changed his life.
Addressing pyroluria, low lithium, low zinc, low blood sugar and diet
Janice mentions her son is a loner so we’d look into pyroluria/social anxiety and add zinc, vitamin B6 and evening primrose oil (and other key nutrients). Keep in mind that zinc deficiency is common and is often low with ADHD.
She also mentions that he is impulsive. Impulsivity and ADHD is common with low levels of lithium. A big clue is a child having a roller-coaster of emotions. I use this low lithium questionnaire to assess for a need for low dose lithium (a nutritional supplement).
I consider low blood sugar with all my clients and with this young man low blood sugar may be contributing to his focus issues, low mood and desire for carbs. The amino acid glutamine helps as does breakfast and meals with quality animal protein and healthy fats.
And it goes without saying that dietary factors must always be addressed. My book is a great resource when are looking for a comprehensive dietary approach, which is needed with ADHD and the symptoms Janice describes – The Antianxiety Food Solution. There is also a chapter on low blood sugar, pyroluria and the amino acids.
If you are an adult and can relate to any of these symptoms and feelings, the same process applies. Just remember this: there is no one-size fits all since we all have unique biochemistry.
Side effects and longer term effects of stimulant medications
I appreciate Janice for reaching out and asking this question. Hopefully, implementing some or all of these changes, will allow her son to stop his stimulant medication, Focalin. This medication is similar to Ritalin (methylphenidate), which can cause the following side-effects: feeling sad or empty, irritability, loss of interest or pleasure, trouble concentrating, trouble sleeping (and many more).
These stimulant medications can also play a role in longer term health effects that include heart disease and the possibility of it being a gateway drug to other stimulants. The research on the latter is hotly debated but it is often seen clinically.
Resources if you are new to using amino acids as supplements
To recap, if you are new to using 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, including low GABA, low serotonin, low dopamine, low blood sugar and low endorphins).
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.
As mentioned, there is an entire chapter on the amino acids and they are discussed throughout the book in the sections on gut health, gluten, blood sugar control, sugar cravings, anxiety and mood issues.
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. You can find them all in my online store.
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 too). This is a paid online/virtual group program where you get my guidance and community support.
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.
Have any of the above amino acids helped your child or you with the following symptoms: ADHD and poor focus, carb cravings and low mood/low motivation (doesn’t care)?
Has the pyroluria protocol helped your child or you be less of a loner?
Has low dose lithium helped your child or you with impulsivity and focus issues?
Have dietary changes helped too?
If you are a practitioner, are you using amino acids, the pyroluria protocol, low dose lithium and dietary changes with success in cases like this?
Feel free to post your questions and feedback here in the comments.
My daughter has Schizophrenia and has been struggling with sleep issues and weight gain from taking her anti-psychotic medication. I have been taking GABA for several years for my RLS and sleep issues and it has helped me tremendously. I recently suggested to her to try it and it helped with sleep and she was sure that her bladder control was better. I researched and there were positive studies to back that up. Her mood seems improved lately too and it’s like the GABA has given her some control back in her life. She has been dealing with a condition for years which takes away so much control, so any positive changes are encouraging.
I have read that GABA might curb your appetite, so I was wondering if it might help her with that. She has a lot of carb cravings and her weight has increased 50 pounds in the last two years. I am greatly concerned about her health and how long a future she might have.
Do you have any information on GABA for appetite control and dosage? Her psychiatrist has not been able to help her at all and I can’t see her trying the current obesity drugs out there that she would have to take indefinitely. She is taking 250 mg of Pharma GABA at night with good results along with Trazodone.
Thank you for your blogs and helpful information.
Mary
I’m so glad to hear GABA helps your RLS and sleep issues and now is helping your daughter with her sleep and bladder control too. Positive changes and having more control is wonderful for her!
I have blogged about GABA and bladder issues – “GABA for bladder pain/interstitial cystitis and urgency, IBS pain and anxiety?” https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/gaba-for-bladder-pain-interstitial-cystitis-and-urgency-ibs-pain-and-anxiety/ Please do share what you found related to GABA and bladder control and how it’s helped her in this regard (like frequency/urgency/pain etc). How has GABA helped her sleep too?
GABA may help given that it helps with cravings/hormone balance/weight with PCOS, a metabolic condition. We know that weight gain with antipsychotic medications has a metabolic component and “Most antipsychotics have an affinity for a broad range of neurotransmitter receptors”. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8762106/
GABA is used in the day for helping with low GABA driven cravings i.e. stress eating. But keep in mind all the neurotransmitter imbalances can cause cravings and the actual antipsychotic medication may provide a clue. Can you share what antipsychotic medication/s she is using and when she craves carbs?
My daughter is taking Olanzapine for her schizophrenia and one of its side effects is weight gain. She has a lot of “belly” weight and I am worried that she will stop taking it as her weight continues to climb and she is becoming more sedentary. She tends to have more cravings in the afternoon and evening, and I believe that boredom is contributing to it, as well. She will go to the gym with me and does a lot of cardio exercise and very little weight training, but she comes and it must be beneficial.
Her bladder control has improved and she says that she has less urgency, so that was a bonus. She stopped the Trazodone and Ramelteon that were prescribed for sleep and is just taking the GABA and a product called Sleep 3 by Nature’s Bounty and she sleeps through the night now. These changes are life changing for her.
Thank you for your timely response. I feel a lot of support from you and this community.
Mary
Thanks for sharing more about how GABA has helped. Wonderful to hear.
When GABA works well for sleep and other benefits (like bladder control) are seen we explore if use in the day will help withe stress eating. However more cravings afternoon/evening may be also related to low serotonin and we consider a trial of tryptophan or 5-HTP. When clients are on medications they always discuss with the prescribing doctor.
Olanzapine is well recognized for weight-gain issues and blocks serotonin receptors (per the link in the above paper I shared). This is a clue that serotonin support may help in those prescribed this medication. It also affects glucose balance so eating for blood sugar control and glutamine may help too. Glutamine also helps reduce sugar cravings.
I would love to share your daughter’s results and my feedback as a new blog (your first name only and with your permission). I can share some additional links and insights that may be helpful for you. If yes, may I ask her age and weight/weight gain and can I share this too?
Be sure to search the blog for schizophrenia as there are many biochemical causes.
Hi Trudy, I love your blog and case studies! I am not familiar with the term “spinning” in the context of behavior?
Pat
Great question – I’m referring to this paper where GABA supplementation allows better prioritizing of planned actions https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/oral-gaba-supplementation/
When you can’t do this you spin or jump from task to task.
Thanks for your kind feedback 🙂
Dear Trudy
My brother has ended up in a dreadfully sad situation which he has seemingly “brought upon himself” to a large extent. He is 70 years old.
Some 8 years ago his wife, suffered a mental collapse which resulted in years of deep depression and times in hospital for more medication and shock treatment. She sees a psychiatrist regularly and seems to generally feel better. However, my brother went through years of distress, seeing her in this condition, especially when not getting much response from her and when she tried to commit suicide. She has always spent most of her time ‘on the bed’ once home from her job.
About three years ago, my brother underwent successful back surgery after months of severe pain. Not long after this he had to have a hip replacement which was also successful. However, he started what I can only call a mental and physical decline. He lost motivation to do anything, didn’t want to move off the bed and stopped working (defence lawyer with an office at home) altogether. He also had Covid and was hospitalised and on oxygen for a short time. He has had high blood pressure, high cholesterol and been overweight for years and has been an insomniac for most of his life.
In August 2021, their medical aid nurse made a routine visit and did some screening tests. She said that his blood pressure was sky high and that if he didn’t get something done about it he would have a stroke. He didn’t do anything about it and two weeks later had a stroke. His left arm and foot were affected, together with his speech. Months in hospital and rehab clinic followed. He finally went home and employed a carer during the weekdays to put him through some physio. My brother gradually lost interest in doing the exercises, which he said were painful, and they could no longer afford to have the carer. He was falling often and very difficult to deal with. He began to ask us (his three sisters) to pray for his peaceful passing. His wife was taking strain and unable to cope anymore. I went to Johannesburg in January of this year to try and facilitate his move into a care home. This was eventually achieved and he was more unhappy than ever.
My brother has often suffered from uncontrollable diarrhoea. Having had a stroke and being partially disabled this presented a new set of problems. He has been hospitalised at least twice to try and get the diarrhoea under control. I must add that all his life he has been one for sugary drinks and most of his adult life, a compulsive eater of biscuits, cakes, puddings, generally high carb (junk) foods. We have also thought for years that he has ADHD because of certain behaviours. He has, by his own confession, said that he is a hypochondriac, and will take medication at the drop of a hat. So the amount of medication consumed over many years, including all the hospitalisations, is exponential.
My brother has lost the will to live and his condition continues to deteriorate. He is now virtually bedridden (refusing to move much if at all), continues to eat junk food and not much else, and has developed bed sores. Most of the time he lies in his own mess with diapers being changed as and when possible. The staff at the care home are battling to keep up with all his requests and demands. He refuses to do anything for himself when, in many cases, he actually can but, understandably, with effort.
His wife has said that the money is running out and that within the next couple of months he will need to move into a government institution at little or no cost. I may be wrong, but this is horrifying to contemplate.
What I am wondering is whether or not there may be a supplement which will assist with calming and sleeping? I’m not sure how much time he has left but perhaps his last days could be spent a bit more peacefully.
Thank you for reading and listening.
Regards
Charmaine
Howick KZN
South Africa
Charmaine
I am sorry to hear about your brother’s struggles. With regards to a supplement that is calming and can help with sleep I’d consider GABA, tryptophan/5-HTP and/or melatonin.
I would want to check vitamin B12 levels because his issues started right after the 2 surgeries – Neurologic degeneration associated with nitrous oxide anesthesia in patients with vitamin B12 deficiency https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8250714/
I would have his medical team check for Clostridium difficile, the most common cause of infectious hospital-acquired diarrhea in developed countries
Thank you Trudy, much appreciated.
I have just returned from Jhb where I visited my brother and interacted with some of the care home staff.
Will definitely try your first suggestion. My sisters and his wife are also keen.
Thanks for getting back to me Trudy. I appreciate your suggestions, but after discussing this with her, my daughter is very private and is not interested in sharing any information or in spending any additional money on supplements. I have to respect her wishes and leave it at that. Maybe at some point she will reconsider. I was glad that she would try the GABA and hope that she will change her mind about doing more in the future. Thanks again.
Mary
I fully understand and do hope she realizes it would have been anonymous. Please do keep us posted if she changes her mind – about considering other supplements and sharing.
One more thought is berberine which helps with the metabolic adverse effects of medications like these.
Trudy,
Thanks for your comment. I have to be careful with trying new things, but did convince my daughter to try 5 HTP because I can get it free with my health care plan. I had her start with one 100 mg tablet 30 minutes before a meal. After a couple of days she said she didn’t think it was working, but I told her she needed to give it a week and then we could increase the dose. I had read that that to start low was a good idea. This morning we had a big breakfast and she was tempted to eat more, but said I felt like I would get sick if I ate more. With her meds she says that she has to eat till she is full. That might have been an epiphany!
She is typically sedentary except for our gym workouts for two hours 3 days a week, where she does 90% cardio and 10% weight training, because she doesn’t like the weight training. She paces the floor inside the house out of restlessness, but will not walk outside if the temp is above 70 degrees because she sweats a lot. I am so thrilled that she will go to the gym with me. She has a tendency to give up on things if they don’t work right away. She has come a long way and I have her trust and do not want to lose it.
What would you recommend to start with Berberine? I will consider adding that at some point if she will agree. I research as much as I can to make sure that nothing is contra-indicated. Her medication is my primary concern and secondarily I am interested in slowing down her weight gain. Also, am I approaching the 5 HTP appropriately? I will have to take things slowly. She is doing so well on her meds and I want to be discrete in my efforts to help her. I will share as I can comfortably do so. I do understand that it is anonymous.
Thank you so much for being there to help. I feel that we might just be finding the missing pieces here and that gives me hope. I pray that a happy, healthy future is ahead of her……
Mary
Mary
Thanks for the additional feedback on 5-HTP – these are great results. Be sure to read the amino acids chapter in my book The Antianxiety Food Solution (https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/) and other blogs here on the site for how I use 5-HTP and the other amino acids – starting low and increasing based on results to find the ideal dose.
Berberine is typically used as 500mg up to 3 x day. Stay tuned for a new blog post on this topic
Hi Judy. I was using evening primrose oil and it was definitely helping with a multitude of things. Are there any issues with using EPO everyday, long term? Thanks.
Zoe
I have many clients use it daily, especially those with pyroluria who have a higher need for GLA. May I ask what it’s helping with and if you have pyroluria?