Somnium Nighttime GABA Cream is a topical GABA product I have been researching and trying personally with success. And folks in my community are reporting good results too. One woman shared this:
Surprisingly this stuff is very strong. I only use a small amount on the inside of my arm and it really helps me sleep better and calm down my nervous system at night. I don’t use it every day, rather I tend to use it when I’ve had a particularly busy or full/stressful day.
I endorse this topical GABA product as something to use in addition to the sublingual, powder, liposomal or opened GABA capsule you may be seeing benefits from OR it may become the one GABA product that works best for your needs – for helping with insomnia, easing physical anxiety and other low GABA symptoms.
I expect it to be beneficial for those with MS (multiple sclerosis), ARFID (Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder), anorexia, Alzheimer’s, autism and special needs children, and if you have severe digestive issues – for anxiety, insomnia and related symptoms.
When to use Somnium and increasing as needed
I do recommend only trialing this GABA cream when you know that GABA does work for you and you are looking for another way to increase GABA levels. I say this because it is more expensive than other GABA products and will only work if GABA is low – so it’s best to be sure.
Also, I have clients use a similar dose when using GABA products interchangeably. Somnium is around 250mg to 500mg for a small pea-size amount (the 1oz jar lasts 45 days, and the 2oz jar lasts 90 days if a pea-sized amount is used nightly.)
When comparing this with the GABA product that is already working for you, don’t forget to compare apples to apples with no confounding influences. So if you still have your period, the time of the month needs to be considered, and diet and other factors like outside stresses of course.
And don’t forget that there is no one size fits all. I have clients increase the amount of GABA when using it as a supplement, in order to find the ideal dose for their unique needs. I use the same logic with the GABA cream – start low and increase as needed.
For nighttime use for improving sleep (and how to use it)
As you’ll see on the website, it’s recommended for nighttime use for improving sleep but I have found there are many more applications (more on these below).
You’ll also see the recommended way to use it is to “Apply a small pea-size amount to skin and massage until absorbed. For best results apply to the back of the ears and the temples before bed time.”
Very quickly after starting to use Somnium myself, I decided I didn’t like using it on the back of my ears and temples, because it’s oily and made my hair greasy.
Rubbing it between my palms and applying some onto my forearms worked as well for my insomnia. Using it on the inner thigh is an option too.
It also helps me with a painful bloated belly and muscle spasms
I’ve also used it for a painful bloated belly at night, rubbed directly on my belly.
And I’ve found it to help back pain/muscle spasms when used directly over the spasming muscle.
(By the way my sublingual GABA product works as well as the GABA cream – I was experimenting with the cream so I could compare the two and offer my feedback.)
An application for specific populations
I also see the application for Somnium GABA cream for specific populations, who may find a cream is a better way to use GABA:
- An aging parent with Alzheimer’s disease (and sundowning agitation/anxiety)
- A person with ARFID (avoidant-restrictive food intake disorder)
- A person with anorexia or other eating disorder
- A child or young adult with autism (with anxiety and sensorimotor issues), a child/adult who struggles with taking supplements and other special needs children/adults
- Someone with multiple sclerosis (for anxiety and muscle spasms/spasticity)
- A person with severe digestive issues and prefers a cream
Low GABA symptoms
As a reminder, if you are new to GABA, it’s an amino acid that helps to address low GABA levels and the associated symptoms: insomnia, physical anxiety, feeling worried or fearful, panic attacks, stiff or tense muscles, feeling stressed and burned-out, craving carbs/alcohol for relaxation and calming, intrusive thoughts, spinning/poor focus, fear of heights, rectal spasms, burning mouth, and visceral pain/belly pain with IBS. See the most current list of low GABA symptoms here.
Is oral GABA not effective?
When I recently shared this GABA cream product someone asked this great question: “Why have I been spending a ton of money on oral GABA if it’s not effective?”
Oral GABA does work and is most effective when it’s used properly i.e. using a capsule opened on to the tongue (and held for at least 2 minutes) or using GABA in powder form on the tongue (and held for at least 2 minutes), or using a sublingual form of GABA. More on all this here – How did you come up with the idea of using GABA on the tongue? (GABA is a calming amino acid supplement used to ease physical anxiety symptoms).
Keep in mind there are many practitioners who are not aware of these methods and will recommend swallowing GABA capsules or tablets. This is not ideal for the majority of clients I have worked with.
There are also some practitioners and consumers who do not believe that any method of oral GABA works (swallowed or using the above approaches) or even that topical GABA works.
The important thing is this: if you do have low GABA symptoms and get symptom relief when you use GABA, you can ignore the naysayers. Better yet, shout it from the rooftops so more people get to learn about the amazing amino acid GABA and get results too!
My recommendation is to first experiment with oral GABA (used as above) and then consider Somnium when you know how GABA benefits you and how much is helping.
A few of the negatives
Here are a few of the negatives: You don’t know exactly how much GABA you’re getting (it’s a proprietary formulation but I suspect it’s 250mg to 500mg for a small pea-size amount); towards the end of the jar it does start to separate a bit/get clumpy; it’s pricey but it does go a long way.
However, it works!
The benefits of combing GABA with chondroitin sulfate
Dr. Christine Schaffner helped formulate the product and shares this about combining GABA with chondroitin sulfate:
Now individually, GABA and Chondroitin Sulfate have their respective health benefits. But when you combine these 2 compounds, something AMAZING happens.
You might’ve heard the phrase, ‘your skin is the antenna of your body’. It’s a fancy way of saying that your skin absorbs everything.
When you combine the 2 compounds… the absorption happens faster than with any other GABA cream on the market. And since chondroitin sulfate is known to pass the blood brain barrier, it’s as if the GABA has hopped on a super-highway straight to your brain.
Here is some feedback from a few of her Somnium customers:
I was waiting to share until I had more than one great night’s sleep after using Somnium Nighttime Gaba Cream. I now have had several nights of deep sleep and the only thing I changed was the sleep cream. It had been years since I slept straight through 7 – 8 hours. I feel SO rested when I get up. Wow!! – Candace
It works! I LOVE gaba and am familiar with how it feels. It’s especially nice to be able to get it in cream form. I’ve been sleeping much more deeply. – Jaya
Click here to get Somnium GABA Cream (and use my coupon code TRUDY15 to save 15%).
Have you used Somnium GABA cream with success? How has it helped and how do you use it?
How does it compare with other GABA products you have used (feel free to share specific brands and how you used them – swallowed, sublingual, opened or powder).
Feel free to post your questions here too.
Thanks for the notification about the sale on this product. I’d wanted to try it for a long time, but the price kept me from doing it. I spend a substantial amount on supplements already, which get more and more expensive. Anyway, I was excited to see the sale, so jumped on to buy a jar at 25% off, but sadly, the shipping bumps the price almost back up to the non-sale price. Thanks anyway. Your blog and emails are very very helpful in so many ways. Plus I love seeing the nature and outdoor photos you include!
Lorie
Yes shipping will often do that. If the GABA product you are currently using is working as expected then I’d continue to use that one. And do let us know what product and how it helps? and how you use it – capsule opened, powder, liposomal or swallowed?
Thanks for the lovely feedback about my blog, emails and nature photos 🙂
Gaba Calm used to be my go to for daytime mood, but I realized the tyrosine might be too stimulating by nightfall with my COMT snp. And gaba, conversely, can also make me tired, so I now use tablets at night, some mixed with theanine and other cofactors. Staying asleep still eludes me, but I combine several things like the Lidtke tryptophan, gaba, etc to make it 5-7 hrs.
Also, thanks to your articles, I keep small lozenges handy everywhere in case I get a choking throat spasm from something sweet (even peppermint gum can trigger throat closure). I’ve also been experimenting with liposomal gaba on a calf muscle that stays clenched after hiking or line dance. That’s what I was hoping to try Somnium for. It would be fun if they had sample or travel sizes to try first. I have learned so much from you!!
Lori
Glad to hear you have found a combination like tryptophan, theanine and GABA help at night. Sleep is tricky and there can be so many causes of insomnia. Finding the right dose of amino acids is where I start, plus different forms of melatonin. Then we look at high cortisol, gluten/sugar/caffeine/alcohol intake, SIBO, poor fat digestion/oxalates, hormone imbalances, EMFs/blue light etc
So glad to hear GABA Calm helps with the choking throat spasms too. Interesting about using liposomal GABA topically on a calf muscle – why not! Is it helping (and which product).
What was the shipping and to which country? I will mention it to Dr. Schaffner’s team as a number of folks have raised this concern. And will mention sample sizes too.
You said this goes a long way, about how long does it last if using a pea size nightly??? 1 ounce does not sound like a very big container???
Jolene
My container is the 2oz one (the 1oz container is pretty new) and it lasted me over a year with intermittent use. I’d expect the 2oz jar to last 3 months with nightly use. I think I’ve heard Dr. Schaffner say that but will confirm.
Jolene
I heard back from Dr Schaffner’s team: 1oz lasts 45 days, and 2oz lasts 90 days if a pea-sized amount is used nightly.
Hi, so many alternative providers have told me to be careful and not get “hooked” on taking amino acids!!! This really surprised me. They are amino acids, what could be bad? I don’t understand the reticence!
Please advise.
Paula
I’m aware there are many practitioners who don’t understand the optimal way to use amino acids as supplements (but this is slowly starting to change – which is wonderful!). However saying be careful you don’t get “hooked” on amino acids is really surprising to me too! Can you share a few examples of types of practitioners who have said this to you?
And your experience with using amino acids – personally and professionally?
Thank you for your honest review and description of this product. I tried it as well and I feel it is a poor delivery system. You really don’t know the amount you are getting plus the product had separated. And who wants grease behind the ears? I was not happy with it.. the dosing becomes a guess. What a shame! Mary
Mary
Thanks for your feedback. I did find using it on my hands and forearms worked well and none of the ears/face greasiness.
Can you share what form of GABA you do use and how it helps?
hi Trudy
I’ve taken a chance and ordered the GABA cream (but yes, the shipping cost is ridiculous considering it’s just a 2-ounce container). What I’m especially interested, besides addressing anxiety and poor quality of sleep, is how this product might give additional relief for disordered eating(compulsive binging). You mentioned anorexic but I’d like to know more
thx so much
ANONYMOUS
Ermelindis
All the amino acids help with sugar/alcohol cravings and disordered eating including complusive bingeing, bulimia and anorexia. It’s a matter of finding which one is relevant. I mention anorexia specifically because those with the condition are afraid to ingest any food or supplements – so a topical GABA may be a good alternative when GABA levels are low.
When you are new to the amino acids, I highly recommend my book, The Antianxiety Food Solution. It has an entire chapter on the amino acids and all the diet and lifestyle changes for easing anxiety and helping with sleep – much of which can be applied to compulsive eating too. More here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/
Please do keep us posted on how you like the GABA cream.
What did you pay for shipping and to which country? I can mention it to Dr. Schaffner’s team.
You sign your question anon – let me know if you’d like to me to delete your name
My sister and I have both been using GABA Complex by Natural Creations. Then, I read in Suffered Long Enough by Bill Rawls, MD that GABA should be used with caution because it would deplete the body’s ability to make natural GABA. Well, it seems to me that if we had enough natural GABA we wouldn’t need to use it in the first place. However, it did make me wonder if what he wrote is right. What do you think about this?
Carollynn
I’m not familiar with this book or the author but I have seen so evidence to this effect – in the research or clinically. A quick search on his site and he actually mentions GABA so it may be what he believed in 2014.
How is GABA Complex helping you and your sister? And how much do you use? And swallowed or opened on to the tongue? I see this is also a proprietary blend (L-Taurine, Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) (PharmaGABA), L-Glycine, L-Theanine Extract 99%, Lemon Balm Extract, 5-HTP).
I’d like to try this product but am concerned about the ingredients aside from the GABA and the Chondroitin. What is your opinion on the excipient ingredients, please? Thank you, Anita
Anita
I did look into the other ingredients (I used the EWG site to check each one) and there were no concerns for me. That said, if someone reacts to a specific ingredient then this product is not advised.
What about the sulfur or sulfate? I’d like to use this product for sleep but I can’t process sulfates or sulfur.
Denise
I have not had any feedback about this being an issue and suspect the chondroitin sulfate would provide only a tiny amount. However, it’s a pricey product to test so another GABA product may be the best for someone who is very sensitive.
I personally don’t do well with sulfates in foods but am fine with this cream – but that’s just me
I’m thinking fo trying the GABA creme (because I already have to use enough water before bed! And also using L Theanine too-maybe couple times a day for calming and focus. (Insomnia . And my sleep cycle is backwards —low light. Last 3 yrs staying at home per Dr to save myself from Covid.
(I take BP medicine). My journey now is surviving & learning from crises in most life’s major areas–much stemming from effects of 2 bad fires in 10 months in our bldg. & loss of my nearest & dearest (last of my family) this yr. So if I can swing it I ‘d get your L Theanine too.I
Sometime I can share w/you about an herbal supplement I use but not sure where is the appropriate place for that.
Brooke
I am sorry for your loss and the fires.
Please keep us posted if you do use the Somnium and feel free to share the herbal info here
Hi, Trudy. thanks for what you do! I’m looking to add the topical GABA for
my 10 yr old who suffers from AFID and multiple dx. We’ve done soo many of the things holistically to heal him but how can you heal most if you cannot or will not eat well or even enough to grow?! All his diagnosis are severe anxiety disorders on top of being highly gifted. We are not medicating. He was also considered to be a PANDAS child and that has mostly healed.
Shawna
I’m sorry to hear about your 10 year old. I feel this GABA cream is an excellent option for children (and adults) with ARFID. I’m sure you saw the link to the ARFID blog post but here it is again https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/how-to-alleviate-the-fear-and-anxiety-associated-with-choking-and-vomiting-in-avoidant-restrictive-food-intake-disorder-arfid/
As you can read in that blog, the anxiety may be due to low GABA so a trial of Somnium is worth it even if it doesn’t eliminate all the fears/anxiety and opens the possibility to eating some new foods. The next imbalance I address is low serotonin (amongst other causes like high cortisol, parasites etc) and low zinc/low magnesium.
Please keep us posted on how you do
And my book is a great resource when you are new to the amino acids – The Antianxiety Food Solution https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/
Thanks so much for your reply! Yes, we done some nutritional healing, serotonin and dopamine are definitely factors but once again…he has about 3 to 5 rotating safe foods on a good day. I’ll update when possible.
Hi Trudy,
Thanks for your blog and generous sharing of information including your personal journey.
I’m successfully using GABA with reduced anxiety and improved sleep. I would now like to experiment with adding Somnium GABA to my current holistic program to reduce my hiatus hernia.
I am naturally symptom free and all that remains is to get some further relaxation that could result in a drop of my stomach. What are your thoughts on using it for this purpose?
Anna
Glad to hear GABA is being used with success for anxiety and sleep! That is a good clue that GABA cream is worth considering
With a sliding hiatal hernia that responds well to manual adjustments and/or reduced stress/anxiety and possibly also when GABA is used sublingually, I suspect topical GABA above or below the hiatal hernia may help. But I honestly have no experience with this and am intrigued by the possibility for such an application. Please do keep me posted if you decide to try it.
And you’re most welcome! As you can tell I love to experiment myself and learn and then share. And also share the successes of others.
Hello Trudy,
I was wondering if Gaba would be useful for someone, like me, who has anxiety and also has GI issues. I have IBS and diverticulitis and have read anxiety can cause flare ups, have you heard this, how would I use it for that condition? I have some Pharma Gaba right now for anxiety which I find helps, would like to know what is the difference between it and regular Gaba. I also have your Source Naturals and liked it best but can’t use it because of the tyrosine, what other brand would you recommend? Also I noticed a mention of burning mouth and Gaba, my husband has this and doctor’s are no help. If you think it helps that problem how would he use it?
Thanks, your blogs are such a great help for all of us
Diane
Anxiety is common with GI issues and addressing both with GABA does help with flare ups, bloating and pain – and ease the anxiety which can make things worse.
When GABA or pharmaGABA helps with anxiety, I’d consider a topical GABA like this Somnium product or using a sublingual, powder, liposomal or opened GABA capsule. I list a number of GABA products on the supplements blog here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/amino-acids-pyroluria-supplements/
More about pharmaGABA here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/pharmagaba-vs-gaba-when-you-have-histamine-issues-mcas-does-pharmagaba-ease-physical-anxiety-or-make-things-worse/
Burning mouth can have many triggers but sublingual GABA has been shown to help – I share more here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/gaba-oral-rinse-reduces-burning-mouth-pain/
My book is a great resource when you are new to the amino acids and are looking for a comprehensive dietary approach– The Antianxiety Food Solution https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/
Hi Trudy,
Just wondering if you know anything about a product called phenibut HCI for sleep?
Thanks for all your help!
Andrea
Yes I do and do not recommend it under any circumstances. In 2019 there was a move to remove it as an over-the-counter product – I share more here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/phenibut-for-anxiety-and-insomnia-fda-warns-3-companies-to-cease-distribution-of-their-products/
And this excerpt from a paper:
“Over the last several years, multiple case reports have highlighted phenibut’s potential to produce the conditions of physical dependence, withdrawal, and addiction. In cases involving intoxication, patients have presented with a varying degree of mental status changes, from being minimally responsive to manifesting symptoms of an agitated delirium. Phenibut is a potent psychoactive substance with GABAB agonist properties, which is emerging as a drug of misuse through growing internet sales. Its marketing as a “dietary supplement” is inaccurate and misleading, given its pharmacological profile and ability to induce the physiological changes associated with withdrawal and physical dependence.”
I am surprised it’s still available and would appreciate hearing where/product name/link? And how you learned about it? I’d like to address this via a new in-depth blog.
My recommendation for low GABA symptoms of physical anxiety, insomnia (and other symptoms listed on this blog) is a topical GABA product such as Somnium or the amino acid GABA used as a sublingual, powder, liposomal or opened GABA capsule.
question. can I take this with biologic kevzara which I am on for rheumatoid arthritis]? thank you.
Jamie
Are you wanting to use it in certain areas for additional pain relief? Is yes, please share where? This may be an additional application for the cream that I had not yet identified.
I’m not aware of any interactions with GABA but always have clients discuss with their prescribing doctor so they can be monitored. And often the way to go is starting with GABA used as a sublingual or capsule opened to make sure GABA will help.
With RA we also addressing dietary factors with an Autoimmune-Paleo (AIP) approach (for starters).
Hi Trudy
I have multiple illnesses … been i’ll for 35 years.. My question is can i use this gabba cream when i am taking gabapentin? I was put on 900mg a day whilst in hospital after an accident. Extensive metalwork etc , for pain… i also have horrific insomnia and pain. i have got it down to 400mg a day i would prefer not to be on it but it seemed to help my rls and pain and insomnia combined with a cocktail of other drugs in hospital…. i am barely surviving on about 15hrs a week at the moment… I am also on 30mg of amitriptyline at night have been for years to help with sleep…it doesn’t but stops some nerve spasms in my legs..
I don’t have an active mind going over and over things at night but i am hyper alert all the time..so just can’t let go.. this has got much worse since the accident and then straight into covid.
Thank you for all the info you put out there.
Lynne
.
Lynne
I am sorry to hear. I have clients discuss with their prescribing doctor so they can be monitored. And often the way to go is starting with GABA used as a sublingual or capsule opened to make sure GABA will help.
With pain we also look into low endorphins and do a trial of DPA – more here – Wean off prescription pain medication, improve sleep and reduce emotional eating with DPA (an endorphin-boosting amino acid) https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/wean-off-prescription-pain-medication-improve-sleep-and-reduce-emotional-eating-with-dpa-an-endorphin-boosting-amino-acid/
Hi Trudy,
Thank you so much for your honest feedback on Somnium. I really appreciate being able to learn from your 1st hand experience with it. I was considering purchasing the product because I do noticed that I hold lot of a physical tension at night and sometimes I wake up in pain as a result. However looking at the ingredients list, I am always cautious of ingredients that have a number in them (i.e. in this case polyglyceryl-3 ) and also preservatives like potassium sorbate, especially when applying a product to my skin. I’m curious what your take is on these ingredients?
Jill
I did check all the ingredients and was satisfied with the outcome eg. polyglyceryl-3 is a 1 on EWG and potassium sorbate is considered safe in skin care products. For folks who are super sensitive some of the ingredients may be an issue and mixing GABA powder with water is another topical option. Of course, oral GABA used sublingually, liposomally, as a powder or capsule opened are all options too.
And you are most welcome!
Hi! I have learned so much from your blog. Thank you for all of the info you share.
I am wondering if my 9 yr old can use this during the day vs at night? He is similar to a comment above as far as picky eating. My son has a carb heavy diet that centers only around certain foods. He recently added corn on the cob and artichokes.
I don’t recall if ARFID was part of his diagnosis. He has SPD/GAD. His anxiety is causing school refusal and a lot of angry outbursts. I suspect PANDAS but his primary care dr doesn’t think he has that (I might try a different path). He doesn’t have a problem with sleep, it is mostly in the day. He has tried GABA here and there but can’t get past the flavor of the chewable so Has never taken it consistently. A few years ago he tested for zinc and was not deficient at that point. I have a magnesium oil roller I have been trying to apply but not very consistent with that. I did find that he will take Nordic Naturals vitamin C gummies so we have been doing that for about a week. I have been considering those patches that release ashwaghanda and L Theanine, etc. At this point, anything since do has to be topical.
Or would applying this at night help him through the day?
Any thoughts on this would be great. Thank you!
Devon
I’ve had many individuals use it with success in the day to help with low GABA physical anxiety. With children I start really low (like 1/4 of the pea-size amount recommended) and increase the amount and timing from there based on symptoms. We use sublingual GABA in a similar way so when this has helped in the past it’s a good clue GABA cream will help.
When the carb cravings are driven by low GABA//stress/physical anxiety, a GABA cream can help reduce those too.
Anger is typically associated with low serotonin but can often be low GABA too. More here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/gaba-helps-ease-symptoms-of-anger-rage-and-dark-moods-symptoms-we-typically-associate-with-low-serotonin/
Keep in mind blood testing for zinc is not accurate. And both zinc and magnesium help with neurotransmitter production.
Please do share feedback if this does help your son and don’t give up finding a good doctor if you suspect PANDAS).
My book is a great resource for really understanding the amino acids and all the fundamentals dietary information https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/
If you need additional support be sure to sign up to get on the notification list for when we relaunch the GABA program https://www.anxietynutritioninstitute.com/gabaquickstart/
Wow. Thank you for the quick response and the links.
The zinc test was that oral test where you take a few drops and it either tastes bad or tastes like water. Are those accurate? I also know it was a long time ago and things can change. So giving the topical magnesium a try as he won’t swallow a capsule.
Thank you so much!
I am really hopeful that the cream will help him attain a little more peace in his days. ❤️
Devon
I do find the zinc challenge/taste test to be reliable and use it in conjunction with symptoms and low alk phos.
Topical magnesium and topical GABA are great optins. I’d love to hear how he’s been doing with these?
Hi. I actually just ordered the topical cream right now. I will come back and let you know. I am excited to try it! Thank you for the discount code!
Devon
Great – please do let us know how it goes. I’m actually going to share your question as a new blog post as a great application for GABA cream and to give other moms hope and ideas. I’ll share some additional info and the new blog link here. And I’ll update it with your results once I hear back.
How did the topical magnesium help?
And what is his current diet like – you mentioned carb heavy foods. It will be helpful to track and see if this shifts too.
Devon
Here is the new blog https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/how-to-use-gaba-cream-for-a-9-year-old-boy-who-is-anxious-has-sensory-issues-is-a-picky-eater-and-has-anger-outbursts/
I hope it’s helpful for you