GABA, used as an amino acid, helps to raise GABA levels and ease physical tension-type anxiety. There are many misunderstandings on the best and most effective ways to use GABA and this can lead to unpleasant symptoms. One common thing I see is that too much GABA causes the brain and body to react with a tingling niacin-like flush sensation that is very uncomfortable and often described as awful.
Too many people stop using GABA for this reason. And then they lose out on the wonderful calming benefits of this amino acid. Some folks actually push through and continue with the unpleasant tingling sensation because they don’t know better and because they are also getting some of the calming benefits of GABA (I share an example of this below). Neither situation is ideal.
I recently received a GABA question on the blog on this very topic. It was from a licensed acupuncturist in California, USA (let’s call her Dr. M):
When I used to take GABA for my stress, my body/brain reacted with a tingling sensation.
It was so awkward and uncomfortable.
I thought it was only me, but when I prescribed GABA to my patients, they also felt the same sensations.
Can you tell me why this reaction occurred?
Thank you so much for your generosity and deep research.
Because this is such a common question that I get, I’m sharing it and my responses to use it as a teaching opportunity.
Too much GABA can cause this uncomfortable tingling niacin-like flush or sensation
I responded sharing that it can happen when too much GABA is used or if GABA is not needed. I typically hear of this happening when 500mg to 750mg is used to start. It’s also often described as a niacin-like flush. With GABA, 125mg is a typical starting dose and it’s always used as a sublingual or capsule opened onto the tongue. We slowly go up from there based on symptoms and the final dose is unique to each person’s needs. You may end up using 500mg or more but it’s a slow approach to get there.
I asked Dr. M to share which product/s she used, the dosing and let me know if she does better with a lower dose.
As expected she was using too high a dose (and hadn’t done a trial of a lower dose). She responded with this feedback:
The GABA I used for me and my patients is from Pure Encapsulations. This GABA contains 700 mg per capsule, which may be too much for the start.
Which brand would you recommend for practitioner use?
I responded by confirming that 700 mg GABA is way too much to start for most people.
What product and how much to use instead of 700 mg GABA
I like the Pure Encapsulations product but I actually feel the companies are partially at fault for having such high dose products, stating “1 capsule daily, between meals, or as directed by a health professional” on the label, and not educating practitioners and consumers about this issue.
With a product like this I have clients open up the capsule and start with 125 mg GABA powder on the tongue and increase from there as needed.
I also shared the other GABA products I use in case she would prefer to try something like the Source Naturals GABA Calm product I frequently use with clients.
This is a lozenge that contains 125 mg GABA, 5 mg magnesium, 50 mg glycine, 25 mg tyrosine and 20 mg taurine. This is my most popular and most effective form of GABA I use with my clients. [Note: this product is a lozenge with 125mg GABA and is not to be confused with the Source Naturals, GABA Calm Mind, 750 mg tablets]
I’m waiting for feedback from her to hear how using less of the 700 mg GABA (opened up and divided out) or how using another GABA product works for her and her patients.
I do appreciate Dr. M for asking a tough question like this and being open to me sharing so everyone gets to learn.
Where did Dr. M learn about GABA and some resources for additional practitioner education
I did ask Dr. M where she learned about using GABA and if the recommendation was to use a high dose like this. I’m genuinely curious to know so I can help guide further education in the use of GABA.
Of course, I encouraged her to get my book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” and read the chapter on the amino acids. And to consider signing up for the amino acid training for practitioners. There are many nuances and best practices when using the amino acids. And it’s an opportunity to interact with me and other practitioners who are also using the amino acids.
If you’re a practitioner, I’m hoping this question, my feedback and these resources are helpful for you.
Similar niacin-like flush experienced by Holly
As mentioned above this is a very common issue because most GABA products are 500mg and up and folks hear how amazing GABA is for physical anxiety and use a high dose without understanding they need to start low and use only what they need.
I shared my discussion with Dr. M in a Facebook post and Holly responded with what happened to her when she switched from GABA Calm (which has 125 mg GABA) to a 750 mg GABA product:
I experienced the niacin-like flush when I tried to go from GABA Calm [mostly dissolved in my mouth] to a pill form and didn’t realize the dosage would be way too high all at one time. The pill was 750 mg GABA [and swallowed with food], so it wasn’t going to work well anyway.
The flush lasted about 15-20 minutes. It was awful. I was sure I was going to throw up every time.
It took me a couple of weeks to figure out the cause. My therapist recommended your website and book and those helped me understand when to take it and why it would help.
When I eliminated the 750 mg GABA pill the symptoms completely went away.
Now I stick to GABA Calm. I take one in the morning and one before bed and sometimes one midday.
I appreciate Holly for sharing and I’m glad her and her therapist figured it out.
Resources if you are new to using GABA as a supplement
If you are new to using the the amino acids GABA as supplements, here is the Amino Acids Mood Questionnaire from The Antianxiety Food Solution (you can see the low GABA and other low neurotransmitter symptoms)
In case you’re new to the low GABA-type of anxiety, with low GABA levels you may experience physical-tension and stiff-and-tense-muscles, panic attacks, more physical tension in certain settings like public speaking or driving. You will often have the need to self-medicate to calm down, often with alcohol but sometimes with carbs and sugary foods.
Insomnia can also be caused by low GABA and you’ll experience physical tension in bed at night rather than the ruminating thoughts which is the low serotonin type of insomnia (although it’s not uncommon to experience both.) GABA also helps with muscle spasms and pain relief when muscles are tight.
If you suspect low levels of GABA or low serotonin 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.
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 GABA products that I use with my individual clients and those in my group programs.
Get guidance in the GABA QuickStart Program
If you don’t feel comfortable reading my book, doing the low GABA symptoms questionnaire and doing trials of GABA on your own, you can get guidance from me in the GABA Quickstart Program.
We have an active and engaged community in the private Facebook group and there are 2 live Q & A calls with me.
One of the recent participants shared this lightbulb moment after starting with GABA Calm in the day and then shifting to 250 mg GABA at night only:
Listening to the GABA Quickstart made me realize something about the Source Naturals GABA Calm with the bit of tyrosine. I bought the NOW GABA powder and last night took 250mg (1/8 tsp and I have tiny measuring spoons) and woke up great.
I think I found my dose of GABA and I don’t think after my trial I’m a GABA in the day girl.
Have you used a high dose of GABA to start (or switched to a higher dose like Holly did) and experienced this unpleasant niacin-like flush?
How much caused this tingling sensation for you and how unpleasant was it? Did you push through and continue using the high dose? Or did you figure it out and use less? How long did it take you to figure it out?
Maybe you quit using GABA because of something like this – do you now feel inspired to try again?
If you’ve had success with using GABA please do share too.
If you’re a practitioner where did you learn about using GABA and was the recommendation was to use a high dose like 500 mg or 750 mg to start?
Feel free to ask your questions here too.
Be sure to share which product you used, how much you used and if you have low GABA symptoms.
I was so looking forward to finally finding something to help me sleep. But when I took GABA (700mg) around 7pm one night, I did not sleep hardly at all. What “sleep” I did get was what I call surface sleep, like I’m awake and asleep at the same time, like I had too much coffee and too much alcohol at the same time. Melatonin does the same thing to me. My whole body felt like it was buzzing and wired and tired. I really really really need help with my insomnia, it is out of control. Believe me when I tell you I have tried absolutely everything – prescription and over the counter. Every herb that is supposed to calm your body doesn’t work either. It is like everything I have tried does the exact opposite of what it is intended.
I have exactly the same problems!!!! EXACTLY! Please let me know if you find some help and solutions!!!
Thanks, Millie
Millie
Please see my response to Dee Dee
HI Dee Dee,
I had the same experience. I needed something natural to sleep, but I kept waking up & dozing off, similar to your surface sleep. it was like this several times during the night.
I also felt the tingling after taking the GABA.
I did some research & read this was normal. I hope you’re feeling better.
Rachel
Tingling after taking GABA is not normal and I have clients use a lower dose
Dee Dee
I’m sorry to hear but this is exactly what this article is about – how too much GABA can cause an adverse reaction. Some folks describe it as a tingling, niacin-like flush and some may say it felt like “I had too much coffee and too much alcohol at the same time.” I have clients try less GABA (we start with 125mg) and go up from there.
With insomnia I always start with addressing low serotonin with tryptophan (ideally Lidtke brand) and low GABA with GABA (ideally sublingually and starting with 125mg).
Next we also look at high cortisol, SIBO, parasites, blood sugar balance, gluten/sugar/caffeine consumption (and other dietary factors like histamine/glutamates/oxalates and collagen consumption etc), meds side-effects, sex hormone imbalances, sleep apnea and EMFs when someone has problems sleeping.
My book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” is a great place to start for much of this. More here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/
Does tryptophan cause flushing also or any other side effects? I have been getting skin flushed more often than usual since I started tryptophan.. I started getting flushed after eating particular foods about 1.5 years ago (a long time before I tried tryptophan) – since tryptophan I’ve been getting randomly flushed after foods I always eat. I started taking 2.5g tryptophan before bed since December (prescription) for insomnia/anxiety as well as 10mg zopiclone (I started at 500mg tryptophan and increased very gradually to this dosage – at 3g I get vertigo).
I have been in chronic fight-flight for 10+ years (as well as chronic pain and increasingly more intolerances to foods) so if I don’t take zopiclone at night I will lie awake for days on end. Since taking the Tryptophan my sleep is a bit deeper, but still not restful and without the zopiclone I will still not sleep. Do you have any thoughts and/or suggestions? |
Also, would it be reasonable to add in a low dose GABA? I tried it before the tryptophan, but I think I started too high because I got headaches and it made my sleep worse.
TC
Tryptophan is not known to cause flushing but since it is fermented it’s possible it’s a histamine reaction. Based on your comments I’d suspect food intolerances or an issue with high histamine foods or salicylates, I have clients keep a food mood log do they can track when it happens. Ideally we figure that out so sleep meds are no longer needed.
I’m sure you’re aware that zopiclone is one of the z-drugs, is not recommended for long term use and can have similar tolerance and tapering issues as benzodiazepines.
I can’t offer any input on the use of tryptophan or GABA with this drug and best is to discuss with prescribing doctor and/or pharmacist.
Please note that the product I said I took with GABA is True Calm by Now with 200mg GABA and other amino acids.
That’s classic adrenal fatigue Dr Lam has info on that. It’s called paradoxical reaction The thing you take does the opposite. For adrenal cure slowly go off all caffeine and coffee for life. No more at all ever. Take about two months to wean or use the protocol in caffeine blues. (The book). Then eat a diverse natural foods diet including everything you can. If you have any food allergies of course work with that. They will end up leaving when your well. Then try and be as patient as you can. Only use screens when you absolulty have to. Love as natural as you can. Eat natural earth our daily get daylight rest even if it’s impossible. Just lay there at night. Sleep will come. From what you describe by your symptoms healing will take about 2-3 years and will be up and down. Stick with it.
Anni
This is not a paradoxical reaction but thanks for sharing the adrenal advice
I was told to try gaba and purchased an 1000mg capsule off amazon. I made the big mistake of not checking with a doctor first, and ended up having severe overdose issues as i took it for 2-3 weeks PRN for anxiety. I had the issues mentioned below and the brain fog /muscle weakness is so bad I have not been able to function. My PCP and other docs aren’t familiar with GABA dosing and even being off it for days now I am still suffering. I have been researching professionals who are educated in GABA for some guidance.
Erin
Sorry to hear. Sadly taking too much is very common and many doctors are not aware either. I do wish supplement companies would change their labels. For future reference, I tell my clients to never push through for 2-3 weeks when having adverse symptoms – they stop immediately and use 100mg vitamin C to flush it from their system. Can you share which product you used as muscle weakness and ongoing symptoms after stopping GABA is unusual?
Wow, that is awful. Have you looked into an EMF meter to find out if EMF, dirty electricity, or some other type of local radiation in or around your home is affecting you? The problem could be external.
Have you tried the Butekyo method? £200 for the beginners course. Look up Learn butekyo. Completely cured my insomnia. Takes some work. But it works!
Also, Liposomal GABA that breaks down in your intestines instead of your gut, will not give the Niacin flush feeling at all. Regardless of your protein levels.
The niacin flush feeling is a direct result of not having enough protein. Its needed to properly break down. If you get the tingling feeling its because you need more protein. Its that simple. Keep your protein levels good and you will not get the feeling at all even with a very large dose. Took me ages to learn this as it always puzzled me. I take 1500MG’s 3-4 times a day too. Take it with a healthy dose of protein and you’ll never have an issue I can’t imagine a tiny dose like 125mg’s doing much of anything for anyone. But again I need a crazy amount
Ever been prescribed a fluroquinolone antibiotic? I took Levaquin in 2018 and it nearly killed me with anxiety and sleeplessness. I got over it for the most part but it can last for YEARS for other people. I know the surface sleep all too well. I think there’s the possibility we get pulsed from either 5G towers or satellites as a form of microwave torture too.
Have you tried taping your mouth? My sleep problems went away when I taped my mouth, and used nose dilators.
Hi Trudy–When I take even 1/4th or less of the Thorne 100mg GABA capsule I experience itching and have difficulty waking up the next morning. Is GABA out for me as an option?
Jane
I believe the Thorne 100mg is pharmaGABA and not GABA. PharamGABA is fermented and the itching can be due to a histamine reaction. If someone also reacts to high histamine foods like sauerkraut, aged cheeses that would be a clue. In this case GABA is a better choice if low GABA symptoms are present.
I BEGAN USING 750MG GABA AT BEDTIME TO HELP WITH INSOMNIA. IT DID ENABLE SLEEP FOR LONGER PERIODS OF TIME FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS THEN IT STOPPED. I HAD NO NIACIN LIKE FLUSH AND HAD NEVER TAKEN IT BEFORE. I JUST STOPPED TAKING IT
Nancy
I think you’re saying 750mg GABA helped you sleep initially and then stopped working. This could happen due to added stress, dietary changes or changes in the seasons (for example we often need more in winter https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-seasonality-of-gaba-worsening-anxiety-insomnia-and-intrusive-thoughts-in-winter-and-the-need-for-increased-gaba-supplementation/)
I have been using GABA Calm off and on for three or four years but I always swallowed the entire capsule except when I use the 500mg lozenge which I melt in my mouth. I did not know that the capsule should be opened and put on the tongue. I never got any adverse reaction from either method. What do you think?
Steve
I can’t comment when I don’t know what products you’re referring to. Please share links, dosing of both and if these products are helping with low GABA symptoms.
When I tried GABA I got instant and extreme migraine. I might also have had tingling, but it was over-shadowed by the shooting pain in my head. Has anyone else reported that?
Me, too! A very painful, unusual migraine, too.
Dasha
Please see my response to Thea. Please do share what product you used and the dose. And if you have histamine reactions to high histamine foods.
Thea
If it was PharamGABA you used (rather than GABA) keep in mind it is fermented and a migraine can be due to a histamine reaction. If someone also reacts to high histamine foods like sauerkraut, aged cheeses that would be a clue. In this case GABA is a better choice if low GABA symptoms are present.
Please do share what product you used and the dose.
I have started taking 1/4 teaspoon of GaBa powder at night …I think I sleep with a few less wake ups through the night…2 or 3 instead of every 2 hours…..no other symptoms. There is no indications on the GABA container giving the dosage so I am not sure if I am taking too little and I’m not sure how many mg in a teaspoon.
Sue
It’s wonderful that GABA seems to be helping with fewer wakings in the night. It’s always good to know how much you are taking. I recommend contacting the company to find out as it can differ by product. For example, NOW GABA powder is 500 mg for 1/4 Level Teaspoon.
I really want to try GABA. I’m concerned about the reactions I read about but would love to know if this is a natural solution for me. I’ve been on 400mb of Gabapentin (don’t know if there’s a correlation) for 20 years and I’m weaning off of it. To know that there’s an option to move toward would be hopeful.
MC
It really depends on symptoms that are needing to be addressed and why gabapentin was prescribed. That said many folks find they are able to find symptom relief with GABA once they have stopped using gabapentin.
The best way to determine if someone may have low GABA is to look at the low GABA symptoms, rate them on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being worst, do a trial of GABA and rate the symptoms again right afterwards (in the next 2 to 30 minutes).
Here are the symptoms https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/amino-acids-mood-questionnaire-from-the-antianxiety-food-solution/
I always start with the questionnaire/symptoms and a trial of GABA if there are low GABA symptoms i.e. physical anxiety.
When you are new to the amino acids my book and/or GABA Quickstart program are recommended
I have all the signs of low GABA. But I took it for a week and seemed to have a paradoxical reaction. Severe migraine and unable to sleep for a week! It was crazy.
Dasha
If it was PharamGABA you used (rather than GABA) keep in mind it is fermented and a migraine can be due to a histamine reaction. If someone also reacts to high histamine foods like sauerkraut, aged cheeses that would be a clue. In this case GABA is a better choice when low GABA symptoms are present.
Please do share what product you used and the dose.
Trudy- I understand you recommend the sublingual Gaba–I believe it contains sorbitol, which I think is NOT a good products, and possibly would give me reactions. Is there a sub lingual product more pure??
Hi Trudy,
I so appreciate all you do! I started out with the Source Naturals GABA Calm to help during my tapers from Benzos but found that biting off about a third of the lozenge and letting it melt sublingually was enough for me on a very small slow taper. My doctor has now recommended I stop tapering and stay at a lower maintenance dose since I am in my late 70s and quality of life is more important than complete abstinence.
I also take 300 – 500 mg 5-HTP+ and about 180mg GABA from a capsule at bedtime as I have NO circadian rhythm at all! I have a diagnosis of CFS/ME and am constantly dozing off with no warning during the day. I weigh around 80 pounds (30 less than I should) and would love your recommendation on how to stay awake during the day!
Helen
Wonderful to hear that just a third of the Source Naturals GABA Calm lozenge (presumably the one with 125mg GABA) helped your benzo taper. And that 5-HTP and 180mg GABA is helping you sleep at night.
I honestly don’t believe there are good reasons for long-term benzo use, even at a low dose. And would be concerned it’s a factor in CFS/ME and falling asleep in the day, plus the increased risk of dementia. Check out the physical symptoms here https://benzo.org.uk/FAQ1.1.htm#9
With daytime sleepiness we also look at how well night-time sleep is, low iron levels, low catchecholamines (and a trial of tyrosine), thyroid health, gluten and other food sensitivities, Lyme, mold toxcity, SIBO, low blood sugar and adrenals (esp with no circadian rhythm) etc.
Trudy~~I took some GABA for the first time several years ago. Unfortunately, I’m not sure just how much I took, or what brand, but it was a capsule that both of my sisters had been taking with success. I am sensitive to things so took only a small portion of the capsule. Within a couple of hours I developed what you must be describing as a niacin flush but, with me, it was a flush on overload. It started on my chest & spread up to my face. Felt like my skin was on fire & it itched. I ended up going to an urgent care clinic 24 hours later where I was prescribed steroids to get rid of the allergic reaction. I’ve shunned anything with GABA in it ever since but I am so glad to read that there are different types & dosages & that reactions do occur with too much. That tells me there just might be a right one for me if I’m brave enough to try. Until now I had not seen this kind of information. Thank you.
Gail
Gosh what a reaction. With the itch, long duration and needing to go to the ER, I’d suspect a true allergic reaction to something in the product. I have not heard of this reaction to GABA itself but anything is possible. When something like this happens it’s always good to make a note in your health history so it can be avoided in the future, esp if you are considering trialing GABA again. Perhaps your sisters may recall the product name? I’d be curious to know.
Glad you find the info about different types & dosages helpful!
Hi Trudy, I now take Source Naturals GABA Calm Mind at a high dose 2 x 750mg. I’ve worked up to this and in the past have occasionally had the flush, but no adverse reactions now. However I still sleep badly – very tensely – shoulders stiff and hunched, jaw clenched etc.
I stack the GABA with magnesium glycinate (Metabolic Maintenance), melatonin 10mg (Piping Rock) and seratone 5htp (Higher Nature). Any suggestions to help the sleep tension?
I take CBD20/THC12 at night for pain and to help sleep. I take 2 GabaPentin for restless legs, love to get off this scipt. I do an occasional Gaba 500 by NOW late in the day. Any suggestions? Thanks
Hi Trudy,
Thank you so much for talking about this subject, which has been my big doubt about GABA.
You cleared my confusion!
I also appreciate that you shared your favorite product.
I will recommend my clients to try the one.
Naomi
Thanks for asking the question and glad to hear this has been helpful!
Please keep us posted on how it goes
I take imipramine, lamictal and and Prozac for anxiety and major depression. I listened to you on the summit and began using GABA 500mg. And tryptophan, 1 500mg at night. I did increase the tryptophan to 2 capsules. After about 3 or 4 days I was feeling magnificent. After about 2 weeks, I plummeted into depression. I stopped the gaba and tryptophan immediately. I am slowly starting to feel a little. I guess I should have researched as to whether the gaba and tryptophan would cause a negative effect on the depression. I’m so disappointed. I really felt I had the key to feeling better.
Nancy
I’m sorry to hear but do wonder if it was the medications and do hope you didn’t stop or adjust any of them. Stopping or adjusting meds and adding amino acids when on multiple psychiatric medications should always be done under medical supervision (and after reviewing the amino acid precautions).
A big clue that the amino acids could be explored in the future when no longer using these meds, is that you were feeling magnificent. And per the message of the blog I would start low and build up to a higher dose based on symptoms resolution
I’ve been using GABA 750mg by Now, for a couple months. I swallow the capsule whole. I’ve noticed a hot flash sensation more frequently, but no tingling sensation.
I’m happy to switch to the lozenge to see if it changes how I feel.
Joanne
How has the GABA 750mg by Now (swallowed) helped so far. Please keep us posted if you trial the lozenge
I think it’s useful to note that some, like me, start out with tiny doses and still get benefits with no side effects. I take around 1.5mg to 3mg at a time and it works for me! Really helps me sleep at night. I also take approximately 1.5mg if I feel body anxiety. Right now, anything higher and I’m a wet noodle the next day, meaning I feel super depleted and can hardly stand up. But, no niacin flush-like symptoms.
I divide a melt-able 25mg tablet into 8ths or less. (Very approximate, of course. Sometimes it’s just crumbs!)
Syd
Thanks for sharing and so glad you have found your ideal dose – which is really really low. How did you figure out this dosing? (For others reading this it’s the Kal 25mg GABA product).
This really gives perspective to the range of doses that folks may respond to. A colleague just shared that her client started on 125mg GABA and continued to increase to 3000mg GABA which was her ideal dose! That is 1000x higher than your ideal dose!
It also shows that some folks get flushes and some don’t.
I shared this feedback on this blog post – How much GABA should I use for my anxiety? It depends on your unique needs (and there is an extremely large variation in dosing)
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/
Thanks
Hi Trudy,
I have been taking 750 mg Gaba by PSC Products by swallowing in my magnesium calm tea at night and then I have been adding one in my water overnight. I have been doing this for over 2 years with no side effects. Then about a week ago, I started experiencing flushing after I drank my tea. I thought to see if I added anything new (I started doing a vibration plate about a minute per day about a week before that) and couldn’t figure out why the flushing, which lasted about 1/2 hour. I thought maybe it was stress. I only drink this tea before bed and need to wind down and relax not get stressed out by flushing. Do you know why it would all of a sudden start happening after so many years of no side effects? I am under more stress now than before. Thank you for any help you can give me!
I have taken 1,000mg of GABA split into 2 doses every day for about 40 days. At first it cured my anxiety disorder, but over the last week or so it hasn’t been working and anxiety is coming back. I’m wondering if it’s because I’ve compounded too much GABA in my body and now it’s overloaded and causing adverse affects of anxiety. Should I stop taking it altogether? Stop taking it then start again at a lower dose? I know it’s what I need because i have never felt better when it was working but I’m not sure what is happening and I’m scared to lose this because it’s worked so well.
Connor
Glad to hear you have never felt better when taking GABA! Too much GABA can also increase anxiety symptoms and when this happens I have clients reduce the dose.
Hello, I am having the issues with flushing and itching. I was very sick to my stomach in the beginning, but that did go away. I know I have all the signs of low GABA . I take the NOW brand powder. I was using 1/4 which was around 250mg then I cut that in half to about 125mg and still having itching and even have hives on my body. I do have MCAS/ high histamine issues. Should I stop the GABA ? I also wanted to start tryptophan for my racing thoughts , but I just read it’s fermented. Is there another alternative to tryptophan? And should stop the GABA all together? Thank you so much.
Angela
I have clients stop amino acids and other supplements as soon as they have a reaction. GABA typically helps with MCAS/histamine issues but unfortunately things are not predictable when you have MCAS. I’d possibly consider another GABA product and also much much much less (like a dab) once the itch and hives are gone. The flushing is a clue it’s too much GABA. Also with this product 1/4 t is actually 500mg and not 250mg – this is a very high dose for most people to start with. I have my clients start with 125mg and less if they are very sensitive.
I use tryptophan or 5-HTP for low serotonin and doing a trial is the best way to know. I would also not consider a trial of a new amino acid until the GABA issue has cleared up.
Hello Trudy, I came across your work when googling about GABA. Thank you for this opportunity to ask you questions.
I took a single dose of GABA 500mg from NOW foods one night hoping it can help with anxiety and insomnia. I felt on high alert that night and increased anxiety that night. The next day I felt drugged and anxious, but strangely slept better at night. I also had itchy red bumps.
I realized from your blog that 500mg was too much for me. I switched to NOW Foods True Calm which has 200mg GABA and other nutrients, quite like a mini version of the Country Life GABA. I slept better but again have itchy red bumps now, so I’m afraid of using another capsule during the day.
I am also on 0.375mg of Clonotril which I take only at night but it does not help with constant anxiety all day. I managed to taper down to 0.375mg from 1mg after taking magnesium glycinate but unfortunately I had too much diarrhea from the magnesium. That’s how I came to know about GABA hoping it can help relieve the constant anxiety and heart palpitations.
After reading this article I realize it’s important to start GABA low. I tried to use Olly Goodbye Stress gummies which has 100mg GABA and 50mg theanine per 2 gummies but it was of no help.
Also tried a B complex to get more niacin but I feel so sick after taking the B complex these 2 days.
I want to try the Source Naturals lozenges you recommended but I’m also feeling scared as I have been trying so many things without much success. Very grateful if you can offer me some advice.
Thank you so much.
SM
Too much GABA can have effects the next day i.e feeling drugged and anxious. With symptoms like this I’m not concerned with having someone trial another GABA product that is lower dose or even a lower dose of the 500mg product they started with.
However when they have a rash/hives then I’m more concerned and wouldn’t have them trial something new. With a rash that doesn’t resolve we also consider a histamine reaction or MCAS /mast cell activation syndrome. GABA typically helps with MCAS/histamine issues but unfortunately things are not predictable when you have MCAS.
For someone in this situation I consider less of the Now product and would also consider another GABA product like GABA Calm once the rash has gone.
And we always have vitamin C on hand as this is an antidote to when too much of an amino acid is causing adverse effects. It removes the adverse effects and any beneficial effects are experienced.
One other confounding factor is the Clonotril since benzodiazepines (using them and/or tapering) can cause many different issues. I do have clients use GABA to help while tapering but we only change one thing at a time and the benzo taper is super super slow. And they only start to taper (with the doctor’s approval and monitoring) once they are nutritional stable. My book The Antianxiety Food Solution is a great resource for learning more about this. More here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/
Thanks for asking the question – I’m going to share it and my response as a blog post so it will help others too
Dear Trudy
Thank you so much for your reply. I tried taking half of the 500mg NOW Foods GABA and it seems ok for 2 days (divided into 250mg for 2 nights, taken about an hour before bedtime). Then the red bumps started appearing again on the 3rd day. Also, I don’t feel more calm after taking the split dose of 250mg GABA at night, maybe even a bit more anxious, although it helps with my sleep. Could the dosage still be too high?
I actually ordered GABA Calm as I need further help to reduce my anxiety throughout the day also.. it should arrive in a week’s time..
I tried a capsule of NOW Foods True Calm again on another night as it has a lower GABA content of 200mg but did not get any better rest. I’m surprised (or rather disappointed) as it also contains other nutrients like Vitamin B3, B6, glycine, inositol, taurine, magnesium and also valerian, making me think that it is a ‘better’ formula.
I relooked the amino acids questionnaire again and realize I have low serotonin symptoms too. Would tryptophan help on top of GABA?
Thank you so much again Trudy and yes I ordered your book and trying my best not to rush through and read it carefully.
I’ve had sleep issues since childhood. I tried melatonin (overall yucky feeling the next morning), was prescribed Ambien, never again, had to double then triple the dose and again yucky “gray” hangover-type feeling the next day. Stumbled onto GABA around 2009 and it’s my go-to ever since. The tingles and brief side effects just seem normal to me since when I looked it up all those years ago, google TOLD ME what to expect (but “awful” and unbearable feelings are different for everyone). However, I have mixed ¼ of my sleepytime dose with juice during the day and start yawning within 30 min!
The best part for me with GABA, are my dreams. Extremely enhanced. I tried cannabis for sleep for a year… it worked but it’s not really helping when you consider true sleep, REM. Also, it totally ELIMINATED my dreams so I quit (I’m in a legal state too and I sell the stuff to stores! SMH, rarely ingest THC either… but these southern hillbillies love it !*shrug*).
Madjir
Thanks for sharing – so glad to hear GABA helps so much. Which product do you use and how much/how often?
I just came on to see why I was having this reaction to my GABA, it’s the first time since taking the GABA/Niacin blend capsules years ago that I have experienced this. I have been taking the GABA only type ever since. This morning I accidentally took two 750mg capsules, thinking one of them was a quecertin cap.
45 mins later, I felt awful. I have also not been sleeping well lately, so thank you for the tip about taking smaller doses at night. I will be trying this later in the week (bit nervous about taking anymore in the next 48 hours)
Regards
D
Dominique
Thanks for sharing. Keep in mind vitamin C is a great antidote when too much GABA is consumed by mistake
Given vitamin c counteracting GABA supplementation I imagine it’s wise to take GABA some distance from Vit C. I tapered of Benz’s two years ago to fund underlying mercury toxicity I take a lot of vit c to help with inflammation hence rhe importance to me.
many thanks for all your great work !
Raymond
I have clients take vitamin C with meals and amino acids away from meals
I do caution my clients about vitamin and oxalates. More here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/vitamin-c-causes-oxalate-formation-resulting-in-pain-anxiety-and-insomnia-when-there-is-a-defect-in-ascorbic-acid-or-oxalate-metabolism/
Hello, thank you for the article.
I was looking for answers regarding wat happened to me when taking L-Glutamine (precursor of GABA), as well as Inositol. Instead of calming me, I have the sensation my brain is like inflamed or something, with a lot of pressure, and brain fogged, I also experienced more anxiety… after more or less 3 days of take in the evening.
Can it be the niacin-flush like thing ? Is that possible with precursors as well ?
Because of that, I assume that my issue is not related to a low dose of GABA, and it can maybe be the opposite (too much?). I have to test that.
Thank you for your answer,
Margaux
You don’t mention how much glutamine was used but too much can be stimulating for some folks since some converts to glutamate and some to GABA. I have clients start with 500mg glutamine and go up from there.
Inositol doesn’t typically cause these kinds of symptoms.
Hello Trudy,
I was taking 500mg max of Glutamine.. Not that much I assume.
Can’t it be the cause to my symptoms then ?
I can’t take any, maybe it is a histamine issue then ?
Thank you
Margaux
500mg of glutamine is not excessive but may be too much for some folks
My daughter took high doses of the drug Gabapentin and has never been the same. She now lives with hot, swollen hands and feet. It has been three years. Is this from high GABA? We have traveled the country to find someone to help her and no one seems to understand how GABA and gabapentin work. Do you have any insights at all?
Gina
This reaction is not related in any way to the tingling niacin-like flush from taking too much of the amino acid GABA. GABA and gabapentin are not the same – more here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/gaba-is-not-the-same-as-gabapentin-gaba-gamma-aminobutyric-acid-is-an-amino-acid-supplement-gabapentin-is-a-prescription-medication/
The symptoms you describe sound like symptoms I see when someone has dietary oxalate issues. Gabapentin is processed through the kidneys (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20362757/) and can cause issues/toxicity in those with chronic kidney disease and presumably folks with dietary oxalate issues too. More on all this here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/low-oxalate-success-stories-resolution-of-joint-body-pain-insomnia-peripheral-neuropathy-and-can-walk-without-a-cane/ (one of many blogs on the topic on my website)
I’ve tried 200mg and 125mg and both seem too much (I don’t know that I have a full flush but it makes all my extremities tingle which feels uncomfortable, I’m somewhat calmer but I also can’t sleep and if I do it’s one of those sleeps where you really don’t know if you’re awake or asleep, I relate to some of the descriptions above). Based off this article, I may not give up just yet and try cuting the 125mg in half or the 200mg into thirds
As an aside, Valerian gives me much the same feeling.
CP
In instances like this, when they feel somewhat calmer I have clients trial lower doses
Just an update for posterity or anyone else reading, last evening I cut the 200mg GABA/L-Theanine in quarter (I figured, start small, work my way up instead of the other way around). Didn’t need to work my way up, I felt very calm and relaxed, I didn’t have the tingling sensation at all. I still had difficulty falling asleep (par for the course with me) but all of the unpleasant side effects were gone. I woke up with a calm relaxed feeling and rested feeling and I haven’t woken up rested in weeks.
Sincerely, thank you for this post.
CP
Wonderful! Thanks for coming back and sharing
May I ask the name of the product you are taking?
I started taking 1 GABA 750mg (NOW brand) at night almost 2 months ago. I deal with anxiety, mild depression and restless legs, and try to manage with supplements (with good results so far). GABA seemed to be helping me sleep thru the night without waking, and I didn’t feel groggy the next day. However, after a couple weeks I did notice tingling in my extremities (some days worse than others) and my skin is super sensitive to hot and cold. I had no clue this was a possible side effect of too much GABA unfortunately, and kept taking it. My question is — do you think because of the length of time I have been taking “too much” GABA (based on my side effects and length of time Ive experienced this), that it will take some time for the tingling in my body to subside? I literally found this out yesterday and last night did not take one. I do feel much less tingling today, but I want to be clear on what to expect IF this is truly an effect of too much GABA. Thank you!
TRC
The GABA tingling I write about happens in the first 2-10 minutes and max up to 30 mins and then ends.
With ongoing tingling in extremities it’s best to discuss with a doctor – could be low B12, high or low B6, diabetes etc
Ive just started taking Give Back Health brand GABA 5x days ago. My practitioner said to take 1x scoop daily which equals 800mg taken under tongue. Id noticed I was feeling a little more peaceful/positive during the day the last few days including this morning(but still fatigued) so i was starting to feel hopeful. But within 30 minutes of taking todays dose mid morning i began to feel a little short of breath and panicky. Ive continued to feel quite off (panicky, agitated, foggy, unable to focus etc) ever since, its now 830pm. Im really hoping it will wear off soon so i will be able to sleep tonight as i have a job interview tomorrow! When i messaged the practitioner to query she said to drop it back to 125mg next time and titrate the dose to see what works (i dont know how Im supposed to measure out 125mg from a 800mg plastic scoop!). I cant say Im very keen to take any more! I just found a Vit C capsule and took some of it to hopefully help wear it off!
Julie
I have found 125mg GABA is a good starting dose and have clients increase from there. As you discovered, vitamin C is the best antidote. I have clients use a mini measuring spoon set (like this one on Amazon https://amzn.to/3Q94nsI) when using GABA powder.
Thanks Trudy yes Ive just bought a set. I asked a pharmacist how to measure/ if they sold anything to measure it but they had no idea. I wonder how long we stay at 125mg before we increase and by what measure each time?
Julie
A week works well to assess benefits and we typically increase by 125mg each week and go back down if there are no added benefits
Glad you found a measuring spoon
Keep us posted
In a video posted on YouTube, Dr. Alan Mandell (“motivationaldoc” channel) suggested GABA as a treatment for tinnitus — 750 mg on an empty stomach in the morning and again in the evening before bedtime. I’ve been trying it for about a week now and I noticed a niacin-like flushing, too, but the reaction is much milder than what I get from 50-100 mg of niacin and passes after 10-15 minutes. I can live with it.
Andrew
I recommend clients use less GABA when they have any adverse effects such as these. 750mg GABA is typically too much to start and they start with 125mg and increase from there.
I am curious to hear if it’s helping the tinnitus
I have been using 500 mg each night for a few years. Most of the time, I do not react adversely. From time to time however, like this evening, I have an intense tingling rush in the upper body along with shortness of breath and odd chest sensation. The sensations are overwhelming and scary and last for several minutes. I’m wondering why this only happens from time to time (on average 3-4 times per month)? Thanks very much for a super informative forum. NB, it hasn’t helped tinnitus.
Son
When my clients experience this type of thing I have them reduce the GABA dose, even if it only happens a few times a month. I also have clients keep a food mood activity log so they can track when something like this happens.
I get the gaba flush feeling with tingling and shortness of breath but it only lasts for a minute or two and I don’t mind it at all – I sort of like it. It’s like a physical reminder the gaba is working against my stress / anxiety, it focuses me on my breathing and my body, and then it passes. I take 1200 mgs 2x per day and sometimes an extra pill of 600 mid day. (5 pills per day is what the bottle recommends – it’s AOR brand).
Carly
I don’t recommend pushing through adverse effects and it’s an added expense.
Unfortunately labels on GABA products always list too high a dose.
Dear Trudy,
I am very glad to have found this website.
After an intense year with multiple traumatic events, I completely burned out. I had no energy and a LOT of tension, chest pain, and I can’t sleep well. No anxiety though. I went to a naturopath and he recommended sublingual GABA 250 mg (with 2 mg thiamine and some sweeteners but a good brand in Holland, Vitakruid), three times a day. I did not notice any difference, so I quit after I finished the bottle. About a month ago, I went to the vitamin store and asked for a calming product since this tension was very bad and I could not calm myself down. Before, the psychiatrist gave me lorazepem when things got bad and I took about 6 of them the past two months, only as an emergency. The man from the vitamin store advised GABA 500 mg of the NOW brand which also has vitamine B6 in it. I took one in the morning and one in the evening, and it worked miracles. I could relax again, even sit down and read a book and started to feel normal. I was so happy! But, it did nothing for my sleep. I guess that is due to low serotonine.
However, last week I went to bed with chest pain. The next day I woke up and had a very strange sensation in my skin, warm cold, I had to rush to the bathroom and my heart raced like crazy. I thought I had a heart attack. It went away after half an hour or so. I thought it was anxiety due to breathing irregularly. However, a few nights ago, I was in a lot of stress, took my second GABA and later at night Oxazepam. Little did I know… The next morning I woke up with a full blown panic attack. I haven’t had these since I quit Venlafaxine (Efexor) cold turkey 15 years ago. I had weird flushes and extreme anxiety. Then I came to realize that it might have been too much GABA in the first panic attack, and way too much GABA (oxazepem works on releasing gaba in the brain I read) the second attack. I then found this website.
So, I started out on 1000 mg of GABA. Not so great because way too much. But it went well in the beginning. I then tried to take it sublingually yesterday, 250 mg in the morning, felt good, 250 mg in the afternoon, felt good, 250 around dinner, felt good, 250 before sleep: flush, but mild, and this morning again a strange awful feeling, anxiety as well so I took another 250 mg but after I felt worse. I am sure now I am taking way too much!
Should I stop altogether for a while and then reintroduce, but 125 mg a day? Or would the 750 mg be good, since I felt good after the third dose 250 mg (750 mg in total), and started to feel bad after the fourth dose 250 mg (1000 mg in total)?
Could you have anxiety the day after taking too much GABA? Because when I had the first panic attack, I didn’t have GABA that morning (I was still in bed).
There is no suger, no gluten, no caffeine in my diet but I could use more protein since I am vegetarian.
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge! And greetings all the way from the Netherlands 🙂
Ariana
I can’t provide specific feedback via the blog but when a client suspects issues with a supplement we have them stop and add back lower dosage or fewer times in the day.
I encourage you to go back to the amino acid chapter in my book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/ where I write about using vitamin C as an antidote to too much GABA.
With unexpected symptoms when there has been benzodiazepines used we always need to consider this too
Thank you Trudy.
It turned out to be a vitamin B6 intoxication. I did not take a high dose: 15 mg daily for about a month. No supplements before that. In combination with the high dosage GABA (which also had vitamin B6 in it), I think something exploded in my brain. The anxiety is wearing off, and I am not as sick anymore. I am positive I will heal 100% from this. However, it is no walk in the park. I have never been so sick, mentally and physically. I am surprised there is not more information on this, since it is very serious. Anyway… back to finding my old self again 🙂 thank you again, and great work you do!!
Ariana
May I ask why you feel it was due to the vitamin B6 and not due to reducing GABA?
There are reports of vitamin B6 toxicity but it is controversial.
Hi Trudy,
there is no reply-button underneath your last comment, so I hope this will show up in the right place.
To answer your question: I don’t know, to be honest. My B6 levels were too high, and after a lot of internet ‘research’ I’ve found all my symptoms were the same as a B6 intoxication. I’ve found a group of people who experience the exact same weird stuff as I do: drinking liters a day but still a dry mouth, racing heartbeat, nausea, hunger that doesnt go away with lots of eating, no appetite , adrenaline rushes (‘falling’ sensation in the chest), tingling in hands and feet, insomnia, just very miserable and ofcourse the anxiety, panic attacks. The flushes have disappeared for a week now. I understand B6 is a complex story. It is also related to the GABA receptor I believe. So it might have to do something with GABA as well… but I haven’t found any information on so many symptoms and being so ill after coming off GABA, so I guessed it must be the B6. Have you ever heard of such intense withdrawal symptoms related to GABA?
Ariana
I do not see these types of symptoms connected to GABA use or stopping GABA.
I am also concerned that many folks see high B6 in blood work and assume their symptoms are due to their B6 intake.
Thank you, Mrs. Scott. Do you have a recommended dose for children (mine is 5 years old, and is a big boy, around 55 lbs.
John
I use a starting dose of 125mg GABA for my adult clients and use 1/8 to 1/4 of that for children and go up from there. It’s also key to address dietary factors when a child is anxious. My book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” has detailed information https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/
Thank you!
Hi
Why was my comment removed regarding my experience with going through gaba with drawl?
Rebecca
Your comment and my response is on another blog post here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/using-750-mg-gaba-in-a-hard-tablet-form-for-anxiety-i-do-not-experience-the-flush-but-i-am-also-not-sure-it-is-doing-much-of-anything-for-me/ and I just updated my response
Is GABA powder bad for your teeth or gums? I have dry mouth and it seems to sting just a little, so I wondered. Thanks again for all the incredibly useful info!
Elaine
Elaine
I’m not aware of any issues but I like to make sure it’s a GABA only product that clients are using i.e. no fillers. Can you share which product you’re using?
I’ve been trying Swanson gaba 500mg capsules but take quarter a capsule. It has helped with 100mg to 200mg dose for relaxation but when I tried 500mg was too much and I felt more restless. I can’t use l tryptophan now as that has caused high blood pressure and aches and headache.
Mel
When 100mg to 200mg GABA helps we stick with this dose.
I’m curious which tryptophan product/brand and dose as “high blood pressure and aches and headache” has ever been reported to me? I would not suspect these symptoms from a quality tryptophan-only product with no fillers. (I now see from your other comment it does have other ingredients)
Hello I started taking less than 100mg gaba and it makes me feel so irritated and angry at everything. I was hoping it would help since I’m off anxiety meds now but it makes me feel awful irritated. from what im reading, my dose seems so small . I’m surprised at the effect it has on me.
Ally
Each person has their own unique biochemistry and needs. As you can see from this example dosing varies widely 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/
May I ask which GABA product/brand?