Today I’m addressing a question from someone in this community about a particular GABA product and her confusion about dosing with 750mg and using a hard tablet (she calls it a pill). When she uses it she doesn’t notice any effect i.e. no calming benefits and no adverse niacin-type tingly flush either. This is what she asked:
Not sure if “Source Naturals GABA Calm Mind” is on your list, but I thought it was one you had recommended at one time? Anyway, these are pills that cannot be opened like a capsule and 1 pill = 750 mg.
Personally, I had the tingly flush when I used a different product that WAS a capsule and opened it on my tongue…unfortunately I do not recall dosage or product name but I purchased at Whole Foods.
With this particular product (Source Naturals GABA Calm Mind) in pill form, although the dosage could be higher, I do not experience the flush…(however, I also am not sure it is doing much of anything for me).
This is my feedback for her: I have never recommended the Source Naturals GABA Calm Mind 750 mg tablet ever (she calls it a pill but I know she is referring to the hard tablets).
These are not a very effective way to use GABA. As you can see, she doesn’t feel it’s doing anything for her in terms of easing her anxiety and being calming. With a high dose of GABA we also often see a niacin-like flush or tingling and yet with this pill/tablet form she didn’t experience this either. GABA is much more effective when used sublingually or opening a capsule (and starting low at 125mg). More on this below.
But I’m not surprised she is confused and asking this question. The Source Naturals GABA Calm Mind has a very similar bottle/name/label to Source Naturals GABA Calm (the sublingual with 125mg GABA) and there is also a Source Naturals GABA Calm Mind 750 mg capsules (which can be opened).
She mentions the tingly flush when using a different product that was a capsule and opened on to her tongue. I’d suspect the tingling happened with a 500 mg GABA or 750 mg GABA product as this is a common dosage found in health stores. Opening the capsule and using less is best when starting out.
If you have to break it it’s a tablet and much less effective
All this logic applies to any brand of hard GABA tablet. Someone just shared on Facebook that she had purchased a GABA product in the Netherlands and broke it in half in order to use a lower dose. If you have to break it it’s a tablet and much less effective and possibly not at all effective. Be sure to read the front and back of the bottle and avoid hard tablets.
From time to time someone will see some benefit with a GABA tablet that is swallowed but it’s usually minimal.
The most effective forms of GABA to use
Here is a quick recap if you’re new to GABA. It’s an amino acid that is used as a supplement to boost GABA levels (a calming neurotransmitter) and ease physical tension type anxiety symptoms. It’s most effective when used sublingually, or as a powder or by using a GABA capsule opened on to the tongue or as a liposomal product.
When using GABA it must ideally be in one of these forms for the best effects:
- Capsule form so the gelatin or cellulose capsule can be opened and the contents sprinkled onto the tongue, or some of it depending on dosing (NFH GABA-T SAP is a good example of this one – it contains GABA and theanine)
- Sublingual form which is sucked/held in the mouth (Source Naturals GABA Calm 125mg is a good example of this – this is the GABA product that I have the most success with and it’s easy to use when out and about; PharmaGABA chewables are another option)
- Powder form which is measured out using special tiny measuring spoon and sprinkled on to the tongue (Healthwise and Bulk Nutrients are good examples of this one)
- Liposomal form which is sprayed into the mouth and held for a few minutes (Designs for Health Liposomal Neurocalm and Quicksilver Scientific Liposomal GABA with L-Theanine are good examples of this form)
This blog, 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 a list of selected GABA products.
Here are a few success stories where the above different forms have been used:
- Drastic reduction in intrusive thoughts, anxiety and fears (and better sleep) with GABA, tryptophan, 5-HTP and the pyroluria protocol
- Keep GABA powder handy for choking episodes, stridor and panic (and find the ideal dose and be consistent for prevention/easing anxiety)
- GABA helps 14-year-old with Tourette’s Syndrome (the tics and sleep), and tyrosine makes him happier and his mind sharper
- GABA, Heartmath and EFT ease Micki’s mold-induced anxiety and panic attacks
- PharmaGABA eases physical anxiety in a young man who has recently given up Adderall, alcohol and nicotine
- GABA is the answer after 40 years of a lump-in-the-throat sensation, nervousness and muscle tension at work
Resources if you are new to using the amino acids as supplements
If you are new to using any of the 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).
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.
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, self-medicating with alcohol and more.
The book doesn’t include product names (per the publisher’s request) so as mentioned above, this blog, The Antianxiety Food Solution Amino Acid and Pyroluria Supplements, lists the amino acids that I use with my individual clients and those in my group programs.
If, 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). This is a paid online/virtual group program where you get my guidance and community support. There are many moms in the program who are having much success with their kids.
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 with success with their clients/patients.
Did you use a GABA product that didn’t work for you before finding the ideal product and dose?
Please share which product didn’t work (was it a hard tablet?) and what did work for you. And be sure to share how it helps to ease your physical anxiety, insomnia, pain, intrusive thoughts and cravings (for sugar or alcohol).
Have you experienced the niacin-like flush or tingle from using too high a dose of GABA? How much did that and which product?
If you’re a practitioner, which forms of GABA do you find the most success with?
If you have questions please share them here too.
Go with Methylene Blue, awesome product and no side effect !!!!
Marten
Please do share how methylene blue has helped you and why you feel it’s a better option than GABA for your physical anxiety? I’m curious if you have trialed GABA in one of these forms too?
It does actually have side-effects that include many anxiety like symptoms: agitation, rapid heart beat, restlessness, tightness in the chest, trembling and others listed here https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/methylene-blue-intravenous-route/side-effects/drg-20064695
There is also a long list of drug interactions https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/methylene-blue-intravenous-route/before-using/drg-20064695
Thanks for the reminder Trudy. WHY is it that Gaba is effective when taken sublingually or as a powder in the mouth rather than through a hard tablet? I have a hard time understanding this. Also, where does the ‘tingle flush’ manifest (in the mouth?)? And what physically is happening for this to occur (ie what’s the explanation for it? If there is one)? Thanks a lot!
Anna
Great question – the forms I list in the blog allow GABA to be absorbed via the blood vessels in the mouth directly into the bloodstream, rather than having to go through the digestive process.
The tingle flush happens all over the body like a niacin flush. You feel hot and prickly for a few minutes but with the GABA flush there isn’t the redness you see with niacin. Dr. Carl Pfeiffer MD, PhD experimented with taking large doses of GABA (up to 10g on an empty stomach) and described the flush he experienced. He said “it is likely to be neurologic, unlike the effect of niacin which is primarily vascular.” This is from “The Healing Nutrients Within” by Eric Braverman (my Amazon link https://amzn.to/3ceVQDg)
Thank you Trudy
I have been taking 25 mg of valium for 5 years. Is it wise to add gaba to this for better results?
Brian
I’ve had many clients do this and see a good calming effect. For some folks on benzos, GABA receptor damage makes it challenging. We have them discuss with the prescribing doctor.
My online GABA Quickstart group program is really helpful when you have questions and need guidance (and moral support/encouragement). More here about the program and purchase info https://www.anxietynutritioninstitute.com/gabaquickstart/
And don’t forget all the dietary aspects too – it’s supps and diet. When you are new to the amino acids (and other anxiety nutrition solutions like real whole food, quality animal protein, fermented foods, organic produce, health fats, gluten/sugar/caffeine removal, blood sugar control, gut health, pyroluria etc) my book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” is a great place to start. More here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/
I’ve used the Source Naturals GABA 750mg tablets and received success with it. I don’t understand why there’s a problem with the tablets. Lower dose Capsules at 500mg of Solgar are fine, but 750 seems to work much better for me. However, Source Naturals GABA Tablets have Sorbitol as their last ingredient. A healthy product doesn’t contain an artificial sweetner. So, now I use a GABA 750mg tablet from a company called KAL. It seems to work really well. I’m sure the spray or opening a capsule would be more immediately effective, however, opening capsules is very inconvenient or time consuming much less playing around with finding the right exact dosage. It’s just not practical for a busy person, unless they are someone with extreme anxiety in which case minute dosages often may be necessary. I don’t understand why you’d put down these tablets Trudy, when they certainly work. Thank you.
Scott
Thanks for sharing your experience with 750mg tablets (and the Kal product) – so glad they work well for you. May I ask how it helps and how quickly you notice the effects?
I shared this question and my feedback because this is what I see most of the time and many folks stop using GABA for this reason and are not finding the relief they are looking for. As mentioned in the blog “from time to time someone will see some benefit with a GABA tablet that is swallowed but it’s usually minimal.”
Clearly the minimal aspect doesn’t apply to you although it’s very possible you’d find better and quicker results with a lower dose of one of the other forms mentioned (if that was indeed desirable). If you do decide to experiment I’d love to hear back from you.
The convenience factor you point out is a valid one but quickly resolved once you figure out your ideal dose.
I finally know what that tingly feeling is that I occasionally have when taking GABA!!!
Am I understanding right that you are saying that is a result of too high a dose?
I only experience it randomly so if it’s too high a dose how do I know how much to take?
I use Solgar 500 mg capsules. Usually taking 1 with dinner and I rarely feel the tingly feeling.
I also use a powdered magnesium blend, Soothing Sleep by Jarrows, at bedtime that has GABA in and I feel the tingly feeling more often with this.
Proprietary Sleep Blend 2.6g
—Glycine
—Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA)
—Lemon Balm Leaf Complex (Melissa officinalis L.)
—Melatonin
I used to take the GABA in combination with 1000 mg glycine at bedtime and often felt the tingly feeling.
If the flush happens randomly how do I know how much to take? My doctor told me I can use 500 mg up to 3-4 times a day when needed for anxiety. I don’t have the flush eveytime I take a capsule.
Jennifer
Yes the tingly feeling happens with too much GABA. GABA and all the amino acids need to be taken away from meals so when used with a meal minimal benefits are seen and I’d seldom expect a flush.
I don’t use a proprietary blend since you have no idea how much GABA you’re taking and also can’t easily adjust up and down.
When the flush happens randomly we focus on timing of GABA and make sure calming benefits are happening. Lithium orotate can help when there are problematic ups and downs https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/upping-my-tryptophan-and-lithium-orotate-have-been-absolutely-profound-for-me-ive-been-depression-free-and-anxiety-free-for-over-a-year/
My online GABA Quickstart group program is really helpful when you have questions and need guidance (and moral support/encouragement). More here about the program and purchase info https://www.anxietynutritioninstitute.com/gabaquickstart/
Hi Trudy, I use the sublingual tablets you recommend and I’ve read your book so much it dog eared! I have had as many as 3 tabs under my tongue at once and then another 3 immediately following, so that’s a pretty big dose.
Have never had a flush and I’m not really sure how I’m supposed to feel following it. I guess I am not sure just “how” anxiety feels. Maybe mine is more depression that results in agitation and not really anxiety but I do have some of each from the respective laundry lists.
Oh, FYI – bi-polarism runs recessively in my genes – I’ve a nephew that has both forms of it and his psych told his mom that for it to manifest, it has to be either dominant on one side and recessive on the other, or both dominant, or both recessive (which is the coin toss). Our family always referred to my dad as soft bi-polar but must confess we thought he was ADHD when he was a kid – his mom had to tie him to a chair (1940’s) just to keep him still, but he would get moody at times.
Is it safe for me to take a large dose of GABA – especially since I’m not real sure if its even doing anything for me? What I DO know that it helps with is the terrible muscle cramping from having bile salt diahrrea coming from not having a gall bladder. Doesn’t stop the “end result” but does ease the intense muscle spasms somewhat. I’d like to hear your thoughts on using GABA – BTW I have malabsorption issues which is a whole other story, so my entire body balance is really out of whack. I do have a great nutritionist who is working very hard to get me better.
Sherrie
With GABA Calm 125mg … 3 + 3 sublinguals = 750mg which is high but more may be needed to help with physical anxiety. The benefits with muscle cramping is a good clue GABA is needed needed. I have clients switch to a GABA only product and open it when they need higher doses as it’s not very pleasant or practical to be sucking on 6 sublinguals. Using one of the forms I mention is key with malabsorption. The flush with GABA is not something you want i.e. it’s an adverse reaction indicating too much GABA was used. (I’ll update the blog to make that more clear).
Glad you have my book – don’t forget all the dietary changes too and my online GABA Quickstart group program is really helpful when you have questions and need guidance (and moral support/encouragement). More here about the program and purchase info https://www.anxietynutritioninstitute.com/gabaquickstart/
With anxiety that has depression and agitation symptoms we also look into and address low serotonin with tryptophan or 5-HTP (once the GABA trial is complete)
Hello! I have been trying Gaba for nighttime muscle twitches and cramping over all my body. I used one bottle of PharmaGaba (total 750mg) opened onto the tongue and it worked. I then switched to Source Naturals 750mg hard tablets and chewed it, holding it dissolved under my tongue awhile. It worked for a couple of weeks but has stopped working. I had switched bc I didn’t understand the subtleties of the brands/methods and wanted to see if a cheaper option would work.
Sounds like I need to go back to the PharmaGaba sublingual or one of the others to see if they work where this one no longer does. Is it possible GBA stopped working for me altogether? I’m unsure how to find the root cause of the twitches but I’ll be taking a look at comprehensive functional bloodwork soon.
Thanks for your expertise!
Suzanne
We can respond to different GABA products slightly differently so I have clients go back to what has worked well in the past. Keep in mind GABA need can wax and wane depending on hormones and even with seasonal allergies.
Please keep us posted on future GABA trials and getting this medically checked out is important. We look at low iron, low B12, low magnesium, thyroid health, too much caffeine and dehydration, dietary oxalates etc
My functional psychiatrist put me on Gabatrol Stress and Mood by Purelife. Her name is Dr. Carol Banyas MD. Gabatrol has been extremely helpful with my anxiety and sleep. I had previously been taking Gaba by Now vitamins, and l-theanine and l-glutamine separately but this is a whole new level.
I average an extra 30-60 minutes of sleep per night on Gabatrol…and I cannot take sleep aids due to extreme sensitivity to many medications. I also take, just FYI: chelated magnesium bisglycinate 400mg, 25mg CBD, MegaIgg, Nordic Naturals omega-3 with vitamin D, and a few others I can’t remember right now.
Tash
I have major concerns about one of the ingredients in this product – phenyl-GABA/phenibut. I does work very well initially but has similar issues to benzodiazepines in terms of tolerance, dependence and difficulties tapering. It was removed from a number of products in 2019 for this reason. More here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/phenibut-for-anxiety-and-insomnia-fda-warns-3-companies-to-cease-distribution-of-their-products/
Can you share how much you use? I am also curious if Dr. Banyas has cautioned you about the issues with phenyl-GABA/phenibut and advised cycling on and off each week?
GABA and theanine products work extremely when when used according to your needs and when used sublingually (or a capsule is opened on to the tongue).
Hi Trudy,
I previously bought Gaba Calm after reading your blog since my symptoms seems to match your description.
However, I recently did an exhaustive neurotransmitter test to realize that it was the exact opposite, having significantly high level of Gaba.
Unfortunately, I’ve looked all over the internet after talking to my doctor, and it seems that no one knows how to downregulate Gaba.
Not sure what to do from there, but thought I should let you know that the situation exists despite not being common.
Many thanks,
Francoise
I do not use urinary neurotransmitter testing as it’s not accurate. I use the symptoms and a trial of GABA if low GABA symptoms are present. You said it perfectly – “I previously bought Gaba Calm after reading your blog since my symptoms seems to match your description.”
I am curious to hear what your doctor and the lab recommended? Please also share the name of the lab and test.
I was taking Gaba by now 500mg 2 times a day for help with anxiety
I a few weeks ago got sick and stoped taking any gaba for 6 days
This unfortunately put me into withdrawal. And because I was sick I did not realize the with drawl symptoms were due to with drawl just thought I was really sick, (insomnia up for days, contact anxiety and panic, tremors)
Now I’m trying to reintroduce gaba back into my system and balance out. But my body when it needs it starts to with drawl again.
This has turned my life upside down.
All I want now is to balance and ween off.
People need to be warned that long term use of gaba can cause with drawl if you stop
Rebecca
I’m sorry to hear you are not doing well. I have yet to have anyone experience withdrawal symptoms when stopping the amino acid GABA.
I would suspect symptoms may be related what caused the person to be sick – like viral or bacterial infection, food poisoning etc. I’d also be looking at past and current use of medications such as benzodiazepines or SSRIs or migraine meds etc in case this is a factor. And also looking at other factors that can increase anxiety – like caffeine intake, accidental gluten intake, low blood sugar, a histamine reaction to something etc
That said 2000mg a day of GABA is considered a high dose so that may possibly be a factor (I never say never). As an example some folks do well on just 125mg GABA twice a day.