July 15th, 2010 
Nyomi Nutritionist Patrick Holford says that most people with intense or constant anxiety either self-medicate with alcohol or cannabis, or see their doctor, possibly to be given a prescription for a tranquiliser. “In one week in Britain, we pop 10 million tranquillisers, puff 10 million cannabis joints and drink 120 million alcoholic drinks”, says Holford, in his book Optimum Nutrition for the Mind. “The choice of these three drugs – alcohol, cannabis and tranquillisers – is no coincidence. They all promote the neurotransmitter GABA, which is the brain’s peacemaker, helping to turn off excess adrenalin and calm you down.”
“Supplementing 500 to 1,000mg [of GABA], once or twice a day, is a highly effective natural relaxant,” according to Holford. But what does the evidence say about how good GABA supplements are to calm people down? Although the evidence is mostly anecdotal, using a GABA supplement to boost GABA levels in people who are stressed and anxious can lead to a more relaxed and focused mind.
What is GABA and how does it work?
What are GABA supplements taken for?
What evidence is there that GABA supplements relax people?
What causes people to have low levels of GABA?
Do GABA supplements have any side effects?
What medications can GABA interact with?
Who should avoid taking GABA?
How can we test to see if we are low in GABA?
What is GABA and how does it work?
GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is an amino acid. It is the main inhibitory (calming) neurotransmitter in the brain. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers between neurons (nerve cells). Our bodies make GABA from glutamine – a vital amino acid in the brain. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins.
GABA is a natural calming and anti-epileptic agent. It is vital for proper brain functioning. GABA also helps our bodies make endorphins – chemicals that make us feel happy.
Holford says GABA influences our mood because it reduces high levels of the hormones adrenalin, noradrenalin and dopamine, and it affects the neurotransmitter serotonin. Having enough GABA in our brain is linked to being relaxed and happy. Having too little GABA is linked to the sleeping problem insomnia, and feeling anxious, stressed, tense and depressed.
Dr. Michael Murray says when people are nervous or anxious their brains produce more beta brain waves than alpha brain waves. Taking GABA increases the amount of alpha waves. Alpha waves are linked to clear thinking, good focus and being in “the zone” or “the flow”. In these mind states, in which we are focused, calm and productive, we have high amounts of alpha brain wave activity.
GABA is popular among bodybuilders because it can increase the level of human growth hormone.
What are GABA supplements taken for?
GABA has been used as a supplement for many things such as:
- stress
- nervousness
- anxiety
- depression
- panic attacks
- helping us relax
- improving focus
- clearer thinking
- attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- insomnia
- calming racing thoughts
- pain relief
- epilepsy
- hypertension (high blood pressure)
- helping lose excess body fat
- helping promote body building
What evidence is there that GABA supplements relax people?
According to freelance writer Laura Owens:
“The brain…has an elaborate structure designed to isolate and protect it against invading toxins, chemicals and potentially harmful substances. This mechanism of self-protection is called the blood-brain barrier.
Little is known about how well GABA actually penetrates the blood-brain barrier to produce the desired calming affect. Most positive evidence in this regard has been anecdotal. (Braverman, E. Pfeiffer, C. The Healing Nutrients Within. Keats Publishing, New Canaan, Connecticut. 1987). An alternative to supplementing with GABA is to take the amino acid L-theanine or to regularly eat GABA-boosting foods.
GABA,… often low in people who suffer with anxiety and depression, increases during yoga.”
The Denver Naturopathic Clinic (DNC) says on its website:
“A search on the term GABA on PubMed today (October 7, 2004) brings up a list of 43,859 published papers. Only a handful of these papers focus on using GABA orally as a nutritional supplement. Some nutritional writers suggest a conspiracy on the part of the drug industry to suppress GABA research so as to promote their drugs such as Valium. A more likely explanation rests in the fact that the common belief among scientists is that GABA will not cross the blood brain barrier. If GABA does not reach the brain, it will have no effect. Although I have found no direct published evidence proving that oral GABA changes brain levels of GABA, some scientists assume that with large enough doses some may cross over. This amount may vary from person to person, their nutritional status, physical conditioning and activity level.”
Owens quotes Dr. Eric Braverman, an authority on brain chemistry, as saying: “The more GABA-producing foods you eat, the more you will be able to create.”
Owens lists the following GABA-producing foods:
- almonds
- bananas
- beef liver
- broccoli
- brown rice
- halibut
- lentils
- oranges and other citrus fruits
- rice bran
- spinach
- tree nuts
- walnuts
- whole wheat and other whole grains such as whole oats
Owens also says that fish (especially mackerel) and wheat bran have the highest concentration of naturally occurring GABA, according to a 2008 article in Supplement News.
What causes people to have low levels of GABA?
Clinical nutritionist Blake Graham says factors that reduce GABA levels in our bodies include:
- a lack of glutamine (the precursor of GABA)
- low levels of vitamins B1 and B6, and the minerals zinc, manganese and iron
- chronic stress
- chronic pain
- not enough sleep
- low levels of the hormone progesterone
- exposure to mercury and lead
- alcohol withdrawal
- high amounts of caffeine
- excessive electromagnetic radiation
- too much loud noise
Do GABA supplements have any side effects?
GABA supplements are generally safe. They might increase the heart rate when first taken, and cause sleepiness or drowsiness the day after taking them.
If you use GABA, take a balanced amount because the side effects of high doses of GABA can include:
- an increase in anxiety
- numbness in the face
- feeling tingly, tickly and/or itchy
- nausea
- vomiting
- an increase in blood pressure
- an increase in breathing rate
- fidgeting and not being able to sit still
- a flushing sensation
- an increase in plasma growth-hormone levels and prolactin
What medications can GABA interact with?
The DNC says be cautious if taking GABA with any drug that affects GABA pathways in the brain. These drugs include – but are not limited to – :
- barbiturates
- the anti-anxiety drugs benzodiazepine tranquillisers and
- alcohol
Who should avoid taking GABA?
According to the DNC:
- people with bipolar or unipolar depressive disorders should not take GABA.
- GABA might cause sleepiness, so do not drive or use heavy machinery while taking it, until you at least know how it affects you.
- GABA has not been tested in pregnant or breast-feeding women, children, or people with liver or kidney disease.
How can we test to see if we are low in GABA?
A doctor can give you a urine or saliva test to find out whether or not you are low in GABA.
written by Nyomi Graef
References:
GABA: Gamma-Amino Butyric Acid, n.d., Denver Naturopathic Clinic,
http://www.denvernaturopathic.com/news/GABA.html
GABA (GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID), 2009, WebMD,
http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-464-GABA%20%28GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC%20ACID%29.aspx?activeIngredientId=464&activeIngredientName=GABA%20%28GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC%20ACID%29
Gamma-Aminobutyric acid, 2010, Wikipedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamma-Aminobutyric_acid
Getting On ‘the GABA Receptor Shuttle’ to Treat Anxiety Disorders, 2009, ScienceDaily,
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091022101532.htm
Graham, B, n.d., GABA deficiency, Nutritional Healing,
http://www.nutritional-healing.com.au/content/articles-content.php?heading=GABA%20deficiency
Holford, P, 2003, Optimum Nutrition for the Mind, London, UK: Piatkus
Jonessoda1996, 31 Mar 2009, GABA: Dr. Michael Murray [video],
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_DywKEvyjc
Natural GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric acid), 2010, Integrative Psychiatry,
http://www.integrativepsychiatry.net/natural_gaba.html
Owens, L, 2009, Do GABA Supplements Help Anxiety, Suite101,
http://suite101.com/article/do-gaba-supplements-help-anxiety-a89780
Owens, L, 2009, GABA Levels in Brain Increase During Yoga, Suite101,
http://suite101.com/article/gaba-and-yoga-decrease-depression-and-anxiety-a122213
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Gaba Supplements:
GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid) is a non-essential amino acid found mainly in the human brain and eyes. It is considered an inhibitory neurotransmitter, which means it regulates brain and nerve cell activity by inhibiting the number of neurons firing in the brain. GABA is referred to as the “brain’s natural calming agent”. By inhibiting over-stimulation of the brain, GABA may promote enhanced relaxation and ease nervous tension. Gaba Supplements on discount at NutroVita.com.
wonderful page. i mean really nice…
There are so many sites that tackled this subject but this one is very informative and educational. It is nice to get the most recent information about calm supplement. We really need it as it will give the very important updates and advice from experts.
I have a taste disorder, a chronic sour taste in the mouth. The doctor in Washington DC said i have low gaba but he did not say how he knows that. Can a a regular Md take a blood test for that? I do not want to have the stimualation, transcranial magnetic stimulation the doctor suggested without knowing if i have a low gaba in the brain. Please let me know what you think. Annette
Hi Annette,
Sorry, I do not know how the doctor came to that conclusion without testing your GABA level. Perhaps he believes low GABA levels is a sign of chronic sour taste in the mouth, or he has worked in the area and found that boosting GABA levels can relieve the problem – I do not know, I can only speculate. If you get a chance to find out why the doctor said that, I’d be interested in also knowing, should you wish to post another comment on this website.
I found this interesting online article about low GABA levels causing burning mouth syndrome, but this isn’t a chronic sour taste, although it is a mouth problem, so I thought it might be of some relevance/interest to you:
http://www.tasteandsmell.com/dec04.htm
I found the following webpage helpful regarding testing for levels of neurotransmitters:
http://www.integrativepsychiatry.net/neurotransmitter_tests.html
The website says the neurotransmitters they test the levels of are GABA, serotonin, glutamate, epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine, PEA and histamine. The company says they post test kits out to people. The lab says it uses urine tests to find out the level of neurotransmitters in their clients. The office is situated in Sarasota, Florida, USA. If don’t live in USA, there might be a naturopathic clinic in your country that tests for GABA levels. You might want to Google it to find out.
I spoke to a general practitioner (GP) recently about getting neurotransmitter tests. She claimed that testing neurotransmitter levels using blood tests is not a good indication of neurotransmitter levels in the brain. The GP used serotonin as an example. She said a low serotonin level in the brain might not show up via a blood test, and a blood test might indicate a low level of serotonin, yet a person might not have depression.
All the best with treating your mouth problem.
Thanks for reading my article and vising my website. I hope you found it helpful.
Best wishes,
Nyomi
Gabba is a gamma-aminobutyric acid.it helps to treat anxiety,stress and depression.gabba is a natural supplement which helps to improve brain function.
GABA works very well, I have been on it for 3 months with great results.
I have read articles stating that GABA supplements are useful in treating ADHD, but the same articles don’t reccommend giving these supplements to children. Is their a safe dosage for a child?
Hi Susan,
From what I’ve read, and written in the above blog post, GABA hasn’t been tested in children. This means the safe dosage of GABA for children isn’t known.
Livestrong.com has an informative article about GABA for children with ADHD. It’s called Children’s Dosage of GABA Supplements for ADHD. To read this article visit http://www.livestrong.com/article/517318-childrens-dosage-of-gaba-supplements-for-adhd/. Scroll down to the end of the article for information about GABA dosage for children.
Thanks for visiting my website and for your comment.
Best wishes,
Nyomi
If there are side effects from taking too much (anxiety,numbness is the face etc.), then that must mean that it does pass the blood brain barrier? I don’t understand it. Anybody else agree?
Hi John,
I found an interesting article on GABA by Livestrong. It says GABA may pass through the blood-brain barrier via the pituitary gland, and also through tiny holes in the blood-brain barrier. Read Livestrong’s article to find out more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/492571-gaba-supplements-that-pass-the-blood-brain-barrier/.
Thanks for visiting my website and for your comment.
Best wishes,
Nyomi
Goos article and inf. since GABA has a hormon growth effect, what side effects it has on men diagnosed eith early prostate cancer? Is it safe to use it? Thanks
Informative page. I wonder if its more effective to take l-theanine? Is one better then another?
Also wondering if this supplement is safe for a child with autism?
What effect does human growth hormone have on women? Does it have a tendency to put on unwanted weight?
Hello Thinas,
Thanks for your comment. A 2008 journal article in PubMed claims, “In prostate cancer, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) has been previously reported to increase cellular proliferation.” The URL for the abstract of this article is: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18607852.
Prostate Cancer Victory has an article about GABA and prostate cancer that may be helpful for you. Visit http://prostatecancervictory.com/prostate-cancer/prostate-cancer-news-prostate-cancer-2/the-role-of-gaba-gamma-amino-butyric-acid-in-prostate-cancer-causal-or-curative/.
From what I’ve read about GABA, it appears that not enough studies have been done on GABA supplements to determine their safety. Studies that have been done on GABA, however, have found that, generally, GABA is safe, but it can have side effects, as mentioned in my article above.
All the best
Kind regards,
Nyomi
Thanks, this is really the most helpful article I have read on GABA to date. Thanks also for the follow up comments. So many authors do not reply to comments on their articles, and that always makes me wonder if the author cares …. or even exists. You obviously care and exist.
Hi R,
Thanks for your question about whether L-theanine is more effective than GABA supplements. Apparently L-theanine can cross the blood-brain barrier and increase the body’s GABA levels, so make people feel more relaxed and focused.
I found an interesting article in the Los Angeles Times about L-theanine, which was published in 2009. The article says, “What intrigues researchers thus far is evidence that L-theanine is readily absorbed in large quantities, crosses the blood-brain barrier and gets into the brain fast.” To read more about this and, for example, the results of several studies of L-theanine’s effectiveness, visit http://articles.latimes.com/2009/may/04/health/he-theanine4.
Integrative Psychiatry has an informative article about GABA, and supplements that can increase GABA levels, including theanine. Visit http://www.integrativepsychiatry.net/natural_gaba.html to read this article.
Regarding your question about gaba’s safety for children with autism, WebMD claims, “There isn’t enough information available to know if GABA is safe for use.”
In case you’re interested, I’ve done some web searches to find the effectiveness of gaba supplements in autistic children. I’ve mostly found anecdotal evidence from the parents of children with autism who have taken GABA supplements. Some parental feedback about GABA supplements was positive, others was negative.
Integrative Psychology discusses possible treatments for autism, including amino acid supplements. Visit http://www.integrativepsychiatry.net/autism.html, and scroll down to the heading Autism Supplements.
Thanks for commenting and all the best,
Nyomi
I have heard about L-theanine being used to help anxiety for some time now, but I am still skeptical about the safety of it.
Afternoon all,
just a quick one, i am looking to purchase some GABA in powder form but i am, unsure the legality of it in the UK.
Am i correct in thinking that it is legal to purchase in america?
Hello,
A friend of mine who is a therapist suggested GABA for me, as I do have an antisocial anxiety disorder and I do not like taking valium, xanax, and other anti anxiety drugs. I am leaving for Ireland in a couple of weeks and am experiencing a lot of anxiety already. If I get to the airport and cannot get on that plane, my husband will probably file for a divorce. My question is , I am currently on Gabapentin,is this part of the GABA ? I am also taking methylphenidate for adult ADD. However, I do have a severe problem with fatigue and cannot take anything else that is going to make it worsen. If the GABA can do all I am hearing it can, this would be a wonderful option for me in more ways then one. I truly hope you can help me out with this soon, as I am really needing some relief. Thank you ahead of time, and thank you for this website, I have gotten so much helpful information from here!
Hi Carolyn,
Thanks for your comment. There’s lots of information about human growth hormone (HGH) on the Internet. In regards to your questions, articles I’ve found particularly informative, from doing a Google search, include Bethany Harris’s article on eHow about HGH’s effects on women. Visit http://www.ehow.com/about_5057739_effects-hgh-women.html to read this, which includes some benefits and side effects of HGH.
WebMD has published various articles about HGH. One that helps answer your questions is: http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/guide/human-growth-hormone-hgh.
Here are two other articles that might be helpful for you:
1) Human Growth Hormone (HGH) for Women: http://www.bodylogicmd.com/hormones-for-women/growth-hormone.
Below is an excerpt cut and pasted from the BodyLogicMD’s article (above):
“Although the use of Human Growth Hormone is more common among men trying to build lean muscle mass, many women are now turning to HGH for its weight loss benefits. While some women may require growth hormone therapy to correct an underlying HGH deficiency, studies have proven that otherwise healthy women can achieve the same results with some basic lifestyle changes, such as eating better and exercising more often.”
2) The Truth About HGH for Weight Loss: http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/the-truth-about-hgh-for-weight-loss
I hope this helps.
Best wishes and thanks for visiting my website,
Nyomi
Hi SugarMags,
Thank you for your very kind comment and feedback; I really appreciate it.
Take care and all the best,
Nyomi
Hi Summer,
I’m sorry to hear that you feel anxious; anxiety is not pleasant to live with. According to Wikipedia, Gabapentin is a pharmaceutical drug that’s a GABA analogue. This means Gabapentin is similar in chemical structure to GABA, yet Gabapentin differs in respect to a certain component. Read more on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabapentin and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analogue_%28chemistry%29. The Wikipedia article about Gabapentin warns that people taking this drug should NOT stop suddenly stop taking it, because stopping it abruptly can cause health problems.
Sorry, but for various reasons, for example I am not a medical doctor, I cannot prescribe you medication for your health concerns. If you haven’t already done so, I recommend that you contact your therapist again soon to tell him/her:
* all the prescription and non-prescription drugs you’re taking (and any you’ve taken recently, but have now stopped taking)
* the side effects you’re experiencing
* any health problems you have and
* any supplements, e.g. herbal supplements, you may be taking and/or have recently taken
Also, get a second (or third…) opinion, should you feel the need.
There are lots of precautions for methylphenidate. Visit MedlinePlus’s article on this medication: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a682188.html, should you wish to read about it. Click on the underlined heading What special precautions should I follow?
Gabapentin also has a lot of precautions. Again, MedlinePlus has a list of precautions. Visit http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a694007.html#precautions, and click on the underlined heading What special precautions should I follow?, should you want to read these.
There’s a lot of helpful and free information on the net about anxiety. Here are a few articles that might be useful to you:
http://www.integrativepsychiatry.net/anxiety_disorders.html
http://www.livestrong.com/article/401839-herbal-remedies-for-treating-social-anxiety-disorders/
All the best, Summer. I hope your flight goes well, and you overcome your anxiety. I have had anxiety on-and-off throughout my life. Over many years, and after lots of research, I’ve found various safe and legal ways to overcome my anxiety, so that I can have more inner peace.
Thanks for visiting my website and taking the time to comment. I hope you find inner peace soon.
Best wishes,
Nyomi
Hi Steve,
Regarding your question about the legality of GABA supplements in the US, I’ve done some Internet searches and found that people in USA can purchase GABA supplements from various places e.g. Amazon.
Thanks for visiting my website and all the best.
Kind regards,
Nyomi
I had my Neurotransmitters tested last year and my numbers was 0 and normal on this test was day is 100 -540 normal 65-360 … and I’ve had Burning Mouth issues for 14 months and chronic Anxiety and depression most my life!! I’m starting GABBA tomorrow and will be seeing my Naturopath NP next week!! This gives me hope like I haven’t had in a long time!!
Hi Jan,
All the best with taking GABA. I hope it works well for you, and your health improves shortly. I’m interested to hear how well GABA works for you. You’re welcome to write another comment about it on this website soon, if you like.
Thanks for commenting on my website.
Best wishes,
Nyomi
I read that you should not take GABA supplements if you are bi-polar. Why is that?
Hi Chris,
The Denver Naturopathic Clinic (DNC) is one of several websites I’ve found that doesn’t recommend GABA for helping treat bi-polar disorder. The DNC says: “Research no longer supports using GABA for …bipolar disease…” Read more at: http://www.denvernaturopathic.com/news/GABA.html. The above quote is under the heading Suggested Dosages, about 60% down from the top of the page.
To answer your question about why people with bipolar disorder should not take GABA supplements, Julie A. Fast and John Preston, Psy. D. claim: “Anything that reduces depression can potentially provoke a manic episode in people with bipolar disorder.” This quote is from their book Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder: A 4-Step Plan for You and Your Loved Ones to Manage the Illness and Create Lasting Stability. Visit http://www.enotalone.com/health/9551.html to read more.
The above information is in contrast to two other online articles about GABA, which I’ve read since I wrote the above blog post on GABA. These articles claim GABA is a possible treatment for bipolar disorder, and are published on:
* Wellsphere: http://www.wellsphere.com/digestive-health-article/gaba-for-natural-anxiety-relief/370757. Refer, in particular, to the bolded part in the third paragraph.
* Ehow Health: http://www.ehow.com/how_2088527_treat-bipolar-disorder-naturally.html. See point five.
So some people say GABA is a possible treatment for bipolar disorder, while others claim it isn’t recommended for this health problem. I recommend that people considering taking GABA talk with one or more relevant healthcare professionals before they start taking this supplement. GABA can interfere with some supplements and medications, and it may worsen some health problems. This means GABA isn’t for everyone. Also, the effects of GABA on many people aren’t known, such as pregnant and breast-feeding women.
Thanks for commenting and all the best.
Kind regards,
Nyomi
Does different chronic stress level affect the effectiveness of GABA supplements? like it has more pronounced effect in highly stressed people?
Dear Nyomi, I am sorry to hear you say that you have been suffering from stress for years but i’m glad that you have found ways to overcome it. “I have had anxiety on-and-off throughout my life. Over many years, and after lots of research, I’ve found various safe and legal ways to overcome my anxiety, so that I can have more inner peace.”
Could you please shine light on some of the most effect ways to overcome anxiety? Thank you, Nick
Hi Meow,
That’s a good question. I’ve had a search for the answer and I’m unsure. Perhaps other readers can answer your question which, to save people hunting for it above, is: Do different chronic stress levels affect the effectiveness of GABA supplements, like it has a more pronounced effect in highly stressed people?
Thanks for your question and for commenting on my website.
Kind regards,
Nyomi
Hi Nick,
I’ve found that a variety of things have helped treat my anxiety. The best ones I’ve found, for me personally, include:
* Eating a more balanced diet. Getting enough good quality omega-3 fish oil really helped me, as did getting enough vitamin B, C, D, magnesium, calcium and other vitamins and minerals. I used to be low in various nutrients, and now that I’m not I feel much happier and I’m not anxious anymore. I also avoid foods, drinks and food additives that make me feel awful.
* Continuing to do regular exercise. I’ve always made an effort to exercise ever since I was young, no matter how tired etc I feel. Physical activity has made a big difference to my mental health. I find walking in pretty parks and bushland especially calming, i.e. getting out into nature.
* Meditating regularly. After starting my 40-odd minute approx. 4 day a week meditation sessions, I now crave meditation, if I don’t meditate for a few days. I have a few meditation/anti-anxiety CDs that I use over and over again. I love them.
* Changing my thinking. I’ve changed my thinking heaps since I had chronic anxiety. One thing I do now is hardly ever worry about the future. I believe in God/the Universe, and I have a saying: “If I do my best, God does the rest.” I do my best and then “let it go” rather than worrying about what may or may not happen. I have other positive philosophies too, such as “Everything works out for the best for me.”
* Visualizing how I want my future to be, so successful, peaceful and happy outcomes, rather than imagining fearful things happening. As we think, so we create and feel, become….
A blog post about the best ways to beat anxiety has been on my list of blog posts to write for a while now. Thanks for your comment, which is a good reminder for me to write it.
Thanks for visiting my website.
All the best
Kind regards,
Nyomi
Thank you Nyomi!!!! I do appreciate your time & willingness to help others. I’m looking forward to reading any new blogs you post!
How soon does GABA take effect? My boyfriend is trying it for anxiety/depression.
Hi Jean,
After reading, for example, posts in forums by people who’ve taken GABA, it appears that people vary in regards to how long after taking GABA they believe it has an effect — at least one person said they felt GABA’s effects as little as 5 minutes after taking it, and another noticed after 20 minutes. One person said it was 3 weeks before he/she received a regular positive effect.
Like other things people can take, I gather how long GABA takes to work depends on various things, such as the individual, the dose taken, how often GABA’s taken and what it’s taken with.
Thanks for commenting and visiting my website. I hope your boyfriend feels better soon.
Kind regards,
Nyomi
I have recently started taking Gaba and found it too be effective. It’s early days at the moment so we will see.
Hi Nyomi,
Great and informative website. Thank you. I take a .5 dose of Xanax for sleep at night, and occasionally use a smaller dose (i.e. .25) during the day in certain situations – all acute work stress related. In other words, I never run out of my rx early! The Xanax helps me sleep pretty good to counter my anxiety, but I know have moderate depression, and was thinking I could add GABA as a supplement to counteract the depression based on it addressing anxiety and depression as stated above. Can you go into more detail why it is not advisable to take GABA while taking a benzo?
Hi, I wondered if it’s safe to take GABA and l-theanine if you are coming off of Xanax? I didn’t take any Xanax last night because I decided to get off of it but I didn’t sleep a wink last night! My brain is so wired and running so fast and I need to feel calmer. I can’t relax any. I feel like I’m wound up. This is only when I’m coming off of Xanax. I feel like I’m going to bust. So, being in such need to feel calmer, I want to know if I can take something natural like these and it be safe while coming off of Xanax? I know NOT to take Xanax with those supplements at the same time and I wouldn’t be. I know you are not a doctor but I would appreciate an answer if you know for sure. Thanks for your time.
Gina
Hi Gina,
Sorry to hear about your bad experience getting off Xanax; it sounds awful.
I would speak to your doctor about whether GABA or l-theanine is suitable for you when coming off Xanax. Your doctor should know a lot more than me about your medical history, health status, the medications/supplements etc you’re on/have previously been on etc.
People on Xanax can suffer from all sorts of bad side effects if they stop this medication cold turkey. To avoid bad side effects, experts recommend slowly weaning off Xanax by reducing the dosage over a period of months, while under a doctor’s supervision. In fact, it is recommended that people stop taking Xanax only under a doctor’s supervision.
I’ve found two articles about getting off Xanax that I found interesting and helpful, so I thought I’d share them with you:
1) Xanax Withdrawal Symptoms – How to Get off Xanax by John Lee, Editor of Choosehelp.com: http://www.choosehelp.com/detox/xanax-withdrawal-symptoms-how-to-get-off-xanax.html
Please note: Lee points out under the heading Cold Turkey? that: “A drastic detox should never be attempted without medical supervision! In extreme cases, a Xanax withdrawal can induce potentially fatal convulsions.”
2) For the Layperson – Dr. Steve’s Guidelines for Discontinuing Xanax (Alprazolam) by Stephen Cox MD, Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, UKMC: http://www.lexington-on-line.com/naf_xanax.htm
Note in particular that Cox says in the above article that: “Sudden or rapid stopping Xanax at daily doses of 4 mg or more can cause moderate to severe withdrawal and, in very rare instances, a convulsion could occur.”
Thanks for your comment. I hope this helps, and you feel better soon.
Best wishes,
Nyomi
Thank you so much, Nyomi!
I’ve always been a worry-wart. But as of four days ago, I’ve been having extreme panic attacks that came out of nowhere! I’ve lost my job because of my fear of leaving my house. It’s taking over my life! I’m seeing a Naturopathic doctor who has givin me Glycine Powder, a lavender sleep aide and today is coming by to do acupuncture and a Mag drip. I’ve recently quit smoking pot after 7 years of constant use, have changed my diet and am drinking a lot more water then I used to. But I seem to keep waking up super anxious with a rapid heart beat and sweaty palms. Any advice? Thanks!
Hi CJ,
Alcohol, benzodiazepines and valerian (a calming herb) are just three of many things that all enhance GABA in the body. I’ve read that valerian taken with benzos or alcohol can heighten the effect of the benzos or alcohol.
GABA supplements can possibly boost the body’s GABA levels. So, to answer your question, “Can you go into more detail why it is not advisable to take GABA while taking a benzo?”, I gather the answer is likely to be because GABA supplements taken with benzos heighten the effect of the benzos.
I’m interested in hearing your and other readers’ thoughts on this.
Thanks for your kind comments on my website, and all the best. I hope your depression eases soon, and you feel happy.
Kind regards,
Nyomi
Hi Matt,
Thanks for your comment on my website.
I really hope your panic attacks and other health problems ease soon.
Well done for improving your lifestyle, getting help and more. Lots of people wouldn’t. It’s great to hear that you’re doing various things to improve your lifestyle, rather than only taking medication that may (or may not) ease your symptoms, but don’t tackle the underlying causes of your problems.
I recommend that you visit a medical doctor to get some health tests done on yourself, if you haven’t already done so recently. This is, for example, in case there are any health problems that you and/or your Naturopathic Doctor are unaware of that might be causing your health problems, which medical tests can detect.
Ask your doctor to test your body’s vitamin and mineral levels, including vitamins B, C, D and E, and magnesium and zinc. Low levels of these, among other nutrients, are linked to mental health problems. Do you get enough sunlight? It sounds like you might not be. You are likely to be low in vitamin D if you, for example, stay indoors a lot, rarely go outside and don’t take a vitamin D supplement.
Here are some topics I’ve written about on my website, which might be of help to you:
Vitamin B: http://extrahappiness.com/happiness/?p=2031
Vitamin C: http://extrahappiness.com/happiness/?p=4415
Vitamin D: http://extrahappiness.com/happiness/?p=3456
Vitamin E: http://extrahappiness.com/happiness/?p=4662
Magnesium: http://extrahappiness.com/happiness/?p=468
Zinc: http://extrahappiness.com/happiness/?p=1877#18773
Omega-3 fat: http://extrahappiness.com/happiness/?p=286 and
http://extrahappiness.com/happiness/?p=2847
Nutrition expert Patrick Holford has written a book to help people end their addictions. The book’s called How to QUIT Without Feeling S**T. I gather from your comment on my website that you’re interested in making positive lifestyle changes, so I thought that because Holford is too, this book may be of interest to you.
The book’s description on Amazon says: “This groundbreaking book from the UK’s leading spokesman on nutrition looks at why millions of people have cravings for substances such as coffee, sugar and alcohol, as well to drugs such as sleeping pills, antidepressants, marijuana and cocaine. It uncovers how the brain becomes addicted and how it can be ‘unaddicted’ through a combination of diet, supplements and lifestyle factors. The book is written in association with Dr David Miller, who has worked in the addiction field for 25 years and is an expert in relapse prevention. It looks at each of the most common substances that people become addicted to and offers specific advice on how to tackle that particular substance safely and effectively yourself.….”
Visit Amazon to read more: http://www.amazon.com/Quit-Without-Feeling-Patrick-Holford/dp/0749909943/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1343889173&sr=1-1&keywords=Patrick+holford+How+to+quit+without
Read about the book on Holford’s website too: http://www.patrickholford.com/index.php/shop/bookdetail/183/
Remember, “A journey of a 1000 miles begins with a single step,” said the Chinese philosopher Laozi. I’m proud of you for taking positive steps on your journey to improve your life.
All the best Matt. Hang in there; things can improve.
Best wishes,
Nyomi
Thanks Nyomi! I was pointed towards GABA and other natural remedies. I worked outside everyday up until these symptoms began. I saw an MD today and was put on Generic Zolof and Lorazepam…we will see how this works out. I also gave blood to test for Thyroid problems and other things. It’s nice to find a website with someone putting in the effort to help others with their problems. All the best to you.
Matt
I am currently on 3 diff antibiotics and taking susinex probiotic because I am on so many antibiotics. I am obviously awake right now cause one of the antibiotics makes me anxious not horrible anxiety but can’t sleep. I bought GABA 500mg and I’m not sure if its safe with all the other meds but would really like to sleep. Do u know if this is safe
Hi Yalonda,
It’s best to talk to your doctor about whether GABA’s safe for you as he or she should know more than me about the various medications you’re taking, your health etc. Sorry I can’t be of more help to you.
I hope you feel better soon and your sleep patterns improve.
Best wishes and thanks for commenting on my blog post.
Kind regards,
Nyomi
Hi,
I have suffered severe clinical depression twice, the first time I took anti-depressants (which nearly finished me off) the second time I went down the natural route, which has been far more effective. I have tried Gaba and it helped, but I also found taking 5-htp, Calcium & Magnesium at bedtime really effective, especially for anxiety type depression. I wrote about my experiences at cure depression without medication dot com, especially regarding 5-htp. I would also highly recommend Patrick Holfords book ‘optimum nutrition for the mind’ and a good multi B vitamin, after years of studying this I am of the impression that some of us just need a lot more vitamins than others! Maybe stress uses them up much quicker?
Thanks for the great article, very interesting, especially with the responses!
“What causes people to have low levels of GABA?”
Perhaps the low levels of GABA are causing some of the symptoms not the other way around
For all of you suffering from anxiety, depression, etc, consider looking up “adrenal fatigue”. After feeling anxious for no clear reason for years I suddenly bumped into a post somewhere about adrenal fatigue. Apparently most people suffer from thing unknowingly, and it causes constant adrenal release (in my case I believe it was caused by drinking massive amounts of coca cola when i was younger, all the sugar wreaked havoc on my kidneys). If you truly think you may be suffering from this consider reading the book “Adrenal Fatigue: 21st century stress syndrome” by James. L. Wilson. I’ll be trying out gaba too just to as an aid to chill out, but thought it would be helpful to mention adrenal fatigue. Wish you all the best
Hi Martin,
Thank you for your comment and ideas. Good idea stopping the fizzy drink.
I am also interested in adrenal fatigue. I bookmarked some websites about it a few months ago, including http://www.adrenalfatigue.org, which sells Dr. Wilson’s book.
Earlier this year I did the short checklist under the heading “How can I tell if my adrenals are fatigued?” at http://www.adrenalfatigue.org/what-is-adrenal-fatigue#how-can-i-tell. I had over half of the symptoms listed. I started taking a herbal tea to help my adrenal glands. I also continued to do regular exercise and meditation, and tried to manage my stress better. I think I’m getting better. Soon I’ll do the longer stress test at http://www.adrenalfatigue.org/take-the-adrenal-fatigue-quiz.
I wish more medical doctors were familiar with adrenal fatigue, and tested more of their patients for it.
Thanks again and all the best to you too.
Kind regards,
Nyomi
I just started taking this yesterday and so far its helping
. Thank you for this it helps because i did not know much about it.It really helps calm me down and helps me fall asleep. I have Aspergers and i was diagnosed with GED and many other things that make me anxious and have panic attacks. But since i started taking Gaba Calm it just helped my mind relax.
Hi Amanda,
I’m glad GABA’s helpful. I hope things continue to improve for you.
Thanks for commenting and all the best.
Kind regards,
Nyomi
Olympic Labs makes a supplement
called “Pedia Calm”.
It is formulated specifically for children, although it works
well for adults also, and GABA is one of the main ingredients.
I would recommend checking it out.
Would love to know the names of the music CD’s you like for your meditation/relaxation as I don’t have a clue what to buy & thanks for sharing what you have found to be the best help – its makes sense. Diagnosed 3yrs ago with depression & finally 2 months ago weened of the antidepressants (horrible withdrawls). Looking for a more natural supplement & working on changing my life with better thinking etc as you have done. Seeing my first naturopath dr. in a few days. If I try gaba or the l-theanine will let you know how it goes. Love your site; very helpful & informative!!
Warm regards,
Kathleen
Is GABA safe to take with Xoloft?
Hi Kathleen,
Thank you for your comment. I’m glad you like my website.
I’m sorry to hear about your depression. Well done for making lifestyle changes to help feel better. A holistic approach to helping treat problems can, obviously, be more effective than just treating the symptoms.
I have a range of meditation/hypnosis/relaxation CDs. My favorites, that I still regularly listen to, are:
* Warrior Woman, in the Woman Spirit Hypnosis series, by Jan Duncan
* Inner Alchemy: Connecting to the Inner Healer, by Mary Rodwell
* Letting Go of Anxiety, by Sarah Edelman
I hope GABA or l-theanine works well for you. Yes, feel free to write another comment on my website to say how things are going; I’m interested to find out.
I hope you feel happier soon.
All the best Kathleen
Kind regards,
Nyomi
Hi Jesus,
Thanks for commenting on my website. In regards to your question about whether GABA is safe to take with Zoloft, according to Livestrong, “…GABA supplements may interact with anti-anxiety and anti-depressant drugs…” Read more at: http://www.livestrong.com/article/334641-gaba-supplements-anxiety/
Kind regards,
Nyomi
Hi There. Will GABA interact with St. John’s Wort? I have read SJW have a problem if you take it with other drugs and supplement.
Hi Rod,
Thank you for your comment. In regards to your question: “Will GABA interact with St. John’s Wort?”, the answer appears to be yes, if the following doctor’s advice is correct. A similar question was asked on Health Care Magic (www.healthcaremagic.com). Apparently a person asked if they could take St. John’s wort, a GABA pill, multivitamins, glutamine and omega-3 fat daily. According to the website, Dr. Tayal responded by saying: “…You can start with all these except for St. John’s wort at the same time…”
See the full response to the question at: http://www.healthcaremagic.com/premiumquestions/Can-I-take-St-Johns-wort-gaba-pill-multivitamins-omega-3-in-one-day/14166.
All the best
Kind regards,
Nyomi
Interesting post. Just wanted to share some of my findings for GABA deficiency.
Do you know any herbs ,supplement ,foods etc. to relieve the described (posssible)side effects of taking GABA before going to sleep?
Thank you in advance!
Hi Sergey,
Thanks for sharing your findings on GABA and for posting a comment.
Best wishes,
Nyomi
Hi Matheo,
I did a search for you and, sorry, I couldn’t find any foods etc to ease the bad side effects. Are you taking too much GABA? High doses of GABA are more likely to cause bad side effects compared to taking small doses. If so, try cutting down on the amount that you’re taking. This might relieve your side effects.
Are you taking any other supplements and/or medication that might be interacting with your GABA supplement, so give you unpleasant side effects?
Thanks for your comment.
Kind regards,
Nyomi
Is it possible to develop tolerance to GABA tablets thus requiring an increase in dosage??? Also how soon should I feel relief??? I have 750 mg tablets that I am going to begin taking 1 per day starting tonight. I am a 35 y/o male and I never had anxiety/panic attacks before however 3 weeks ago prior to a sinus surgery I was scheduled for I had a major cancer scare regarding a totally different medical issue fortuantely Thank the Lord everything worked out, however I have not been able to shake the anxiety. I thought it would just subside right after and I would feel like a new man but no luck. My family Dr. prescribed Zoloft and Ativan however I prefer to try the GABA first to avoid possible dependence with the Zoloft and Ativan. Please help…
Hi Joe,
Thank you for your comment and questions. I’m glad the health scare turned out okay. I’m sorry to hear you’ve developed anxiety. I hope you feel better soon. I’ve recently written a blog post called Natural ways to help treat anxiety without taking medication. If you’re interested in having a look, visit http://extrahappiness.com/happiness/?p=5802.
To answer your question about developing a tolerance to GABA, the Denver Naturopathic Clinic says: “Looking at the brain’s capacity to change GABA receptor response and its tendency to build up tolerance to drugs which modify GABA, it is possible that a tolerance to oral GABA might develop and withdrawal symptoms might occur. None are reported in the literature to my knowledge.” Read more at: http://www.denvernaturopathic.com/news/GABA.html.
Like I’ve responded to Jean’s similar question above, after reading, for example, posts in forums by people who’ve taken GABA, it appears that people vary in regards to how long after taking GABA they believe this supplement has an effect. At least one person has said that they felt GABA’s effects as little as 5 minutes after taking it. Someone else said they noticed GABA’s effects after 20 minutes; and a different person said it took 3 weeks before he/she received a regular positive effect.
Like other supplements people can take, I gather how long GABA takes to work depends on various things, such as the individual, the amount of GABA taken, and how often and when it’s taken.
All the best Joe, and take care.
Kind regards,
Nyomi
it always good to learn new ways to manage anxiety. it can be a complex illness to treat. your article on gaba is an eye opener for me, and very informative. thank you.
Hi Sarah,
Thank you for your kind comment. I’m glad you like my GABA article.
All the best
Kind regards,
Nyomi
this is a very good information about GABA. ive just to buy 500mg GABA by Solgar after reading the reviews in amazon.
Hi Norman,
Thanks for your kind comment. I’m glad you like my blog post.
I hope GABA works well for you.
All the best
Kind regards,
Nyomi
I’ve just started to use GABA to help relax me and within 5 minutes of the first dose it worked!
Where can I find GABA calm?