GABA - A Peace Maker?

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a chemical messenger in the brain that blocks certain signals in the central nervous system and creates a calming effect. It is the brain’s primary inhibitory neurotransmitter. When GABA binds to a neuron, that neuron becomes less likely to generate an electrical impulse. This means a neuron that receives a message doesn't act on it, so the message is not sent to other neurons. This slowdown in message transition can help modulate mood and anxiety because GABA calms down the nervous system. Too much brain activity can damage the brain cells and lead to several negative effects including seizures and convulsions. Abnormal or impaired GABA transmission can contribute to Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, schizophrenia, Huntington’s, sleep and depressive disorders, etc. A deficiency of GABA may cause those neurons to become overexcited and damaged, which lead to impaired brain functions. A lack of GABA activity is related to excessive nervous system activity during seizures.

About 30% to 40% of neurons contain GABA and are known as GABAergic neurons. When these neurons receive a message, they release GABA into the synapses where the message is supposed to be carried on. As the brain’s primary inhibitory neurotransmitter, GABA plays a critically role in neural activity across the brain and helps modulate several different mental and cognitive processes. According to researchers, higher concentrations of GABA are associated with better cognitive functioning in older adults.

In the brain, GABA has a calming effect, and in the spinal cord, GABA allows the nervous system to process and organize information from the senses. GABA supplements are also used as a remedy for sleep issues. Some studies suggested that GABA supplements can improve sleep onset and duration, reduce drowsiness in the morning, and help reduce fatigue.

Researchers have also shown that GABA can have a beneficial effect on blood pressure, and consuming GABA may delay or prevent the early onset of blood pressure related conditions.
Here are some amazing health benefits of GABA:

• Improves sleep quality and reduces insomnia.
• Reduces anxiety, depression, and panic attacks.
• Improves cognitive function and long-term memory.
• May reduce hypertension and lower blood pressure.
• Reduces inflammatory responses of the body and supports immunity.

Dietary sources of GABA include green tea, white tea, and oolong tea, some tea companies also add GABA to their tea blends for an additional boost. If you enjoy drinking tea, this is probably the easiest way to naturally increase GABA. L-theanine is one of the key amino acids found in tea, which might also stimulate the production of GABA in your brain. Food sources include Broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables, certain peas and beans, grains such as rice, oats, wheat, and barley, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, spinach, soybeans, Tempeh, mushrooms, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, sprouted grains, nuts, especially walnuts and almonds, sunflower seeds, fish, fruits such as citrus fruits and berries, and Cocoa, etc.

GABA may cause a drop in blood pressure and may interact with antihypertensive medicines, such as propranolol, metoprolol, and others. You should check with a healthcare provider before taking GABA in any form. Taking GABA supplements with medication for epilepsy might increase the effect of the medication. If you're currently taking medication for anxiety or panic disorder, depression, or ADHD, avoid suddenly stopping your medication and replacing it with GABA supplements. GABA activity and production can be affected by alcohol and other drugs. Alcohol promotes GABA receptor activity. This can create a temporary feeling of calm and relaxation, but you won't get the same effect over time. People may build up a tolerance, which makes the body require more of the substance to achieve the same feeling. Overdosing or taking multiple GABA-modulating drugs and alcohol can lead to respiratory depression (slow breathing) due to increased GABA signaling in the brain stem.
 
GABA supplements are generally considered safe, but lack of data for long term safety currently. There's almost no research on the effects or safety of taking GABA while pregnant or breastfeeding. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should be cautious for taking GABA supplements because GABA can impact the endocrine system that produces hormones. For sleep, studies have used dosages ranging from 100-200mg. If you're taking GABA to treat high blood pressure, you'll need a much lower dose. Researchers have studied 10-20mg doses, and higher doses up to 500 mg are recommended under a healthcare practitioner's supervision.

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