We prefer this brand because...

GABA or gamma-animobutryric acid is a natural chemical produced by the brain and is a valuable anti-anxiety neurotransmitter. GABA has a natural calming effect which reduces feelings of anxiety by decreasing neuronal excitability. It is used mainly to promote sleep, reduce anxiety and depression, ease premenstrual symptoms.  Many of our patients report feeling more relaxed, less stressed, and able to sleep better when taking GABA.

We like Integrative Therapeutics’ GABA because they have been developing formulas with premium, active ingredients at their researched levels of dosing for over 35 years.   It’s a clean, vegan formula without common allergens such as gluten, dairy, and soy.

About this product

GABA is a non-essential amino acid produced in the brain from glutamate. It is the most common inhibitory neurotransmitter in your central nervous system, playing a key role in maintaining the delicate balance of neurotransmission.  Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that carry messages from one nerve cell in your brain to the next. As an inhibitory neurotransmitter, GABA lessens the ability of a nerve cell to receive, create or send chemical messages to other nerve cells. The brain must have a balance between the inhibitory effects of GABA and the excitatory effects of glutamate to function properly.  GABA’s inhibitory effects can help manage stress and promote a sense of calm, well-being and by reducing the activity of neurons that trigger stress responses, GABA can help to reduce anxiety.  In a small 2019 study, researchers found that consuming GABA-fortified tea reduced participants’ stress scores.

GABA can also help improve sleep quality and reduce insomnia.  A 2008 study found that patients with insomnia had 30 percent lower levels of GABA than those in the control group.  When GABA is low, the brain struggles to calm down; the overactive brain signals prevent relaxation and make it difficult to fall asleep.  GABA helped participants in a 2015 study fall asleep more quickly, shortening the amount of time it took to fall asleep by an average of five minutes.

For premenstrual syndrome, GABA may be able to provide relief from some of PMS symptoms such as mood swings and cramping.  Some studies have noted that GABA can act as a natural pain reliever and may be involved in the mechanism of menstrual cramps.

GABA may help stabilize blood pressure in people with hypertension by reducing excessive neural activity which can contribute to hypertension.  GABA’s relaxation effect can reduce the strain of the cardiovascular system by relaxing blood vessels and improving blood flow. Chronic stress can also contribute to high blood pressure so GABA can have a positive effect on blood pressure levels by promoting relaxation and reducing anxiety.

GABA has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects as well.  Gaba can suppress the production of inflammatory cytokines, which signal the molecules that promote inflammation. It also inhibits the activation of a key protein complex, NF-kB, which aids in regulating the immune response to infection.  By reducing cytokines and inhibiting NF-kB, GABA helps to reduce inflammation and can be protective in autoimmune conditions.  GABA can suppress the growth and multiplication of T cells which is beneficial in conditions where an overactive immune response is problematic. A review in the Journal of Neuroinflammation suggested that GABA might reduce the activity of a pathway that triggers joint inflammation.

Incorporating a variety of GABA-rich foods into a balanced diet can contribute to overall GABA intake. Fermented foods are known to have higher levels of GABA due to the action of certain bacteria that produce GABA during fermentation in tempeh, miso and fermented grains.  Sprouted grains, seeds, and legumes, vegetables such as tomatoes, spinach, peas and broccoli, and green tea all have some GABA though not as much as fermented foods.

Contents

1 capsule provide:

GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) 750 mg

Other Ingredients: plant -derived capsule (Hypromellose), magnesium stearate.

This product does not contain artificial flavoring or coloring, ingredients of animal origin, dairy, wheat, gluten, corn, or soy.

Cautions

Always take natural remedies under the supervision of your health care provider. Consult with your healthcare practitioner if you take medicine for high blood pressure as GABA could cause your blood pressure to drop too low.

GABA has calming effects, combining it with other sedatives or anxiolytics might enhance these effects, potentially leading to excessive drowsiness or other side effects. Always consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re taking other medications or supplements.

Avoid the use of alcohol when taking GABA.

Do not use GABA during pregnancy or lactation unless under the guidance of your physician as there is insufficient data about safe use during pregnancy.