GABA

GABA: can help “calm down”, facilitate sleep, muscle gain, weight loss (and much more)

GABA or benzodiazepines (“black label”) for insomnia, anxiety, etc.? Myths and truths - PART 1

GABA or benzodiazepines (“black stripe”) for insomnia, anxiety, etc.? Myths and truths - PART 2

GABA or benzodiazepines (“black stripe”) for insomnia, anxiety, etc.? Myths and truths - PART 3

GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid) is a “special amino acid” that acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter, regulating the speed of communication between neurons. In other words, it's fundamental for balancing your brain, mainly by preventing it from hyper-accelerating, something so common nowadays in a world where we all live so chronically stressed, accelerated and with symptoms as a result. When it's lacking, for example, the most common thing is for the person to become more irritable, anxious, “negative”, have difficulty paying attention and even be more prone to panic attacks.

Drugs such as anxiolytics, or “tranquilizers”, usually act via GABA, increasing its action on the channels and receptors, but without increasing the body's production of GABA.

What many people don't know, however, is that there are several other beneficial effects of GABA on the body, such as:

Stimulate the production of growth hormone, thus helping to increase muscle growth and improving muscle tone (This can be especially beneficial for the elderly, as GH production decreases with age).

Helps burn fat and stabilize blood pressure

✅ Aids well-being by helping with restful sleep and relaxation: increasing intake can help during periods of stress and anxiety; it calms and relaxes the body and mind, optimizing REM sleep and relieving stress symptoms (which is also why it's useful for insomnia, chronic fatigue syndrome and improving mental/cerebral functioning)

It is also used in the treatment of various mental disorders, including anorexia nervosa and bulimia, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and substance abuse, since those suffering from these conditions often have a GABA deficiency.

There was a lot of talk that GABA, taken as a supplement, would have little effect on the blood-brain barrier, but more recent studies have shown that it does. It is estimated that most people have this “barrier” with deficiencies in its permeability, selective mechanisms to let GABA in in case of deficiencies in the brain or that it acts in other ways that are not yet known.

However, “it's not all flowers”: GABA should be supplemented under competent prescription and monitoring, as in my practice I have rarely seen a drop in blood pressure (episodes of hypotension) when high doses are used, especially in people who don't improve their lifestyle habits properly. These habits are available at: https://icaro.med.br/15habitos/

MY TIP:

For almost 10 years, I've been recommending GABA to hundreds of patients, mostly with good results, for the situations described above. Many even go off their medication. I suggest that you assess its suitability for your case, together with health professionals who are up-to-date and competent to do so.

Main sources for this text:

Study: “Neurotransmitters as food supplements: the effects of GABA on brain and behavior” in: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4594160/

https://www.lifeextension.com/magazine/2011/3/the-chemistry-of-calm

https://www.feitodeiridium.com.br/gaba-o-que-e-e-para-que-serve/