Reduce Your Stress and Get More Rest by Trying GABA
Gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA, is a neurotransmitter Slows down the brain by blocking nerve signaling. This may sound scary, but it is an important function that brings a calming effect to the body. A lack of GABA is said to cause anxiety, mood disorders and Insomnia. it also helps immune and endocrine system.
Although it is a naturally occurring chemical in the brain, you can also use GABA supplements to maintain levels. Before we discuss the best GABA supplements, it’s important to note that there is a lot of debate about GABA supplements and whether it actually works or provides health benefits.
That being said, GABA supplements are generally considered safe to take, but it’s best to check with your doctor before adding them to your diet. Below, you’ll find our curated list of the best GABA supplements.
How do we choose the best GABA supplement?
This curated list was determined based on company reputation, ingredients, dosage, and customer reviews. The price, quality, and form of each supplement are also taken into consideration.
Our picks for the best GABA supplements
Thorne is one of the most respected supplement brands for its independent research, high-quality ingredients, and simple formulas you can trust. Thorne goes to great lengths to clinically test the effectiveness of its products.
Thorne PharmaGABA contains naturally derived GABA, which, according to the company, should perform better than the synthetic version. Clinical studies cited by Thorne on its website. I admit I wish it was easier to find this study to fully investigate – I had to search the website to find references to these studies as they are not on the product page. The website also cites an unpublished comparative trial showing that natural GABA increases relaxation, which I think is a stretch since customers don’t have access to the data from that trial.
That said, this GABA supplement contains no fillers, and Thorne is transparent about where the ingredients come from. You can choose between 100 mg and 250 mg doses.
Best features:
- This GABA supplement is free of additives, gluten, dairy and soy. It is also derived from natural colors and flavors.
- Thorne’s clinical research gives consumers greater confidence in the products they purchase.
Things to consider:
- Thorne’s GABA supplements are expensive, priced at $52 for 60 capsules. Assuming you take three capsules per day as the label recommends, this is only enough for 20 days. Even with just one per day, it’s still significantly more expensive than the other options.
form: Capsule
dose: 250 mg. Take one capsule one to three times daily.
price: 60 capsules $52
NOW is one of the most affordable and well-known brands in the supplement industry. I think this is an affordable GABA supplement you can trust. It contains a massive 500 mg of GABA and 2 mg of vitamin B-6, equivalent to 118% of your daily value.
This supplement contains some fillers: rice flour, silica, and stearic acid. None of them are surprising or harmful. They come standard with NOW supplements, but it’s important to know that it’s not pure GABA. If you do not want any fillers in your supplement, you should not choose NOW GABA.
The 500 mg dose is significantly higher than other brands on this list and may be too much for some people. The packaging says the capsules can be taken with water, juice or on an empty stomach.
Best features:
- You now have flexibility in your choice of GABA supplements. Available in 500 or 750 mg capsules or chewable tablets and 100 or 200 tablets.
- NOW is one of the most affordable supplement brands on the market.
- This GABA supplement is both vegetarian and vegan.
- NOW GABA supplements are cGMP certified.
Things to consider:
- NOW GABA supplements contain high amounts of GABA and may only be suitable for some people. Each capsule contains 500 mg, which is almost three times the amount of other products.
- This GABA supplement contains fillers that are harmless but worth noting.
form: Capsule
dose: 500 mg per capsule. Take one to two capsules daily as needed.
price: 200 capsules $11
If you have trouble swallowing capsules, you may be looking for a GABA supplement in lozenge form. The lozenges dissolve in your mouth and enter your bloodstream instead of breaking down in your small intestine. This GABA supplement is available in orange or mint flavors.
In addition to GABA, you can also get a fair number of other supplements, including magnesium As Amino Acid Magnesium Complex (5 mg), Glycine (50 mg), N-acetyl L-tyrosine (25 mg), and Taurine (20 mg). N-acetyl L-tyrosine is the predecessor dopamineneurotransmitters that help us feel good. While the extras aren’t necessary for GABA supplements to work, it’s nice to see them present.
This product contains tyrosine, which means people taking MAO inhibitors (a type of antidepressant) may experience spikes in their blood pressure if they take this product. If you are taking MAO inhibitors, it is best to avoid this product.
This GABA supplement has a 4.5 out of 5 star rating on Amazon, almost 2,000 commentsmany of whom praised its effectiveness.
Best features:
- This GABA supplement is free of major allergens such as yeast, dairy, eggs, gluten and soy.
- Unlike some supplements on the market, these GABA lozenges are not very large, about the size of Skittles.
- Source Naturals GABA Calming Lozenges are made in the USA.
Things to consider:
- Source Naturals GABA supplement comes in lozenge form, which means you have to hold it in your mouth until it dissolves.
- The flavors are orange or mint and are not for everyone.
- This product may cause an increase in blood pressure in patients taking MAO inhibitors.
form: diamond
dose: 125 mg. Take one lozenge one to three times daily.
price: 60 lozenges $12
For those who are GABA deficient and looking for a product that contains a high amount of GABA, consider Pure Encapsulations, which contains 700 mg of GABA in one capsule. The company has been around for 30 years and is one of the most trusted supplement brands.
This GABA supplement is unique to Pure Encapsulations and includes Ascorbyl Palmitatea compound composed of Vitamin C and Palmitic acid. The purpose of including this compound in supplements is to help GABA be absorbed by the body faster and more efficiently. We’re not sure if this works, but it makes List of substances generally considered safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Pure Encapsulations GABA supplement has a 4.5-star rating on Amazon, with nearly 1,200 reviews. Many people said the capsules were easy to swallow and the product helped them manage anxiety or fall fall asleep faster.
Best features:
- Pure Encapsulations is a brand known for producing high-quality and reliable supplements.
- Free of major allergens, GMOs, and artificial colors and flavors.
- This GABA supplement is vegan and vegetarian.
Things to consider:
- This GABA supplement comes in a high dosage of 700 mg. That’s a lot more than the average person might need.
- The amount of ascorbyl palmitate is not listed in the product.
form: capsule
dose: 700 mg. Take one capsule daily.
price: 120 capsules $36
What is GABA?
GABA is also a Functional natural amino acids Acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter. It attaches to neuroreceptors in the brain and changes their ability to receive and send signals. Essentially, it calms us down by preventing excitatory messages from reaching the central nervous system.
GABA receptors in the brain It is the target of drugs that treat mood disorders, insomnia and epilepsy.
GABA helps calm our nervous system, which helps relieve anxiety and stress and helps us sleep. It helps us sleep by slowing brain activity, lowering heart rate and blood pressure. Conceptually, this is similar to how alcohol helps you fall asleep. Research shows Alcohol can bind to GABA receptors and block signaling.
Do GABA supplements work?
Here’s the thing about GABA supplements: Study results vary depending on their exact effectiveness. There is no consensus on how effective supplements are, how much reaches the brain and how long they last. About whether GABA supplements can effectively pass blood brain barrier. Additionally, there is no clear evidence that GABA supplements can help treat disease.
That said, there are signs it may help with sleep. One small study investigating GABA for insomnia found that people who took GABA Take 300 mg of GABA one hour before bed fall asleep faster Reportedly better sleep quality. Please note that this study only involved 40 people.
GABA, which is naturally produced in the brain, can really help you sleep and reduce anxiety. It’s unclear whether GABA supplements have the same effect.
What are the side effects of GABA supplements?
Likewise, more research is needed to determine the potential drawbacks of GABA supplements. according to a USP Safety ReviewA 12-week clinical study of 120 mg of GABA per day found no side effects. Another study in the review found that higher doses of 5 grams or 10 grams per day caused a burning sensation in the throat that disappeared after a few minutes.
Common side effects have been reported. They are as follows:
- fatigue
- Headache
- burning sensation in throat
- drowsiness
- digestive problems
- muscle weakness
Some studies have found that GABA supplements may interfere with certain functions Medications and Supplements Lower blood pressure, e.g. folic acid or omega-3 fatty acids. Since GABA supplements also lower blood pressuremixing the two may reduce it too much.
There is still a lot we are not sure about when it comes to GABA supplements. Research is still ongoing. Consult your doctor and review your prescription medications to determine whether GABA supplements are safe for your health.
What to consider when buying GABA supplements
The FDA does not regulate the supplement market like pharmaceuticals. This means manufacturers have fewer requirements when producing their products. Therefore, it is important to focus on the key factors that can guide you in choosing the best GABA supplement for your needs.
- Brand reputation: Many brands are eager to build trust and bridge the gap between regulations and their practices. Many have in-house research and third-party certifications to help you feel confident in the product you’re purchasing.
- dose: Different GABA supplements have different dosages and recommendations. Pay close attention to this, especially if you are taking medication to lower your blood pressure.
- raw material: You may think that GABA supplements only contain GABA. However, many supplements may contain fillers, allergens, and artificial dyes that you may want to avoid.
- form: Like many other supplements, GABA supplements come in many forms. The most popular are capsules, but there are also lozenge or liquid forms. Please note that with any liquid form of supplement it is difficult to monitor the dose you are taking.
GABA works in the brain by blocking the ability of neuroreceptors to receive and send signals, causing a calming effect on the body. The most important thing this helps is manage anxiety and pressure. The best GABA supplements may also help you fall asleep faster at night.
GABA supplements help lower blood pressure, an essential step in treating stress and anxiety. Small study supports GABA’s role Anxiety Supplements About slowing down brain waves.
GABA-related side effects vary depending on your medical condition and the amount you take. Common side effects include throat burning, drowsiness, digestive problems, and fatigue.
Take GABA supplements on an empty stomach for best results. If you’re taking a GABA supplement to help you sleep, it’s best to take your GABA supplement about an hour before bed.
