Clinical studies suggest that taking up to 120 milligrams (mg) of GABA per day as supplements for 12 weeks is unlikely to cause adverse effects. People should take care when using them with other drugs. Using them with medications for high blood pressure or epilepsy may increase the impact of those drugs.
It is possibly safe when taken in larger amounts as medicine. Doses of up to 1.5 grams daily have been used for up to one month. There isn't enough reliable information to know if GABA supplements are safe when used for longer than one month.
The potential side effects of GABA supplements haven't been properly studied, so it's hard to know what to expect. Some commonly reported side effects include: upset stomach. headache.
One organization recommends against daily doses of GABA over 750 mg or use of GABA supplements for more than four weeks without first talking with a health professional.
It slows down your brain by blocking specific signals in your central nervous system (your brain and spinal cord). GABA is known for producing a calming effect. It's thought to play a major role in controlling nerve cell hyperactivity associated with anxiety, stress and fear.
GABA Dosage Guide
The typical dosage for general stress relief is around 750–800 milligrams daily, divided up into three to four doses over the course of the day. For anxiety, some recommend taking between 250 milligrams to 650 milligrams three times daily, for a total of 750–1,950 milligrams.
The long-lasting effects of tonic GABAA receptor stimulation may be involved in long-term information storage processes at the cortical level, whereas the cessation of GABAA receptor stimulation may be involved in chronic pathological conditions, such as epilepsy.
The NNHPD monograph for Cognitive Function Products recommends a daily intake of 50–3000 mg GABA that does not exceed 750 mg per single dose; it also says to consult a healthcare practitioner for use of products providing 300 mg/day or more when GABA is used for longer than 4 weeks [48].
The usual doses are 100 mg of GABA and 1–3 mg of melatonin, taken 30–60 minutes before bedtime. At these levels, melatonin and GABA are safe and generally well tolerated.
Best time to take GABA
People who are using GABA to enhance the quality of their sleep are best to take a single, larger dose half an hour before bed.
Serum analyses indicated no significant differences in ALT level (Figure 1C) and total bilirubin level (Figure 1D) among the 3 study groups, indicating no adverse effect of GABA on liver function.
Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals that facilitate communication between brain cells. GABA works by decreasing brain activity. Although different classes of CNS depressants work in unique ways, ultimately it is their ability to increase GABA activity that produces a drowsy or calming effect.
One small study of 13 adults showed GABA to be effective as a relaxant and anxiety reliever, with slowed brain waves seen within an hour of taking the supplement.
Gabapentin and magnesium can interact with each other. Magnesium can lower the effects of gabapentin. If you've been prescribed gabapentin and take a medication or supplement containing magnesium, it's recommended to take gabapentin at least 2 hours after taking it.
GABA and Mental Health
This can lead to too little GABA, which may play a role in disorders related to brain function and mood, including schizophrenia, autism, depression, and anxiety. GABA activity (too little or too much) is also associated with neurodegenerative diseases.
Oral gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) supplementation increases growth hormone (GH) serum levels and protein synthesis. Therefore, post-exercise supplementation using GABA and protein may help enhance training-induced muscle hypertrophy.
Just one hour after taking GABA, they saw a significant increase in alpha waves, which caused feelings of calm and relaxation. The effects of GABA can be used to stabilize blood pressure in people with hypertension.
It usually takes about 1 week for gabapentin (Neurontin) to kick in. But it might take up to a month to experience the medication's full effects. The most common gabapentin side effects include sleepiness and dizziness. These side effects may improve once your body gets used to the medication.
GABA is the primary neurotransmitter responsible for providing calming effects. Research has found that people who experience anxiety disorders and major depression often have lower levels of the chemical.
As a supplement, the recommended dosage for GABA in powder form is 750 mg once or twice daily on an empty stomach, or as directed by a physician. If you are taking GABA in capsule form, you should take one capsule one to three times a day, after consulting a physician.
GABA for Weight Management
Because of its support of glucose metabolism, GABA is actually considered to have anti-obesity effects, making it a useful tool in your fat-loss arsenal. GABA also helps with the production of human growth hormone, linked to an increase in lean muscle mass.
As with the case for many supplements, there is not a whole lot of research on whether GABA supplements actually work to decrease the symptoms of ADHD or other related disorders. Most of the evidence is anecdotal from parents, caregivers, and individuals taking GABA.
Dosing. When it comes to sleep, a clinically beneficial dosage of GABA is 100 mg, which is the amount included in Proper's supplements.
Research suggests it not only helps regulate neural activity, but it also influences almost all major organ systems in the body. When it comes to GABA, serotonin plays the role of a modulator. This means it works to enhance and improve the effects of GABA.