Health Benefits of GABA - Exploring the Health Benefits and Side Effects

Introduction

GABA is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood and anxiety. This chemical acts as a messenger in the nervous system. Low levels of GABA are related to disorders like anxiety, depression, insomnia, and mood disorders. It is considered to be a natural brain relaxant. It can be used to treat many other health issues, too.

What Is GABA?

GABA is a chemical present in the brain and acts as a messenger. It is known to be a neurotransmitter. It is present naturally in the brain. It helps block some signals and leads to a slowdown of the brain. It is known for its calming effect. It plays an important function in controlling anxiety, stress, and fear. It is also known as a non-protein amino acid neurotransmitter. It provides communication among the brain cells. GABA helps reduce neurons' activity in the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord). This results in various effects on the body and mind.

The effects include,

• Increased relaxation.

• Decrease in stress.

• Increased calmness.

• Stabilization in mood.

• Reduced pain.

• Boost to sleep.

How Does the GABA Work?

GABA is an important chemical present in the brain and it acts as a brake in the brain. It has an inhibitory action in the brain. It can help reduce the activity of neurons in the brain and spinal cord. This results in actions like enhancing good sleep, reducing both physical and mental stress, reducing anxiety, and helping gain calmness. This plays a role in maintaining muscle tone. GABA contributes to the overall mental and physical balance with another important neurotransmitter called glutamate.

GABA has a role in maintaining a healthy immune system and endocrine system. It regulates appetite and body metabolism, too. There is research being in progress on GABA’s role in gut health. It is thought that GABA can support motility, control inflammation, support the immune system, and help regulate hormone activity.

Reduced activity of GABA may have the following effects,

• Anxiety.

• Persistent stress.

• Depression can be seen.

• Difficulties in concentrating and recalling.

• Pain in the muscles and head.

• Disturbance in sleep.

• Substance use disorders may be associated with.

GABA can be naturally produced in the brain. It can be obtained from natural sources like greens, black or oolong tea, and fermented foods like kefir, yogurt, and tempeh. Some other food sources that contain GABA and help in the production of GABA include whole grains, fava beans, soy, lentils, other beans, and nuts like walnuts, almonds, and sunflower seeds. The fish that contain GABA include shrimp and halibut. It can be found in citrus, tomatoes, berries, spinach, broccoli, potatoes, and cocoa.

GABA can be found as a supplement. Some natural supplements for GABA include valerian and hops, magnesium, and L-thianine. All these affect GABA activity. It helps relieve stress and anxiety, achieve a balanced mood, and help with sleep. Other natural supplements include L-arginine, kava, passionflower, and American ginseng.

GABA supplements are used to treat high blood pressure, stress, anxiety, and sleep disturbances and to stimulate natural growth hormones, especially among athletes. Some medications interact with GABA and GABA receptors. They alter their function to have certain effects like relaxation, stress and anxiety reduction, high blood pressure, and improved sleep. The medications responsible for these effects include barbiturates, anesthetics, benzodiazepines, antidepressants, and anti-seizure medications.

What Are the Health Benefits of GABA?

GABA works in the brain. When the levels of GABA get lowered, it becomes difficult for the body to relax. The lowered GABA levels and their activity may cause anxiety, depression, insomnia, and mood disorders. Though GABA’s role is to relax the brain, it can be used to treat other health conditions. The list of health issues that can be treated with GABA include,

• Anxiety: GABA can diminish the activity of neurons in the brain and provide calmness. Hence, it can be used in the condition called anxiety. A study showed an increase in the alpha waves among those given GABA. Increased alpha waves after one hour caused relaxation and a feeling of calmness. GABA may help achieve good sleep, and this may help fight against stress and anxiety by providing relaxation and calmness. Another study showed that supplemental GABA may help increase immunity among patients with mental stress.
• High Blood Pressure: High blood pressure may pose a risk of causing stroke, heart attack, or heart failure. Studies have found that GABA supplements can effectively lower high blood pressure. In addition to this, it was noticed that maintaining a healthy blood pressure can help protect sleep. A natural drop in blood pressure may make the body progress to sleep. High blood pressure can indicate a state of physical alertness. This causes difficulty sleeping. Poor sleep may lead to high blood pressure.
• Obesity: Obesity is considered a serious issue worldwide. This condition has an increased risk for hypertension, type 2 diabetes, heart-related diseases, stroke, and osteoarthritis. A study has shown that GABA can lower the risk of developing obesity among individuals. A study showed that GABA supplements can reduce body fat and triglycerides and increase lean muscle mass.

GABA is naturally produced in the body, and when given as a supplement, it is considered safe. However, further studies are needed to give these supplements to pregnant and breastfeeding women. The recommended dosage may depend on age, gender, and condition. GABA supplementation may help with other conditions like inflammation issues, premenstrual syndrome, and other conditions that are associated with chronic pain.

What Are the Side Effects of GABA Supplements?

GABA supplements are considered safe and well-tolerated by healthy individuals. A few individuals may experience side effects.

These include,

• Gastric disturbances.

• Nausea.

• Decreased appetite.

• Constipation.

• Burning sensation in the throat.

• Weakness and drowsiness.

• Weakness in the muscles.

• Shortness of breath may occur with high doses.

Medications may interact with the GABA supplements. Hence, it is always advisable to seek help from healthcare professionals before starting to take GABA supplements.

• If an individual already on blood pressure medications takes GABA supplementation, it may tend to lower the blood pressure that is considered too low.

• Individuals already on antidepressants must get advice before taking GABA supplements.

• Individuals on neurally active medications must consult the doctor before taking GABA supplements. This is because neurally active medications act on brain activity. Even GABA supplements act on brain activity. Hence, advice is necessary before considering it.

Conclusion

GABA is a naturally occurring neurotransmitter that has an inhibitory effect on the brain. It can be used to fight against stress and anxiety and can improve sleep. Hence, it becomes important to know about GABA, its action, and its health benefits.