Gamma aminobutyric acid, or GABA, is Neurotransmitter Which slows down the brain by blocking nerve signals. This may sound scary, but it is an essential function that provides a calming effect to the body. It is said that a deficiency in GABA leads to anxiety, Mood disorders and insomnia. It also helps Immune and endocrine systems.
Although it is a naturally occurring brain chemical, you can also use GABA supplements to keep your levels high. Before we talk about the best GABA supplements, it’s important to note that there is a lot of controversy surrounding GABA supplements and whether they actually work or provide health benefits.
However, GABA supplements are generally safe to take, although it is a good idea to talk to your doctor before adding them to your diet. Below you will find our curated list of the best GABA supplements you can buy.
How did we choose the best GABA supplements?
This curated list was selected based on the company’s reputation, ingredients, dosages, and customer reviews. The price, quality and form of each supplement were also considered.
Our picks for the best GABA supplements
Thorne is one of the most respected nutritional supplement brands, thanks to its independent research, high-quality ingredients, and simple formulas you can trust. Thorne goes the extra mile to clinically test her products to ensure they are effective.
Thorne PharmaGABA includes a natural source of GABA, which is supposed to outperform the synthetic version, according to The clinical research Thorne refers to On its website. I admit I wish it were easier to find the study to fully investigate – I had to search the site to find citations to the studies because they weren’t on the product page. The site also cites an unpublished comparative trial that natural GABA increases relaxation, which I thought was an exaggeration since clients don’t have access to data from that trial.
However, this GABA supplement contains no fillers, and Thorne is clear about how he sources the ingredients. You can choose between 100 and 250 mg doses.
Best Features:
- This GABA supplement is free of additives, gluten, dairy, and soy. They are also derived from natural colors and flavours.
- Thorne has clinical research that gives consumers added confidence in what they are purchasing.
Things to consider:
- At $52 for 60 capsules, Thorne’s GABA supplement is not a budget-friendly option. Assuming you take three capsules per day as the label suggests, that’s only enough for 20 days. Even with only one option each day, it is still much more expensive than the others.
form: capsule
Dosage: 250 mg. Take one capsule one to three times daily.
price: $52 for 60 capsules
NOW is one of the most well-known and affordable brands in the nutritional supplement industry. This is what I consider to be a no-fuss GABA supplement you can rely on. It includes a massive dose of 500 mg of GABA and 2 mg of Vitamin B6, which represents 118% of the daily value.
This supplement contains some fillers: rice flour, silicon dioxide, and stearic acid. None of them are surprising or harmful. It is standard for NOW supplements, but it is important to know that it is not pure GABA. You should not choose NOW GABA if you do not want any fillers in your supplements.
The 500mg dose is much higher than that of other brands on the list and may be too much for some. The package states to take the capsules with water, juice, or on an empty stomach.
Best Features:
- You have a lot of flexibility with the GABA supplement you choose from now on. There are 500 or 750 mg capsules or chewable tablets and options of 100 or 200 counts.
- NOW is one of the most affordable brands on the market for nutritional supplements.
- This GABA supplement is vegetarian and vegan.
- NOW GABA supplements are cGMP certified.
Things to consider:
- NOW GABA supplement contains a large dose of GABA, which may only be suitable for some. At 500mg per capsule, that’s almost three times what other products offer.
- This GABA supplement includes harmless fillers, but that should be noted.
form: capsule
Dosage: 500 mg per capsule. Take one or two capsules daily as needed.
price: $11 for 200 capsules
If you have difficulty swallowing capsules, you may look for a GABA supplement in lozenge form. The lozenges dissolve in your mouth and enter your bloodstream rather than being broken down in the small intestine. The GABA supplement is available in orange or mint flavors.
In addition to GABA, you can also get a fair amount of other supplements as well, including magnesium As magnesium amino acid complex (5 mg), Glycine (50 mg), N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine (25 mg) and Taurine (20 mg). N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine It is an introduction to Dopaminethe neurotransmitter that helps us feel good. Although the additives are not absolutely necessary for a GABA supplement to work, it is nice to see them there.
The inclusion of tyrosine in this product means that if someone on an MAO inhibitor (a form of antidepressant) takes it, they may experience a rise in their blood pressure. It is best to avoid this product if you are taking MAO inhibitors.
This GABA supplement has 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon and nearly as many 2000 reviewsMany of which praise 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, this GABA tablet is not very large, about the size of a skittle.
- Source Naturals GABA Calm tablets are manufactured in the United States.
Things to consider:
- The Source Naturals GABA supplement is available in lozenge form, which means you have to hold it in your mouth until it dissolves.
- The flavors are orange or mint, which is not for everyone.
- This product can cause high blood pressure in people taking MAO inhibitors.
form: Lozenges
Dosage: 125 mg. Take one lozenge one to three times daily.
price: $12 for 60 tablets
For those with a GABA deficiency and looking for a product with plenty 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 brands.
Unique to Pure Encapsulations, this supplement includes GABA Ascorbyl palmitatea compound made of Vitamin C and Palmitic acid. The inclusion of this compound in the supplement is intended to help the body absorb GABA faster and more effectively. We don’t know for sure if it works, but it does FDA’s list of what is generally considered safe.
Pure Encapsulations GABA supplement has 4.5 stars on Amazon, with nearly 1,200 reviews. Many say the capsule is easy to swallow, and the product helped them Anxiety management Or falling He falls asleep faster.
Best Features:
- Pure Encapsulations is a brand known for manufacturing high-quality and reliable nutritional supplements.
- Free of major allergens, GMOs, and artificial colors and flavors.
- GABA supplement is vegetarian and vegan.
Things to consider:
- The dosage is high for this GABA supplement, at 700 mg. This is much more than the average person would need.
- The amount of ascorbyl palmitate contained in the product is not listed.
form: capsule
Dosage: 700 mg. Take one capsule daily.
price: $36 for 120 capsules
What is GABA?
GABA is Natural amino acid that works As an inhibitory neurotransmitter. It binds to nerve receptors in the brain and changes its ability to receive and send signals. Essentially, it calms us down by preventing signals from triggering messages from reaching the central nervous system.
GABA receptors in the brain It is targeted by medications that treat mood disorders, insomnia and epilepsy.
GABA helps calm our nervous system, which can help calm anxiety and stress and help us sleep. It can help us sleep by slowing brain activity and lowering our heart rate and blood pressure. It’s similar in theory to how alcohol helps you sleep; Research indicates Alcohol can bind to GABA receptors And blocking signals.
Do GABA supplements work?
Here’s the thing about GABA supplements: Research varies on what specifically they can do. There is no consensus about effectiveness, how much supplements reach the brain, and how long they last. There is controversy about whether GABA supplements can effectively pass through the body Blood-brain barrier. Additionally, there is no significant evidence that GABA supplements can help treat medical conditions.
However, there are signs that it may help you sleep. A small study looking at GABA for insomnia found that those who took GABA 300 mg of GABA one hour before bedtime I fell asleep faster and She reported better sleep. Note that this study was conducted on only 40 people.
GABA, which is naturally present in the brain, helps you sleep and reduce anxiety. It is not yet clear whether GABA supplements work in the same way.
What are the side effects of GABA supplements?
Again, more research is needed to determine potential downsides of GABA supplements. According to A Safety review of the United States PharmacopeiaIn a clinical study, taking 120 mg daily of GABA for 12 weeks was not associated with any side effects. Another study in the review found that doses higher than 5 g or 10 g per day resulted in a burning sensation in the throat that disappeared after a few minutes.
Common side effects have been reported. They are as follows:
- exhaustion
- Headache
- A burning sensation in the throat
- Sleepiness
- Digestive system problems
- Muscle weakness
Some research has found that GABA supplements have the potential to interfere with certain elements Medicines and nutritional supplements That lower blood pressure, such as Folic acid or Omega 3 fatty acids. Since GABA supplements too Lowering blood pressuremixing the two can bring him down a lot.
There is a lot we don’t know for sure about GABA supplements. The search is still ongoing. Talk to your doctor and review your prescribed medications to determine if GABA supplements are safe for your health.
What to consider when shopping for GABA supplements
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate the dietary supplement market the way medications do. This means that there are fewer requirements for manufacturers when producing products. That’s why it’s important to keep an eye on key factors that can guide you in choosing the best GABA supplement for your needs.
- Brand reputation: Many brands are keen to build trust and bridge the gap between regulations and their practices. Many have in-house research and third-party certifications that can help you feel confident in the product you’re purchasing.
- Dosage: Different GABA supplements will have different dosages and recommendations. Pay close attention to this, especially if you take medications that lower blood pressure.
- ingredients: You may assume 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 nutritional supplements, there are many forms that GABA supplements come in. The most common is a capsule, but it is also available in lozenge or liquid form. Note that the liquid form of any supplement makes it difficult to monitor the dosage you are taking.
GABA works in the brain by blocking the ability of nerve receptors to receive and send signals, resulting in a calming effect on the body. This is the most important help Anxiety management And stress. The best GABA supplements will also likely help you fall asleep faster at night.
GABA supplements help lower blood pressure, which is a necessary step in treating stress and anxiety. Small studies support the effects of GABA Supplements for anxiety On slowing down of brain waves.
The side effects associated with GABA vary depending on your body and the amount you take. Common side effects include a burning sensation in the throat, drowsiness, digestive problems, and fatigue.
Take GABA supplements on an empty stomach for best results. If you are taking it to help you sleep, it is best to take a GABA supplement about an hour before bed.
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