GABA has long been viewed as a by-product of liver disease and contributes to hepatic encephalopathy in patients with cirrhosis (12). However, GABA has also been increasingly recognized to impact peripheral organs.
Gabapentin is an uncommon cause of DILI reported to cause a hepatocellular, cholestatic, or mixed picture of liver injury.
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.
Too much GABA can cause an increase in anxiety, a shortness of breath, numbness around the mouth and tingling in the extremities. When you start taking GABA you might experience drowsiness or lightheadedness (so don't take it before driving), and in some individuals, skin hives or a rash may appear.
GABA is produced naturally in the body, and GABA supplementation is considered safe. There are no reported drug interactions.
For this reason, it's best to play it safe and not use GABA if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Interactions. Not enough is known about how GABA may interact with drugs, foods, or other herbs and supplements, but use with caution if taking with blood pressure medications.
The HPA axis is associated with stress, so chronic overactivity of the HPA axis contributed in part by GABA is associated with pathologic stress, depression, and anxiety.
GABA dosing
In general, it is recommended that users begin with the lowest suggested dose, and gradually increase as needed. For sleep, stress and anxiety: 100-200 mg and higher doses, in scientific studies. Individual dosing and length of use will vary. For high blood pressure: 10-20 mg, in scientific studies.
The bottom line
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.
A small-scale study found that taking a 300 milligram (mg) dose of GABA before bed for several weeks was well-tolerated and reduced the time required to fall asleep. Evidence points to a need to take GABA supplements for at least one week to influence stress levels or sleep.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
It's thought to play a major role in controlling anxiety, stress and fear. Decreased GABA levels are associated with several neurological and mental health conditions, as well as other medical conditions. Increasing GABA levels may help treat high blood pressure, diabetes and insomnia.
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.
Although numerous studies have demonstrated that GABA or GABA-enriched food supplementation can attenuate the progression of renal disease or hypertension, the effect of GABA salt intake on acute nephrotoxicity remains unclear.
Best time to take GABA
GABA is most effective on an empty stomach, so it is a good idea to wait an hour between eating food or drinking protein, and GABA supplementation. Many people split their dose of GABA into two or three portions, adding a pre-workout dose to the bedtime dose.
Gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the principal inhibitory neurotransmitter playing a key role in anxiety and depression disorders in mammals. Recent studies revealed that members of the gut microbiota are able to produce GABA modulating the gut–brain axis response.
If you wish to treat your anxiety with GABA supplements, consider taking 100-200mg. If your goal is to treat high blood pressure, consider taking at most 10mg of supplements.
As a general rule you will get the best results if you take GABA on an empty stomach or away from food. If you can't take it away from food, don't worry, it will still work, it may just not be as fast acting. For anxiety or chronic stress take 1-3 caps in the morning – and then take 1-3 caps in the afternoon.
When it comes to L-theanine and GABA, L-theanine wins the battle to cross the blood brain barrier. Once consumed, it can easily cross the blood brain barrier and its effects on the brain are noted within 30 minutes [7]. L-theanine helps to promote relaxation without making you drowsy.
The symptoms for an individual with GABA-T deficiency can include: psychomotor retardation (a slowing down of thought and activity), low muscle tone, hyperactive responses, lethargy, seizures, and EEG abnormalities.
Taking GABA as an oral supplement can provide people relief from anxiety and chronic stress. Studies have shown that supplementation was effective as a relaxant and anxiety reliever. Other studies have shown that it can help people to recover quickly from extreme stress incidents.
GABA increases alpha waves and decreases beta waves — and so does l-theanine. To increase your intake of l-theanine, you can take theanine supplements or drink tea. Three cups of green tea per day will not only produce a relaxing effect, but may also provide many additional health benefits.
Abstract. Gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) represents the major inhibitory neurotransmitter of the central nervous system. Ethanol as well as benzodiazepines (BDZs) and some anticonvulsant drugs directly affect GABAA receptors inducing similar anxiolytic, sedativehypnotic, and anticonvulsant effects.
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.