Getting enough GABA Studies show that the natural form of GABA has a number of sleep-improving effects including helping people fall asleep faster and sleep longer after taking 100 mg of GABA before going to bed. People who suffer from insomnia should talk to a doctor about how GABA can help provide more restful sleep.
Dosage and Timing of GABA Supplements
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.
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a non-proteinogenic amino acid and is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian brain. GABA's stress-reducing, and sleep enhancing effects have been established.
The clinical trial that tested GABA's calming impact2 on the brain found that it had activated slower brainwaves after 60 minutes, suggesting that taking a supplement an hour before bed will be effective.
While GABA provides emotional and behavioral support by reducing excitability and promoting relaxation and calmness, melatonin provides physical sleep support by directly regulating the sleep-wake cycle. It improves sleep quality, increases total sleep time, and decreases the amount of time it takes to fall asleep.
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.
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. 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.
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 dampens the transmission of nerve impulses between neurons, which has a calming influence. If GABA is increased, this can prevent insomnia, and lead to more restful sleep and reduced levels of anxiety.
In fact, many prescribed anxiety medications such as benzodiazepines target GABA receptor sites in order to induce relaxation. Dosage: Take 500 to 1,000 mg before bed. Alternatively, take GABA 10 to 20 minutes before your evening meal.
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.
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.
2 However, high daily doses of GABA (5 to 10 grams) may result in a burning sensation in your throat and low blood pressure. The upper recommended intake is typically 3 grams per day—with no more than 750 milligrams per dose.
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].
Health Risks
GABA is produced naturally in the body, and GABA supplementation is considered safe. There are no reported drug interactions.
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.
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.
GABA is a great option for those looking at alternates to Bulk Nutrients' discontinued Max Sleep. Some states in Australia and New Zealand have restrictions on purchases of Gaba of 1kg or greater. We suggest you check your relevant legislation before purchasing.
If we consider that the average half-life of gabapentin is around seven hours in most people, it would take about 48 hours for the drug to be totally eliminated from the system; however, there other factors that can affect this process.
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.
Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs) interacts with GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID (GABA) GABA might lower blood pressure. Taking GABA along with medications that lower blood pressure might cause blood pressure to go too low.
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 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.