By Alissa B Daschbach MA BS MH

GABA is an essential neurotransmitter that serves to promote improved mood, relaxation, and reduced markers of stress by simply blocking the messages sent by neurons based on fear, anxiety, and stress. This article explains the benefits of GABA and why Elevate formulators have included this valuable amino acid in their formula.

GABA has an immediate calming effect throughout the body, helping to bring you relief against excessive stress and anxiety. This brain chemical causes this relaxing effect by increasing the number of alpha brain waves - brain electrical activity that promotes improved mood, relaxation, and reduced markers of stress. Studies show supplementing with GABA shortly promotes feelings of relaxation and reduced anxiety symptoms shortly after ingestion. Read on to discover the amazing benefits of GABA and why this beneficial amino acid is included in Elevate’s relaxing-promoting formula.

GABA: Background and Benefits

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is an amino acid produced by the body that is a major neurotransmitter (a chemical that serves as a chemical messenger in the nervous system). Deficiencies in this important neurotransmitter can cause the following symptoms:

• Sleeping problems (like Insomnia or excessive sleeping)
• Increased sensitivity (for example to sounds, smells, and light)
• Feeling afraid or overwhelmed for no reason
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Attention and memory problems
• Restlessness
• Reduced ability to manage stress
• Mood swings

Some neurotransmitters are known as inhibitory neurotransmitters - meaning they inhibit or block chemical messages and decrease the stimulation of nerve cells. GABA is the most abundant inhibitory neurotransmitter in our nervous system. GABA’s primary function is to block messages that are sent between neurons (nerve cells) and the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord). What is special about the messages that GABA blocks is that they are those related to stress, anxiety, and fear. Low levels of GABA in the body can cause you to have more intense responses to stress because these messages are not being blocked by this anxiety-reducing neurotransmitter.

GABA does not only reduce the signals of fear, stress, and anxiety in the body. It also attaches to a receptor in the brain that produces a calming effect throughout the body. In fact, a current study showed that participants who took GABA felt its natural relaxing effects within one hour of administration. The same study showed enhanced immunity in participants under stressful conditions. Elevate contains GABA for precisely this reason, to give your body an additional source of this valuable amino acid that blocks the fear and stress response while bringing you a sense of calm and enhanced immunity.

GABA, Alpha Brain Waves, and a Calm State of Mind

You may already know that the human brain uses electrical activity to send messages via nerve cells throughout the body. At times, a group of neurons sends an electrical signal to another group of neurons - this is called a brain wave. There are five different types of basic brain waves that move from very slow to very fast (delta, theta, alpha, beta, gamma). The alpha brain wave is produced when you are relaxed and passively attentive or not focusing on anything in particular. Alpha brain waves are important because these waves are produced during deep states of relaxation and help you to feel calm and at ease. 

GABA is known by scientists as the only calming neurotransmitter due to its inhibitory actions on stress and fear signals throughout the nervous system. One effect of GABA is its ability to increase alpha waves and decrease the stimulating beta waves of the brain. This increase in alpha waves helps to promote the relaxed state of mind in people who take the supplement or have adequate stores of GABA in their nervous system. People who are deficient in GABA or have decreased GABA activity may suffer from certain mental health or neurological conditions, including:

• Anxiety and mood disorders
• Depression
• Epilepsy or seizures
• Schizophrenia
• Hypersomnia (excessive daytime sleepiness)
• Dystonia and spasticity

You may not know you are deficient in GABA or may be experiencing excessive stress or anxiety which is putting an extra toll on your excitable nervous system. Supplementing with GABA may help drastically reduce the effects of stress and give you a sense of calm and balance. Natural sources of GABA can produce a prompt state of relaxation by promoting the production of alpha brain waves and giving you a calm state of mind.

Cautions and Interactions

Be sure to check with your physician before taking supplemental GABA as it may interact with current treatment or medications.

GABA is considered a safe supplement when taken by mouth with no reported side effects. Because there is little to no evidence regarding the safety of GABA when you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is best to not take GABA unless you have checked with your physician.

There is a moderate interaction that happens between GABA and high blood pressure drugs. GABA may lower your blood pressure which combined with a high blood pressure medication, may make your blood pressure fall too low. Consult with your physician before taking GABA if you have a history of low blood pressure or are taking high blood pressure medications.

References

Abdou, A. M., Higashiguchi, S., Horie, K., Kim, M., Hatta, H., & Yokogoshi, H. (2006). Relaxation and immunity enhancement effects of γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) administration in humans. Biofactors, 26(3), 201-208. Retrieved from Wiley Online: https://iubmb.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/biof.5520260305

Boonstra, E., De Kleijn, R., Colzato, L. S., Alkemade, A., Forstmann, B. U., & Nieuwenhuis, S. (2015). Neurotransmitters as food supplements: the effects of GABA on brain and behavior. Frontiers in Psychology, 6, 1520. Retrieved from Frontiers in Psychology: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01520/full

Möhler, H. (2012). The GABA system in anxiety and depression and its therapeutic potential. Neuropharmacology, 62(1), 42-53. Retrieved from ScienceDirect: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S002839081100373X?via%3Dihub

Nemeroff, C. B. (2003). The role of GABA in the pathophysiology and treatment of anxiety disorders. Psychopharmacology Bulletin, 37(4), 133-146. Retrieved from PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15131523/

Nuss, P. (2015). Anxiety disorders and GABA neurotransmission: a disturbance of modulation. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, 11, 165. Retrieved from PubMed Central: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4303399/