Gaba: Finding The Best Gaba Supplement
Updated Feb. 27th, 2025 | Read Time: 2 Minutes | What You Will Learn:
- What Is GABA?
- Key Uses & Health Benefits of GABA
- Different GABA Supplement Varieties
- Important Information & Cautions
- Nutritional Information
- Reader Comments (6)
What Is GABA?
Some amino acids can be manufactured in the body from other amino acids and are thus called non-essential. GABA, gamma-aminobutyric acid, is one of these non-essential amino acids. GABA is a neurotransmitter, a brain chemical that regulates the electrical conduction of the brain. It stops brain cells from overfiring by binding to receptor sites and blocking the activity of stimulating neurochemicals. This leads to relaxation of the mind and body. The best GABA supplement can be used as an alternative to the herb kava kava.
Key Uses & Health Benefits of A GABA Supplement
GABA works in the same way as prescription tranquillizers, like valium, but without the chance of addiction. In times of stress, anxiety or hyperactivity GABA binds in the motor centers in the brain. It can increase a low sex drive if it is caused by stress, hypertension due to tension in the vessel walls and epilepsy from errant brain signals. Natural health practitioners recommend the best GABA supplements for stress, hyperactivity, anxiety, hypertension, epilepsy, low libido and BPH support.
Different GABA Supplement Varieties
GABA supplements are found in capsules, tablets or as a powder. It is best absorbed when taken between meals. If you take an individual amino acid supplement for longer than one month, take it with an amino acid complex to prevent the deficiency of other amino acids and keep an appropriate ratio of amino in your body. GABA should come in an opaque bottle and be kept away from heat and moisture.
Important Information & Cautions
GABA can interact with other sedative medications, anti-anxiety agents, antidepressants, pain relievers, muscle relaxants, alcohol and anti-seizure medication. GABA can cause drowsiness and should not be used if activities requiring alertness are being performed.
GABA has not been tested in pregnant or breastfeeding women, children, or people with liver or kidney disease. Excess GABA can cause anxiety, seizures, shortness of breath, numbness around the mouth and tingling in the extremities.
Relaxes and calms the nerves, Gaba is proven to be a great way to do both
Hi Varun,
Yes, Gaba is an amino acid that naturally occurs in the brain and when Gaba is produced at a healthy rate can help with sleep functioning, feelings of relaxation and combat feelings of stress, Gaba, along with Serotonin, are known as some of the "feel good" chemicals produced in the brain. If you're looking for a quality Gaba supplement, we've linked our favourite below.
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/naturopathic-labs-gaba-600mg-240-vcaps-60-vcaps-free.html
Have a healthy day!
I’ve had problems controlling anxiety for years and only recently started actively trying natural supplements to help with this. I’ve mostly been drinking teas to help. Green tea and herbal teas like passionflower and valerian have helped but they certainly aren’t super strong..
This article is very interesting though. I can see how taking GABA supplements could help calm the nervous system very effectively. Definitely worth trying. I particularly appreciate the recommendations on dosing and needing to take an amino acid complex if taking GABA for more than a month. I’ve read that before about not wanting to unbalance. Very interesting!
Hello Andria,
Happy you enjoyed this article and learned something new about GABA. GABA is the precursor for serotonin; therefore it supports mood, feelings of relaxation and decreases stress and anxiety. It's an excellent supplement to incorporate if you suffer from stress, anxiety, mood or overwhelm. However, if you're taking any medications for any of these things, it's best to speak with your health care practitioner before beginning a protocol with GABA.
Stay healthy & well!
The first time I took Gaba, I think I took too much, half a capsule, instead of the usual 1/4 capsule, which is safer the first time around. It gave me a headache, and I think I had a bad reaction. I tried it a second time, less of it, and it was another way to fall asleep. I found out here I can mix it with Glutamine and Glutamic Acid (which is a part of Glutathione). I take Glutathione, so I'm going to try them together. I will report back my findings on the Glutathione article.
Hello Kaveh,
Thank you for sharing your experience with GABA, we hope it's working better for you now and happy our article could help you know which supplements it works well with. You can learn more about glutathione in this article: https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/supplements/glutathione/