What is GABA?
GABA is the abbreviated name for Gamma Amino Butyric Acid, which is the body's major inhibitory or calming and tranquillising brain chemical, more commonly known as a neurotransmitter. GABA is extremely important in balancing the excitatory action of neurotransmitters, in particular, Glutamate, Acetylcholine, Histamine and adrenaline. One of GABA's important roles is that it helps neurones or nerve cells recover after sending or receiving transmission making it one of the body's most significant mood modulators.
GABA acts via receptors to reduce the excitability in neuronal transmission and it modulates the size of the electrical impulse generated by those nerve transmissions. What GABA does is it filters out irrelevant messages (static) by terminating signals from the excitatory neurotransmitters in particular glutamate and its positive modulators adrenaline, noradrenaline and PEA. GABA can be viewed as the ‘braking system’ in the realm of neurotransmitters.
Symptoms of Low GABA
For humans to function properly there needs to be a balance between the excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters. If the brain has too many excitatory neurones it means that GABA levels are low and this can lead to many detrimental health conditions including;
| ADHD | Insomnia |
| Alcoholism | Low Digestive Enzymes |
| Anxiety | Mood Disorders |
| Bi-Polar Disorder | Motion Sickness |
| Convulsions | Nervousness |
| Depression | Panic Attacks |
| Digestive Disorders | Racing Mind |
| Feeling Overwhelmed | Seizures |
| Hypertension | Tourettes Syndrome |
Symptoms of High GABA
High levels of GABA may be a result of excitatory overload or the body's compensatory mechanism to balance surplus excitatory neurotransmitter activity. These high levels result in a ‘calming’ action that may contribute to sluggish energy, feelings of sedation and foggy thinking. These symptoms are similar to someone who has overdosed on benzodiazepines or consumed far too much alcohol.
| Anaesthesia | Nausea |
| Drowsiness | Poor Memory |
| Impaired Learning | Sedation |
How to increase Low GABA Levels?
In our clinic, we use B-Calm a supplement that provides all the nutrients the body needs to effectively manufacture GABA. Pus we utilise the herbs in GabRelax to enhance the function of the GABA and Benzodiazepine receptors, thus allowing GABA to be uptaken into the brain more effectively. For more information on how to increase GABA levels naturally please read this Blog.
The information provided here is of a general nature intended for educational purposes only. We make no claims to diagnose, treat, prevent, alleviate or cure illnesses or diseases with any information or product stated. With any health issue, we suggest you consult your healthcare professional before undertaking any health treatment.
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