GABA: Benefits, Uses, Dosages, Side Effects
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) occurs in the brain naturally and can also be in some foods.
GABA is a neurotransmitter amino acid in the brain, and it functions as a chemical messenger. It is an anti inhibitory neurotransmitter, which inhibits various brain signals and decreases activities in the nervous system. GABA binds to the GABA receptor in the brain and causes calming effects. The effects help you feel better when stressed, anxious, in fear, and it also acts as an anti-seizure. Due to the positive effects of GABA, there are many GABA supplements.
Benefits of Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA)
The significant benefit of GABA is producing a calming effect on the brain. GABA supplements help in the state whereby your brain produces low levels of GABA neurotransmitters. People with anxiety and depression tend to have low GABA in the brain. Therefore, GABA supplements increase the GABA level in the brain, thus, reducing anxiety and depression.
Anxiety and depression cause a lack of sleep and a weak immune system. Other than anxiety and depression, GABA supplements help people with various medical conditions. The medical conditions include:
- Panic disorder
- Seizure
- Low moods
- Movement disorders
- Hyperactive disorders
- Hypertension
- Relieves pain from injuries
- Increase tolerance to exercise
- Burns fat
- Improves quality of sleep
- Treats premenstrual symptoms
People with the mentioned disorders have reported improvement after taking GABA supplements. There is no such scientific proof of the benefits of GABA supplements. However, scientists are trying to prove that taking GABA supplements triggers beneficial changes to the brain.
Uses of Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA)
There are various uses of GABA supplements, although the effectiveness is not much known. Other than being a relaxant, GABA has other health uses.
Below are some of the various benefits of GABA:
1. Anxiety management
Naturally produced GABA works by diminishing brain activity and causing relaxation. However, when the level of naturally produced GABA reduces, you are at risk of suffering from anxiety. According to studies, patients with anxiety disorder got a sense of relaxation after taking GABA supplements.
After one hour of taking the supplements, patients feel calm and relaxed. Electroencephalogram (EEG) is used to measure the effects of GABA supplements. EEG measures the patient’s brain wave after taking a wave, and the alpha waves increase after taking GABA supplements.
