If you have been privy to what has been happening the last few years in the health and wellness world, you have probably heard of GABA. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a neurotransmitter known for inhibiting and slowing down neuro processes in your brain, especially where the brain might be hyperactive. With the amount of stress we all undoubtedly carry in our busy lives, implementing a GABA supplement in your daily routine can be crucial. Let’s look at the supposed benefits of GABA and potential supplement options you have when looking at taking it.
What are the benefits of taking a GABA supplement?
GABA is one of the most common inhibitory transmitters (chemical messages sent between our nerve cells) in our central nervous systems, which means it helps to inhibit over-stimulation, possibly producing a calming effect on our mood. It is also known to be involved in our sleep and wake processes. GABA occurs naturally in the brain, but it is also able to be created in a lab, giving us the opportunity to help supplement the natural amount we have if we need to.
It is most well-known for its stress-relieving effects on our mental and physical bodies. With stress relief,of course, comes other benefits. This may include ease of falling sleep, reduction in hyperactive mood, and reduction in anxious feelings. There are even suggestions that GABA can aid in the treatment of certain clinical conditions, such as high blood pressure, insomnia, epilepsy, and diabetes. The daily benefit, then, becomes a potential overall improvement in stress and anxiety levels. This may allow for a healthier stress response to common stressors, helping you to feel more balanced.
GABA and Sleep
Many studies suggest that taking a GABA supplement may help with falling asleep and calming down for the night. Because GABA helps slow down the brain, for lack of a better term, it is thought that it helps you to wind down when you are getting ready to go to bed. Additionally, by reducing feelings of stress and anxiety, it can further help to slow down processes in the brain that might keep it hyperactive. Because GABA occurs naturally in the brain, it is also safe to use in conjunction with other natural sleep aids, such as L-theanine, melatonin, and magnesium.
Of course, sleep is one of the most important functions in our body, so if our sleep systems are not working efficiently, there can be huge repercussions in our daily lives. With a GABA supplement, you may be able to get more restful sleep, helping you be more energized throughout your day to day routines.
Should You Take A GABA Supplement?
The question of if you need a GABA supplement is likely unique to each person. GABA may be able to help if you consistently have feelings of stress and anxiety, or if you have trouble sleeping. Additionally, GABA might be a nice addition to your treatment plan if you suffer from any chronic conditions, such as insomnia or high blood pressure, as it may help the processes that exacerbate those conditions to slow down.
The bottom line is that it’s always safest to consult a medical professional before deciding that you want to take a GABA supplement or what the right dosage is for you, depending on your needs. Purchasing from a reputable source is always recommended as well as making sure the supplement contains ingredients that are pure and clean. If GABA sounds like something that might benefit you, the other good news is that you can rest assured that it can be a safer alternative to other prescription drugs used for anxiety, stress, sleep, and other bodily processes. While more research in this area is needed to confirm that GABA is able to provide all of these benefits across the board, it may still be worth a try.