![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by robot on January 19, 2006, at 11:56:07
I read (here I think) recently that amino supplement GABA doesnt even cross the blood brain barrier. Does anyone have another opinion?
What supplements are there to try to work on GABA?
Posted by davpet on January 19, 2006, at 17:14:54
In reply to supplements to increase GABA?, posted by robot on January 19, 2006, at 11:56:07
I went to a doctor who specialises in preventative medicine . Apparently the combo of L-Theanine and Taurine is a potent anxiolytic that works on GABA.
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theanine :
"Theanine is an amino acid, commonly found in tea (infusions of Camellia sinensis), that can produce a feeling of relaxation. Theanine produces these effects by increasing the level of Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) production. Theanine affects the levels of serotonin and dopamine in the brain. It also inhibits glutamic acid excitotoxicity.
Theanine is most readily available in green tea and can also be purchased as a supplement. Unusual for an amino acid, it crosses the blood-brain barrier in animal studies. It is also theorized that the GABA-binding properties of theanine reduce the caffeine buzz delivered in black tea versus that of coffee. It also promotes alpha wave production in the brain. Alpha waves are commonly associated with a state of alert relaxation. Theanine is not removed by the decaffeination process because it is not an alkaloid."
Posted by blueberry on January 19, 2006, at 18:07:53
In reply to supplements to increase GABA?, posted by robot on January 19, 2006, at 11:56:07
Some resources say gaba works, and some say it doesn't. Some say it gets into the brain, some say no. The problem is that some people who take gaba supplements clearly get a relaxtion anti-anxiety effect from it. So it makes one wonder. I personally do not know. I have taken 250mg gaba at one time, which is really a pretty small dose, and I didn't feel anything from it.
I have tried glycine in magnesium glycinate and in a combo product called GabaCalm (glycine, gaba, and taurine combo). For me it is very relaxing, but also easy to overdo it and get a little depressed as well. Haven't tried taurine yet, except in that combo.
Close gaba substitutes include taurine or glycine. There are supplements at the health food store that have gaba, glycine, and taurine in combinations.
Theanine supposedly works for increasing gaba. When I tried it though, it almost brought on panic attacks. I guess it also works on dopamine and serotonin, and maybe the metabolism varies from person to person.
Posted by robot on January 19, 2006, at 20:00:01
In reply to Re: supplements to increase GABA?, posted by blueberry on January 19, 2006, at 18:07:53
Any herbals that work on GABA?
Thanks alot for your input guys. It turns out that I actualy have some l-theanine left over from lsst year when I got interested, but I was so crazy at the time there wasnt anyway for a true trial. Ive been wanting to try it again sometime, so now I have a reason.
I havent tried taurine or glycine, thanks for the heads up!
Posted by robot on January 19, 2006, at 20:05:50
In reply to Re: supplements to increase GABA?, posted by blueberry on January 19, 2006, at 18:07:53
Thanks. Yeah, Ive tried GABA in under gram doses and Im not sure if its done much. IM having trouble being patient and thorough in testing things because often its subtle and Im impatient to find something that works. Ill try it soon in higher doses. Maybe Ill start trying the aminos a week at a time--I can usually tell the difference in how I feel by weeks rather than days.
> Some resources say gaba works, and some say it doesn't. Some say it gets into the brain, some say no. The problem is that some people who take gaba supplements clearly get a relaxtion anti-anxiety effect from it. So it makes one wonder. I personally do not know. I have taken 250mg gaba at one time, which is really a pretty small dose, and I didn't feel anything from it.
>
> I have tried glycine in magnesium glycinate and in a combo product called GabaCalm (glycine, gaba, and taurine combo). For me it is very relaxing, but also easy to overdo it and get a little depressed as well. Haven't tried taurine yet, except in that combo.
>
> Close gaba substitutes include taurine or glycine. There are supplements at the health food store that have gaba, glycine, and taurine in combinations.
>
> Theanine supposedly works for increasing gaba. When I tried it though, it almost brought on panic attacks. I guess it also works on dopamine and serotonin, and maybe the metabolism varies from person to person.
Posted by nolvas on January 20, 2006, at 9:26:41
In reply to Re: supplements to increase GABA?, posted by robot on January 19, 2006, at 20:05:50
I use GABA Relaxer by Country Life and take half the dosage (1 pill and not 2)
Contains >
Niacinamide
Vit B6
Taurine
Inositol
Glycine
GABAKAVA KAVA is another agent that may affect GABA but in a different way to benzodiazepine drugs.
Studies in animals have shown that the kavalactones do not bind to benzodiazepine or GABA receptors. Instead, the kavalactones are thought to somehow modify the area near the receptor site in a way that enhances GABA binding. However, there are other explanations.
For example, studies have indicated that the kavalactones appear to act primarily on the limbic system, the primitive part of the brain that affects all other brain activities and is the principal seat of the emotions and of instinct). It is thought that kava may promote its anxiety-relieving and mood-elevating effects by altering the way in which the limbic system influences emotional processes. Kava kava is truly a unique anti anxiety agentPicamilone also apparently raises GABA levels.
Posted by James K on January 26, 2006, at 13:11:13
In reply to supplements to increase GABA?, posted by robot on January 19, 2006, at 11:56:07
Here is a link to a discussion of GABA issues relating to chronic fatigue syndrome. Not all of it is alternative med, but kava and valerian are discussed.
http://www.immunesupport.com/library/showarticle.cfm/ID/3154/e/1/T/CFIDS_FM/
this guy dr. Cheney is legit and I pay attention to what he says even though I don't have the scientific knowledge of some of the others here.
Yet.Hope this is helpful in some way,
James K
Posted by LOOPS on February 15, 2006, at 9:15:28
In reply to Re: supplements to increase GABA? » robot, posted by James K on January 26, 2006, at 13:11:13
I've heard that theanine taken with 5htp is very good as the theanine raises dopamine and can depress serotonin - so the 5htp offsets that. I might be trying this soon, along with the usual taurine.
BTW I like taurine, but I'm wondering if some of my recent insomnia has been due to taking it too late in the day. I find it balancing but not sedating. I have once in the past found it to be depressing, but at that time I was taking too much (over 2g) a day, and also not eating enough protein to balance out the amino intake.
Valerian root can be very good IF you react to it with increased GABA. On some people it has the opposite effect.
I believe kava can be very good for anxiety - I think it works best taken traditionally i.e. mixing ground root up with water.
Loops
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Alternative | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.