GABA - 500mg

- GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, responsible for calming the overactive central nervous system
- GABA has been studied for its ability to improve mood, sleep parameters, and subjective and objective markers of stress response
Gamma-aminobutyric acid, more commonly known as GABA, is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter present in the human brain. It is responsible for calming the mind and balancing neurotransmission under excitatory conditions, acting as the “yin” to the many “yang” chemicals found in the central nervous system. Lower brain levels of GABA have been correlated with various mood disorders, sleep problems, and other neurological disorders. In fact, the widely used class of benzodiazepines (such as diazepam and alprazolam) and sedative drugs (such as zolpidem) exert their beneficial effects primarily by activating GABA receptors.
GABA can also be administered as a standalone amino acid supplement to support these same psychiatric and neurological disorders. Studies indicate that GABA can improve relaxation and concentration during times of stress, reduce sleep latency, and increase the time spent in deep sleep. This makes GABA particularly useful in people who have difficulty falling asleep because they cannot calm their active minds. In addition to these neurological effects, GABA has been shown to produce a significant increase in growth hormone levels when supplemented with large bolus doses or when combined with whey protein and resistance exercise. A study of the latter combination showed improved lean muscle mass after 12 weeks compared to whey protein supplementation alone.
Although the most obvious mechanism of action of GABA supplementation is activation of GABA receptors, it also results in various downstream physiological effects. For example, GABA supplementation was found to increase alpha brain waves and reduce beta brain waves in the central nervous system, leading to a more relaxed but alert state. Additionally, stable levels of salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA) and reduced levels of cortisol were found in individuals exposed to stressful circumstances if previously supplemented with GABA. Collectively, these mechanisms all indicate a reduced and more balanced stress response.
Overall, GABA is a safe and effective therapeutic amino acid to help calm the mind, reduce stress, and improve sleep. GABA from Cyto-Matrix offers 500 mg of pure GABA per capsule in a bottle of 90 capsules.