What is GABA?

GABA stands for gamma-aminobutyric acid. It's a neurotransmitter, a chemical in the brain that helps transmit signals between nerve cells. GABA plays a particularly important role in calming the brain. This is sometimes necessary when those nerve cells have become overactive, which you can notice as a feeling of stress or tension.

So it acts a bit like a brake pedal for your brain. When GABA does its job, it can contribute to a feeling of calm and relaxation.

Endogenous GABA

Our body produces GABA in the brain. This happens through the conversion of glutamate, another important neurotransmitter.

The body's own GABA has a relaxing effect on the nervous system and inhibits the influence of external stimuli.

What are GABA supplements?

If you live a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet, adequate sleep, and effective stress management techniques, in most cases your body can produce sufficient GABA.

However, supplements can be helpful for people who need extra support. If GABA isn't working properly in your brain, it can disrupt the normal functioning of your nervous system. (1)

Does GABA as a supplement really work?

There is some debate about the effectiveness of GABA supplements. Some studies suggest that GABA in supplement form may not cross the blood-brain barrier well, meaning it doesn't reach the brain in significant quantities. (2)

This raises questions about the extent to which GABA supplements directly influence brain function. More research is needed. Therefore, until then, European regulations prohibit us from providing further information about GABA's effects.

Types of GABA supplements

There are many different GABA supplements available. They come in two main forms: single supplements containing only GABA and multi-supplements that contain other ingredients besides GABA to support their effectiveness.

Additionally, you can take GABA supplements in different ways: via regular oral tablets or via sublingual (under the tongue) tablets.

GABA with L-theanine

The advantage of a supplement that combines GABA with other ingredients is that the substances can support each other's effects.

In addition to GABA, we've also added L-theanine, a natural amino acid found in green tea. To complete the formula , we've added active vitamin B6 (P5P), which is beneficial for mental balance.

Sublingual GABA Supplements

Sublingual means "under the tongue." Sublingual supplements are not swallowed, but placed under your tongue. This prevents the active ingredients from reaching your stomach, but allows them to be absorbed more quickly into your bloodstream through the oral tissues. (3)

Lozenges are a form of sublingual supplement.

How can you help your body produce more GABA?

GABA deficiency can occur due to lifestyle factors as well as mental and physical problems.

There are several natural ways to support GABA production in your body:

Tip 1: Eat foods rich in glutamate

Glutamate is the precursor to GABA. Your body needs this substance to produce GABA. Tomatoes, mushrooms, seaweed, and fermented foods contain glutamate.

Good to know: When you hear the word "glutamate," many people think of monosodium glutamate (MSG), a food additive often associated with Chinese food. But glutamate is the most abundant amino acid in your brain. It plays a vital role there by stimulating other neurons so they can perform their functions.

Tip 2: Drink green tea

Theanine is an amino acid found mainly in green tea and can support the functioning of GABA

Tip 3: Maintain a healthy sleep routine

A good night's sleep contributes to GABA production. (4) Maintain regular bedtimes and avoid screens before bed.

Tip 4: Stress management

Techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, and mindfulness can help reduce stress, which can support GABA production.

Sources Used

1. Jewett, B. E., & Sharma, S. (2023, July 24). Physiology, GABA . StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513311/
2. Boonstra, E., De Kleijn, R., Colzato, LS, Alkemade, A., Forstmann, BU, & Nieuwenhuis, S. (2015). Neurotransmitters as food supplements: the effects of GABA on brain and behavior. Frontiers in Psychology , 6 . https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01520
3. NARANG, N., SHARMA, J., Shri Baba Mastnath Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, & Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kurukshetra University. (2011). SUBLINGUAL MUCOSA AS A ROUTE FOR SYSTEMIC DRUG DELIVERY. In International Journal Of Pharmacy And Pharmaceutical Sciences (Vol. 3, Issue Suppl 2, pp. 18–22). https://www.innovareacademics.in/journal/ijpps/Vol3Suppl2/1092.pdf
4. Siegel, J. M. (2004). The Neurotransmitters of Sleep . PubMed Central (PMC). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8761080/#:~:text=In%20some%20cases%2C%20GABA%20neurons,are%20involved%20in%20arousal%20functions