HWN Suggests

Scientists gain detailed images of how a protein that calms brain activity works

Gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA, dominates as one of the most important inhibitory neurotransmitters in the brain. Its primary role is to calm brain activity, lowering the number of signals firing in the brain in balance with the activity of other neurotransmitters that ramp up brain activity. (It’s even sold as a nutritional supplement to promote calm and improve sleep.)

When GABA is unable to inhibit brain signaling, the imbalance in activity can lead to a number of health issues including anxiety or mood disorders, increased pain, muscle spasms and, in extreme cases, even epilepsy.

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 GABA: The Neurotransmitter of Calm & Relaxation

Modern life is stressful. But you don’t necessarily need to look beyond yourself to find the antidote to stress. Your body already produces a potent anti-stress brain chemical called GABA. If it’s been a while since you have felt truly relaxed and happy, you may have a low level of GABA, the neurotransmitter of calm and relaxation.

Articles of Interest

GABA and Glutamate: Their Transmitter Role in the CNS and Pancreatic Islets

Glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) are the major neurotransmitters in the mammalian brain. Inhibitory GABA and excitatory glutamate work together to control many processes, including the brain’s overall level of excitation. The contributions of GABA and glutamate in extra-neuronal signaling are by far less widely recognized.

GABA Receptor

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is an amino acid that functions as the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter for the central nervous system (CNS). It functions to reduce neuronal excitability by inhibiting nerve transmission. GABAergic neurons are located when the hippocampus, thalamus, basal ganglia, hypothalamus, and brainstem.

GABA: Genetics, Anxiety, and Immune Response

GABA (gamma-Aminobuyteric acid) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that acts to stop a neuron from firing. This is an essential way that the brain regulates impulses. Low GABA levels are linked to anxiety and PTSD.

GABA: The Neurotransmitter That Dissolves Anxiety and Improves Sleep

Here are a few good ways to increase your GABA with natural remedies and supplements... Kava is a root native to the Pacific Islands that contains GABA-activating compounds called kavalactones. A Cochrane Review (the gold standard for research reviews) found that kava significantly decreases anxiety with mild-to-no side effects.

Taurine and GABA neurotransmitter receptors, a relationship with therapeutic potential?

Taurine is a β-amino acid present in high concentrations in different areas of the mammalian central nervous system (CNS). It participates in different physiological processes such as osmoregulation, signal transduction, antioxidant activity, trophic factor activity, modulation of calcium movements and neurotransmission. It is known that taurine is an agonist of GABAA receptors, and their affinity depends of the subunits that conform this receptor.

What Is GABA & How Do You Maintain Healthy Levels?

Our mental state is governed in large part by a unique cocktail of neurotransmitter chemicals in the brain—one of which is GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid). GABA is essentially your body's "calm down" signal, pumping the brakes on overexcited neurons, contributing to an overall relaxing effect.

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Examine

GABA is the 'downer' neurotransmitter that counters glutamate (upper), as the two mediate brain activation in a Yin-Yang manner. Highly important in the brain, oral ingestion of GABA is complex due to its difficulty in crossing the blood brain barrier.

Physiopedia

Low levels of GABA in the brain may play a role in stress disorders, anxiety disorders, and sleep disorders eg insomnia. GABA is made naturally in your brain, but it is also present in some foods and in bacteria. Supplements of GABA have been produced from fermenting bacteria. Because the idea of a natural brain tranquilizer is appealing, supplements are widely available and they claim to help people sleep and reduce stress or anxiety.

StatPearls

GABA is of great clinical significance. Medications that act on the GABA receptor are commonly used as therapeutic medications and substances of abuse, and it is unlikely that any physician, regardless of specialty, will not encounter clinical situations that involve GABA.