GABA Benefits & Link to Sleep, Anxiety & Mood

Some theories suggest that GABA is the mind’s natural calming signal. It’s said to be the neurotransmitter that might relieve anxiety, help people get good sleep, relax, and wind down. By reducing overactivity in the brain, GABA might affect empathy, emotional intelligence, attention, and cognition. Read on to learn about the science of GABA. GABA is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, which means that it functions as the mind’s brakes . It slows down and stops the firing of brain cells and brings the mind to a state of relaxation and calmness [ 1 ]. GABA counters the main excitatory neurotransmitter, glutamate . The brain has a smart way to balance activation and relaxation, noise and silence, yin and yang. It does so through glutamate and GABA [ 1 ]. We can think of GABA and glutamate in the brain as if on a scale: As always, balance is key. On the extreme side, studies suggest too much glutamate can cause seizures and mania. But an overly stimulated GABA system, such from high doses of drugs like Valium, can cause extreme sedation and even coma. In fact, some general anesthetics are hypothesized to bring about a state of deep unconsciousness by enhancing GABA [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]. One theory suggests that when GABA and glutamate are in harmony, the brain can function optimally [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]. However, many factors can throw this balance off. In our modern, urban world and fast lifestyles, GABA might often take the toll. Some studies suggest that when the mind is constantly activated, under stress, or anxious, glutamate increases, GABA levels drop, and so does stress resilience. Have in mind that these are complex scientific theories, and GABA is just one part of […]

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